The Ombudsman for Children today published the children's rights baseline research undertaken at the Centre for Criminal Justice and Human Rights by Dr Ursula Kilkelly. The research, 'Barriers to the Implementation of Children's Rights in Ireland' identifies six barriers to the effective realisation of children's rights in Irish law, policy and practice across a wide range of areas including the invisibility of children in law and policy, the failure to incorporate their views in decision-making, the failure to put in place a children's rights framework through the incorporation of children's rights into the Constitution, and into law and policy; the absence of effective advocacy and monitoring systems to ensure children's rights are protected; the provision of child-focused dedicated services and supports; the lack of investment in key areas of children's rights and the lack of awareness, training and education about children's rights. The research also highlighted children whose rights are at particular risk including immigrant and refugee children, children in poverty and those at risk of abuse and neglect.

 

The research will inform a major consultation ('The Big Ballot') being undertaken by the Ombudmsan for Children in schools all over the country in November. It will then be taken together with the results of this consultation to inform the strategy of the Ombudsman 2008-2010.

 

Read the Executive Summary.

 

The full report can be downloaded from the website of the Ombudsman for Children.