A powerful new agency is to be created to co-ordinate the way Government departments provide services for children and their families.
The move is part of the National Children's Strategy launched yesterday by the Taoiseach and Tanaiste.
It also includes a promise to legislate shortly for the appointment of an Ombudsman for Children to investigate complaints.
And money is to be invested in play and leisure facilities for children throughout the State.
The strategy was welcomed yesterday by the Children's Rights Alliance, representing non-governmental bodies working with children.
Barnardos also welcomed it and called on the Opposition parties to promise to implement the strategy if elected to government.
The strategy was prepared by a working party reporting to the Minister of State for Children, Ms Mary Hanafin.
Its main components are:
A National Office for Children, an independent statutory body which will be expected to find solutions to problems, especially where these require the co-operation of several Government departments. If necessary, it will be able to recommend to a Cabinet subcommittee, headed by the Taoiseach, that specific functions be moved from one department to another. It will have initial funding of £2 million.
An Ombudsman for Children who will investigate complaints from the public and will promote good practice in children's services.
A National Children's Advisory Council which will include children's representatives and representatives of the social partners and researchers. It will report to the Minister for Children who will be a Minister of State.
Dail na nOg, a children's parliament, which will meet from time to time to debate issues of concern. Schools will be involved in developing the Dail through local networks.
A national play and recreation policy will be developed to provide "alternatives to the pub".
A "state of the nation's children" report will be published every two years.
A long-term research project will track children from infancy to adulthood.
At yesterday's launch, the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he wanted to see an end to child poverty.
"Over the coming months discussions will be held with social partners so that we can agree a common plan to achieve this objective."
The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, called for "a focus on eliminating child poverty in Ireland".
"We have the resources to do it," she said.
Barnardos expressed fears that a change of government could mean the strategy would not be carried forward.
"If parties in opposition are not prepared to implement this, then it may be no more than a two-year strategy, at most, and children's issues will return to being a political football," said Mr Owen Keenan, the chief executive of Barnardos.
The ISPCC said it welcomed in particular "the commitment within the strategy to developing consultation mechanisms for ensuring children have a real voice within Irish society and within the systems which affect their lives".