Seanad debates

Tuesday, 19 January 2016

Commencement Matters

Educational Reform

2:30 pm

Photo of Jillian van TurnhoutJillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for personally attending the Seanad to take this matter. It is important that his Department has a key role in looking at our education policy and ensuring that both the voice of the child and the best interests of the child are not only heard, but play a key role. The structures that are being set up are doing that.

It was very interesting for me, when we were before the UN committee, to hear how difficult it was for UN committee members to get their heads around our education system and admission policies, and how children are heard within the school system. In that regard, I wish to put on record our thanks to all the NGO groups and civil society. The Minister has done so himself. When the committee members asked questions, one could see that they used the Children's Rights Alliance parallel report, in particular, as their template for posing questions to the Minister. Organisations such as Equate, representatives from which were very much part of that and travelled as part of the delegation, are there to provide both support and services. It would be of benefit to such bodies, in shaping their plans, to hear about the work that Comhairle and the Department are doing. All too often we talk about children's rights but when it comes to doing anything or acting on behalf of children, we forget to ask the children for their views. In fairness to the Minister, that is exactly what he is doing. He is ensuring they will have a voice and that it will be heard. That is his role. For me, this highlights the importance of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I look forward to ongoing co-operation in this area.

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