Madam, - Having been fortunate enough to visit countries such as Italy, France, and the United States, I have noticed that the number and variety of facilities available to young people there are far in excess of those in Ireland. In these countries public amenities such as tennis courts, skate parks, swimming pools and marine centres are accessible to young people at minimum cost and often free of charge. They are of high quality, well maintained and widely used, especially by teenagers.
Young people's participation in these activities absorbs their energy and interest and encourages sporting competitiveness. The level of involvement in criminal activity by young people in Ireland is much too high. Seeking excitement in crime by young people is an easy option when there is nothing else for them to do. With proper planning and funding, this tendency could be reversed.
A national strategy to build, maintain and subsidise sporting
leisure facilities for young people should be a priority for the
Government. This would help to produce better citizens of the
future. It does appear that young people's needs are ignored
because they have no votes. The effects of this attitude are worst
for those living in the inner cities and those who are less
prosperous, as they do not have the money to use private clubs. -
Yours, etc,
ALEX DAVEY (Age 14),
Claremont Road,
Howth,
Co Dublin.