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NYCI represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.

Constitutional Convention Report: Youth Council welcomes lower voting age recommendation

Vote@16 campaign successful in convincing Convention

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) today (27.03.13) welcomed the Constitutional Convention's formal submission of its report to the library of the Houses of the Oireachtas. The report confirms the Convention’s recommendation that the voting age for all Irish citizens in elections should be lowered to 16 years of age, and the Government must now respond with a debate in the Oireachtas within four months.

“We are delighted with the recommendation that the voting age be lowered, as the Youth Council has led the campaign on this issue since 2009.

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Conclusions of EU Youth Conference highlight unemployment as critical to the inclusion of young people in society

“Young people have named employment as fundamental to being included in society and highlighted the transition from education to employment as a particularly vulnerable time,” stated Fergus O’Dowd TD, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. The Minister was speaking at the closing plenary of the EU Youth Conference, which brought together some 150 young people and 100 policy-makers from all 27 EU Member States.

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Let’s act on inclusion

Youth Council launches ten-part video series exploring what young people and youth workers have to say about equality and inclusion.
 

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) launched a 10-part video series today (07.03.13) on equality and inclusion in youth work. It looks at issues such as working with Travellers; how young people can support others around mental health; the experiences of LGBT young people, minority ethnic young people, young parents and more.

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Youth Council welcomes EU agreement on Youth Guarantee
  • but warns it’s not a panacea
  • number of young people in Ireland at work down almost 10%

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has welcomed the agreement on the proposed Youth Guarantee scheme reached at the EU's Council of Employment and Social Affairs Ministers today (28.02.13).

“The NYCI has been a long time advocate of a youth guarantee – which would ensure young people on the live register for four months or more will automatically be directed into employment, education or training,” said James Doorley, NYCI deputy director.

 

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Youth Council welcomes Garda Vetting staff increase

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has welcomed the announcement by Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence that 25 additional staff will be redeployed to the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU).

Olive Ring, NYCI National Child Protection Manager said:

“We voiced our concerns to the Minister when delays in vetting reached up to 12 weeks at some stages last year, so it is good to see action being taken on this now.

 

“We welcome the additional staff allocation for the Garda Central Vetting Unit, and hope that this will be sufficient to both meet increased demand, and reduce waiting times for youth organisations looking to vet volunteers and employees.”

 

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1 year on: glass half empty

Feb 7th 2012: Substance Misuse Report launched by Dept. of Health

“Twelve months on: no plan and no action”

 

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in the year since the report of the National Substance Misuse Steering Group was launched by the Department of Health, and is calling on the Government to publish the promised Action Plan by the end of this month.

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