Cost of living is focus of young Leitrim people

Young people from across the county voted to make the cost of living the focus of Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg’s work in 2026/2027 at its Annual Youth Conference in Carrick-on-Shannon.

The Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg Annual Youth Conference took place at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon on October 19, bringing together young people from schools across the county to discuss issues affecting their lives.

The conference provided a forum for young people to identify key concerns and vote on the most important topic.

Facilities, transport and the cost of living emerged as the three main areas of concern, with the cost of living receiving the most votes and becoming the focus for 2026/2027.

Through discussions with their peers, participants explored the main issues, the barriers to addressing them and potential solutions.

The event was welcomed by Comhairle na nÓg Coordinator Lola Jones Cassidy, with an opening speech from Leitrim County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mary Bohan.

Comhairle na nÓg members Fionn McWeeney, Ciara Conway Knight and Shakar Ali hosted the day, explaining the role of the youth council and how young people could get involved.

Newly managed by Foróige, in partnership with Leitrim County Council and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg is one of 31 youth councils across Ireland.

It provides an official forum for young people to raise issues of importance and contribute to the development of services, policies and decisions affecting them locally and nationally.

A number of council members and representatives from local organisations attended to hear the views of young people.

Among those present were Cathaoirleach Mary Bohan, Cllr Paddy Farrell, Cllr Seán McGowan, Cllr Maeve Reynolds, Healthy County Coordinator Áine Dutton and Local Community Safety Coordinator Angela Waldron.

Also attending were Emer McFadden of Mental Health Ireland, Enda Lyons and Donnacha Holmes of Leitrim Sports Partnership, and Michelle Durkin, Child and Youth Participation Worker with Sligo/Leitrim CYPSC and Leitrim County Childcare Committee.

Cllr Bohan highlighted the issue of mental health, which has been a focus for Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg in recent years. She said that “plans are progressing to establish the youth mental health service, Jigsaw, across Sligo and Leitrim.

Jigsaw provides early intervention support for young people aged 12 to 25 and, once operational, will help address an important gap in mental health supports for young people, in County Leitrim.”

Plans to develop Jigsaw in Sligo and Leitrim had been campaigned for by Leitrim Comhairle na nÓg member Ciara Conway Knight, who was an important voice for young people across the county.

National Executive member Fionn McWeeney and Comhairle na nÓg member Shakar Ali also spoke about their experiences and the importance of young people taking part in discussions and decision-making.

Encouraging young people to get involved, Cllr Bohan said: “I encourage you all to engage in productive conversations with your peers, share your unique perspective and advocate for change in issues that affect the young people of Leitrim the most.

“Your voice is your power, don’t be afraid to speak up for what you believe in.”

Young people interested in getting involved with Comhairle na nÓg can contact Lola Jones Cassidy at [email protected].