Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE OMBUDSMAN FOR Children has written to party leaders in government formation talks to express “grave concern” over the potential abolition of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA).
A proposal to merge the Department of Children with the Department of Education is currently being considered amid the government formation talks between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.
Scrapping the standalone role of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs would make way for a new role, Minister of Higher Education.
In recent days, a number of children’s organisations and campaigners have criticised the proposal, as has outgoing Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone.
Today, the Children’s Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon has confirmed that he outlined his concerns in a letter on 8 May and that he sent a second letter earlier this week.
In his letters to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, the Ombudsman argued that the abolition of the DCYA would be inconsistent with the State’s recognition of the important of vindicating children’s rights, which he said is clearly illustrated by the inclusion of Article 42A in the Constitution.
Dr Muldoon outlined that the abolition of the DCYA would result in reduced visibility of children at what he said is a time when the Ombudsman for Children’s Office continues to receive serious complaints from children and young people in Ireland.
He said it is clear that a focus on children’s rights, welfare and wellbeing needs to be sustained.
Dr Muldoon outlined that the establishment of the DCYA in 2011 and of the Minister for Chidlren as a senior ministerial role occurred against the backdrop of reports that illustrated the State’s “shameful treatment” of children over many decades.
The Ombudsman also outlined it does not appear that a rigorous risk assessment or children rights impact assessment had taken place to evaluate the potential impact of the loss of the Department and whether the voice of children and young people had been listened to in relation to the decision.
In his letter to the three leaders, Dr Muldoon said: “In light of these observations, and at a time when we need a new social contract that has human rights, equality and social justice at its core, I strongly encourage you to support retention of the DCYA, as well as the roll of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs as a senior ministerial role and member of the Cabinet.
“I have no doubt that abolition of the DCYA would have a damaging effect on children’s rights and welfare and I have grave concerns as to what this could mean for children, in particular those who are most vulnerable.”
The Ombudsman for Children’s Office is an independent statutory body, which was established in 2004 under the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002.
Under the 2003 Act, the Ombudsman has two core statutory functions:
I’ve read this whole article and as far as i could see there is absolutely no mention of the data commissioner’s office.
@Eddie Byrne: what would ya expect from them they investigate themselves
There is no discipline in the gda.revelations about corruption, embezzlement,by gda management has undermined the complete force.management setting bad example and no accountability,no consequences.
Humans are hardwired to be curious. Children are extremely curious. When human curiosity solves particular puzzles reward related structures in the brain are activated. A core component of the brain’s reward processing system can motivate animals to seek out information. Even tittle tattle can satisfy this desire.
Neoteny is the retention of juvenile features in adults. We live in a world of artificial intelligence but humans are the ultimate learning machines. A healthy dash of curiosity helps humans take advantage of the learning capacity.
Police work depends on human curiosity. The best detectives are often the most curious human beings.
@Emmet Dillane: So does a plumbers whats your point
@Nameless:
I’m exploring human nature with a view to understanding why these intrusions of privacy might have occurred in the first instance.
@Emmet Dillane: spying on neighbours to have a hold over them and selling data to private investigators, cupidity, are primary drivers, not idle curiosity.
@Frank Cooney:
Of course. The sleuth treads a fine line between the two,
The gumshoe has no line in the sand.
@Emmet Dillane: Or just acknowledge that they’re fairly corrupt would be easier
@Emmet Dillane: ya.
Like nailing dead rats to there colleagues front door?
Guards know a lot about innocent people but know a lot less about criminals.
@Tony Daly:
The Pulse system contains information about:
recording crime;
traffic management;
progression of criminal cases through the courts, including the outcome;
firearms licensing;
driver licences;
insurance;
character vetting.
Any citizen can request the information the Gardai hold on them.
@Tony Daly: that’s very true . Now that is the police imagine when every Tom Dick and Harry Who work in them wee offices has access on your info via that stupid idea of public service card !!! People has to open their eyes . Do you feel safe . HELL NO.
@Emmet Dillane:
God Emmet you talk a load of shi⭐️️e
Pull your head from your ar⭐️️e
This really is an abuse of power.Accessing information on an individual by a member of the force who has no authority to do so is an offence end of story.And they should face discipline for this.
It would be as tempting as a big red “Do Not Press” button to Fr Dougal but, that doesn’t make it alright.
Unless your a guard of course – then everything’s alright.
I do support law and order really.
Just saying like.
@Brendan McLaughlin: like lets them all know you’re from Cork,like.
@Brendan McLaughlin: Langer.
Frankly I’m shocked….
Not that they have done it…
The fact they keep getting caught!!!
You’d expect better than them!!!
This is unbelievable, at least it would be in a properly functioning democracy. The Gardai hierarchy have lost the plot, are no longer fit for purpose and should be removed from their positions immediately, otherwise there will be no reform and the public will have to deal with the consequences going forward.
It’s not acceptable in this day and age that we have criminals in uniforms getting away with blatant abuse of the powers bestowed upon them. They are supposed to protect and serve the public but we are so far away from those ideals under the current system and only a fool would have any faith in the on the ground Garda doing their job properly when they take their orders from a completely dysfunctional hierarchy of megalomaniac dictators!
@Super Ted: Trouble is… what do ya do once the who garda hierarchy are removed from their positions? Is there a subs bench to call in replacements immediately?
@Joe Phillips: *whole
@Super Ted: Don’t worry Ted, Noirin o Sullivan said at a recent passing out parade that the Gardai are already a shining beacon of hope and an example to us all !!…
“Don’t spend too much time looking into the light Noirin it’s dazzling you ”
Gardai are overpaid,corrupt, and accountable to nobody.
@Super Ted: Hyperbole much?
If Deputy Murphy didn’t ask the right question us Mushrooms would still be kept in the dark and fed S***
@Brian O Reilly:
Too Late for some people , An old buddy of mine was a member of the Gardai based in Dublin during his early years , He would come home every couple of months and before the visit he would check PULSE for who in our Town had been charged with Drink Driving etc and would blurt out all the details after a few beers.
A guy I used to work with , when he was buying a house, and had narrowed his options , he called up a Garda friend of his and got him to check the neighbours on pulse for each house he was considering…
I believe either of them couldnt even fathom a problem with this behavior
@just readin:
And I have no doubt most people would do the same if they thought it would rule out them buying a house beside the local paedophile
Have they not got Tinder and POF? These folks need to move with the times.
#Gardabrutallity #Maryboyle #Gardacorruption
Gardai in Cavan and Monaghan regularly access the pulse system to update the PSNI. Remember the Pulse system is a register of everything you do that is noticed by the Gardai or gleaned by information received from informers.
When I say everything I mean everything – what pub you drink in, what car you drive, what shops you frequent, what people you talk to, the pulse system is full of peoples details pertaining to totally innocent activities.
The Gardai then use the information as a road map of your daily activities that is available to anyone that has the connections to the Gardai operating the system.
Gardai have to pay their mortgages too folks so they could care less about how the info they sources about you and sell on will affect your life.
@Bob Allen Peters:
Name and shame.
Wonder what the disciplinary action will be.
“You’re a naughty boy , run along now and don’t get caught again”
Oh wow this is very shocking I am very surprised that this happened.
I’d love a snoop on that would be better then face book
Honestly a disgrace horrible force.
IF your worried about the garda ,you should also be worried about your local bank and the local credit union ,its amazing what staff will tell you after a few drinks ,some times the staff just end up having relationships with wealthy customers ,they just happen to meet out socialising ,lolololoolo.not much secret nowadays ,just accept it .and be aware of it .the russians ,brits and americans have a first class pulse system ,lol
Sack the pigs
have your say