merrion street

The need to urgently progress the Government’s radical new approach to
childcare has been further highlighted by the Annual Report Card from the
Children’s Rights Alliance, according to the Minister for Children and
Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone.

The Minister says the Card echoes the priorities which have been set in her
Department including:

· Legislation to underpin Childcare Reforms from September
· Progressing Prevention and Early Intervention measures for children
· Reform of the guardian ad litem service
· First national LGBT Youth Strategy

Responding to the Report Card, Minister Katherine Zappone added:

“The strong foundations are in place so we can respond to many of the
issues raised in the annual report. Over the next few months I look forward
to ensuring that our policies become reality.

In the area of Subsided Childcare, legislation is underway and will be
progressed as a priority. My officials are also working hard to put the
administrative, IT and payments procedures in place to ensure we continue
to change our childcare services from being one of the most expensive in
the world to the best.

There are those families who simply cannot afford to wait for our changes
to come into force and working with Focus Ireland my Department has
commenced a free childcare scheme for young children who are homeless.

I recognise that the cost of childcare is a barrier for families in poverty
as parents cannot take up jobs, training and education – we will change
that.

Prevention and early intervention is important for young people and
children at risk and we are fully committed to working with frontline
agencies on the ground to further develop such services.

As Minister I am fully committed to reforming the guardian ad litem system
and welcome the support of the members of the Children’s Rights Alliance to
support those goals.

Work on the first ever National LGBT Youth Strategy is now well underway
and I look forward to publication before the end of the year.”