5.10 Current debates and reforms
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Forthcoming policy developments
The Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making-Action Plan
The Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making-Action Plan 2023-2028 was developed in 2023 as a successor to the Participation Strategy and is due to be published in 2024.
This Participation Action Plan builds on the ambition and achievements of the first National Strategy on Children and Young People's Participation in Decision Making. The Action Plan will drive continued development of participation structures and practice, at local, national and international level, among organisations, sectors, practitioners and government departments and agencies. Through the implementation of these actions, and by using and enhancing existing resources and supports, The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DECDIY) will continue to innovate and lead the participation of children and young people in decision making across government and internationally.
Action Plan for Youth Services
Young Ireland: National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 commits to the development of an Action Plan for Youth Services. DECDIY ran consultations on the Action Plan during 2023 and 2024. The Action Plan is expected to be published during 2024.
The purpose of the new Action Plan for Youth Services will be to set out a clear policy and strategic direction for the further development of youth services in Ireland and to identity key actions to improve access and quality and to enhance the role of youth services in supporting young people’s well-being and improving their lives. It is also expected to include a focus on the enablers of quality services, including robust data and research and the key role of youth workers and volunteers.
Ongoing debates
Youth test
There is an ongoing debate about introducing a 'Youth test' / 'Youth check'. Advocacy for its introduction is being led by the National Youth Council of Ireland and by other youth organisations.
The Children’s Rights Alliance have started a two-year project which includes considering the introduction of a ‘Youth Test’. The project partners include the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY); alongside the Child and Family Agency (Tusla); Eurochild; UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre; University of Galway; and Foróige. The project is funded by the EU Commission under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme.
Ireland's National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 address the idea of a Youth Test. Under Action 9 ' Children’s Rights Impact Assessments’, it sets out that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will:
- 9.1 collaborate with partners on the development of the prototype Children’s Rights Impact Assessments. Timeline: 2024.
- 9.2 roll out the use of Children’s Rights Impact Assessments in Government and Government agencies. Timeline: 2024-2028.
Extending the voting age to 16
There is an ongoing debate in Ireland on extending the voting age to 16 years. In recent years, the National Youth Council of Ireland have been campaigning the Irish Government to extend the right to vote to 16- and 17-year-olds for local, national and European elections.
In 2013, the Constitutional Convention recommended the voting age be reduced to 16 years. The Electoral (Amendment) (Voting at 16) Bill 2016 has been before the upper house of the Irish Parliament (Seanad Éireann) since 2021. This Bill, supported by the National Youth Council of Ireland, is to change lower the age limit for voting rights in European Parliament and local elections without recourse to a referendum. A referendum would be needed to change the Constitution to allow 16- and 17-year-olds vote in parliament (Dáil) and presidential elections.
NYCI argues that lowering the voting age to 16 years will generate greater interest in politics at a younger age, promote and widen political participation among young people and bring Ireland in line with other EU countries.
Climate change
Climate change is an ongoing debate involving young people, NGOs, networks and the Irish Government. The Schools Climate Action Network is a network of students, teachers and their schools in Ireland that calls for urgent action to prevent climate breakdown and ensure a just and sustainable future. Thousands of Irish students have taken part in the Schools Strikes for Climate to date. The theme of Youth Parliament (Dáil na nÓg) 2019 was Climate Change.
In 2021 the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth approved funding for 14 youth-led projects around climate justice. In line with the recommendations of a specially convened Selection Committee, funding of almost €400,000 is being allocated to projects involving 23 youth organisations.
The Youth Climate Justice Fund supports youth-led action on climate justice. The aim of the fund is to raise climate justice awareness amongst young people and to empower young people to influence and sustain local, regional and national climate justice change.