Ireland’s approach to improving children’s wellbeing depends on having a clear, evidence-based understanding of their everyday lives. A gov.ie publication from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality explains how research, national indicators and cross-government data are being used to guide Young Ireland policy and services.
The publication, first published on 24 October 2024 and updated on 13 November 2026, sets out why reliable information matters and where policymakers, researchers and service providers can find key evidence about children and young people in Ireland.
gov.ie outlines the evidence behind Young Ireland
Young Ireland is informed by data showing both the positive experiences and challenges affecting children and young people. A strong evidence base helps decision-makers identify urgent problems, understand vulnerable groups and design services that respond to actual needs rather than assumptions.
The approach is particularly important where information may be limited or difficult to access. Better data can help public bodies and community organisations target resources, measure progress and assess whether interventions are improving outcomes.
Children and Young People’s Indicator Set
The Children and Young People’s Indicator Set brings together reliable published information across the five national outcomes in Young Ireland. Sources include the CSO’s PxStat platform, Eurostat, Tusla’s open data hub and the annual Healthy Ireland survey.
Because the resource is updated as new information becomes available, it provides a continuing picture of how children and young people are doing across areas such as health, education, relationships and wellbeing.
Research supports policy, services and early intervention
The annual State of the Nation’s Children report provides a broader overview of children’s lives. It examines health, behaviour, educational outcomes and relationships with parents and friends, while also tracking change over time and comparing Ireland with other countries.
The report is used by policymakers, researchers and civil society organisations to inform decisions affecting children, young people and families. Growing Up in Ireland, the national longitudinal study, is another important source, following groups of children at different stages of their development.
Data is also being used through the What Works initiative. The Department and Tusla developed an interactive, area-based mapping system to help policymakers, service providers, practitioners and managers make informed decisions about service design and delivery.
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Young Ireland Research Roadmap 2025–2028
The Young Ireland Research Roadmap is designed to make high-quality research more useful to policymakers. Led by the Research and Evaluation Unit, its programme runs from 2025 to 2028 and focuses on four priorities:
- Making existing research easier to access and use.
- Supporting new research where evidence gaps remain.
- Building policymakers’ research and data skills.
- Maximising the use of existing knowledge and datasets.
The roadmap was informed by a landscape and gap analysis of research on children and young people’s lives. Its purpose is to connect evidence with practical policy development.
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Knowledge Creation and Synthesis Fund
The Young Ireland Knowledge Creation and Synthesis Fund supports reviews of academic and policy evidence. Five projects were funded during 2025–2026, covering children at risk of poverty in lone-parent households, the review of Children First guidance, prevention and early intervention policies, sustainable early learning and care settings, and playwork in Ireland.
These projects are intended to turn existing research into accessible findings that can support better decisions across children’s services and family policy.
Why this matters for Ireland
Young Ireland demonstrates how data can support joined-up government. While the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and Tusla have a central role, evidence on children’s lives also connects with the work of the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of Social Protection and the Central Statistics Office.
For families and communities, the key takeaway is that effective policy requires more than isolated statistics. It requires consistent measurement, trusted research and collaboration between public services, researchers and civil society.
Conclusion
The gov.ie Young Ireland publication shows why accurate, accessible research is essential to improving children’s lives. By combining national indicators, longitudinal research, mapping tools and targeted evidence reviews, Ireland can better identify need and evaluate progress. The clearest takeaway is simple: good data helps turn children’s wellbeing goals into more informed and effective action.
Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie