Irish youth organisation Foróige has said that ‘no local community will be left without a service’ despite the closure of two neighbourhood projects.
Following reports of the Rosses NYP and Killybegs NYP closing this week, Foróige has issued a statement to reassure young people, families and the wider community that they will continue to provide services to young people in Dungloe and in the broader South Donegal area.
They said the move to end a 20-year community service is part of Tusla’s plans to extend the availability of Tusla funded youth services in Donegal.
Group activities will be part of the new model, a spokesperson said.
The services are to switch to an outreach basis “to broaden the reach of our services to cover a broader range of areas in the county”.
A spokesperson said: “While Foróige staff will work on an outreach basis to cover a wider geographical area, no local community will be left without a service.”
Local councillors Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig and Cllr Noreen McGarvey have both issued calls for the decision to close the NYPs to be reversed. The service is a “vital lifeline in our community”, said Cllr McGarvey today.
Foróige’s response said: “Foróige recognises that there has been upset and confusion locally in relation to this issue. We want to reassure young people and families that we will continue to work with Tusla and local communities to ensure minimum disruption to the young people who get such deep benefits from the Tusla funded youth services in the area. We will continue to strive to provide the best level of service possible to young people right across Donegal.”
