STUDENTS OUTLINE THEIR KEY ISSUES TO LOCAL COUNCILLORS
THE youth of north Wexford made a presentation to the councillors of Gorey Kimuckridge Municipal District and highlighted the key issues that they think important for public representatives to take notice of.
District Manager Michael Drea said that the meeting with three secondary schools in the area was about establishing links that will better the overall communication between the schools and the Municipal District.
‘We want to get their views and feedback on matters we are dealing with. I was really impressed with the students willingness to engage with topics and their grasp of the social issues of the day.
‘Gorey Kilmuckridge Municipal District looks forward to building on a very positive first engagement with the schools. I wish to thank the schools and the students for their participation,’ he said.
The environment was a key issue raised by the students as well as the popularity of single use plastics in the town, and Michael Drea hopes that the installation of the water filters in the town will be the first step in a series of initiatives to tackle the problem.
‘The first initiative has to be a starting point. We had interesting feedback and engagement and this will be long term facility for dialogue’.
The schools involved were Colaiste an Atha, Creagh College as well as Gorey Community School and Gorey Youth Needs were also involved.
It is hoped that together young people will establish a forum where issues and ideas can be discussed with the local councillors and Municipal District staff.
It was agreed that further meetings on a one to one basis will be arranged before meeting collectively again.
The main topics of concern for young people in north Wexford were provision of services for young people after hours, green initiatives aimed at reducing single use plastics, training courses for people whose first language is not English, provision of additional bins on the Avenue in Gorey as well as green space and community facilities in Kilmuckridge.
Young people also highlighted the need for community hall in Riverchapel or Courtown as well as better transport connections particularly Riverchapel to Gorey.
They also spoke about the school’s drug awareness programme.