KDYS

KDYS Comhairle na nÓg

KDYS operates Kerry Comhairle na nÓg in partnership with Kerry County Council.  Comhairle na nÓg are local councils for children and young people, aged 12–17, that give them a voice on the development of local policies and services that affect their lives. They are the recognised key national structure for participation by children and young people in local decision-making in all 31 local authorities of the country.

Comhairle na nÓg holds an annual Youth Conference in September or October, to which children and young people are invited from local schools and youth groups. A Comhairle na nÓg Committee is also elected at the AGM. This committee is responsible for working on the topics identified at the AGM and being the consultative forum that works with decision-makers locally and nationally.

Kerry Comhairle na nÓg, a county wide programme enables children and young people to have a voice in local decision-making in Kerry, recognising their right to influence the world around them and to have a say in their communities. Children and young people have a unique insight into what it’s like to be a young person in Kerry and Comhairle allows them to share that insight, while also gaining new skills and friends in the process.

Comhairle na nÓg operates in two ways.  Firstly, by supporting young people to identify topics of importance to young people and working on them to achieve a specific outcome. Secondly, by acting as a consultative forum for adult decision-makers in the locality.