Children & Young People
Hub na nÓg is a national centre of excellence and coordination in including the voice of children and young people (aged 0 to 24) in a meaningful way in decision making.
What is Hub na nÓg
Hub na nÓg is a national centre of excellence and coordination in children and young people’s participation in decision making.
We support government departments, state agencies and non-government organisations to include the voice of children and young people in decision-making, with a particular focus on those that are seldom-heard (children and young people who are not always heard as often as others for lots of reasons).
We help organisations to include children and young people in their decision-making when their decisions affect the lives of children and young people. We do this in lots of ways, for example, providing training and development and giving organisations advice and support.
It is imperative that children and young people feel safe, supported and respected to use their voices across all aspects of their lives. I’m confident that this Framework will guide anyone working with children and young people to ensure that they can engage meaningfully in the policy process.
Roderic O’Gorman TD
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
How does Hub na nÓg work?
We show the government and organisations how to involve children and young people in decisions that affect them.
We investigate new ways to listen to children and young people who are not always heard as often as others.
We train people to help them to listen to children and young people and take their views into account.
Get Involved
If you would like to get involved in participating in decision-making there are a few different structures you can contact:
Comhairle na nÓg
Comhairle na nÓg are child and youth councils in the 31 local authorities of the country, which give children and young people the opportunity to be involved in the development of local services and policies.
Youth Assembly
The National Youth Assembly of Ireland is a consultative forum for young people between the ages of 12 – 24 years. It ensures the voice of children and young people are heard by Government and decision-makers.
Our Voices Our Schools
This is the outcome of a decision made by Comhairle na nÓg National Executive 2016/17 to focus specifically on equality in the school setting. Two key actions resulted: Our Voices, Our Schools and #TeachMeAsMe
Child and Youth Friendly Reports and Plans
View the reports from our consultations below:
Consultation with Young People on Cancer Prevention Behaviours
The HSE National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) in conjunction with the DCEDIY and the National Participation Office undertook a consultation with young people on skin cancer prevention behaviours in 2021.
What We Think – UNCRC, UPR, & UNCRPD Consultation with Children & Young People Gaeilge
Chuaigh an Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige (DCEDIY) i gcomhairle le leanaí agus daoine óga chun a gcuid tuairimí maidir le cearta leanaí in Éirinn a chloisteáil.
Bhuel, Conas A Bhí an Scoil Inniu?
Comhairle na nÓg National Executive developed this survey in response to Comhairle members, who identified their top issue as the need for young people to have a stronger say on what happens in the classroom.
Videos
View some of the amazing work done by Comhairle na nÓg and the National Youth Assemblies: