Press Releases

Vote@16 campaign successful in convincing the Constitutional Convention

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) today (27.01.13) welcomed the Constitutional Convention's vote in favour of lowering the voting age and recommending that the issue be put to a referendum.

“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.

“Yesterday young members of the NYCI Vote at 16 Campaign group campaign presented their arguments for a lower voting age of 16 rather than 17 to the Convention. It is heartening to see that their arguments have been taken on board, and that the work of the campaign has paid off,” said James Doorley, NYCI deputy director.

“The fact that the Convention has recommended the lower voting age of 16 means that the result is even more positive than expected, given that the group was initially asked to consider 17,” continued Mr Doorley.

“This is part of a global and European momentum towards extending the right to vote to young people at 16 and 17 years old, so it is to be welcomed that Ireland is showing leadership on this rather than following in the wake of our neighbours,” added Mr Doorley.

“It is high time that young people had a voice in the decisions that affect them.”

For information on the Vote@16 campaign see youth.ie

ENDS
Contact: Daniel Meister, Communications Manager at NYCI: 087 781 4903, 01-478 4122 or communications@nyci.ie

Notes to Editors:
National Youth Council of Ireland
The National Youth Council of Ireland is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of Irish voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people. www.youth.ie
 

Presentation to the Convention

More:
•       NYCI submission to Constitutional Convention here:

https://www.constitution.ie/AttachmentDownload.ashx?aid=4ae63276-bd5d-e2...

•       Youtube clip: See the young people explain some of the reasons for reducing the voting age to 16 in this animated youtube clip:
http://youtu.be/HoCD4a9ZM5o

Vote@16 Campaign website:
For further information on Vote@16 campaign see http://www.voteat16.ie/

What is the Constitutional Convention?
The Convention is a forum comprising of 100 people, representative of Irish society and parliamentarians from the island of Ireland, with an independent chairman.
The Convention has been established by Resolutions of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It has been asked to consider and make recommendations to the Oireachtas on a range of topics as possible future amendments to the Constitution.
Government has undertaken to respond to the Convention’s recommendations within four months
 

At the first meeting of the Constitutional Convention in the Grand Hotel Malahide today (26.01.13), the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) called for a reduction in the voting age to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in National, Local and European Parliament elections. Young people from NYCI’s Vote at 16 campaign were invited to present their arguments to the Convention, which met to consider whether to recommend that lowering the voting age be put to a referendum.

“If a 16 year old can leave school, seek full-time employment and pay tax, why can we not vote and have a say in issues that affect us?” asked Ciara O’Donoghue (17), Vote at 16 campaign member, speaking at the event.

“It is often suggested that low voter turn-out in elections and referenda are a result of ‘voter apathy’ and a lack of interest in politics, particularly amongst young people. This claim just doesn’t stand up to scrutiny,” said James Doorley, NYCI deputy director. 

“Many organisations including NYCI engaged in activities to encourage young people to register to vote and vote in the last General Election. As a result, the numbers of young people aged 18-24 who voted jumped from 50% in 2002 to 62% in 2011. If we support young people to engage in our democracy they will respond,” continued Mr Doorley.

“It is worth remembering that while many believe that the voting age has always been 18, this is not the case. The voting age is not static, but something that changes as our societies develop and mature,” added Maria Kelly, Vote at 16 campaign member.

“There is a global and European momentum towards extending the right to vote to young people at 16 and 17 years old. This is not some passing trend. It is the next step in our democracies. It is only a matter of time before the idea that suffrage wasn’t extended to 16 and 17 year olds will be as antiquated and laughable as the idea that women shouldn’t vote,” continued Ms Kelly.

“Austria has already lowered the voting age for all elections to 16, as have the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey and areas of Germany and Switzerland. Just last Thursday, the House of Commons voted in favour of a motion backing votes at 16. Ireland should take the opportunity to show leadership on this rather than follow in the wake of our neighbours,” concluded Ms Kelly.

“It is time for young people to have a voice in the decisions that affect them.”

