Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1013. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost to undertake the external expert report 'Towards a new governance framework for children and youth policies in Ireland'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27087/23]
View answerThe report mentioned in the Deputy's question, "Towards a new governance framework for children and youth policies in Ireland", is being funded by the European Commission (DG REFORM) under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI). The TSI is an EU programme that provides tailor-made technical expertise to EU Member States to design and to implement reforms at the national level.
As the Deputy is aware, "Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures", the first national framework for children and young people expired in 2020. The new policy framework for children and young people (0-24) is expected to be published this year, covering the period 2023-2028.
This TSI project is focused on the successful and coherent implementation of the European Child Guarantee and the new policy framework for children and young people, and assist in determining and developing the optimum governance structures and practices to improve interagency cooperation.
This work follows my Department's successful application for technical support under TSI for 2022. Under TSI, the Commission can identify and appoint external consultants to provide technical support to a Member State. In this instance the Commission has appointed the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), following engagement and consultation with DCEDIY.
There is no cost to Ireland for the project, and we are very grateful to be benefitting from the knowledge and experience of the project team.
There has been extensive engagement and consultation across relevant Government Departments with the OECD on the report, with the OECD paying a number of study visits to Ireland - the most recent one being last week. It is expected that the final report will be published in March 2024 and I look forward to reading the findings.
