- Home
- About us
- People
- Courses
- Current Students
- Research
- Shaping Society
- Careers
- News and Events
- International Applicants
- Alumni
- College of Business and Law
- Scholarships and Prizes
News and Events
Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection Published by Prof. Conor O'Mahony
Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection Published by Prof. Conor O'Mahony
On 28 January last, the Government published the Annual Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for 2021 by Professor Conor O’Mahony. Professor O’Mahony was appointed to the role of Special Rapporteur by the Government in 2019 for a three-year term.
The 2021 Annual Report examines significant events in the area of child protection occurring between July 2020 and December 2021, with dedicated chapters on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child protection, and on the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. Positive progress was noted during the reporting period on family court reform; the expansion of the Barnahus/Onehouse project; the establishment of Divisional Protective Service Units (DPSUs) within An Garda Síochána; and the publication of the National Youth Participation Strategy. The Report noted work underway on child homelessness, inter-agency collaboration and the review of the Child Care Act, but called for a continued focus on these issues. Concern was expressed about inadequate resourcing provided to An Garda Síochána for the investigation of ICT devices for suspected child sex abuse material; the cancellation of 999 calls related to domestic violence; and the level of supported provided to separated children seeking asylum or to apply for citizenship.
The publication of the report received detailed coverage in the media, including the following:
- Interview with RTE News at One, 28 January 2022
- Interview with The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk, 28 January 2022
- Ailbhe Conneely, “Pandemic impact 'a perfect storm' on child protection, according to Special Rapporteur”, RTE News, 28 January 2022
- Noel Baker, “Government ‘must plan how to keep schools open in any future pandemic’”, Irish Examiner, 28 January 2022
- Cate McCurry, “‘Considerable’ number of children faced abuse and trauma during pandemic”, Irish Independent, 28 January 2022
- Katherine Donnelly, “Lengthy Covid school closures biggest failure to children, says child protection watchdog”, Irish Independent, 28 January 2022
- “Rapporteur flags significant Supreme Court ruling”, Law Society Gazette, 28 January 2022
- Noel Baker, “Out of state care a ‘last resort’ for children”, Irish Examiner, 1 February 2022