For information on the Vote@16 campaign see youth.ie

ENDS

Contact: Daniel Meister, Communications Manager at NYCI: 087 781 4903, 01-478 4122 or communications@nyci.ie

Notes to Editors:
National Youth Council of Ireland
The National Youth Council of Ireland is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of Irish voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people. www.youth.ie

More:

• NYCI submission to Constitutional Convention here:

https://www.constitution.ie/SubmissionDetails.aspx?sid=48e63276-bd5d-e211-a5a0-005056a32ee4
 

• Youtube clip: See the young people explain some of the reasons for reducing the voting age to 16 in this animated youtube clip:
  http://youtu.be/HoCD4a9ZM5o
   

Vote@16 Campaign website:
For further information on Vote@16 campaign see http://www.voteat16.ie/

What is the Constitutional Convention?

The Convention is a forum comprising of 100 people, representative of Irish society and parliamentarians from the island of Ireland, with an independent chairman.

The Convention has been established by Resolutions of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It has been asked to consider and make recommendations to the Oireachtas on a range of topics as possible future amendments to the Constitution.

Government has undertaken to respond to the Convention’s recommendations within four months
 

NATIONAL VETTING BUREAU ACT COULD INCREASE WAITING TIMES AND ACT AS A ‘BARRIER TO VOLUNTEERING’
 
January 23rd, 2012: A group of voluntary sector leaders today called on the Government to ensure that adequate resources are put in place to cope with the increased number of applications that will arise from the introduction of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.

 
Age and Opportunity, The National Youth Council of Ireland, The Wheel, Volunteer Ireland, the network of Volunteer Centres in Ireland and Voluntary Service Overseas Ireland are concerned that increased waiting times for Garda Vetting could act as a barrier to volunteering and a disincentive to volunteer with thousands of volunteer-involving-organisations who work with and for young people and vulnerable adults in Ireland.
 
In a letter (see attached) sent today to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, the organisations welcome the introduction of the Act, which will ensure a standard of Garda Vetting is implemented in all relevant volunteer involving organisations in Ireland and will help to make our country safer for both the beneficiaries of volunteering and for volunteers themselves. The group are, however, concerned that adequate resources are yet to be put in place to cope with an increased level of Garda Vetting applications.
The legislation, which will require thousands of new and existing volunteers to be vetted for the first time, will significantly increase the level of applications to the National Vetting Bureau – which currently has a waiting period of 6-12 weeks to process applications.
The organisations have worked closely with the Garda Vetting Unit to date and appreciate the challenges the Unit has faced with limited resources and meeting increased demand for vetting.  The group urges the Government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the National Vetting Bureau is adequately resourced to deal with a significant increase in applications and the additional workload associated with this.
Ends
 
Notes to Editor
A copy of the open letter is available to download from http://www.volunteer.ie/downloads/National_Vetting_Bureau_Act_Letter.pdf
 
For further information please contact:
 
Phil Boughton, Communications and Policy Officer, Volunteer Ireland. Tel: (01) 636 9446 / 085 742 7017
 
Ciaran McKinney, Director of Development, Age and Opportunity. Tel: (01) 853 5181
 
Daniel Meister, Communications Manager, NYCI. Tel: 087 781 4903 or (01) 478 4122 or email communications@nyci.ie
 
Gert Ackermann, Communications Officer, The Wheel: Tel: (01) 454 8727
 
Deirdre Finlay, Head of Programmes, VSO Ireland: Tel (01) 640 1060

against backdrop of €5.4m cut in funding in Budget 2013 - 30% cut since 2008
 
The Seanad will debate a motion on youth work today (12.12.12) from 5:00 pm. The motion proposed by Senator Jillian van Turnhout will focus on the economic value of youth work, against the background of significant cuts in funding for youth services in the past number of years and in last week’s budget where another 5.4m was cut - representing a 30% overall cut since 2008.
 
A recent report on the economic value of the sector indicated that for every €1 spent on youth services the state saves €2.2 euro in the long run. The report, Assessment of the Economic Value of youth Work, was prepared by Indecon and published by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI).
 
“We know that youth work makes a real difference in the lives of young people and the communities they live in, but this report now provides hard evidence that youth work is also value for money and makes economic sense,” said Senator van Turnhout, speaking in advance of the debate.
 
“Youth work services are already working to support young people impacted by the current economic recession, and with sufficient resources could make a much greater contribution to addressing youth unemployment, social exclusion and poverty,” said Mary Cunningham, NYCI Director.
 
“As the Indecon report shows, the youth work sector is substantial in scale. Over 380,000 young people benefit from a wide range of programmes and services, with the majority of participants coming from areas which are deemed ‘economically and socially disadvantaged’.
 
