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. National Consultation on the Workforce Development Plan for the Early Childhood Care and Education Sector To participate in the consultation process for this plan please click below: Click here for the background documents and the consultation document.Click here for the background documents and the consultation document. (Irish Version) Closing date for replies is September 30th 2009. Free Pre-school year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme. Following the recent Government announcement, service providers are now invited to apply to participate in the new scheme. Completed application forms should be forwarded to the local City/County Childcare Committee.The closing date for receipt of applications is 10 July 2009. Click here for Application Form and Information Pack>> Frequently Asked Questions>>