Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Indeed, a Cheann Comhairle. The Taoiseach referred to the Gaisce or President's award. This is a successful awards scheme that brings considerable benefits to the young people who participate. Tá fadhbanna leis sa Tuaisceart ós rud é go gcaithfidh daoine óga ann dul tríd an Duke of Edinburgh's award chun clárú le Gaisce. There is a problem in the North. I have made representations about this. Young people who wish to avail of the President's award or Gaisce have to go through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. God bless the Duke of Edinburgh, but there are some young people there who do not want to apply for the President's award through the Duke of Edinburgh's scheme or system. We find, therefore, almost by default, that young people in the North are unable to apply for the President's award. We should perhaps tease this out and have a genuine debate. Whether people are in Ballymena or Ballycastle at the tip-top of Antrim or in the tip-toe of Cork, they should be able to be part of all this. This gives me the opportunity to draw the Taoiseach's attention to the matter. Will he review this arrangement in order that groups or individuals in the North can register directly for Gaisce?

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