James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Through the implementation of the Department's document, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, and its supporting strategies, the Government aims to achieve the following transformational goals to support the achievement of better outcomes for all children and to address the concerns that Deputy Tom Fleming raised. One of the most important aspects to address in this context is support for the parents. Parents will experience improved support in the important task of parenting and feel more confident, informed and able. These are the goals. As I mentioned, a key target for earlier intervention and prevention is to lift more than 70,000 children out of consistent poverty. The programme also focuses on issues such as improving access to affordable early years education and addressing childhood obesity and youth mental health issues. It seeks to shift the emphasis from crisis intervention to prevention and early intervention.

We want to promote a culture that listens to and involves children and young people. The Government will promote a culture which not only recognises, protects and fulfils the rights of children and young people, but also encourages them to become actively involved in public life. Last week there was a good event run by UNICEF at which more than 150 children expressed their will and desires and what they felt were the priorities, not only on national issues but also global ones.

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