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Departmental Priorities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Ceisteanna (56, 314)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

56. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which services for children are deficient in a specific way, with particular reference to his proposals to address any such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28402/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent, if any, to which the provision of appropriate services for children continues to be a major priority; the specific areas in question identified for improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28743/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 314 together.

The Department's Mission is to enhance the lives of children, young people, adults, families and communities recognising diversity and promoting equality of opportunity.

The Department's work involves the identification of policy and legislative initiatives that will improve the outcomes of those we serve, the provision of a range of services that will meet their needs as well as, helping children who are vulnerable and at risk in overcoming adverse circumstances.  

While we seek to be proactive in identifying where make need to make improvements, a key part of our approach is that we learn from the findings of independent monitoring and review mechanisms, such as the Ombudsman for Children and HIQA, and drive improvements to our systems and services.  

The European Child Guarantee seeks to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing access for children who are in need of a range of key services. It calls on Member States to guarantee for children in need, free access to early childhood education and care; education (including school-based activities); and healthcare; and to ensure effective access healthy nutrition, a healthy meal each school day and adequate housing.

The Commission’s proposal emphasises that a Child Guarantee will only be effective if it triggers national investments and a ‘supportive enabling policy framework’.  The design of national action plans for its implementation is crucial to its success. The consultation process in relation to the National Action Plan for the implementation of the European Child Guarantee involved close engagement with the National Advisory Council for Children and Young People; input from key Departments and agencies across government; and online consultation resulting in twenty-one submissions from various organisations in January of this year. 

The Child Guarantee will help Ireland to sharpen its response and frameworks towards the goal that all children can grow up with the same opportunities, and access to quality support services that will allow them to thrive in society and in a post pandemic world. As part of the obligations for Ireland under the European Child Guarantee, my Department has developed a National Action Plan for the implementation of the European Child Guarantee.

I am happy to report that I brought the National Action Plan for the European Child Guarantee to Government on 31st of May 2022. The Government has approved the Plan, which will be published on www.gov.ie in the coming days. It will also be submitted to the European Commission in accordance with guidance

In examining the how we can address perceived deficiencies or weaknesses in the provision of services to children and to improve the outcomes of those we serve, my Department focus on the following set of priorities for 2022;

1. Amongst the legislative priorities we are progressing this year are publishing and enacting the following

Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Amendment Bill and

Guardian Ad Litem Bill

2. I am also advancing the Child Care (Amendment) Bill to Heads of Bill stage.

3. My Department is leading the development of cross Government strategies with specific focus on a successor to the Brighter Options Better Future policy framework (which includes youth and participation) and specific policies in relation to autism, women and girls, Travellers and Roma, integration, anti-racism and disability; and continue implementation of the LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy and the LGBTI+ Youth Strategy.

4. My Department is further developing capital plans under the National Development Plan in the areas of childcare, disability, international protection and Tusla services.

5. We are implementing recommendations for a new funding model and operating model for Early Learning Care and School Age Childcare sector and well as advancing workforce and regulatory reforms for the sector.

6. We are working to support the structural reform of Tusla to ensure high- level performance across all areas of service provision impacting on children and families.

7.  We are progressing the implementation of planned reforms of the Youth Services Grant Scheme.  

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