Press release
Diary Note Dáil na nÓg 2019 Saturday, 23 November 2019 Dáil Eireann 10.30am - 4.00pm
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Young People call for a stronger voice in Climate Action.
Dáil na nÓg, Ireland’s Youth Parliament, is a forum for young people to effect change on the issues that matter to them.
Since the first meeting in 2001, it has given young people a voice in decision-making, and a chance to influence public policy.
Ireland’s youth parliament, convenes every two years, bringing together democratically elected delegates, aged 12 – 18, from 31 local groups around Ireland (Comhairle na nÓg).
This year, as part of the Dáil 100 celebrations, Dáil na nÓg was invited to meet in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Climate Action was chosen in a vote by delegates as the topic for their 2019 meeting and they will discuss and debate this through working groups throughout the day.
168 delegates will attend, with Ceann Comhairle Sean Ó Fearghaíl chairing the opening ceremony and Minister Katherine Zappone addressing the closing ceremony.
More information on Dáil na nÓg, as well as reports and work done as a result of previous meetings, including the recently launched #TeachMeAsMe campaign, can be found below.
Dáil na nÓg Process:
Dáil na nÓg delegates are nominated by each of the 31 Comhairle na nÓg in each Local Authority in the country. Comhairle members are democratically elected at AGMs in each Local Authority area. Recruitment processes work with schools and youth services to ensure that the voice of seldom-heard young people is proportionally represented, and that supports, and processes are in place to ensure that child protection measures are foremost at all stages of the work of the Comhairle.
Comhairle na nÓg
Comhairle na nÓg are child and youth councils in the 31 local authority areas of the country, which give children and young people a voice in the development of local services and policies. They are the recognised national structure for participation by children and young people in local decision-making, supported by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
The Comhairle na nÓg enables young people’s voices to be heard in two ways: working on topics of importance to young people; and acting as a consultative forum for adult decision-makers in the locality.
Comhairle na nÓg are supported by the DCYA Comhairle na nÓg Development Fund. Local authorities also provide funding and resources for Comhairle na nÓg, as well as other organisations at local level. This department also funds three regional Participation Officers, who provide advice, resources and training to all 31 Comhairle na nÓg Co-ordinators.
Dáil na nÓg
Dáil na nÓg is the national parliament for young people aged 12-18 years. This department funds and oversees Dáil na nÓg, which is hosted biennially by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Successive independent evaluations note that Dáil na nÓg has gone from strength to strength, with more challenging and contentious debates. Foróige and Youth Work Ireland are contracted to organise Dáil na nÓg in co-operation with this department.
Dáil na nÓg is a practical expression of the government’s stated commitment to implementing Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) through the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making, 2015-2020, giving children and young people a voice in decision-making.
Comhairle na nÓg National Executive
One representative from each Comhairle na nÓg is elected to the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive (formerly the Dáil na nÓg Council), which follows up on the recommendations from Dáil na nÓg and tries to make changes for young people in those areas. The National Executive, which has a term of office of two years, meets once a month and is facilitated and supported by this department, who ensure that they get the opportunity to engage with appropriate Ministers, policy-makers, Oireachtas Committees and other decision-makers to:
The Comhairle na nÓg National Executive is named as a mechanism for engagement by children and young people in the implementation structures for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 and in the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making (2015-2020).
31 Dáil na nÓg Facts
1. Dáil na nÓg is Ireland’s Youth Parliament.
2. The first Dail na nÓg was held in 2001 as part of the National Children’s Strategy.
3. 3,224 youth delegates have participated in Dáil na nÓg since it was first convened in 2001.
4. Young People are elected democratically amongst their peers to attend Dáil na nÓg.
5. Young people are elected from 31 Comhairle na nÓg around the country to attend Dáil na nÓg.
6. Comhairle na nÓg are local youth councils which enable young people to have a voice on local and National issues that impact on their lives.
7. There is a Comhairle na nÓg in each of the 31 local authority areas.
8. The theme of Dail na nÓg 2019 is Climate Action.
9. Dail na nÓg Delegates are aged between 12-18.
10. The 2019 theme of Climate Action was selected democratically by young people at three regional youth participation events hosted by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. These events were held in September 2019.
