A public meeting is being organised by Tusla in the New Year to address concerns over youth service provision in Dungloe and the wider area.
The meeting aims to clear up upset and confusion after reports emerged this week of the Rosses and Killybegs Neighbourhood Youth Projects closing and switching to an outreach basis.
The withdrawal of the NYP – Neighbour Youth Project, without consultation with the service users, was seen as the removal of a vital lifeline for young people in the community. Foróige said the move was being made on the back of a request by Tusla to broaden the reach of services to cover a broader range of areas in the county.
Tusla states that Foróige will continue to provide services to young people in Dungloe both in group settings and one to one, in the existing premises, and open to all young people in the area.
“We want to reassure young people, parents, and members of the community that Tusla has not reduced funding to Foróige or asked them to move premises or cease services in the Dungloe area,” a spokesperson said.
“There will be no changes to the existing referral process, and the service will continue to operate as a universal, early intervention and prevention initiative. Young people will, themselves, still be able to access the service directly.
“Tusla acknowledges that there has been upset and confusion locally in relation to this matter. We are in the process of organising a public meeting in Dungloe for early January to meet with young people, parents and other interested parties to answer questions and discuss youth service provision in Dungloe and the wider area.”
