The TCD-ESRI led National Longitudinal Study of Children -Growing Up In Ireland – Launched Last Week

Posted on: 16 January 2007

The Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan, T.D. officially launched the rollout of Growing Up in Ireland – the National Longitudinal Study of Children on January 10th last. The study, which is the first and most significant piece of research of its kind ever to be carried out in this country, will get underway in the coming weeks.

The first seven-year phase of Growing Up in Ireland will involve following the progress of a total of 18,000 children – a cohort of 8,000 nine-year-olds and a cohort of 10,000 nine-month-olds. The study is being conducted by a consortium of researchers led by Trinity College Dublin and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).

The main aim of Growing Up in Ireland is to paint a full picture of children in Ireland today and to understand what factors affect children’s development and wellbeing. The unique part of the study is that is it longitudinal. This means it will take place over a number of years and examine the progress and wellbeing of the same group of children on a number of occasions at important periods in their childhood.

The results of the study will provide important information and evidence to support the development and provision of government policy and services in areas including education, healthcare, Social Welfare, child support and Family Support.

The launch marked the beginning of research with the nine-year-old cohort. 8,000 nine-year-old children are being selected randomly through the National School system. To ensure a complete picture of each child is created, information will be collected from the children themselves as well as their parents, school teachers and Principals. These same children will be revisited in four years time when they are 13-years-old, to see how they have grown and how their lives have changed.

Research on the infant cohort, which will involve 10,000 9-month-olds, will get underway towards the end of 2007. These children will be revisited when they are 3-years-old.

Speaking at the event, the Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan, TD., said: “I am delighted to mark the beginning of Growing Up in Ireland, the Government’s landmark National Longitudinal Study of Children. The Government has committed €24 million plus VAT to the first phase of this Study, which will span seven years. The commissioning of this Study continues our substantial investment in children since the launch of the National Children’s Strategy in 2000.”

The Minister noted that the results from Growing Up in Ireland will become a major element of the evidence base for policy and practice regarding children and their families, thus ensuring that policies and services are targeted, practical and effective. “I would urge all selected schools and families to participate in the Study. I hope that that they take pride in knowing that they are contributing to a ground-breaking study, which will benefit present and future generations of Irish children. I look forward to seeing the first Study results in 2008 and how the results will impact on children’s lives and children’s policies in the years to come,” concluded Minister Lenihan.

Professor Sheila Greene, Director of the Children’s Research Centre, TCD and Co-Director of Growing Up in Ireland added: “The importance of Growing Up in Ireland cannot be overstated in terms of its potential to increase our understanding of children’s lives and experiences and to contribute to making real and lasting changes in the lives of children and families in Ireland. The study participants, including the children, their parents and schools, are our most precious resource and this is a unique opportunity for them to take part in something very special.”

Also speaking at the launch, Professor James Williams, Research Professor, ESRI and Principal Investigator and Co-Director, Growing Up in Ireland, said:
“Growing Up in Ireland is the most significant and exciting study of its kind ever to be undertaken in this country and is testament to the vision of the Minister and the Government, and their commitment to ongoing funding for the study. This study has the potential to shape the lives of children for years to come and most importantly will allow us to establish what is typical and normal in the world of a child as well as what is atypical and problematic. We are now ready to rollout the first round of data collection with the nine-year-old cohort and in the coming weeks we will be inviting 750 schools as well as 8,000 nine-year-old children and their parents to join in the study and to be a part of history.”

As well as announcing the rollout of the study, the Minister also welcomed members of the newly formed Children’s Advisory Forum or CAF, a children’s committee, set up to represent the voice of children within the study.

The CAF is made up of children’s committees in 12 schools across Ireland. Seven boys and girls aged between eight and ten years sit on each committee and have a key role to play in advising the Study Team on a range of issues related to the development and rollout of the study.

The TCD – ESRI led National Longitudinal Study of Children – Growing Up In Ireland – Launched Last Week.