The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (OMCYA) is part of the Department of Health and Children. The role of the OMCYA, which was set up by the Government in December 2005, is to improve the lives of children under the National Children’s Strategy and bring greater coherence to policy-making for children. Children now have a stronger voice on issues that affect them through the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, TD, who attends all Cabinet meetings.