Government Action Plan Must Follow Quickly

The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People today welcomed the launch of the governments Ten Year Strategy for Children and Young People.

The Commissioner, Barney McNeany, speaking at the launch said “ this has been a long awaited day so I am very pleased to welcome the launch of the strategy. Along with the recent announcement of additional funding this strategy signals the Governments long term commitment to the children and young people of Northern Ireland.

Mr. McNeany also expressed disappointment that there was no action plan to accompany the strategy saying “I urge Government to make sure that the action plan is in place as soon as possible as this is essential to making sure the strategy is fully implemented”.

“The strategy represents the exciting possibility of bringing together all the providers of services to children and young people to make children and young people’s lives better.

“We have at every opportunity highlighted our concerns about making sure children’s rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) are at the heart of the strategy and that their voices are heard so I particularly welcome the fact that these principles now underpin the whole strategy.”

“In making this a reality NICCY calls for the full inclusion of the UNCRC in law in Northern Ireland and see this move today as the vehicle to make progress on this”.

NICCY acknowledges their important independent oversight role in the implementation of this strategy to make sure these plans are fulfilled for the benefit of all children and young people in Northern Ireland.

Notes to Editors

• View NICCY’s response to the Consultation on the 10 Year Strategy here
• You can view the children and young peoples version,Super Six comic, here Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and the accompanying Teachers Guide here.
• You can find more information on the work of NICCY here on the web site
• Following the death of Nigel Williams in March 2006, Mr. Barney McNeany was appointed Commissioner for Children and Young People on an interim basis until a new Commissioner is appointed

For more information please contact Andrew McGall at Andrew@niccy.org or 028 9031 1616.