Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
389. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the work of the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures policy consortium; the number of meetings held to date; the work programme for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25968/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetter 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 provides for a robust implementation infrastructure to oversee implementation. The Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium is the keystone of the implementation framework, and is responsible for having oversight of cross-government implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and its constituent strategies.
The Consortium is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, with a Deputy Chair from the Department of the Taoiseach. Its membership comprises high level representation at Assistant Secretary level from all other Government Departments whose policies have an impact on children and young people. It also includes senior representatives from the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána, the City and County Managers Association, the Chair of the Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group, as well as the Chair and three rotating members of the Advisory Council.
Meetings of the Consortium were held in April, July and November 2014, and April 2015. The next meeting of the Consortium is scheduled for 1st October 2015.
In terms of the work of the Consortium: in November, the Consortium approved a draft of the Implementation Plan for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, and endorsed the five cross-sectoral priorities which form the basis of the work-plan for 2015. These are set out in the following table.
|
Lead |
Identified cross-sectoral priority |
|
Department of Social Protection |
Child poverty reduction |
|
Department of Health |
Complete and implement the National Physical Activity Plan. |
|
Department of Children and Youth Affairs |
Prevention and early intervention |
|
Department of Children and Youth Affairs (with Department of Education and Skills and Department of Health) |
Inclusion of children with additional needs in early years education |
|
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government |
Cross-Government and Interagency collaboration |
At the most recent meeting of the Consortium, the Consortium was updated on the progress on the development of the first annual report on Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. The Consortium also had the opportunity to consider the progress on the National Strategy for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision Making (launched in June 2015), as well as the National Youth Strategy (scheduled for launch later this year).
I am pleased with the progress of work to-date of this crucial grouping within the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures infrastructure and will ensure that this group continues to fulfil its key role of overseeing and driving this significant and ambitious whole-of-government policy framework for our children and young people.
