From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, today published the final review of the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making, 2015–2020.
In 2015, the government published the first National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making for the years 2015 to 2020. It was a whole-of-government strategy, with the DCEDIY taking responsibility for policy leadership and support. The Strategy contained actions for all of government as well as specific actions for relevant departments and agencies. The actions outlined in the Strategy focused on challenges in children and young people’s lives and enabling them to participate appropriately in decision-making processes.
The aim of this final review is to understand and document the progress made on each of the actions in the Strategy during its lifetime and to identify where further progress needs to be made. The review also outlines examples of good practice demonstrated by departments and agencies in implementing actions under the Strategy and the revised Action Plan.
The report findings show that 93% of the agreed actions have reached completion or are in progress.
Minister O’Gorman stated:
"I am pleased to publish the government’s Final Review of the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making, 2015–2020.
"In Ireland’s past, we failed to listen adequately to children and young people and we must learn from those mistakes. Children and young people’s voices must be heard and taken seriously by those in positions of power.
"Within the review, it is encouraging to see a high level of commitment from government departments and agencies in ensuring that the voice of children and young people is appropriately listened to in the development of policies and services across government."
The final review is available to view here: Final Review of the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making, 2015–2020
A Public Consultation on the next Government Policy Framework for the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making is currently underway. Further details are available. The closing date for submissions is Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Children and young people’s participation in decision-making is defined as: “ongoing processes, which include information-sharing and dialogue between children and adults based on mutual respect, and in which children can learn how their views and those of adults are taken into account and shape the outcome of such processes.” In practice, this means that children and young people should be involved in decision-making in everyday spaces and situations such as early learning and care settings, classrooms, hospitals and clubs as well as in strategic developments, such as policies, programmes, services, legislation and research.
The National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making, 2015–2020 is guided and influenced by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Primarily aimed at children and young people under the age of 18, the Strategy also embraces the voice of young people in the transition to adulthood.