merrion street

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone welcomes the acknowledgement of significant progress made in Childcare, Child Protection and LGBTI Rights policy in the 2019 Report Card by the Children’s Rights Alliance. Minister Zappone says the Report Card is an important contribution which helps inform policy on how we best protect, support and care for our children.

The Minister added:

The past 12-months have been significant in policy areas right across my Department and the Report Card recognises this work. Our children are more protected than ever before. The introduction of Mandatory Reporting together with the legal requirement for those working with children to have Child Safeguarding Statements has resulted in a B Grade in this area. On Childcare 2019 will be a huge year with the start of the Affordable Childcare Scheme. In the coming days I will be giving updates on the roll out. I welcome the fact that the 117% increase in investment since 2015 is acknowledged with a C+ grading. All our children are entitled to live free from bullying, harassment and inequality. Our National LGBTI+ Strategy is a world first and is a reality. The A- rating secured recognises the importance of this work. I will study the Report Card in detail and work with Government colleagues to ensure other areas of policy continue to be advanced.