Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton during her visit to Tallaght
Irish Girl Guides receive financial boost to help reach full potential
THE Irish Girl Guides welcomed a special guest on October 28, as Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton visited Tallaght and met with youth members, volunteers, and staff to experience firsthand how Irish Girl Guides delivers on its mission of Giving Girls Confidence.
The visit coincided with the announcement by the Department of Education and Youth of more than €500,000 in capital funding for national youth organisations to support infrastructure and accessibility improvements that strengthen services for young people.
As part of this funding scheme, Irish Girl Guides has been awarded €24,115, which will be used to enhance the infrastructure of the National Training Centre and provide equipment to support STEM programmes for Guiding groups across the country.
The Minister was welcomed and led through the National Training Centre by members of Senior Branch, Irish Girl Guides’ section for young women aged 14 to 30, who shared insights into the history of the organisation and the impact of its current youth work.
During the visit, the Minister learned about the legacy of IGG’s Chief Commissioners, beginning with the first, Lady Powerscourt, in 1911.
Irish Girl Guides Chief Commissioner Aisling Claffey Healion welcomed this grant and thanked the Minister for her support, alongside the Department.
“This funding will support essential improvements at our National Training Centre and deliver hands-on STEM resources to Units all over Ireland, ensuring our girls can keep building their confidence, skills, and leadership.”
Minister Naughton also met members of the Irish Trefoil Guild, who spoke about their role in sustaining the spirit and values of Guiding across generations. She experienced demonstrations of Guiding activities, including crafts and singing, and saw firsthand how a Unit meeting is run.
The Minister visited the Positive Affirmation Wall, created by Girl Guides at International Camp Orbit 2025, and took part in activities related to FIRST LEGO League, the robotics and STEM programme in which Guiding Units from across Ireland participate.
President of IGG, Deirdre Henley, expressed the importance of visits such as these to demonstrate firsthand the scope of activities that are undertaken by both the youth and adult members.
“The support from the Department of Education and Youth and the ongoing relationship with our organisation is very important to IGG as we continue to play our vital role supporting our members to build confidence, learn new skills, and reach their full potential.”
Minister Naughton spoke about the broader investments by the Department to fund youth services around the country, with a total of €4m set aside as part of a programme of capital funding.
“Alongside recently announced funding for UBU youth services and further funding to be announced shortly, it reflects our commitment to ensuring young people have access to high quality, inclusive and welcoming youth services in every part of the country.
“By investing in the infrastructure that supports youth work, we are investing directly in opportunities for young people and in stronger communities across Ireland.”
For 115 years, Irish Girl Guides has been committed to empowering girls and young women to develop to their fullest potential as responsible citizens of the world. The organisation provides a safe, inclusive, and inspiring environment.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
