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Children’s Rights in Ireland
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Progression of Children’s Rights in Ireland
Since ratification of the UNCRC in 1992, Ireland has made significant steps in its laws, policy and service development to further progress children’s rights. Here are some key milestones over the past three decades.
• 1994 - Appointment of the first Minister of State for Children.
• 2002 - Creation of Comhairle na nÓg established by the City and County Development Boards in each of the 31 local authority areas, as part of the National Children's Strategy. Provided a forum for young people to discuss local and national issues of relevance to their lives and communities.
• 2004 - Establishment of the Ombudsman for Children's Office. Their role is to protect the rights of children and young people in Ireland. They also investigate complaints about services provided to children by public organisations.
• 2011 - Appointment of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The first time there has been a dedicated government Minister responsible for children and young people.
• 2012 - Proposal to insert a new Article 42A into the Irish Constitution was approved in the Children's Referendum. Article 42A provided express and independent protection for children’s rights at a constitutional level for the first time.
• 2014 - The Child and Family Agency Tusla was established as the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children.
• 2015 - The Children First Act 2015 placed a number of statutory obligations on certain people (for example, teachers, childcare professionals, nurses, or physiotherapists) and on particular organisations providing services to children and young people.
• 2015 - National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making (2015-2020) – Ireland was the first country in Europe to have a national strategy aimed at increasing children’s participation in decision making.
• 2023 - Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023 provides for the review and update of the Child Care Act 1991, the primary Act guiding child welfare and protection in Ireland.
• 2023
- Item was unpublished or removed
• 2024 - Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-making Action Plan 2024-2028 aims to further promote the inclusion of children and young people in decision making at all levels – in the home, in school, in their communities and at national level.