The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly TD, has
welcomed the establishment of the Advisory Council, set up under Better
Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and
Young People (2014-2020). The Advisory Council brings together for the
first time and into one forum a diverse range of sectoral stakeholder
interests in the area of children and young people’s policy provision.
The Minister said: “This Advisory Council will provide a platform for
members of civil society involved in the area of children and young people
to engage with the other implementation structures of Brighter Futures, in
order to actively guide and support its implementation… I am particularly
pleased to see representation from such a diverse range of groups and
individuals which will ensure that the Advisory Council’s work is informed
by the experiences and perspectives of all of society.”
The community, voluntary and non-government sectors connect with and
mobilise communities, families and individuals and so are vital to the
successful implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. The
Advisory Council provides a platform for these sectors to engage with
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, and to have a role in ensuring it’s
successful implementation across these sectors, and the achievement of the
five national outcomes for children and young people.
The Advisory Council will also advise the Minister for Children and Youth
Affairs and the high level Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium on
the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures and its constituent
strategies. It will also have a role in generating support for change among
stakeholders, and provide a forum to support implementation and address
challenges in a positive, solution focused manner.
The Advisory Council consists of 16 members. Nine have been nominated by
representative bodies in the areas of Early Years (National Voluntary
Childcare Collaborative), Children (Children’s Rights Alliance) and Youth
(NYCI). Members include representatives from Early Childhood Ireland, Start
Strong, Barnardos, the Children’s Rights Alliance, ISPCC, One Family,
BeLonG To, Scouting Ireland and NYCI.
A further seven members have been nominated by the Minister for Children
and Youth Affairs. These are individuals with experience and expertise
working with and for children and young people, independent experts, and
others who are able to offer fresh insights into issues affecting children
and young people in Ireland, now and in the future.
The Advisory Council is chaired by Dr Owen Keenan, who has extensive
experience working across the not-for-profit sector, including 15 years as
Chief Executive of Barnardos.