Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
390. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, as provided for in the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures strategy, an annual progress report has been published; if not, when he expects such a report to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25969/15]
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 is supported by a significant and robust implementation infrastructure comprising key groupings. Through the establishment of the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium, cross-Government commitment and accountability for shared actions will be achieved. The Consortium oversees the implementation of the Framework which emphasises an outcomes-focused approach and cross-Government coordination. This is monitored through regular reporting, planning and review to ensure progress and momentum over the course of the Framework.
In the development of the Implementation Plan for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, all Government Departments and Agencies with lead responsibility for commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures were asked to set out the specific actions which they would be undertaking in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to achieve each of their commitments. They were also asked to provide a comment on the desired outcome for 2017 for each commitment.
By their nature, the commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures vary considerably in scope and scale. Some are ongoing business for Departments and Agencies, while others represent new initiatives. Some are straightforward and readily actionable, while others require considerable planning, development and cultural change. Some are specific to very small groups of children and young people, while others are universal – impacting on over a third of the population of Ireland.
In preparing the annual report for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures the Implementation Team in my Department has requested that all Departments and Agencies report on their work in the first year of implementation on all 163 commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.
To ensure a dynamic overview of progress, the Annual Report will also contain commentary from all Departments with lead responsibility for commitments in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, as well as the chairs of key groups in the implementation infrastructure, including the chair of the Advisory Council and the Chair of the Children and Young People’s Services Committees National Steering Group.
A draft of the annual report was presented to the high level Sponsors Group in June 2015. The annual report is currently being finalised prior to being circulated to the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium and presented to the Senior Officials Group and Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform in the coming weeks. Subject to Government approval, I intend that the annual report will be published on my Department’s website and circulated to key constituent groupings within the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures infrastructure.
