Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has welcomed the publication of a Children and Young People’s strategy but said it is long overdue.

The strategy sets out a framework to outline how all Departments, agencies and those proving children’s services can work together to deliver better for children and young people.

“The publication of this strategy is welcome but it is long overdue,” said Mr Lyttle.

“However, more is needed. For example, we need an impact report on how Departments have discharged their statutory duty under the Children’s Services Act to cooperate and improve the wellbeing of children and young people in eight key areas, such as physical and mental health, learning and achievement, and others.

“We also need to see progress on the pooling of Departmental resources to ensure effective budgeting for children’s services. All of that would be achieved easier if we had an Executive, complete with Education Minister and Education Committee, in place.”