Laois students impressive

Laois Comhairle na nÓg’s AGM stepped out of the school setting this year, a deliberate move by facilitator Joe Thompson.

“We spread the net out to a lot more schools and groups this year such as Youthreach. It is much bigger than last year. We got additional funding so we ran it in a hotel, treating the students more like adults,” he said.

He praised the work by the 160 students taking part.

“I was very impressed by their participation. It went really well, the Comhairle will take on board all the recommendations, and they will go towards an action plan for the next two years,” he said.

Chairman of Laois County Council John Joe Fennelly praised Comhairle chairman Corey Marum, 16, from Portlaoise and secretary Hannah Johnston, 14, from Mountrath for their presentation to the council the previous day.

“They were absolutely excellent and we absolutely enjoyed it, it was one of the best I have ever attended. I wish you the very best and anything we can do for young people in this county we will try and do,” he said.

Laois Comhairle na nÓg receive €20,000 a year from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, with an extra €5,000 this year, the 25th anniversary of the UN Convention for children’s rights.