Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2015
367. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which his Department continues to liaise with the various voluntary child and youth support agencies in County Kildare, with particular reference to addressing ongoing issues and challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8285/15]
View answerI will refer the Deputy to my reply to his similar question today (Reference No. 8285/15) that addresses this question on a national level. Such liaison with various voluntary support bodies across the spectrum of activity of my Department embraces the ongoing issues and challenges nationwide, including in Co. Kildare.
The Deputy will be aware that Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSCs), which were previously known as Children’s Services Committees (CSCs), are an initiative of my Department bringing together a diverse group of agencies in local county areas to engage in joint planning of services for children and are firmly embedded in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the national policy framework for children and young people 2014-2020 as an important vehicle for local interagency work. All major organisations and agencies working locally on behalf of children and young people up to the age of 24 are represented on CYPSCs. These committees work to improve the lives of children, young people and families at local and community level through integrated planning and improved service delivery.
The inaugural meeting of the Kildare Children and Young People's Services Committee took place in June 2010. Communications are directed through a National Coordinator reporting to my Department and through a National Steering Group which will be reconstituted in the first quarter of 2015 with support and representation from my Department.
