Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to get the opportunity to talk on this very important issue. The youth are our future and as has been said, it is very important to keep them active and working. We appreciate all of the voluntary groups that help youth, whether it is the local youth groups in Kenmare, Kilgarvan, Glenflesk or wherever. All of those people do great work with the youth, and they know them by name. In the GAA clubs, the underage teams are very active both in hurling and football in Kerry, all over the county. There are clubs that never played hurling now training their young fellows and girls to play hurling as well.

The strategy falls short in addressing the socioeconomic factors that contribute to youth crime. It does not propose sufficient measures to address inequality, poverty and the lack of educational opportunities, which are often root causes of criminal behaviour among young people. Without addressing these systematic issues, any efforts to reduce youth crime are likely to yield limited results. We must keep our youth busy, and keep them happy and active in sports. The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service, KDYS, is a magnificent organisation. It does so much work all around the county, in Castleisland, Killorglin and Killarney. It does massive work with young people.

The drugs issue is something that is prevalent even in every small parish now, and we must ensure that we help the Garda to combat this in whatever way we can. When it gets hold of young people, it does untold damage. We have to ensure that young fellows and girls have enough to do. It has been highlighted to me that so many discos and similar places are closed now, and we only have them in the bigger towns, rather than the smaller towns.

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