Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
129. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the successor to the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for children and young people 2014-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36700/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetter Outcomes, Brighter Futures – The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 concluded at the end of 2020. A final Annual Report for 2020 was published on 20 January 2022, along with updates to the policy framework indicator set.
Recently, my Department concluded a public consultation on the policy framework which invited children and young people, parents, professionals working in this sector and others to have their say on what is going well and not well for children and young people, as well as identify priorities for the new framework. This is part of an on-going consultative process for the framework, to ensure it reflects the priorities of children and young people and all those who support them, and building on the extensive consultations carried out by my Department in recent years.
I recently approved the approach to the new policy framework, which is intended to inform cross government work for children and young people over the period 2023-2028. The framework aims to place children and young people at the centre of policy, while also addressing the most pressing issues for children and young people now and over the lifetime of the framework.
The new policy framework will take a rights based approach, aligned to the UNCRC in its principles and implementation measures. To allow time for the hearing before the UNCRC Committee which is now expected to take place in Q1 2023, I have approved the extension of the publication date to Q1 2023, which will allow any final gaps to be identified and provide a further confirmation on the approach.
