Children’s Ombudsman frustrated by restriction
28 June 2005 15:22
The Ombudsman for Children has said she is frustrated that her office is unable to help some of the most vulnerable children because of restrictions in the 2002 Ombudsman for Children Act.
Emily Logan said the office is prevented from helping children in certain places of detention and is excluded from dealing with matters concerning the Garda and the law relating to asylum and citizenship.
She was speaking at the launch of the office’s first annual report.
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The office will submit a detailed report to the Oireachtas in April next year in the hope of extending its powers.
Ms Logan described her first year in the role as ‘challenging and frustrating’.
The report says the Ombudsman for Children’s Office received 177 complaints in its first 12 months and 85% of those within remit were dealt with successfully.
Almost 52% of complaints related to education; 16% to health and the remainder to issues of child protection, social welfare entitlements and asylum and immigration.
