Comhairle Na nÓg

What is Comhairle Na nÓg?

Clare Comhairle na nÓg is part of a national initiative from the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA). Comhairle aims to provide an opportunity for young people in the 12 to 18 age range to identify the issues that are important to them, discuss some of the changes they would like to see and bring forward ideas and suggestions for bringing about change.

A steering group, comprising representatives of Clare County Council, Clare Youth Service and Clare VEC, has been established to coordinate the development of Comhairle in the county, as a means whereby young people can have a genuine input into shaping aspects of local decision making.

How are students elected to Comhairle na nÓg?

The steering group is keen to make the Clare Comhairle as broad and representative of the young people of the county as possible. Therefore, the secondary school students in County Clare are invited to participate in one day events, as part of a long-term plan with the goal of improving the ability of Clare’s young people to represent their thoughts and ideas. Participants are facilitated by staff from Clare Youth Service to identify key issues that they would like to see addressed.

At the end of these events young people (male and female representing under 15 and under 18 years of age) are elected to the Clare Comhairle Na nÓg (23 members in total).

Why do youths participate?

It is an opportunity to voice your opinions and represent your school. Young people that have participated previously talked about:

• the sense of being valued
• the opportunity to have direct contact with local public representatives
• the opportunity to meet other young people and hear their opinions

 

Find out who your Clare Comhairle representatives are

Back to top

Page last reviewed: 18/12/23

Content managed by: Rural and Community

Back to top