Phase two of Growing up in Ireland study launched

Phase two of the national longitudinal study of children, Growing up in Ireland, has been launched.

The study has been monitoring the development of about 20,000 children and young people at various ages since 2007. Interviews in the second phase will take place between 2015 and 2019.

The objectives of this phase include to: establish what is typical and normal in the lives of children/young people in Ireland; establish the effect of earlier child experiences on later life; obtain children’s views and opinions on their lives and provide evidence for policies and services for children and families.

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs James Reilly said the project was one of the most important strategic investments in data on children's lives.

‘Essential data’

He said its full potential will be realised when the sample children have become adults. He added that the results will provide “essential and invaluable data about the life experiences of our children”.

The study has been monitoring a cohort of 11,100 nine-month-olds and a child cohort of more than 8,500 nine-year-olds since 2007. The results from phase one featured in the Government’s national policy framework for children and young people, published in April 2014.

The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is funding the study in association with the Central Statistics Office and the Department of Social Protection. The research is being conducted by independent researchers led by the Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College.