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Update: Due to staff shortages it is taking us longer than usual to respond to complaints.

We are prioritising the complaints where there is a live risk or severe impact to the child.

We will respond to all complaints and will be in contact with you as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Make a complaint

If you think a child has been treated unfairly by a public body or an organisation funded by the government you can make a complaint to the OCO.

It's Your Right

Visit our children’s rights website. Play our Game. Access resources. Learn about the rights of children and young people.

What's New

05 Sep 2023

Children with disabilities and their families are being left with Nowhere to Turn

New OCO report shows children are being left in emergency departments, schools and respite centres by desperate parents in an attempt to access vital services…

26 Jul 2023

Mental Health Commission report: Ombudsman for Children calls for urgent action to address widespread CAMHS deficits

The Independent Review of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) published today by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) highlights once again that urgent action…

20 Jul 2023

UN Children’s Committee Vice Chair who expressed alarm at Ireland’s Mental Health Services visits Ireland

Member of UN Committee on Rights of the Child, Prof Philip D. Jaffé in Dublin for OCO children’s event A leading member of the UN…

OCO Library

September 2023

OCO submission to Coimisiún na Meán

In September 2023, the OCO made a submission to Coimisiún na Meán in response to its public Call for Inputs to inform its work to…

September 2023

Jack’s Case: 2023 Update

In November 2020 the Ombudsman for Children’s Office published its investigation into the care of Jack, an eight-year-old boy, who was first referred to the…

September 2023

Nowhere to Turn – children with disabilities left with no support

In 2020 the OCO published an investigation into a little boy called Jack who, despite having no medical requirement, was left in a hospital bed for…

August 2023

Healthcare supports for transgender children; A children’s rights perspective from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office

Access to multidisciplinary health services and supports for transgender children and children who are questioning their identity, is a children’s rights issue. Having ratified the UN…

August 2023

Submission by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office to the Low Pay Commission July 2023

Children under 18 are currently not entitled to the National Minimum Wage. Instead they are entitled to a sub-minimum rate, which amounts to 70% of…

July 2023

OCO Payments over €20,000 for Q2 2023

OCO Payments over €20,000 for Q2 2023