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What is Dáil na nÓg?
Dáil na nÓg is the National Youth Parliament of Ireland for people aged 12-18 years. It gives young people from around the country an opportunity to represent the views of those under the voting age of 18 at a national level, and to work for changes to improve the lives of young people in Ireland.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) is responsible for funding and overseeing Dáil na nÓg. The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has organised Dáil na nÓg in cooperation with the DCYA since 2003.
Through Dáil na nÓg, young people from all over Ireland meet and discuss issues that are important to them, call for changes to services and policies that affect their lives, and lobby for those changes to be made by Government.
Dáil na nÓg event
The main Dáil na nÓg event brings 200+ young people together from all over Ireland to discuss issues that concern them, question adult decision-makers, including the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and propose and vote on recommendations for change.
What do the young people talk about?
In recent years delegates have discussed issues such as: exam pressures, body image, the cost of education, young people having a say in education, bullying, depression and suicide, exercise and sport, sexual health, road safety and youth facilities.
Dáil na nÓg Council
Dáil na nÓg is not just one day! Each Comhairle na nÓg (local youth council) elects one representative to a smaller group called the Dáil na nÓg Council which meets approximately once a month. They work together for two years to seek support from policy-makers on issues that were discussed at Dáil na nÓg.
How can I get involved in Dáil na nÓg?
Most Dáil na nÓg delegates are elected by members of their Comhairle na nÓg (local youth council). There are 34 Comhairle na nÓg across Ireland. In this way the delegates are representing their local authority area.
To ensure that Dáil na nÓg represents all young people, some delegates also come from seldom heard or minority groups.
If you would like to get involved in Dáil na nÓg or your local Comhairle na nÓg you can contact your local Comhairle organiser. Details of those are on the 'Get Involved' section of this website.
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