· Minister Fitzgerald joined by an Taoiseach and Tánaiste for launch in
Dublin Castle
· Framework sets-out transformation goals and outcomes for children and
young people and new structures reporting to the Cabinet Committee on
Social Policy
· Minister says Framework is about “moving on from addressing the
legacy of failings to promoting a new culture and cross-government
approach to improving outcomes for all children.”
Wednesday 16th April 2014
Frances Fitzgerald TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, has today
been joined by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD and An Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore TD
to launch ‘Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework
for Children and Young People 2014 -2020’. The launch event took place in
Dublin Castle.
‘Better Outcomes: Brighter Futures’ is the first overarching national
policy framework for children and young people aged from birth to 24 years
and will be implemented by the Department of Children and Young Affairs in
collaboration with all Government departments and key State agencies.
The Minister said that “our children are our present joy and future wealth”
and added that she saw this Framework as representing this Government’s
‘Action Plan for Children’.
The Minister added that ‘Better Outcomes: Brighter Futures’ is built on the
Government’s Medium-Term ‘Strategy for Growth’ which recognised that our
increasing child and youth population is a significant resource for our
country; and further recognised that ensuring the best possible outcomes
for this group is therefore an important element in our future economic
planning.
The vision of the Framework is to work towards achieving five Outcomes
identified as most important for children and young people in Ireland. The
Government has committed to working towards these through a series of
actions, described as key transformational goals. These goals will
underpin the implementation of the Framework and will be a key element of
its success.
Addressing the launch Minister Fitzgerald stated that the challenge now for
Government and society was one of “changing our viewpoint, from looking
back and responding – to looking forward and planning. It’s the challenge
of moving on from addressing the legacy of failings to promoting a culture
and cross-government approach to improving outcomes for all children.”
“This Framework outlines what we, across Government, aspire to; and what we
demand, as the best outcomes for children and young people. It sets-out
the six big transformational goals and the new implementation structures
through which Government departments can work together to achieve these
outcomes and be accountable for progress. This Framework represents a
comprehensive outline of every one of every Government Department’s goals,
commitments and responsibilities to children and young people.”
The Minister noted that the Framework included over 160 commitments in
total:
· From focusing on early interventions and quality services to promote
best outcomes for children, particularly in the vitally-important
early years;
· To working better together to protect young people who are
marginalised, at-risk or who demonstrate challenging or high-risk
behaviour;
· To setting a target of lifting 70,000 children out of poverty by
2020;
· To improving childhood health & wellbeing in line with goals of
‘Healthy Ireland’;
· To enhancing job opportunities for young people – building on the
‘Action Plan for Jobs’ and Youth Guarantee ;
· To delivering better supports for families and parenting.
The Minister acknowledged the real and express commitment of the Taoiseach
and Tánaiste; and indeed all government Ministers to work together across
the whole-of-Government to improve outcomes for all children.
Minister Fitzgerald explained that the Framework incorporated a dynamic new
whole-of-government implementation structure headed by her own Department
of Children & Youth Affairs. This new implementation structure tasked with
ensuring there is 'joined-up-thinking' on children and young people will
report to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy, which is chaired by an
Taoiseach.
Ends…/
Note for Editors:
A copy of the policy is available at www.dcya.gov.ie
‘Brighter Futures, Better Outcomes’ establishes a shared set of outcomes
for children and young people to which all government departments,
agencies, statutory services and the voluntary and community sectors work,
to ensure a coherent response for children and young people.
These outcomes are:
· Active and healthy, with positive physical and mental wellbeing.
· Achieving their full potential in all areas of learning and
development.
· Safe and protected from harm.
· Economic security and opportunity.
· Connected, respected and contributing to their world.
‘Brighter Futures, Better Outcomes’ prioritizes the key cross-cutting
transformational goals which require concerted and coordinated action to
ensure the realization of the respective outcomes:
· Supporting parents,
· Earlier intervention and prevention,
· Listening to and involving children and young people,
· Ensuring quality services,
· Strengthening transitions,
· Collaboration and coordination across government.
In line with both the outcomes and transformational goals, ‘Brighter
Futures, Better Outcomes’ identifies a range of 166 commitments.