Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2020
105. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which his Department will improve on the progress in the implementation of the first five plan, the ten-year, whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young persons and their families, the first annual implementation report of which showed a completion rate of 69%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40652/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst 5 was published in November 2018. This Strategy, a constituent strategy under Better Outcomes Brighter Futures (BOBF), focuses on the period of early childhood and takes a joined-up, cross-government approach to supporting babies, young children and their families during these early years. It identifies approximately 150 actions to be progressed in the initial implementation phase.
The Implementation Plan, published in May 2019, covers this first phase and identifies key milestones for each action across 2019, 2020 and 2021. Implementation structures are located within BOBF’s implementation framework. Added to this is an Implementation Office, Inter Departmental Group and an Annual Implementation Report. The measurability of the actions committed to, the oversight structures, and the transparent approach to monitoring are described by the BOBF Advisory Council as ‘a model for other strategies’.
The Implementation Report 2019 monitors progress on all 305 milestones for 2019 - illustrating 69% of milestones were met by end 2019. This completion rate can be explained by several factors.
Owing to the publication of the Implementation Plan in May 2019, the first year of implementation was not a full calendar year. The timeline for some milestones was deliberately changed and other milestones were merged with others – both for practical and valid reasons. In addition, there was some delays in putting resources in place. Many 2019 milestones required resourcing through the estimates process. In some instances, approval of expenditure was not possible due to competing priorities at the time.
The completion rate does not reflect the full picture of progress. Owing to COVID-19, the publication of the Annual Implementation Report was delayed. This provided an opportunity to update progress on 2019 milestones. This demonstrated continued commitment to implementation. By end 2020, 90% of 2019 milestone will be met. For accountability purposes, unmet milestones will be monitored and reported on in subsequent annual reports.
The Programme for Government reaffirmed a commitment to First 5 implementation. We are continuing to make good progress with colleagues across other Departments and Agencies, building on the positive work that has taken place under First 5 to ensure children get the best possible start in life.