“These recent further cuts to the youth work budget are not only socially unfair but also economically unsound. While we understand the pressures on public spending, we also believe that decisions must be informed by the independent and rigorous evidence which suggests that investment in youth work has the capacity to meet the needs of young people impacted by the recession,” concluded Ms Cunningham.
 
ENDS
 
For further information contact Daniel Meister, Communications Manager at NYCI on 087 781 4903, 01-478 4122 or e-mail communications@nyci.ie
 
Notes to Editors:
National Youth Council of Ireland
The National Youth Council of Ireland is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people. www.youth.ie

Indecon Report: Assessment of the Economic Value of youth Work
Full information on the Indecon report is available here: http://www.youth.ie/investing_in_youth_work_pays_off
Seanad motion
The text of the motion to be proposed by Senator Jillian Van Turnhout and seconded by Senator Marie Louise O'Donnell is available here: http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/ThisWeek/PMB-SEANAD-2012/document34.htm
 
 
 

Youth Council warns €5.4 million cuts to youth services will hit disadvantaged hardest
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has expressed dismay at the announcement of deep cuts of €5.4 million to youth work funding in 2013.
“This brings to 30% the cuts to youth services funding since 2008. This year’s cut is particularly disproportionate as it represents a third of the savings being made by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, despite the fact that funding for youth work services represents only 14% of its budget,” stated Mary Cunningham, NYCI Director.
“These cuts jeopardise frontline supports and projects for young people, especially those hit hardest by the recession. At a time when 37% of young people under 18 years are at risk of poverty and social exclusion - the highest in the EU15 - and with almost one in five young people not in education, employment or training the state should be investing in services to support young people.
“The recent Indecon economic assessment* for NYCI proves that youth work is value for money – it shows that for every €1 the state invests in youth work it saves €2.2 in the long run, making these deep cuts even more difficult to understand.
“The Budget does little for young jobseekers. While we welcome the increase in the number of JobBridge places by 2,500, the €48m announced for further education and training is a continuation of schemes already in place or a confirmation of announcements already made. Given the scale of the crisis, the proposals are wholly insufficient,” continued Ms Cunningham.
“We are also concerned that the cuts in supports to those who switch from social welfare to education and training programmes run by VTOS, Youthreach and FAS will make it much harder for those with limited means to access further education. The abolition of the €300 annual Cost of Education Allowance will also be a body blow for those who are already struggling to stay in education or training.  This flies in the face of a Government commitment to encourage jobseekers to upskill and enhance their qualifications.
“We welcome the increase in excise duty on alcohol, which will reduce the availability of cheap alcohol and provide additional revenue to offset the €3.7bn cost to the state of alcohol misuse. However we are disappointed that the Government have failed to introduce a social responsibility levy on the drinks manufacturers. We believe that drinks industry multinationals who make so much from alcohol sales contribute more to address alcohol related harm,” concluded Ms Cunningham.
 
_ENDS_
 
For further information, please contact Daniel Meister, Communications Officer at NYCI on 087 781 4903 or 01 478 4122 or email communications@nyci.ie .
Notes to Editors:
National Youth Council of Ireland
The National Youth Council of Ireland is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people. www.youth.ie
NYCI Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2013 available online here:
http://www.youth.ie/nyci/NYCI-Pre-Budget-Submission-2013-%E2%80%9CBack-Future%E2%80%9D

For copies of NYCI Budget 2013 Analysis contact communications@nyci.ie

*Indecon Report:  Assessment of the Economic Value of Youth Work available here:
http://www.youth.ie/economic_value
 

Congratulations to Alan Dwane, winner of an iPad.
He is the winner of the lucky draw, picked from among those who signed up for information during NYCI’s Children’s Referendum campaign in early November.
All those who signed up were entered into a draw to win an iPad.
 
Many thanks to all those who signed up to stay informed during the Children's Referendum.
Thanks also to Matthew De Vere White of KPMG, who oversaw the lucky draw.
 
 
 

Ireland: 4th highest number of NEETS in EU
- Assessment of the Economic Value of Youth Work  launched -

Investing in youth work makes economic sense. That’s according to the Assessment of the Economic Value of Youth Work report published today (15.11.12) by the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI). The study by Indecon International Consultants is the first of its kind, and was commissioned by NYCI to provide a comprehensive and rigorous economic assessment of youth work.

