Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2024
461. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide detail on the funding available from his Department to participate in decision making within the framework of the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-Making: Action Plan 2023-2028; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40098/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-making: Action Plan 2023-2028 builds on the ambitions of the National Strategy for Children and Young People's Participation in Decision-making 2015-2020, and expands into more areas such as the home, digital and legal settings in which children and young people engage. All participation initiatives undertaken by DCEDIY, through the National Participation Office and Hub na nÓg , are guided by the National Participation Framework for Children and Young People's Participation in Decision-making. The Framework provides practical tools for all adults working with, and for children and young people, to ensure their voices are included in decision-making.
My department does not provide funding under the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-making: Action Plan 2023-2028, but support is readily available through established structures and resources which are funded by my Department to promote and support the participation of children and young people in decision-making.
• Hub na nÓg, an initiative of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, is the national centre of excellence and coordination in children and young people’s participation in decision making. Hub na nÓg supports government departments, state agencies, public service and non-government organisations in providing opportunities for children and young people to participate in decision-making, with a particular focus on those that are seldom-heard;
• The National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making supports departments, agencies and organisations to improve their participation practice with children and young people;
• Participation checklists and evaluation forms guide decision-makers in the use of the Lundy model and good practice principles in planning and implementing the involvement of children and young people in decision-making.
• The National Participation Office (NPO) which manages and coordinates the activities of Comhairle na nÓg (youth councils), Dáil na nÓg (youth parliament), the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive, The National Youth Assembly of Ireland and other related youth participation initiatives and structures.
• In addition DCEDIY is building the capacity of civil and public servants and sectoral decision makers through bespoke training modules.
Question No. 463 answered with Question No. 459.
