Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2015
25. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the efforts that are being made to fulfil the envisioned outcomes of the Better Outcomes, Brighter Future document produced by his Department in early 2014, following a meeting with the National Youth Council of Ireland last week. [35508/15]
View answerI was pleased to meet with the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) on 29th September. The meeting took place to discuss NYCI's pre-budget submission, the National Youth Strategy, Peace Funding and the “Skills Summary” project.
NYCI provided tremendous support to my Department in the development and launch of the National Youth Strategy, and I would particularly like to thank its Director, Mary Cunningham, for her contribution and her efforts to ensure that the development of the Strategy was informed by those working closest with young people.
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020) is the overarching national policy framework which comprehends the age ranges of children and young people from 0 – 24 years. It was launched by the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in April 2014.
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures sets out the five National Outcomes which we want to achieve for all of our children and young people. These are:
1. Active and healthy with physical and mental wellbeing
2. Achieving full potential in all areas of learning and development
3. Safe and protected from harm
4. Enjoying economic security and opportunity
5. Connected, respected and contributing to their world.
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures sets out 163 key policy commitments which aim to achieve these outcomes. An implementation plan has been developed which contains the actions departments are undertaking under each of these commitments in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and the outcome expected by 2017, for mid-point review.
In order to achieve these outcomes, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures provides for a robust implementation infrastructure to oversee implementation, including the Children and Young People's Policy Consortium, Sponsors Group, Implementation Team, and Advisory Council. These were all established in the first year of implementation.
Much of the progress made in the first year of implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is contained in the Annual Report for the First Year of Implementation April 2014-2015, which is available on my Department's website.
