Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The National Youth Strategy has its basis in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures – the National Policy Framework for Children & Young People 2014-2020. It supports stakeholders in making best use of the implementation structures established for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.

Currently, the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures implementation team are working on the 2019 Annual Report which will be published in 2020. Children and young people are being consulted as part of this process.

The development of the next National Policy Framework for Children & Young People is being discussed within the Department. The National Youth Strategy, which is based on the National Framework, is part of this discussion.

At a recent event with National Youth Organisations that I attended (2nd December 2019), there was significant positive discussion with key stakeholders about what should be carried over into the new strategy. It was recognised at the meeting that any new strategy must have specific and measurable targets, with clear accountability and time-frames, especially given the fact that many actions will require cross-departmental collaboration.

I look forward to progressing this important work in the year ahead.