Minister Andrews launches www.teenspace.ie
A new website for teenagers with information on music, youth cafés, sport, arts, outdoor activities and much, much more
Monday 16 June 2008
South West Inner City Computer Clubhouse, Rainsford Street, Dublin 8
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews TD, today launched www.teenspace.ie, a new website providing information about activities and facilities for teenagers all over the country. Speaking at the launch, Minister Andrews said: 'this launch marks the completion of the first phase of development of the site, which has information on gigs, youth cafés, sport, arts, outdoor activities and much, much more'.
Minister Andrew's Office (Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs) funded the development of this site in response to the delegates at Dáil na nÓg (2006-2007), who voted as their top priority the establishment of a national website on activities and facilities for young people. 'The creation of www.teenspace.ie is evidence of the Government's commitment to listening to children and young people and taking their concerns seriously' stated Minister Andrews.
Young people from the Dáil na nÓg Council undertook research on teenagers' experiences of using the web. Their research revealed that sourcing internet information on teen recreation facilities is time consuming, with little relevant information on local events. 'I am confident that www.teenspace.ie will make it easier for young people to get information on recreational opportunities' he added.
The launch was hosted by teenagers Jade McNeill, a member of the Children and Young People's Forum of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA), and Louise Nolan, a member of the South West Inner City Network (SWICN) Computer Clubhouse. 'This new site is a great idea for teenagers. You can check for things to do and you can find clubs to join' said Jade McNeill. Louise Nolan added 'we will be able to use www.teenspace.ie to let other teenagers know about what we are doing in the Computer Clubhouse'.
www.teenspace.ie is at an early stage of development, because providing a comprehensive database of events, activities and recreation services for young people aged 10 to 18 in each county, and under each category, is a challenging task. 'We can build www.teenspace.ie into a top-class site if service providers register to promote their activities or clubs. I urge them to support the site. Registration is free and a great opportunity to promote activities and facilities' continued Minister Andrews.
Teenagers were involved in all aspects of development of www.teenspace.ie, including the selection of contractors, design concept and content. Members of the Dáil na nÓg Council and the OMCYA Children and Young People's Forum have formed a user group, which will continue to be involved in improving the site.
The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) developed the site on behalf of and in co-operation with the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA). The Minister thanked the NYCI for its role in developing the site and all contractors and companies involved in the development and design of www.teenspace.ie. 'I would like to conclude by thanking the staff and young members of the Computer Clubhouse for collaborating with my Office in planning and hosting this launch' said Minister Andrews.
Press contact:
Anne O'Donnell - Office of the Minister for Children
01 6743204 / 086 3837320
Editor's Notes
National Recreation Policy
The National Recreation Policy for Young People (September 2007) provides a strategic framework for the promotion of positive recreational opportunities for young people aged 12 to 18. The policy adopts an evidence-based approach and makes proposals to address issues, which emerged from a public consultation process, undertaken by the OMCYA. The policy was informed by independent research commissioned by the OMCYA.
The most frequently requested facility to emerge from the public consultation was somewhere for young people to hang out with their friends. The key characteristics required by young people for such a facility were somewhere that is safe, warm, indoors, affordable, relaxed and legitimate, where young people can have a sense of ownership. Suggestions for types of hangout facilities included youth centres, shelters, cafés and drop-in centres. Other recreational facilities requested included parks, sport pitches, swimming pools, community halls and centres, cinemas, public gyms, skate parks, tennis and basketball courts.
Youth Cafes
The development of youth cafes has emerged from a growing international and national trend towards providing safe places for teenagers that are alcohol and drug-free. Approximately 36 youth cafés have been established around the country on an ad hoc basis, with diverse approaches to services, management and target audience. A number of bodies including local City/County Council and Health Service Executive provide funding for these cafés. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs also operate a number of funding programmes aimed at supporting community development, as well as programmes aimed specifically at supporting projects for disadvantaged youth.
At present, the focus of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) is to bring greater coherence to approach taken to date. The OMCYA strongly believes in the need to retain a strong inter-agency element and is currently seeking to identify an appropriate model(s) for the future development of youth cafés.
