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Ombudsman for Children's Office speaks out
Voice your thoughts on the importance of the Ombudsman for Children.
A recent An Bord Snip Nua (the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programme) report contained a proposal to merge the Ombudsman for Children’s Office with other organisations and to contain this newly merged group within the general Office of the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman for Children’s Office is against this move and has said:
“Such a move would effectively abolish the distinct and independent nature of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office.”
Children deserve and need to have an office whose sole function is to promote and look after their rights. An office combined with other organisations is not enough.
The Ombudsman for Children’s Office states that:
- It is the only independent statutory body charged by law to do its work in the best interests of the child.
- It is the only Office expressly charged by law to listen to children and to voice their concerns.
- It is the only Office expressly charged by law with investigating complaints from children.
- The Ombudsman for Children’s Office was established by the Oireachtas, by the people for the people. Its role is to be a champion for children, to be with the most vulnerable and to ensure their voices are heard.
The Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, added:
“The Ryan report shows us just what happens when children are not listened to. As a country, we have promised never to let those abuses of children happen again. My job – and that of my office - is to speak up for children and to investigate wrongdoing. It is just inconceivable that the distinct and independent nature of my office would be tampered with, diminishing the ability of my office, with its powers and specialised skills, to speak up for the abused child, the trafficked child, the disabled child, the child in care. I do not believe that that is where we as a society want to go. And I trust this is not where the Government wants to go, regardless of what An Bord Snip’s report may or may not say.”
Read more about this on the OCO website.
