Childrens Rights

Children’s Referendum Among Items for Discussion as Heads of ISPCC and Barnardos Attend Oireachtas Health Committee




26th July 2010



The heads of the country’s two largest children’s advocacy groups, the ISPCC and Barnardos will attend a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, tomorrow, (27th) at 3pm in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House.



Fergus Finlay of Barnardos and Ashley Balbirnie of the ISPCC will put to Committee members their perspectives on the priority areas for child protection and welfare in the aftermath of the Murphy and Ryan Reports.



The meeting is likely to focus on the main concerns these agencies have for the care and protection of children in Ireland today. It will examine issues such as the referendum on children’s rights, 24 hour social work services, the vetting process for adults working with children, and the children first guidelines.



Committee Chairman, Se n O’Fearghail TD said;

“The findings of the both the Murphy and Ryan reports laid bare some of the serious shortcomings which were prevalent in the way the State treated vulnerable children.



While there have been advancements in child care practices in latter years, the recent accounts regarding the deaths of young people while in care of the State show that gaps still exist in the service.



As two of the largest organisations representing children in Ireland, the ISPCC and Barnardos have a clear insight to the needs of children and how they can be safeguarded.



We will be particularly keen to hear their views on the proposed children’s referendum the level of services for children in care.”