Minister launches young people's action plan

Minister for Children and Young People, Maria Eagle, today launched the first cross government Children and Young People Action Plan.

The plan will deliver the aims of the 10-year strategy, “Our Children and Young People – Our Pledge”, launched in June 2006.

Commenting on the plan, the Minister said: “The plan contains around 160 actions linked to the six outcome areas where we want to see real change and improvements for children and young people.

“This is a first for Northern Ireland. At no time in the past have we produced a single document, which describes what all of the Northern Ireland government departments will be doing on behalf of our children and young people.

The Minister added: “I can say that departments have stood up to the mark in becoming involved in this cross government planning process. Our aim in developing the strategy was to ensure a more co-ordinated approach to delivering improved outcomes for children and young people.”

“This document is a product of what has become a better way of working within and across government.”

Commenting on the focus of the plan on the shorter term, the Minister went on to add: “This is a transitional document, published on the cusp of a devolved government here and in advance of longer term spending decisions being taken under the comprehensive spending review”.

The Minister also indicated that the plan would be subject to further review and revision after one year of publication to allow for potential revision by local Ministers. Future plans would also be subject to scrutiny by a proposed Planning and Review structure, which would be made up of key statutory sector organisations and leading children’s Non Governmental Organisations.

(JM/SP)