Jack Wall
Ceist:47 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, to date on the development of a strategy for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5578/00]
Written Answers. - National Children's Strategy.
The national children's strategy is currently being prepared for Government by an interdepartmental group, under the chairmanship of the Department of Health and Children. A cross-departmental team, drawn from the Departments of Health and Children, Social, Community and Family Affairs, Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is working to the interdepartmental group to prepare the strategy.
An outline of the document has been developed and work is now progressing on preparing the detailed proposals. It is intended that the strategy should address the need to develop our research and information base; recommend more effective ways of obtaining the views of children and set out proposals on how to improve co-ordination and planning in the provision of children's services.
A comprehensive consultation process with all of the interested parties is now under way. Public submissions on the strategy were requested through the national media and over 170 submissions have been received to date.
Consultation with children and young people will be an important element in developing the strategy. The Children's Rights Alliance is working with the cross-departmental team to provide children and young people with a range of opportunities to have their views heard. One aspect of this consultation process is the setting up of a dedicated e-mail address – minister for children@health.irlgov.ie – operational from today, which children and all young people are invited to use to submit suggestions, comments and any observations they feel would contribute towards the formation of the national children's strategy.
The relevant statutory bodies are also now engaged in the development of the strategy. Two advisory panels have been formed, a research and information panel and a non-governmental service providers panel, to advise on the development of the strategy.
It is hoped to have a document to the Government this summer, with a view to early publication.