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  • 21 May 2026
  • Type: Press Release

  Cearta Leanaí i mBaol: Leagtar béim i dTuarascáil Bhliantúil OCO 2025 ar an ngá práinneach atá le CNACL a ionchorprú i ndlí na hÉireann

  Cearta Leanaí i mBaol: Leagtar béim i dTuarascáil Bhliantúil OCO 2025 ar an ngá práinneach atá le CNACL a ionchorprú i ndlí na hÉireann Rinneadh 1,778 gearán faoi sheirbhísí poiblí leanaí chuig Oifig an Ombudsman do ...

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  • 21 May 2026
  • Type: Press Release

  Children’s Rights in the Balance: OCO Annual Report for 2025 highlights urgent need for UNCRC to be incorporated into Irish law

  Children’s Rights in the Balance: OCO Annual Report for 2025 highlights urgent need for UNCRC to be incorporated into Irish law There were 1,778 complaints about children’s public services to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) ...

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  • 23 April 2026
  • Type: Statement
  • Topic: Online

  Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Equality Opening Statement by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office

  Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Equality Opening Statement by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office Thursday, 23rd April, 2026 Thank you to the Chairperson and the Committee for inviting the Ombudsman for Children’s Office here today ...

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  • 24 March 2026
  • Type: Recommendations
  • Topic: Children in Care

  Five ways to strengthen the Child Care Amendment Bill from a Children’s Rights perspective

  Five ways to strengthen the Child Care Amendment Bill from a Children’s Rights perspective   1.     Place a time limit on voluntary care and put in place an independent review process In its 2023 Concluding Observations, ...

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  • 24 March 2026
  • Type: Video & Audio
  • Topic: Children in Care

  Children in Care Report

  What does the care system actually look like for a child in Ireland today?   It’s a tough question, and the answers aren’t always easy to hear. Our caseworker Katie Padden sees the reality every day ...

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  • 24 March 2026
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Children in Care

  OCO report highlights need for a right-based system for children in care

  OCO report highlights need for a rights-based system for children in care “Nobody cares.” “If I was in Government, I would get rid of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs), they are ruining kids’ lives.” “I feel the ...

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  • 4 March 2026
  • Type: Statement
  • Topic: Disability, Education, Health

  Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters Opening Statement by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office

  Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters Opening Statement by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office Wednesday, 4 March 2026 Thank you to the Chairperson and the Committee for inviting the Ombudsman for Children’s Office to provide our ...

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  • 18 February 2026

  OCO statement on proposed social media restrictions for children under 16

  We welcome that Government is taking the need to keep children safe online extremely seriously and is looking at ways to prevent children from accessing harmful content. We know that children themselves want to be able ...

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  • 29 January 2026
  • Type: Statement
  • Topic: Online

  Opening Statement to the Joint Committee on Children and Equality Technology, Social Media and Children

  OPENING STATEMENT Ombudsman for Children’s Office Joint Committee on Children and Equality Technology, social media and children 29th January 2026   Chair and Members of the Committee, Thank you for the opportunity to address you today ...

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  • 22 January 2026
  • Type: Statement
  • Topic: Child Protection, Education, Health, Housing

  Opening statement: Joint Committee on Children and Equality Child Poverty and Deprivation

  Opening statement Ombudsman for Children’s Office Joint Committee on Children and Equality Child Poverty and Deprivation 22nd January 2026   Thank you to the Committee for inviting the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) to provide our ...