Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues from Galway on this issue. We represents the constituencies of Galway East and Galway West. Deputies Rabbitte and Connolly have made very clear our concerns about the cessation of the mental health services provided by Youth Work Ireland in Galway. We met with young people in Youth Work Ireland Galway this week and they spoke eloquently about the benefits Youth Work Ireland Galway provides for them. This is a service which does not require a referral from a doctor. Teenagers and children as young as 12 can walk in and speak to a qualified counsellor at their ease in a very informal setting. There is huge benefit from that.

The funding that would be required to keep this service going is minimal in the grand scheme of things. I urge the Minister of State to look favourably on this service because it is critical for the young people of Galway East and West.

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