The functions of the new Office of the Minister for Children, within the Department of Health and Children, are as follows: the equal opportunities child care programme, transferred from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; the programmes and activities of the National Children's Office; and the policy and legislative work on child welfare and protection conducted by the Department of Health and Children. The new youth justice service of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the early years education functions of the Department of Education and Science will be co-located at the new office. However, these Departments will retain responsibility for these areas.
The Office of the Minister for Children has the lead role on children and young people's participation in local and national decision making under goal 1 of the national children's strategy 2000. It has responsibility for ensuring the development of structures for participation such as Dáil na nÓg and Comhairle na nÓg and for promoting children and young people's participation among Departments, State agencies and the non-government sector.
My colleague, Deputy de Valera, Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, has overall responsibility for youth affairs. An official from the National Children's Office — now part of the Office of the Minister for Children — participated on an interdepartmental committee established in the youth affairs section of the Department of Education and Science from November 2004 to May 2005. My office is represented on the national youth work advisory committee established by the Department of Education and Science.