Councillor calls for 'lifeline' to be retained for local children

The withdrawal of a youth project, that has been running in Dungloe for around two decades, has caused disappointment and anger among members of the community, a local councillor has said. 

Fianna Fáil Cllr Noreen McGarvey said she was angry to hear that the decision had been made without any consultation with service users. 

Cllr McGarvey said the project has meant so much to the young people of the area and their families.  She described the project as 'an outlet where children with limited social skills, children with Autism and those suffering from ADHD have in particular advanced in self development due to the great work done through, activities, creativity and one-to-one guidance.'

N56 Letterilly-Glenties Road configuration change over Christmas

She added the project has given all children the chance to integrate with others from different schools and backgrounds.

She said: "We are located in a very rural area in the north west, with a very limited public transport service and no resources locally for our young people. Referrals for such resources means travelling to Letterkenny some 100 miles return journey and not all families can take their children to appointments during school time or afford the cost of travelling for same."

The local public representative described the work carried out by local volunteers as being outstanding: "The services provided by Clare and the local volunteers in Dungloe has been outstanding, with children travelling from well outside the local catchment area coming to the NYP, therefore, I would ask all those responsible to strongly reconsider this decision and retain our NYP  - and not take away from our children what has been a vital lifeline in our community."