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xNorthern Ireland’s Children’s Commissioner comments on programme for Government 2024-2027
Date: 19th March 2025
Category:
Northern Ireland-specific monitoring and reporting, Policy and strategy
The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY), Chris Quinn, has voiced disappointment over the lack of focus on children’s needs in the newly published Programme for Government 2024-27.
While the plan, titled Our Plan: Doing What Matters Most, includes priorities such as childcare, special educational needs, and affordable housing, Quinn believes it does not do enough to address key issues like child poverty and legal protections for young people.
He said:
“I welcome the publication of the new Programme for Government, but I am disheartened by its insufficient emphasis on the needs and rights of children and young people, particularly regarding child poverty and strengthening of their legal protections.
“At NICCY, we strongly advised a specific outcome area dedicated to children and young people, as well as for mandatory child rights impact assessments for all legislation and policies but this has been overlooked.
“There is a pressing need for stronger legislative frameworks to safeguard children. The government must take more robust action to support vulnerable children and families, particularly those from disadvantaged groups. While the PfG mentions a review of children’s social care, it fails to address the fundamental structural changes required, such as the recommendation to establish a dedicated children’s Arm’s Length Body (ALB).
“Whilst there has been additional funding allocated to address health waiting lists, which is to be welcomed, I remain concerned that specific priorities related to children’s mental health and those waiting for lifechanging treatments and procedures have been largely overlooked.”