Sylda Langford Director General Office of the Minister for Children

 Government Decision  Enhanced role for Minister  Context  National Children’s Strategy  Existing cross-cutting initiatives Office of the Minister for Children

 Support the Minister in:  Implementing the National Children’s Strategy ( )  Implementing the National Childcare Investment Programme ( )  Developing policy on child welfare and child protection  Implementing the Children Act, 2001 Function of the OMC

 Harmonising policy issues in the area of youth justice and early education  Leading on children and young people’s participation and research on children  Supporting cross-cutting initiatives for children and young people  Strategic involvement with bodies with responsibility for developing and delivering children’s services Function of the OMC

 Childcare Directorate (from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform)  Child Care Policy Unit working on child welfare and protection (from the Department of Health and Children)  National Children’s Office  Co-location of Youth Justice Service and Early Years Policy Units The Staff of OMC

 Minister for Children enhanced role at Cabinet  Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and Children  Integral Part of the Department of Health and Children  Director General attends Mananagement Advisory Committee of 3 Departments  Interdepartmental Group of Assistant Secretaries Structure of the OMC

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