The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs announced the appointment of six new members and two vice chairs to the council for the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures Programme.

The new appointees include Aideen Howard from The Ark, Catherine Cosgrave from the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Catherine Maher, John Church from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Suzanne Connolly for Barnardos and Olivia McEvoy from Ernest and Young. Teresa Heeney from Early Childhood Ireland and Mary Cunningham from the National Youth Council of Ireland were announced as vice chairs of the Advisory Council.

Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is the first overarching national children’s policy framework. The programme covers children and young people age 0-24 years old.

In welcoming the new appointments Zappone said:

“I know that their enthusiasm and expert knowledge will lend a fresh perspective to the work of the Council going into phase two of the implementation of Better Outcomes Brighter Futures.”

Zappone continued:

“I look forward to working closely with the National Advisory Council in 2019 on matters such as child poverty prevention and early intervention, child homelessness, learning and development  and children’s rights and equality.”

Tanya Ward, the Chair of the National Advisory Council and the CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance also welcomed the news:

“The Minister has made a series of excellent new appointments that will build the experience and knowledge of the National Advisory Council as it moves into the second phase of its life and the implementation of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.”

Ward continued:

“I’m also delighted that the Minister has appointed Mary Cunningham, CEO of the National Youth Council of Ireland and Theresa Heeney, CEO of Early Childhood Ireland as Vice Chairs of the Council in recognition of the importance of youth and early years in the cross-government policy landscape.”