Ireland & the UNCRC

Ireland is required to submit regular state reports on measures it has taken to progress the implementation of rights under the UNCRC. Subsequently the State delegation has to appear before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for an oral examination.

In February 2022, Ireland submitted its combined fifth and sixth periodic reports under the Convention to the UN Committee. In January 2023, Minister O’Gorman led a delegation of officials from relevant government departments for the hearing before the Committee in Geneva.

In February 2023, the Committee published its Concluding Observations on the Irish reports, in which they welcomed the progress Ireland has made in respecting children’s rights, and highlighted areas where more needs to be done. Read the Committee’s most recent concluding observations on Ireland’s combined fifth and sixth periodic reports.

Young Ireland: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 was written with the UNCRC’s Concluding Observations in mind, and in response to many of its recommendations. The UN’s recommendation for “a unifying, comprehensive and rights-based national strategy, rooted in the Convention” informed the need for a specific policy framework to promote the rights of children and young people.