“We know that youth work makes a real difference in the lives of young people and the communities they live in, but this report now provides hard evidence that youth work is also value for money and makes economic sense,” said Senator Jillian van Turnhout, who formally launched the report.

The results of the cost-benefit assessment of the economic value of youth work presented in the report indicate that public funding provided by the State for youth work services represents value for money.

Download the Full Report (PDF)

Key findings include:

• For every €1 the State invests in youth work-it saves €2.22 in the long run 
• Ireland has 4th highest number of young people not “in education, employment or training” (NEETS) in 2011, 18.4% here compared to average of 12.9%
• 26% of young people in Ireland participate in youth club or organisation – the highest in the European Union

“Youth work services are already working to support young people impacted by the current economic recession, and with sufficient resources could make a much greater contribution to addressing youth unemployment, social exclusion and poverty. As Indecon outline in the report the youth work sector is substantial in both scale and reach, with almost 383,000 young people benefiting from a wide range of programmes and services, with a majority of participants coming from areas which are deemed ‘economically and socially disadvantaged’” said Mary Cunningham, NYCI Director.

“While we understand the pressures on public spending, we also believe that decisions must be informed by independent and rigorous evidence which suggests that investment in youth work has the capacity to meet the needs of young people impacted by the recession. Further cuts to the youth work budget are not only socially unfair but also economically unsound,” concluded Ms Cunningham.

ENDS

For further information, or advance copies of report, contact Daniel Meister, NYCI Communications Manager: 087 781 4903, 01-478 4122 or e-mail communications@nyci.ie

National Youth Council of Ireland

NYCI is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.
www.youth.ie

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) welcomes the Yes vote in the Children’s referendum announced today.
The 58% Yes vote is very positive and represents a significant advance for children’s rights as the constitutional amendments will ensure that our political, social care and legal system better respond to the needs of children from now on.

In particular, NYCI believes the legal provisions requiring that the best interests of the child be paramount and that the voice of the child be heard in issues which affect him or her will be profound for each child and can form the basis for a much greater focus on the needs and voice of the child in other policy areas.
 
“NYCI warmly welcomes the verdict of the people, but this is the beginning rather than the end of a process. The constitutional change is a step - a very important step - but it is now crucial that the Government bring forward the reforms and provide the resources in the areas of social care and child protection to make the new constitution a reality and to ensure that no child has to suffer the neglect and trauma that so many have endured in the past,” stated Mary Cunningham, Director of NYCI.

“NYCI is a non-political organization. We would not normally engage in a referendum campaign, but the rights of children were too important for us to stand on the sidelines. Therefore following consultation and a vote among our members, we decided to campaign actively for a Yes vote. We want to thank all our members, staff and volunteers for their work to make children’s rights a reality not only over the last few months, but over the last number of years,” continued Ms Cunningham.
 
 
The people have spoken. It is now up to the Government to deliver the legislation, reforms and resources so we can fulfill the commitments in the constitution and truly make Ireland one of the best places to grow up for all children,” concluded Ms Cunningham.  

Notes to Editors:
National Youth Council of Ireland
NYCI is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.
www.youth.ie

NYCI Yes position
As a non-governmental and non political organisation NYCI does not normally take a position in elections/referendums. However NYCI has campaigned for a Children’s Rights amendment for many years and the NYCI board referred the matter to a vote of member organisations in accordance with NYCI Articles of Association. NYCI members advocated taking a Yes position by an overwhelming majority.

NYCI Referendum website
www.nyci.ie

Yes for Children
NYCI is part of  Yes for Children, a national campaign led by Barnardos, the Children’s Rights Alliance, the ISPCC and Campaign for Children.
 
 
Kind regards,
 
Daniel Meister

Communications Officer
National Youth Council of Ireland
3 Montague Street, Dublin 2
Tel: 01-478 4122
Fax: 01-478 3974
Direct line: 01-425 5955
Mobile: 087 781 4903
www.youth.ie
 

Over 476,000  young people aged 18 to 25 could make crucial difference in referendum
 
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is urging young people to make their voice heard by voting in the Children’s rights referendum tomorrow.  

