Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to acknowledge the Department of Rural and Community Development and what it is planning to do with former bank buildings and other such facilities to create innovation hubs and spaces that are beneficial to communities. Young people should not be left behind and should be included in those plans. There is a strong case for that Department to get additional capital funding to help, either solely or in a collaborative way, to provide those types of facilities. Whether it is done through that Department or through some sort of a formal collaboration with the Department of Rural and Community Development or even local government, getting spaces for young people to hang out, have somewhere to go and be safe is really important in every town and village. There are many towns and villages throughout the country where young people do not have anywhere to go. They hang out on street corners and, inevitably, end up in trouble. Having those spaces to go to and to be safe in is very important.

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