Press release
Establishment of Young Ireland Advisory Council and Launch of Young Ireland website
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Minister Roderic O’Gorman, has announced the establishment of the Young Ireland Advisory Council and the launch of the Young Ireland website. The Advisory Council, chaired by Ian Power, CEO of spunout, held their first meeting on Thursday 24 October.
Speaking about the establishment of the Council, Minister O’Gorman said:
“I am delighted to announce the membership of the Young Ireland Advisory Council, who met yesterday for the first time. There is huge expertise on this group, and a great passion to see the rights of children and young people realised in Ireland, and the best possible outcomes achieved. With their help, I am confident that we will achieve the goals set out in Young Ireland, and deliver better outcomes for children and young people in the coming years. I am particularly pleased that members include youth representatives, who will make sure that the voices of children and young people remain central to our work.”
The Young Ireland website contains information on Young Ireland, including the data and research that underpin it. It gives an overview of children and young people’s rights and where they come from, and hosts an online library of frameworks and policy documentation relevant to these rights and to Young Ireland. The News and Events page, which will be updated regularly, contains information about progress made under Young Ireland, as well as other relevant developments.
The Young Ireland Advisory Council will give independent advice and support on policies that affect children and young people. Its members include members of civil society and independent experts, with experience of the issues that Young Ireland is trying to address, through their work, their lived experience or both.
Young Ireland is the new policy framework for children and young people, published in November 2023. It envisages an Ireland in which all children and young people have their rights realised. Young Ireland is focused on tackling the biggest challenges that affect children and young people in Ireland today. The governance structures to oversee and drive implementation are:
These structures report ultimately to the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability.
The Advisory Council is made up of up to 16 members, as follows:
All members have been appointed by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Daire Hennessey is the CEO of Citywise Education, an organisation working with young people to reach their full potential in traditionally underserved communities. His experience includes working with young people in disadvantaged communities, supporting civic engagement and access to further and higher education.
Daniel Molinuevo is a research manager in the EU agency Eurofound. He has more than 15 years of experience in research and advocacy for children's services, working in the EU institutions, UNICEF and with social services across Europe.
Dr Catherine Bond has worked in the area of children and families across her career. Primarily working in the not of profit sector, Catherine has led and managed services that focus on Child Poverty, Children in Care, Early Years Education and School Retention.
Dr Joseph Duffy is the CEO of Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health. He is a Clinical Psychologist by training and has worked in the area of mental health for 30 years managing and delivering services, contributing to policy development and implementation nationally and internationally.
Gina Halpin is Head of Information and Inclusion with Youth Work Ireland and a member of the Senior Management Team. She has over 20 years’ experience working in the youth work sector focusing on areas of equality, integration and inclusion.
Hannah Solley is the Family Support and Education Lead in TENI, the Transgender Equality Network Ireland. She provides support to families, and creates networks for connecting, for parents and young people, as well as providing education and training to schools and organisations who work directly with young trans and non-binary people.
Marwa Zamir is a third-year law student actively involved in multiple youth groups. Marwa was awarded Law Student of the Year 2024 by the Dye & Durham Irish Law Awards, recognizing her commitment to advocacy.
Mary Cunningham is the CEO of the National Youth Council of Ireland, the representative body for voluntary youth organisations in Ireland. She was vice-chair of the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures Advisory Council and is a member of the North/South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work.
Pa Reilly is the coordinator of the Eastern Region Traveller Health Units Mental Health Initiative based in Pavee Point, Traveller and Roma Centre. Pa works to address Traveller Mental Health inequalities by representing Traveller issues nationally and internationally, advocating for equality of participation, access and outcomes in mental health services for Travellers.
Rachel Merriman has extensive experience in advocacy and activism with the nonprofit sector Ireland, with a particular focus on neurodivergence. Her professional and educational background encompasses work in disability, human rights, and public policy.
Rose Marie Maughan is the coordinator of the Irish Traveller Movement's National Traveller Youth Programme. She works directly with Traveller youth supporting their participation and ensuring they have a voice within society.
Tanya Ward is Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, previously working with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Irish Refugee Council. Tanya is currently Vice President of Eurochild and served as Chair of the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures Advisory Council from 2018-2022.
Teresa Heeney is the Chief Executive Officer of Early Childhood Ireland, a membership organisation working with 3900 members to ensure every child is thriving and learning in their Early Years, School Age Care and Childminding setting. Teresa has extensive experience as a youth worker and training manager, and was vice-chair of the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures Advisory Council.
Ian Power is CEO of spunout, Ireland's information and support platform for young people. He is an adjunct associate professor at the UCD school of psychology, deputy chairperson of the implementation monitoring committee of Sharing the Vision (Ireland's national mental health policy), and is a former president of the National Youth Council of Ireland. Ian will Chair the new Young Ireland Advisory Council, supported by the Young Ireland implementation team in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Children and young people will also be represented on the Advisory Council, by members of the National Youth Assembly, to ensure their voice is central to the implementation of Young Ireland.
Further information can be found at: www.gov.ie/YoungIreland.