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A meeting took place on 14th January, 2016 between a high-level and multisectoral Irish delegation, led by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. James Reilly and the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Further to that meeting, the Committee’s concluding observations were received on 4th February, 2016.

The Minister welcomes the concluding observations and is pleased to note
the Committee’s expression of appreciation for the constructive dialogue
held. The Minister said that “In light of the particularly strong focus
placed in the Programme for Government on protecting the rights and welfare
of children, it is gratifying to receive the Committee’s recognition of
measures undertaken and progress achieved by the State”.

Consistent with the dialogue that took place between Ireland and the
Committee, the concluding observations identify many areas of challenge for
individual government departments and agencies, and collaboratively between
them, relating to the rights and protections available to children where
work can be done. Information provided to the Committee in connection with
the meeting confirms that work is ongoing to address many of the areas of
concern identified by the Committee.

The Minister said “Regardless of the composition of the next government,
there is a clear commitment on the part of the Irish People, on behalf of
whom the State is party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to
strengthen the prospects for better outcomes for our children into the
future”. He said “The Committee’s concluding observations together with
implementation of major cross-government collaborative strategies now in
place - particularly Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the national
policy framework for children and young people 2014-2020 - form a strong
platform for future work”.

The concluding observations are being referred to government departments
and agencies for attention in the context of their work as it relates to
children and with a view to Ireland’s future reporting obligations to the
UNCRC.

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