County Kildare's population is among the youngest in Ireland
Better resources needed for those who feel excluded
More that 86,000 people living in County Kildare are aged under 25 and this represents 35% of the county’s total population.
It also means that Kildare had the fourth youngest proportion (34.8%) of children/young people in Ireland and the 5th highest among the country’s local authorities.
The number of children and young people in Kildare places significant pressure on existing services and creates challenges in responding to emerging needs, according to Kildare County Council.
Cllr Pat Balfe said the resources available to young people in Kildare are insufficient when compared to what is required and he said new new projects have to be explored - especially for those who feel excluded from “mainstream facilities.”
At a KCC meeting, he called for consultation with the TDs of the county in a bid to secure more money from central government and he said the need is greatest among at risk youths.
”We need to prioritise services for young people including non-sporting activities,” he said, adding that those at risk of feeling marginalised should be prioritised.
He said more data needs to be gathered and this could be done through surveys and audits and this would help secure more funding.
“The voices of a lot of young people are not heard and this needs to change," he said.
KCC said it provides significant supports to various community and voluntary groups to assist in the provision of youth services throughout the county.