Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is a body of evidence to back up the belief that youth work and non-formal education makes a significant contribution to society and we are all agreed on that. In a number of key areas youth work is filling the gaps left by the formal education sector. In the present economic situation youth work is more vital than ever - reference was made to youth unemployment. I welcome that the European youth guarantee is making great strides and I look forward to that next year.

Like my fellow Senator from County Louth, besides being the age-friendly county and the best county, between the two of us we do not need a gathering in County Louth next year to promote everything that happens in County Louth. An unforeseen effect of the banking crisis and consequent recession has been the rise in the participation in voluntary youth work. County Louth VEC has noticed that interest in and the establishment of new youth groups and youth initiatives is gaining momentum as adults are turning to volunteering as a way to practically and actively make use of the extra time they have available. Recently 46 groups from County Louth received funding grants from the VEC. This is very positive and shows that the Celtic tiger did not turn everybody into money-grabbing self-centred jet-setting socialites as is often portrayed in the media.

Everybody has talked about the value of youth work and I want to make reference to two projects in Dundalk with which I am acquainted and which the Minister has visited recently. One of them is "The House", which started from nothing and this year celebrated its 21st anniversary. I know the Minister was in attendance that day. It has gone to great lengths, as have other youth groups in the country, to help many young people who otherwise would have gone down the wrong road. As a former teacher I am constantly amazed at how beneficial they are. Sometimes it is down to the youth club, youth service or person who is there.

It is the feeling of care, of knowing that somebody is concerned, of helping them and of volunteering. I must go back to the point that it is not something that one can teach. It is something innate in us as a people.

I also want to make reference to the valuable work that Louth Comhairle has done, particularly last year in developing the mental health app. As somebody who has an interest in suicide awareness, the Minister will be conscious that the mental health app they produced last year was a testament to what young people can do when left to their own resources. In everything that they did, they came up with their own ideas. There is also the Youth Café in Dundalk which the Minister established.

I would like to make a brief------