A Laois teenager has played a role in a new discount travel card which will hopefully be released nationally in April.
Caoimhe Moore, a Fifth Year student in Scoil Chriost Ri, is the chair of Laois Comhairle na nOg and sits on the national executive.
The Portlaoise native, along with her colleagues, decided to focus their attention on trying to reduce the cost of public transport for young people.
They engaged with Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and he agreed to establish a travel card that was put through in the recent Budget.
Caoimhe and her colleagues recently met with Minister for Children Roderick O’Gorman and it is now hoped this card, offering a 50% fare reduction to those aged 19-23, will be in place by late April.
Caoimhe said: “This year we focused on travel and the expenses that come with it, especially for young adults.
“A fare on any form of transport is extortionately high, especially for those who are in further education or simply don’t have regular income.
“We had meetings with Minister Roderic O’Gorman to whom we proposed a new travel card that would offer a discounted price to people aged 18-25 regardless if they are in education or not.
“After planning and discussing this proposal, we had a meeting with Minister Eamon Ryan, to deliver this plan in the hopes he would push for it in the budget.
“Which he did! In Budget 2022, a new travel card that allows 19-23 year olds 50% off public transport across Ireland was introduced.
“It is crazy to think that I had a part in something that is now going to help young people save so much money and make a huge difference to them.
“This was such a proud moment for us all and recently, I was in Dublin, filming for this Travel Card. It was lovely to finally meet everyone in person after Covid putting a hold on this for a long time.
“Everyone got on so well and we had an amazing time. We each spoke on what this card meant to us, why we chose to tackle the issue of transport and the importance of why young people should join Comhairle.
“Soon Minister Roderic O’Gorman popped in for a chat. It was definitely surreal being in the presence of a Minister knowing he helped us achieve something that the national executive , as a collective, believed to be so out of reach.
“A few other National Executives and I are on a sub-committee for the social media and marketing of the travel card. We will be discussing with the National Transport Authority of Ireland planning the best way to market the travel card.
“The hopes are for the card to launch at the end of April, but that’s a hope we are hoping for, knowing nothing is certain.”
While Caoimhe’s time on the National Executive is coming to an end, she encouraged others to get involved in Laois Comhairle na nOg.
She said: “Being a part of the National Executive and creating this new travel card is exceptional.
“The fact that I, a 17 year old, had a part in a new card that is now in the budget which I’ll be able to use next summer is astonishing to me.
“It’s opened my eyes and truly created a big belief and mindset that anything is possible. All of us on the National Exec are still in such disbelief but the whole filming process and nearing the launch, has made it so real.
“We now know that young people are so important to the country and can make such mass changes that can benefit so many people.
“When you mention Laois to someone that isn’t from here, they almost look at you as if to say ‘is that even a place’. This is why Laois Comhairle is so vital to the community.
“The way it opens so many windows of opportunity, just like the national executive. Comhairle really does open so many chances to get your voice heard like meeting with councils and even being elected into sub committees, proposing new plans for campaigns.
“I am so proud of not only myself but Laois Comhairle. This wouldn’t be possible if they didn’t believe in me to be the right person to represent them and their support from all the members has been incredible.
“Laois Comhairle has achieved so many amazing things in the past and continue to do so. I have loved being the National Executive for the previous months and it’s been an amazing experience, so thank you.”
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