11. As an initiative, Dáil na nÓg was inspired by Article 12 by of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
12. Comhairle na nÓg and Dáil na nÓg are considered models of best practice of youth participation in the EU and internationally.
13. The first Dáil na nÓg was held in the Mansion House.
14. Comhairle na nÓg are the recognised National structure for participation by Children and Young People in decision making in Ireland.
15. Dáil na nÓg and Comhairle na nÓg are a practical expression of the government’s stated commitment to implementing Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) through the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making, 2015-2020, giving children and young people a voice in decision-making.
16. Dáil na nÓg 2019 is part of the Official Dáil 100 Celebrations.
17. At Dáil na nÓg delegates consider and debate the issues that are most important to young people and they vote on and decide on an area of focus that a team of 31 elected young people (the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive) will work to change over a two-year period.
18. The issues worked on by Dáil na nÓg over the years include Education, Mental Health, Equality and Strengthening Youth Voice.
19. Dáil na nÓg 2001
Dáil na nÓg held its first meeting at the Mansion House, Dublin on 5 September 2001.
Theme: National Children's Strategy
Children will have a voice in matters which affect them, and their views will be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity.
Topics that were chosen for discussion:
20. Dáil na nÓg 2002
The second session of Dáil na nÓg took place on Friday, 11 October 2002. The event was held in the Round Room of the Mansion House in Dublin where the very first Dáil met on 21 January 1919, and where the inaugural (first) session of Dáil na nÓg took place on 5 September 2001.
Theme: LISTEN
Topics that were chosen for discussion:
21. Dáil na nÓg 2003
The NCO contracted the running of Dáil na nÓg 2003 to the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI). NCO and NYCI worked together to plan Dáil na nÓg.
Theme: SUSTAINING PROGRESS
Topics that were chosen for discussion:
22. Dáil na nÓg 2005
Dáil na nÓg 2005 was held on Saturday 19 March at Croke Park, Dublin.
Theme and topics that were chosen for discussion:
23. Dáil na nÓg 2006
Dáil na nÓg 2006 was held on Saturday 25 March at Croke Park, Dublin.
Theme and topics that were chosen for discussion:
24. Dáil na nÓg 2007
Dáil na nÓg 2007 was held on Saturday 17 February at Croke Park, Dublin.
Theme and topics that were chosen for discussion:
25. Dáil na nÓg 2008
Dáil na nÓg 2008 was held on Friday 15 February at Croke Park, Dublin.
Theme and topics that were chosen for discussion:
26. Dáil na nÓg 2009
Dáil na nÓg 2009 was held on Friday 20 February at Croke Park, Dublin.
Theme and topics that were chosen for discussion:
27. Dáil na nÓg 2010
Dáil na nÓg 2010 was held on Friday 5 March at Croke Park, Dublin.
Theme and topics that were chosen for discussion:
28. Dáil na nÓg 2011
Dáil na nÓg 2011 celebrated its 10th year anniversary and was held on 18 November at Croke Park, Dublin.
Theme: Strengthening the voice of young people through Comhairle na nÓg
Topics that were chosen for discussion:
29. Dáil na nÓg 2013
Dáil na nÓg was held on Friday, 15 November 2013 in Croke Park, Dublin
Theme: Mental Health
Topics that were chosen for discussion: Mental Health – What needs to change?
REPORT: Let’s Go Mental*
30. Dáil na nÓg 2015
Dáil na nÓg 2015 was held on Friday 27 November at Croke Park, Dublin.
Theme: The need for young people to have a stronger voice in their education and schools
Topics that were chosen for discussion:
REPORT: ‘So how was School Today?*
31. Dáil na nÓg 2017
Dáil na nÓg 2017 was held on 6 December at Croke Park, Dublin.
Theme: Equality- In all fairness.
Topics that were chosen for discussion:
REPORT: #TeachMeAsMe Campaign was launched on 7 October and Our Schools, Our Voices online resource which will be launched later in the year.
*All reports are available from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.