Campaigners are warning that the Department of Children will be more important than ever as the country recovers from COVID-19.
It comes amid reports that Fianna Fáil wants to scrap the department to make way for a new Department of Higher Education.
The plan, under discussion at government formation talks, could see the Department of Children which would be merged with Education.
Fine Gael negotiators have not ruled the idea out while the Green Party has argued against what it views as a regressive step.
Absorbing the DCYA would send a signal that we don't listen to children, don't value them & don't protect them to the same extent we do adults. Systems don't care about children, people do. We mustn't forget how systems have failed children in Ireland in the past #TheDCYAMustStay
— Barnardos Ireland (@Barnardos_IRL) June 10, 2020
"Rocky return"
In a statement this afternoon, Children’s Rights Alliance (CRA) CEO Tanya Ward said the outbreak will lead to a range of new challenges for Irish children and families.
“The global pandemic has sent shock waves across the world, but the reality is that there will be serious and significant issues that will only be felt when we emerge out of these initial stages,” she said.
“We are walking towards another recession and carrying with us rising child poverty rates, a volatile housing crisis, increased demands on our health and mental health service, a spike in domestic violence and child protection calls for help and a rocky return to education for many students.”
She said children and young people “need and deserve to have their voice represented at the highest levels of Government.”
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs was established on 2 June 2011. It 'lifted' children & youth affairs from a wide range of Government Departments. In 2014 it published the first overarching national policy framework for children and young people #BOBF #TheDCYAMustStay pic.twitter.com/EJnncMqgOC
— Jillian van Turnhout CDir IDP-C (@JillianvT) June 10, 2020
"Massive" challenges
She warned that education and children’s issues form “two of the biggest policy areas in Government.”
“Both deserve to have a full minister who can represent and raise these issues at the Cabinet table,” she said.
“Any incoming Minister for Education will need to work at 120% to address the challenges for the education system following Covid19; however, Children and Youth Affairs faces its own challenges including a demand surge in Tusla’ child protection services, rising child poverty, massive funding for childcare reform, funding for youth services, youth justice reform, adoption and fostering.
“This is a massive list. One minister only has so much political capital and one area is bound to suffer.”
"Outrageous"
Speaking in the Dáil meanwhile, the Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said it would be a backwards step to amalgamate the departments.
“The idea that we should children from a departmental sense at the end of the political priority as people are jostling for government formation is an outrageous suggestion,” he said.
Government formation talks are ongoing this afternoon; however, there are now concerns a deal won’t be reached until the weekend.
The parties had started the week hoping they would be able to publish a programme for government by tomorrow.