“For only the second time in the history of the State an election/referendum will be held on a Saturday+, therefore we strongly urge the up 476,000 young people aged 18 to 25* in the Republic of Ireland who have registered to vote, to make use of weekend voting and more importantly to ensure their view on the constitutional amendment is taken into account,” stated James Doorley, NYCI Deputy Director.
 
“Contrary to popular opinion, the majority of young people do vote, as evidenced by the fact that 62% voted in the General Election last year. NYCI and many of our member organisations have been working hard over the last month to ensure that as many young people were informed, registered to vote and encouraged to go out and cast their ballot in the referendum. We were particularly pleased that almost 38,000 new voters were added to the electoral list in time to vote in this referendum. While not all these are young voters, many are and it is a welcome sign of interest in the referendum,” continued Mr Doorley.
“We have been critical of successive Governments for holding elections on weekdays which disenfranchised many young people who were away from home in education, training or employment. Therefore we welcome the decision of the current Government to hold this referendum on a Saturday and we encourage young people to take advantage of this and to turn out in large numbers and make the case for all future elections to be held on a weekend,” concluded Mr Doorley.
 
 
ENDS
 
For further information, please contact Daniel Meister, Communications Officer at NYCI on 087 781 4903 or 01 425 5955 or email communications@nyci.ie
 
Notes to Editors:
+ 1st time was for 2nd Nice Treaty Referendum, October 2002
* Census 2011 http://www.cso.ie/en/census/
 
 
538,631 young people aged 18 to 25 in the Republic of Ireland.
Source: CSO Census 2006 volume 2 - Ages and Marital status: http://www.cso.ie/census/census2006results/volume_2/census_2006_volume_2.html
 
 

National Youth Council of Ireland
The National Youth Council of Ireland is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.
 

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) brought together the youth wings of the five main political parties today in an unprecedented joint call on young people to get out and vote in the upcoming Children’s Referendum.

Speaking from the steps of the GPO, Dublin, representatives from Labour Youth, Ógra Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin Republican Youth, Young Fine Gael and the Young Greens called on young voters to come out to vote on Saturday and to vote Yes for Children.
Patrick Molloy, President of Young Fine Gael, said:
“We have different views and opinions on many issues, but the protection and welfare of children is too important to become a partisan issue, that is why we are coming together to call for a big turnout of young voters and for a Yes vote on Saturday.”
Danielle Martin, Campaign Director of the Sinn Féin Republican Youth Children's Referendum Campaign, said:
“Our constitution says who we are as a country, next Saturday we have an opportunity to bring our constitution in line with our values and to ensure every child is protected, respected and heard.”
Adam Douglas, Chair of the Young Greens, said:
“This referendum is an important step forward. For the first time it proposes to give constitutional recognition to the best interests of the child in key decisions affecting their life and gives much greater prominence to the voice of the child in such decisions.”
Eamon Quinlan, President of Ógra Fianna Fail, said:
“We strongly encourage young people to go out and vote in the Children’s Referendum. It is your democratic right and an opportunity to ensure that our constitution addresses the needs and interests of children and young people in Ireland today.”
Aideen Carberry, Chairperson of Labour Youth, said:
“It’s positive that this referendum is on a Saturday, which will allow many young people in education, training and work the opportunity to travel home to vote. It’s important now that as many young people as possible use their vote and vote yes on November 10th.”
James Doorley, NYCI Deputy Director, concluded: “It is vital that we encourage a high turnout in this Referendum. With such an important issue at stake, it is heartening to see these organisations united in their desire ensure a Yes vote and to encourage the participation of young voters.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact Daniel Meister, Communications Officer at NYCI on 087 781 4903 or 01 425 5955 or email communications@nyci.ie
Images: Tommy Clancy will syndicate pictures from the 12.00 midday event

Notes to Editors:
National Youth Council of Ireland
NYCI is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.
www.youth.ie

NYCI Yes position
As a non-governmental and non political organisation NYCI does not normally take a position in elections/referendums. However NYCI has campaigned for a Children’s Rights amendment for many years and the NYCI board referred the matter to a vote of member organisations in accordance with NYCI Articles of Association. NYCI members advocated taking a Yes position by an overwhelming majority.

NYCI Referendum website
www.nyci.ie

Yes for Children
NYCI is part of  Yes for Children, a national campaign led by Barnardos, the Children’s Rights Alliance, the ISPCC and Campaign for Children.