Donegal Youth Council Mayor Jessica McDevitt tells Paul Bradley how she’s making a difference on behalf of the young people of Donegal
Hi Jessica, thank you for the interview. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, please?
My name is Jessica McDevitt. I am 15 years old, I live in Fintown and I am a TY student in Gairmscoil Chú Uladh. I am still unsure of a career I would like to pursue but I would like to work with young people.
How does the Donegal Youth Council (DYC) operate? Does it have a similar structure to Donegal County Council, and how does it serve young people?
Donegal Youth Council and Donegal County Council do have a similar structure. We have monthly meetings, we follow an agenda for each, and to focus on things in smaller areas that may only affect a part of the county we break off into subgroups.
We also have a Mayor and a Deputy Mayor, also like them. The whole idea is to represent our peers on issues affecting them just like the council. But you could argue that we don’t have a lot in common, depending on how you look at it.
The Council would look at very different issues sometimes, and work differently probably in meetings and roles.
Donegal County Council chamber in Lifford.
You’re currently Mayor of the DYC. What does that entail for you personally?
As Mayor, I am the spokesperson on behalf of the council and the youth of Donegal. I ensure each member gets to voice their opinion and is listened to. I also chair meetings. It is a little full-on sometimes and does interfere with my sports life, but I don’t see it as work. I am more than happy to do everything I can do to help out.
How did you become involved in the DYC in the first place? Were you active at school, say?
I got involved in the Donegal Youth Council through my school. I ran for election when I was in 2nd year and to be honest I didn’t have a campaign and wasn’t very hopeful, but I ended up winning.
I had never been involved in anything like it before; I wasn’t even on my student council. But I think it was a very good decision. I have never looked back since.
What kind of issues does the DYC most commonly deal with? What would you say are the biggest youth issues in Donegal, and do they differ from elsewhere in Ireland?
We send out a survey to young people through schools and youth organisations asking them to tell us what the main issues are for them. The top issues highlighted are taken to our AGM.
These issues or topics are discussed more on this day to see how changes can be made and what the Donegal Youth Council can do to help create these changes. The topics we work on are voted on by the young people who attend our AGM. This year our AGM took place on November 28.
For my term, the topics chosen were social media/body image, mental health and drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vaping. We focused on the vaping part mostly as we believed it was a very big issue in Donegal but also in the whole of Ireland; we are currently working on a project to do with it.
But an issue that would be bigger in Donegal than the rest of the country I believe is transport. Even though we have not worked on this yet it is a massive issue for everyone, not just young people.
Jessica McDevitt (left) is enjoying her role as Mayor of the Donegal Youth Council. She is pictured with Deputy Mayor, Rowan Buchanan.
What about you personally – does the position as Mayor make it hard to get free time to just relax, have a bit of fun with friends, chat about the latest films?
I don’t see the Donegal Youth Council as work. I want to be involved in everything. I have made so many friends through the DYC, and not just from Donegal. There is always a bit of time to have the craic and catch up with everyone.
Do you fancy, having seen the DYC side of things, moving into politics in a few years?
After being involved in the Donegal Youth Council I would love to go into something political, but I have bigger interests I would like to follow first.
Are there any other issues you’d like to raise?
There is not enough for young people to do in Donegal. While we do have great GAA clubs, football teams, and athletics, and I’m personally a big fan of sports and am involved myself, not everyone has the same interest.
I know so many people, especially during the summer, who only leave the house to play football. There is really nothing else for them to do.
I’ve lost count of the number of times I have been in town with friends, and we end up just walking around because there are no other options. It’s a real concern for young people who want to be active and social and make friends outside of school but don’t have the facilities or opportunities to do so.
QUICK FIRE
The book or the film?
I don’t really watch films or read books but I am currently watching The Office.
The perfect night?
Getting a takeaway and playing games online with friends.
What motivates you?
To be a better person.
What do you look for most in a friend?
Someone who is nice, helpful, and supportive.
What angers you?
When I can’t do something on my own and need help.
Do you have a motto you try to live by?
Never back down, never give up.
Jessica was interviewed by Paul Bradley for his ‘The Third Degree’ column which features each Thursday in the Donegal News.
If you or anyone would like to take part in this interview, to raise a profile or an issue, please contact Paul at Dnthirddegree@gmail.com
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