Start Strong
Start Strong e-newsletter - May 2011
Children running to the sea
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In this issue
New OECD report - Doing Better for Families
Under 2s - Through Their Lens
Child Poverty - Ireland in Recession
Championing the Early Years in Scotland
Paternity leave - Ireland is lagging behind
Children in Europe magazine - reminder

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Dear colleague, 

 

It is still early days in the life of the new Government. We have been encouraged by the initial words from our new Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, including her opening speech at the recent IPPA/NCNA conference. It is clear that the Minister understands well the importance of children's early years. We very much hope that her words will be followed by positive action.

The precise shape of the new Department for Children and Youth Affairs is still not entirely clear. We do know that the new Department will include the old functions of the OMCYA as well as some additional functions including family policy and the National Educational Welfare Board, while the Early Years Education Policy Unit will continue to be 'co-located' across the Department of Education and the Department of Children. We very much hope that the structure of the new Department will make possible a high level of cooperation between the different departments that continue to have responsibilities for early childhood services and supports.

In this issue, we summarise important new reports from New Zealand, Scotland and the OECD. We also highlight the growing problem of child poverty in Ireland, as well as the absence of any statutory provision here for paternity leave. Key themes running through this newsletter are the importance of supports for children in their first 3 years, and the need for young children to have 'champions' on the political stage, advocates who will push for policies that are in children's interests.  
New OECD report - Doing Better for Families
OECD logo
A major new report has just been published by the OECD, 'Doing Better for Families'. The report looks at a wide range of policy areas that come under the heading of family policy. The OECD is cautious in its recommendations, and is careful not to single countries out for criticism, but the report shows clearly that Ireland has a long way to go... Read more
Under-2s - Through Their Lens
Infant and care-giver
New Zealand's Children's Commissioner recently published a report on the non-parental care and education of under-2 year olds. The report, which includes a substantial literature review, is distinctive in looking at policies affecting under-2s from the perspective of what is in children's interests. This report is especially important for Ireland... Read more
Child Poverty - Ireland in Recession
ECPC pamphlet cover
The End Child Poverty Coalition - of which Start Strong is a member - has published a new pamphlet, 'Child Poverty: Ireland in Recession'. The pamphlet both presents the latest statistics on the growing numbers of children living in poverty in Ireland and gives real-life examples of the devastating impact that poverty can have on children's daily lives... Read more
Championing the early years in Scotland
Susan DeaconThe research evidence on the importance of children's early years is clear. What we need is for the message to be communicated and for action to be taken. That is the conclusion of a report by Scotland's official 'Early Years Champion', Professor Susan Deacon. The report, 'Joining the Dots: A Better Start for Scotland's Children', is a passionate call for action... Read more
Paternity leave - Ireland is lagging behind
Dad and baby
The European Commission is currently examining possible new EU measures to support paternity leave - i.e. leave specifically for fathers at around the time a child is born. Start Strong would very much welcome an EU initiative on paternity leave, as Ireland lags so far behind other EU countries in this area. Paternity leave is not currently regulated at EU level... Read more
Children in Europe magazine - reminder
Children in Europe issue 20 cover
We still have a few free copies left of the latest issue of the Children in Europe magazine. Issue 20's theme is 'Europe's youngest citizens: services and leave provision for under threes'. It includes an excellent range of articles from across Europe on a range of crucial policy areas for the very youngest children, including parental leave, work-life balance and the provision of 'integrated services'. If you would like a copy, please email us.