Welcome to the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Children now have a stronger voice on issues that affect them, through the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews TD, who attends Cabinet meetings. The OMCYA focuses on harmonising policy issues that affect children in areas such as early childhood care and education, youth justice, child welfare and protection, children and young people's participation, research on children and young people, youth work and cross-cutting initiatives for children. Revised Children First Guidelines: December 2009 To be launched shortly by Minister Andrews. View Document Research Scholarship Programme "Draw me a Right!" - European Commission launches the 4th edition of its poster competition for youngsters to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Competition website: www.europayouth.eu Minister Andrews launches Implementation Plan from the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, 2009 Download a copy of the Implementation Plan View the Minister's Speech View the Press Release