With a new Government in place, Report Card 2012 varies from previous editions and has been reformulated to accommodate commitments from the new Programme for Government. Unlike previous editions, which examined the implementation of key promises throughout one calendar year, Report Card 2012 assesses progress from March to December 2011. The process itself has not changed; we continue to offer relevant officials an opportunity to provide information on progress and to verify grades with our External Assessment Panel.

GRADING 6

EDUCATION 8
1.1 EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION 10
1.2 CHILD LITERACY 13
1.3 CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS 16
1.4 SCHOOL BUILDINGS 19

HEALTH 22
2.1 PRIMARY CARE 24
2.2 MENTAL HEALTH 26
2.3 ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 30
2.4 CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL 33

MATERIAL WELLBEING36
3.1 CHILD POVERTY 38
3.2 AREA BASED APPROACH TO TACKLING CHILD POVERTY 41
3.3 CHILDREN AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEM 43

SAFEGUARDINGCHILDHOOD46
4.1 CHILD AND FAMILY SUPPORT AGENCY 48
4.2 RYAN REPORT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 51
4.3 YOUTH HOMELESSNESS 54
4.4 CHILDREN IN DETENTION 56

REALISING CHILDREN’SRIGHTS60
5.1 CHILDREN’S RIGHTS REFERENDUM 62
5.2 PATRONAGE AND PLURALISM IN EDUCATION 65
5.3 TRAVELLER CHILDREN 67
5.4 MIGRANT CHILDREN 70

SUMMARY OF IMMEDIATE ACTIONS