Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she remains in contact and dialogue with the various children’s organisations with a view to meeting their concerns on an ongoing basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7390/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I have ongoing dialogue with children's organisations in relation to issues that effect children and young people around the country.

My Department provides annual funding to the Children's Rights Alliance, an umbrella organisation with over 100 members that advocates for children and young people in relation to legislation, policies and services. My Department has a good working relationship with the Children's Rights Alliance and through an agreed annual work plan, my Department is in regular contact with this organisation.

Through the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures National Policy Framework implementation infrastructure such as the Children and Young People's Policy Consortium, I am afforded the opportunity to listen to and engage with children's organisations on an on going basis as well as hearing from children and young people themselves.

The National Advisory Council under Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, brings into one forum a diverse range of interests from sectorial stakeholders in the domains of children and young people’s policy and provision. The Council's membership consists of non-governmental organisations and academia who are highly relevant to the progression of issues that require resolution at a national level. Representatives on the Council come from a diverse and highly relevant background such as the National Youth Council of Ireland, Early Childhood Ireland, Barnardo’s, Focus Ireland, ISPCC, Scouting Ireland, Foróige and Mental Health amongst other highly respected organisations.

My Department hosts bi-annual meetings with local coordinators from Children and Young People Service's Committees (CYPSC) where issues effecting children and young people in local areas are discussed and acted upon by officials in my Department. I have attended some of these meetings previously and have engaged with the coordinators on a range of issues regarding the resourcing of the CYPSC initiative, membership and involvement of local stakeholders, the need for strengthened leadership and the future development of CYPSC.

I and officials in my Department are always engaged with organisations that represent the best interests of children and young people, and this positive work will continue.