Pupils tell Minister what is wrong with Ireland [IrishTimes]
- Published: 29 March 2011
DIVORCE, DRUGS, alcohol abuse, bullying and the bad weather are some of the worst things about being a child in Ireland today.
But we don’t have wars, everyone has a roof over their head and there are less rules and restrictions than in other countries.
These are some of the views expressed by the first group of young people given the chance to participate in a consultation for a new National Children’s Strategy.
Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald launched the consultation process yesterday and said she hoped the strategy would be in place by December.
She said the national consultation was a good opportunity for children to inform politicians and civil servants about their needs, wants, hopes and ambitions.
Erika, a 12-year-old who got the chance to fill out one of the consultation forms, drew a picture of her family inside a large heart. Her parents are smiling and happy but she is looking sad in the picture.
“One of the worst things in Ireland is that there are lots of divorces,” she said.
“But we don’t have any wars here, which is good . . . If I could change one thing I’d like to stop people dying of diseases,” she said.
“I’d change the weather,” said Holly, a 12-year-old sitting next to Erika.
She said that one of the worst things was that children were getting less pocket money because of the recession. Family and friends are some of the best things about being a child in Ireland.
Judith, a 12-year-old pupil at Loreto National School in Crumlin, said that the best thing about being a child is not having to worry about paying bills or taxes.
“But we do have to worry about whether our parents have jobs or not these days,” she said.
“If I had to change one thing it would be the food in hospitals. My cousin is in hospital and the food is terrible,” she said.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
