Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. It is important that he always bears in mind that population growth happens throughout the country. It is not something that is only happening on the east coast. Many pockets throughout the country have seen major growth in population. For example, Milltown, which used to be a village and is now a town, is quite close to where I come from. When I started knocking on doors there almost 20 years ago, there were two housing estates in the village. There are now more than ten estates and the population has grown massively. There is a great youth club locally, and other facilities, but a lot of the time there is not much for young people to do.

I acknowledge the great work being done by youth services in Kerry, throughout the county, and the support they get from the Department. The ETBs also do marvellous work, but there needs to be better joined-up thinking between established community organisations and our youth services. Rather than re-inventing the wheel, there should be greater collaboration to put on events and things that will attract young people. That is something we could work a little more on.

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