Children’s voices must be heard most clearly when circumstances are hardest. That was the central message from Minister Norma Foley as the gov.ie speech opened a high-level conference in Dublin Castle focused on children and young people in difficult settings across Ireland and Europe.
Speaking on behalf of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Minister said policymakers cannot afford to leave young people out of decisions that directly affect their lives, especially during crises or in challenging environments. The event, held under Ireland’s EU Presidency programme, brought together officials, experts and youth delegates to examine how child participation can be better embedded in public policy.
gov.ie speech puts youth participation at the centre
The gov.ie address stressed that meaningful participation is not symbolic. According to the Minister, children and young people should be active contributors to policy formation, not simply consulted after decisions are largely made. She linked that approach to Ireland’s EU Presidency theme of unity, underlining that inclusion strengthens both government and society.
The speech also highlighted how youth input has already shaped Ireland’s presidency planning. Members of Seanad na nÓg and the Irish Youth Advisory Group were involved in guiding the conference and wider youth consultation work. A child-friendly version of the presidency programme has also been developed so younger audiences can better understand the issues under discussion.
- Young people helped shape the conference agenda
- Seanad na nÓg fed recommendations into Ireland’s presidency plans
- Child-friendly materials will be distributed through schools
- Participation is framed as a rights issue under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
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Youth Travel Card cited as a policy success
To show how participation can lead to practical change, the gov.ie speech pointed to the Youth Travel Card. The proposal originated with Comhairle na nÓg, whose members identified transport affordability as a major barrier for young people nationwide.
The idea was later backed in Budget 2022, with funding announced by Michael McGrath, and the scheme launched in 2022. Today, the card is used by thousands of young people. It stands as a strong example of how collaboration between youth representatives, the Department of the Taoiseach, Public Expenditure and Transport bodies can translate into national policy.
This case also reflects the wider role of public institutions such as the National Transport Authority (NTA), the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and other state partners in turning consultation into measurable outcomes.
Digital safety and social media concerns take focus
A major theme in the gov.ie remarks was the digital world. The Minister warned that online life brings both opportunity and risk, particularly for children and teenagers navigating social media platforms.
She referenced international research showing extensive daily social media use among 15-year-olds and cited concerns about harmful content, sleep disruption, anxiety, depression and addictive design features. Preliminary polling at the conference suggested concern was high among both adults and young people, though adults expressed stronger levels of alarm.
The issue is likely to resonate across multiple Irish public bodies and regulators, including Health, Education, the Data Protection Commission (DPC), Coimisiún na Meán, and agencies working on online safety and child wellbeing.
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What happens next after the conference
The Minister said this consultation will continue beyond Dublin Castle. Through Comhairle na nÓg and its annual youth conference structure, Ireland plans to gather the views of more than 3,000 additional young people. Those views are expected to inform national work on online safety and feed into EU-level discussions later this year.
Ireland will also work toward Council Conclusions in December on enhancing children’s participation in decisions affecting their lives. In practical terms, that means seeking agreement with other member states on real actions to ensure children are heard.
Key takeaway
The core message from gov.ie is clear: youth participation must move from principle to practice. Whether the issue is transport, digital safety, social protection, education or broader child welfare, better policy emerges when young people are included early, seriously and consistently.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie
