"Context and background This Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-making: Action Plan 2024-2028 is the second national plan to support children and young people to participate in decision-making. It builds on the ambition and achievements of the first National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making, 2015-2020, which set out and delivered on the government’s commitment to realise the right of children and young people to be heard when decisions that affect their lives are being made. The first National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-making, 2015-2020 was ground breaking in Ireland and was the first of its kind in Europe. It was also the first constituent strategy of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020 (Department of Children and Youth Affairs, 2014), embracing the five outcome areas of that framework: • Active and healthy, • Achieving in learning and development, • Safe and protected from harm, • Economic security and opportunity, • Connected, respected and contributing to their world. These outcome areas have been carried forward into Young Ireland: National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), 2023) and they will also guide the focus of this Action Plan. Children and young people aged under 18 years have the right under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) to have their voice heard. Children and young people in this age group are the predominant focus of this Action Plan. The government also recognises that young people aged 18-24 years may have unique difficulties exercising their rights, including their right to have their voice heard in decision-making processes. Accordingly, this Action Plan includes young people aged up to 24 years."