Introduction
I am delighted to be here this morning in Limerick to launch Limerick Youth
Service Annual Report for 2015. I would like to begin by thanking *Fiona
O’Grady for the kind invitation and to everybody here this morning for your
very warm welcome.
* Fiona O’Grady, CEO, Limerick Youth Service.
One of the best ways in which to develop our young people is to involve
them in youth work and the community. I would like to acknowledge, in
particular, the impact that the Limerick Youth Service has had on the lives
of young people in Limerick. As you know, for almost forty years, Limerick
Youth Service has worked to provide a range of quality and professional
services to young people aged between 10 and 21 years in a safe and
inclusive environment.
The youth services provided at present are extensive and include volunteer
led youth clubs, youth cafés, community based youth projects, a Youth
Information Service and vocational education programmes for early school
leavers.
Youth work programmes and activities supported by Limerick Youth Service
help young people to develop core social skills and emotional competencies
such as self-motivation and resilience. Good communication skills, critical
thinking and problem-solving skills can all be gained through participating
in quality youth work opportunities. Youth work enhances young people’s
connection to their community, enables them to be confident individuals,
effective contributors and successful learners. The Limerick Youth Service
works with circa 4,500 young people annually in a wide range of centres and
projects and my Department is delighted to provide funding of €726,985 to
the Limerick Youth Service to assist with this work.
There is no doubt that the continued success of Limerick Youth Service
would not be possible without the staff, youth workers and volunteers. I
am delighted to have this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to you
all for your belief in and dedication to young people across Limerick City
and County.
Limerick Youth Service has identified the emerging needs of young people in
the area and is endeavouring to respond to these needs. The work of
Limerick Youth Service compliments existing educational and social
structures and each programme delivered has defined aims and objectives and
a youth centred and needs based approach for those young people most at
risk or most in need. Group work and creative mediums such as drama,
media, sport, music and visual arts impact positively on the young people
involved and help them develop skills and competencies which serve them
both now and in later adult life.
I would like to conclude by again thanking Fiona and Limerick Youth Service
for inviting me to launch this report. I want to wish the Limerick Youth
Service every success in their endeavours to develop and promote youth
facilities in Limerick.