# young people
Last year
2022
# Bullying
National bullying database to be set up under new 'landmark' action plan
This is the first time the Department of Education has updated its bullying action plan since 2013.
# Your Say
Poll: Should the legal age to buy cigarettes be increased?
The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland wants to raise the age to 21.
# cost of living crisis
Majority of young people considering moving abroad for better quality of life
Over eight in ten are also ‘fearful for the future’.
# not ideal
Central Bank warns younger generations may face lower standard of living at retirement
Demographic changes have led to a build-up in wealth among older generations, and a decline in rates of return.
Voices
Opinion: Under 20s aren't entitled to the national minimum wage, that has to change
A lower minimum wage for young workers is outdated, out of line with EU norms and potentially breaching employment equality legislation writes Dr Laura Bambrick.
# Covid-19 boosters
Covid-19 vaccine booster to be offered to all children and young people aged 12-15
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the dose will be a mRNA Comirnaty Pfizer/BioNTech.
# camhs
HSE apologises to young people over 'care deficiencies' in Kerry mental health services
The executive will issue written apologies to around 250 families.
All time
# spiked
Campaign to raise awareness around spiking to be launched, says minister
Minister Simon Harris says there have been a number of cases in the UK that are concerning.
# budget 2022
'Are you joking?' - Taoiseach denies Budget is attempt to woo young voters away from Sinn Féin
The recent Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll shows that support for Sinn Féin remains strongest among younger voters.
# YOuth travel card
Discounted public transport fares for 19 to 23 year olds announced as part of Budget
A 50% discount on fares will be rolled out by the middle of 2022.
# Explainer
Here is the current guidance on vaccinating children against Covid-19
Niac is expected to issue guidance to the Government and HSE this week.
# free to go
Government to launch campaign on travel making clear that young unvaccinated people can go abroad
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar clarified yesterday that young people who are not fully vaccinated can travel abroad this summer, despite the chief medical officer Tony Holohan giving advice to the contrary last week.
# Mental Health
'I was stuck in a room with no privacy': Fears that pandemic will have long-term impacts on disadvantaged young people
A new report from the Irish Youth Foundation has been published today.
# young people
Relationship breakdowns and parental job losses 'key triggers' for child poverty, research shows
The ESRI found that around four in ten young people surveyed experienced at least one spell of poverty between 2007 and 2017.
# Out of work
Varadkar says it's 'extraordinary' under 35s are experiencing their second recession in their adult life
Labour’s Aodhán Ó Riordán said the country can’t afford to lose another generation.
# Vaccines
Impact of earlier vaccination for younger people to be assessed by health officials
The Health Minister has asked officials to determine if vaccinating younger people sooner would impact transmission.
# the good information project
Northern Ireland is more than green and orange now - as new communities enter the debate
“Our young people are fierce and brave and they’re coming for us. And we should let them.”
# Exercise
Young people who play sports show lower levels of anxiety and depression, study says
Researchers surveyed more than 5,000 11-20-year-olds late last year.
# Jigsaw
Anxiety and psychological distress: 50% increase in demand for youth mental health services last month
This surge in requests for help is the latest in the mental health crisis caused by restrictions and the Covid-19 pandemic.
# tony holohan
'Some young people end up in intensive care': Health chief says *everyone* needs to social distance
Dr Tony Holohan warned that there have been many cases of young people being hospitalised because of Covid-19.
# My World Survey
Number of teenagers reporting severe anxiety in Ireland doubles since 2012, report finds
That’s according to My World Survey 2, the largest ever study of Ireland’s youth mental health.
# volunteering
'The kid who's helping others, is not the kid who's terrorising their neighbour'
Should it be compulsory for young people to volunteer for a year? There are pros and cons.
# ireland 2029
Should volunteering be mandatory for Irish teens? Here's what young people think of the idea
Hear more about the pros and cons on episode three of Ireland 2029.
# Depression
Chronic depression: Young people in Ireland worst affected compared to European counterparts
Data for 2014 shows that 4% of Europeans aged 15-24 were chronically depressed.
# careday19
Young people share their experiences in care: 'This was the chapter where I turned my life around'
A number of young people shared their experiences yesterday and said they want to erase the stigma attached to being in the care system.
# complex needs
'Beyond crisis': Almost half of beds for children with mental health needs closed due to safety concerns
Staffing issues are also having an impact.
# Report Card
Homeless and Traveller children 'falling through gaps' in education system
Ireland is one of the best countries in terms of reducing education inequality, but concerns have been raised about vulnerable children.
# call for reform
'Major changes' needed as 82 children admitted to adult mental health units
The Mental Health Commission has said services in Ireland are “unsafe and substandard”.
# Drug use
One in every five young adult deaths in the US is related to opioids
The study found that the percentage of deaths attributed to opioids in the US increased by 292% from 2001 to 2016.
# Obesity
Children who watch extra junk food adverts consume more calories
The catchier the ad, the more effective.
# foroige
'We wanted to show them we are people': How a Cork teen group bridged the age divide
They’re taking part in this year’s Foróige Youth Citizenship Awards this month.
# can't get no sleep
'Young people are exhausted': This new toolkit is tackling sleep deprivation among teenagers
The Sleep Programme supports young adults to improve or maintain their sleep routine.
# step up
Concern changes to youth programme will lead to crime surge in 'at risk' areas
There were more than 17,000 referrals to this crime prevention programme in 2016.
# be in ctrl
With 'vulnerable' children contacting strangers, government launches 'internet safety resource' for schools
Most children aged between 8 and 13 own a smartphone.
# Sexualisation
Inside the murky world of Japan's child 'idol singers'
Concern has been raised about the age of the singers – some are as young as six.
# Sexting
13% of secondary school students have sent a nude or semi-nude video of themselves
Males are more likely than females to engage in sexting, a new survey has found.
# Royal interview
Barack Obama warns against 'irresponsible' social media use in interview with Prince Harry
Obama was interviewed by Prince Harry, who took the role as guest editor on BBC Radio 4′s Today programme.
# ISPCC
Childline received over 1,000 calls and messages from children on Christmas Day
Some got in touch because they were worried about abuse while others simply needed company.
# minding your health
After a death, young people band together to get the best care for their diabetes
A new approach has been developed involving the young people
# Mental Health
Mindfulness in schools and less focus on points: What politicians want for Irish schoolchildren
The Oireachtas Education Committee has made a number recommendations to improve the mental health of school children.
