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YouthWiki

EACEA National Policies Platform
Ireland

Ireland

Glossary

Last update: 28 November 2023

An Garda Síochána 

The Garda Síochána are Ireland’s National Police and Security Service. They are also referred to as ‘the Gardaí’ or ‘the Guards.’   

 

Comhairle na nÓg 

Comhairle na nÓg are child and youth councils for young people under the age of 18. They operated in the 31 local authorities of the country and give children and young people the opportunity to be involved in the development of local services and policies.  

 

Dáil Éireann 

Dáil Éireann is the lower house of the Irish Parliament.  

 

Dáil na nÓg 

Dáil na nÓg is the National Youth Parliament in Ireland for young people aged 12-17 years. Its is a biennial event to which 200 representatives from the 31 local child and youth councils (Comhairle na nÓg) are elected as delegates. The topics discussed there are chosen by young people themselves in the 31 local child and youth councils (Comhairle na nÓg).  

 

Direct Provision 

Direct Provision is a means of meeting the basic needs of food and shelter for asylum seekers directly while their claims for refugee status, subsidiary protection or appeals for leave to remain are being processed in Ireland. People are accommodated in residential institutions known as Direct Provision centres across the country. 

 

Garda Youth Diversion Programmes (GYDPs) 

GYDPs are community-based multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people who have become involved in crime/anti-social behaviour and to support wider preventative work within the community and with families at risk. 

 

Hidden homelessness 

Hidden homelessness refers to people who are living in squats or ‘sofa surfing’ with friends. The number of people in hidden homelessness are not included in official statistics.  

 

Family Homeless Hubs 

Family homeless hubs provide short-term emergency accommodation for families experiencing homelessness. They are funded by the local authorities.  

 

Hub na nÓg  

Hub na nÓg (youth hub) is a national centre of excellence and coordination in youth participation. It supports Government Departments, State agencies and non-government organisations to give children and young people a voice in decision-making on issues that affect their lives, with a particular focus on those that are seldom-heard. 

 

Oberstown 

Oberstown Children Detention Campus (Oberstown) is a national service that provides a safe and secure environment for young people remanded in custody or sentenced by the Courts for a period of detention.  

 

Oireachtas 

The House of the Oireachtas is the Irish Legislature. It is the only body in Ireland which can make laws. It consists of a Lower House, Dáil Éireann; an Upper House, Seanad Éireann; and the President of Ireland. 

 

Open Policy Debate 

An Open Policy Debate brings together key stakeholders in an area to discuss the first steps in developing or revising policy. For example, government departments may bring together government and non-government key stakeholders in a particular area when developing or revising policy.    

 

Reduced Timetable 

The term “reduced timetable” is used to describe: 

  • a reduced day in school where, by arrangement with the school authorities, a  student arrives to school after the usual starting time or leaves before the end of the school day, and/or, 

  • a reduced week where a student may not attend the full five days each week. 

 

Seanad Éireann  

Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Irish Parliament. 

 

Taoiseach 

Taoiseach is the Prime Minister and head of government in Ireland.  

 

Tusla 

Tusla, The Child and Family Agency, is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. Under the Child and Family Act 2013 the Child and Family Agency is charged with supporting and promoting the development, welfare and protection of children, and the effective functioning of families. Services include child protection and welfare, educational welfare, psychological services, alternative care, family and locally-based community supports, early years services and domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services. 

 

Young carers 

Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 whose lives are in some way affected because they provide care, assistance or support to another family member.  

Young adult carers are recognised as a separate group, and are aged between 19 and 25. 

 

Young Travellers 

Young Travellers are young people who are members of the Traveller Community in Ireland. The Traveller Community are recognised as a distinct ethnic group in Ireland. Traveller identity and culture is based on a nomadic tradition. 

 

Young Voices 

EU Youth Dialogue is known as ‘Young Voices’ in Ireland.  

 

Youthreach 

The Youthreach programme provides opportunities for early school leavers in terms of basic education, personal development, vocational training and work experience.