The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Ms Frances Fitzgerald TD, published last week the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives 2011-2016. The policy document was launched at an event in Pearse Street Library, Dublin.
The document sets out a strategic direction for children’s research at national level, and incorporates 59 actions by 24 statutory and research bodies.
The National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives 2011-2016 sets out a strategic direction for children’s research, and mobilises the resources and efforts of 24 organisations in a comprehensive action plan for data and research on children’s lives over a five year period. Four key issues that cut across research and data needs in all areas of children’s lives were identified as priorities:
• development of a national strategic approach to information around children’s lives;
• improvement of administrative data systems;
• building capacity across all areas of research and data development, particularly analytic capability;
• supporting evidence-informed policy and practice.
It also sets out a range of specific information needs in relation to children’s health, education, safety, economic security and social participation. The strategy takes a strong focus on making better use of existing data holdings and other resources, and in particular emphasises the role of data from Growing Up in Ireland, the National Longitudinal Study of Children, in providing insights for policy and service provision.
The action plan component of the strategy sets out 59 actions to be undertaken by 24 statutory and research bodies over the period of the strategy to address the deficits identified. Some key items include:
• Initiatives to harmonise data holdings, leading to improved analysis and reporting;
• The development of information systems on children in the care of the State and in need of protection;
• Data linkage projects;
• Service evaluation, in particular in early years education;
• Provision of post-graduate scholarships and summer / winter schools for research and policy personnel;
• Improvements in knowledge transfer – for example the production of key findings for policy and practice from specific research projects.
Speaking at the event, Ms Fitzgerald said: “If we want to do better for Irish children; then we need to understand our children; their lives, their experiences, their expectations. I am delighted that this is one area where we, in Ireland, are world-leaders. I am constantly impressed at the range of excellent research already taking place, such as ‘Growing up in Ireland’, the National Longitudinal Study of Children.
“The new Strategy being launched today will build on this excellence and allow us to further improve our understanding of the lives of children and young people in Ireland so that, through better understanding, we can develop better policies and improve services. In harnessing the co-operation and resources of more than 20 statutory and academic organisations, this Strategy provides a unique and comprehensive approach to achieving a holistic and deep understanding of children and their lives,” she said.
Also speaking today, Dr Sinéad Hanafin, Head of Research at the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and Gillian Roche (Statistician) outlined the evidence base for the strategy, the key actions, and an overview of how the strategy will be implemented and monitored.
The National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives has been produced by the Research Unit of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, under the guidance of a cross-Departmental Steering Group chaired by the Director General of the Department; and with input from the Health Promotion Research Centre at NUI Galway.
The priorities identified in the strategy have emerged from an analysis of policy information needs and existing data holdings and research activities. Inputs to the strategy included direct consultation with children and young people, an on-line consultation questionnaire which generated almost 200 responses, and extensive engagement with policy, service provision and research bodies and individuals.
