Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she received a copy of the Being Young and Irish – Take Charge of Change report from the Office of the President, Áras an Uachtaráin as part of President Higgins series of seminars with young persons here which took place in Dublin, Galway, Monaghan and Cork in 2012; if he has noted the Take Charge of Change declaration made by the participants; the steps she has taken arising out of the report’s findings in order to achieve young person’s vision for Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14525/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Children and Youth Affairs actively encourages the voice of the child and participation in decision making by children and young people. As part of this approach, my Department oversees the work of Comhairle na nÓg (local youth councils) and Dáil na nÓg (the national youth parliament). My Department also has significant expertise in undertaking consultations with children and young people, including those who are seldom heard.

As a result of this approach and expertise, my Department was asked to nominate a representative to the Implementation Group for the Presidential Seminars for young people. e Head of the Communications and Citizen Participation Unit of the Department subsequently participated in the Implementation Group and provided advice on the most effective methods for seeking the views of young people and ensuring the inclusion of seldom heard young people in the consultations.

My Department provides opportunities for children and young people to contribute their views on issues of national and personal importance, and has conducted national consultations/dialogues with children and young people on a range of issues, including: the Taskforce on Active Citizenship (2006); the age of consent for sexual activity (2006); the Irish Youth Justice Strategy (2007); the misuse of alcohol among young people (2007); and Teenage Mental Health: What Helps and What Hurts (2008).

A thematic Group on the development of a national policy on children and young people’s participation in decision-making was established in 2011, comprising representatives of Government departments, State agencies, the research community and other key stakeholders. Its work will feed into the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People which is due to be published later this year. Recommendations in the President's Report which are relevant to policy and services for children and young people will also be taken into account in the Policy Framework.