Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

678. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he will take pursuant to the programme for Government to implement the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures; the objectives of the National Youth Strategy 2015-2020; to reverse the reductions in financial support afforded to various organisations which are dedicated to enabling and empowering young persons to realise their full potential such as Scouting Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14595/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020)was launched by Government in April 2014. It sets out 163 key policy commitments, and outlines five national outcomes we seek to achieve for all children and young people:

1. Active and healthy with physical and mental wellbeing

2. Achieving full potential in all areas of learning and development

3. Safe and protected from harm

4. Economic security and opportunity

5. Connected, respected and contributing to their world.

While not explicitly mentioned in the Programme for Government, the Government remains fully committed to continuing the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.The role of my Department is to lead this implementation on behalf of government.

Effective implementation is ensured by the robust whole of government implementation infrastructure. These structures include the Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium, which has overall responsibility for cross government implementation and oversight, the Sponsors Group, which brings together the Departments with responsibility for the five national outcomes and the Implementation Team in my Department, which supports the process.

The Advisory Council for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures brings together key members of the community and voluntary sector as well as independent experts and individuals with experience working with and for children and young people, ensuring that they are actively involved in the implementation process.

An implementation plan for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures covering 2014-2017 was developed, including actions under each of the 163 commitments from across government, as well as details on cross-sectoral priorities. The first annual report on implementation was published in June 2015. Both the implementation plan and annual report are available to the public on my Department’s website. Work on the second annual report is ongoing in my Department.

The National Youth Strategy (2015-2020),published last October was developed in close consultation with statutory youth interests and the voluntary youth organisations and services that work with young people.

The strategy sets out Government’s aims for young people, aged 10 to 24 years, aligned with the five national outcomes in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. The Strategy identifies some fifty priority actions to be delivered by Government departments, state agencies and by others, including the voluntary youth services over 2015 to 2017. They include actions to address issues which are a high priority for young people themselves. Priorities include: reform of the youth funding programmes in line with the recommendations in the Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes to ensure improved outcomes for young people, opportunities for those young people furthest from the labour market through measures such as the Youth Employability Initiativeand the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making.

My Department is in the process of setting up a National Youth Strategy (2015-2020)lead team to support the coordination, progression and monitoring of its implementation. The structures established by my Department under Better Outcomes Brighter Futures,will oversee the roll out of its implementation.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that Budget 2016 provided an additional €1.1m in current youth funding to my Department bringing the total allocation for the youth services to €51m in 2016. Scouting Ireland has been allocated €834,607 in 2016, an increase of more than €20,000 on their 2015 allocation.

In addition, Scouting Ireland has been allocated some €200,000 in 2016 for the ‘Operation Lelievlet’ programme. This programme, which is funded under the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Schemelinks a direct employment/training initiatives for disadvantaged youth in areas of Limerick with the development of Scouting in marginalised communities and the development of recreational facilities on the Shannon for more young people. Operation Lelievlet is built on a partnership between Scouting Ireland and local agencies, including Limerick City Build and Limerick City Council.