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I am delighted to join you here this afternoon to reflect on some of the key messages, which have emerged from this research.

This Government recognises that children and young people are our most precious possession and they are at the centre of our policy agenda.

That is why, for the first time, we have a dedicated Cabinet Ministry for Children and Youth Affairs.

Collectively, we share a vision for our children and young people.

We want to ensure that growing up in Ireland means that all children get the best start in life.

Part of this vision is about ensuring our children are safe from harm.

Under the Programme for Government, we are committed to reforming the delivery of child protection services.

Central to this will be the establishment of the new Child and Family Support Agency in 2013 and the introduction of new legislation to underpin the Children First National Guidelines.

The referendum to amend the Constitution to ensure children’s rights are strengthened remains a Government priority for this year.

Part of this vision is also about ensuring our children can reach their full potential. To realise this, public policy needs to better understand our children and their lives.

Minister Fitzgerald has given a clear commitment that our policies will be informed by the best evidence available to us.

Ten years ago, there was very little research on children and childhood in Ireland. This meant that much of what informed our policies was based on information derived from studies in other countries.

I am glad to see that this is no longer the case.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has made significant advances here through rolling out an extensive research agenda, which includes the recently published National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives.

Unquestionably, Growing Up in Ireland is the most important element.

is a landmark study.

Growing Up in Ireland

Nothing of this scale has ever been undertaken in Ireland before.

represents a substantial Government investment.

Growing Up in Ireland

But I am sure you will agree with me - today demonstrates that the actual (and potential) return on this investment is also considerable.

I am impressed by the wealth of evidence Growing Up in Ireland is accumulating and I am encouraged to see that this research is being extensively analysed by academic researchers.

really holds great promise for strengthening evidence-based policy and service delivery for children, young people and their families.

Growing Up in Ireland

By tracking outcomes for children and young people over time, we will have a better understanding of how different factors influence and affect their journey as they grow and make the important transition into adulthood.

Already, very clear messages have emerged from Growing Up in Ireland for us as politicians and policy makers.

Health

While most infants and children are healthy, the study shows:

The gap in child health between social class groups widens over time, recognisable even at three years of age;

One in ten children had a chronic disease or disability; and

One in four children were overweight.

These are significant challenges that our policies and programmes must respond to.

In relation to obesity, we know that obese children are significantly more likely to become obese adults. We are committed to reversing this trend.

This will require a multi-faceted, cross-departmental and also a broader societal response informed by this research. While the majority of children are involved in structured sports, there are worrying trends in relation to physical activity rates, increasing sedentary lifestyles and dietary habits.

We must continue to do all that we can to support parents and children to make healthy food and lifestyle choices.

Data from Growing Up in Ireland will help us to understand the benefits of, and barriers to, adopting these healthy choices.

Educational Success

Literacy and numeracy skills are crucial if children are to reach their full potential.

While most nine-year olds score at the expected levels at vocabulary and maths, there are clear social class gradients.

Data from Growing Up in Ireland will be useful for charting our progress in this area and also for identifying new policy interventions. For instance, recent research to emerge from Growing Up in Ireland found that engagement by children in structured activities out of school promoted the skills that help children succeed in school.

Conclusion

Our children are our greatest asset and our best investment for the future of our country and it is important we make the right policy decisions so that they can realise their full potential.

All of the findings presented here today point to areas where policy interventions are possible and necessary.

Our job doesn’t end there.

Children and young people are the concern of everybody in our society and there are also clear messages in here for families and communities and, indeed, for all of us here today in our different societal roles:

as parents,

as grandparents,

as Principals and teachers,

as childcare providers,

as health professionals and

as public policy makers.

Now we have good evidence and the challenge is to use it effectively and creatively if we are to maximise this investment in Growing Up in Ireland and realise our vision of making Ireland the best place for children to be children.