Minister Foley welcomes the appointment of Dr. Aisling Parkes as Special Rapporteur on Child Protection

21 May 2026

The Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, today announced the appointment by the Government of Dr. Aisling Parkes as Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for a two-year term until 19 May 2028.

The Minister welcomed Dr. Parkes to the role saying:

“The Special Rapporteur on Child Protection plays a critical role in examining and reporting to Government on legal, legislative and litigation-related child protection matters. Dr. Parkes brings a depth of relevant experience to the role, and I look forward to working with her over the course of her term”

The appointment follows an open competition run by Public Jobs.

Speaking today, Dr. Parkes said:

“I look forward to working independently but constructively with relevant stakeholders to examine legal developments in child protection, with a particular focus on ensuring that the perspectives, rights and lived experiences of children and young people inform recommendations for reform.”

Dr. Parkes is a senior academic and researcher in domestic child law and international children’s rights in UCC. Dr. Parkes has over twenty years’ experience in informing policy and legal developments in the areas of child and family law, children’s rights, child protection, and international human rights law.