Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 222: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will present a report on a meeting (details supplied); the issues raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3180/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Dáil na nÓg Council Meeting 21st June 2008.

Dáil na nÓg is the annual national youth parliament for young people aged 12 to 18 years and is funded and overseen by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Comhairle na nÓg are the responsibility of each of the 34 City and County Development Boards (CDBs). All 34 Comhairle na nÓg are funded by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and local agencies. The role of Comhairle na nÓg is to give children and young people a voice in local and national decision-making.

Each of the 34 Comhairle na nÓg elects one delegate to become a member of the Dáil na nÓg Council. The Council has a term of office of one year. Young councillors follow-up on recommendations from the previous session of Dáil na nÓg and try to make changes for young people in those areas. The issues discussed at Dáil na nÓg 2008 were Teen Mental Health and Education Reform. The Council meets once a month in the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and works in two groups, one on each of the themes from Dáil na nÓg. The Council is supported in its work by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the National Youth Council of Ireland. It is also assisted by 4 young Advisors who are young people from the outgoing Dáil na nÓg Council.

Barry Andrews TD, Minister for children and Youth Affairs met with the Dáil na nÓg Council on 21st June 2008. It was a very constructive meeting held in an informal manner. Members of the Mental Health and Education Reform groups briefed the Minister on the work undertaken so far. They explained what they hoped to achieve during their terms in office. Dáil na nÓg Advisory Council Members told the Minister about the work of the 2007 Dáil na nÓg Council. The Minister asked each of the young people what they would change for young people in Ireland if they could. The group also asked Minister Andrews questions about his role in the government, his plans for his term of office and how he feels about working with young people. The Minister agreed to attend a second meeting of the Council early in 2009.