Children’s Commissioner, Chris Quinn, has urged the Northern Ireland Executive to change the course of children’s lives through the Programme for Government.
“I am pleased to see the release of the draft Programme for Government (PfG) today and that there is a commitment to improved Early Learning and Childcare, SEN services, homelessness prevention, and the reform and transformation of public services,” Chris said.
“Given the context in which the Executive will be working over the next two-and-a-half years, with growing pressures on budgets, and families experiencing increased hardship, it is vital that the Executive have a clear plan of action.
“Whilst there are positives, I am disappointed that there is no specific outcome focusing on children and young people, as there was previously, and I would have expected outcomes in addressing child poverty to be a fundamental aspect of the PfG.
“I will now carefully review the Executive’s draft PfG to assess how it will deliver for children and young people, particularly those most vulnerable within our communities.”
Chris continued: “The true measure of the Programme for Government’s effectiveness will be its execution and the positive impact it has on the lives of children and their families.
“I am committed to working proactively and collaboratively with Departments and, when necessary, to hold the Executive accountable for its commitments to children.
“By the end of this Executive’s term, I hope to report that the PfG has indeed brought about meaningful and significant change for children, particularly those who are most vulnerable or disadvantaged.”
