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Latest News

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  • 28 January 2025
  • Type: Press Release

  Voices of Tomorrow- OCO Yap outlines key asks for new Government

  Young people from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) have put forward their key asks for the new Government over the next five years. They are calling for improved mental health services ...

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  • 24 January 2025
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Education, Health

  High expectations on new Government in relation to children

  The incoming Government can expect strong engagement from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office in relation to their commitments for children and young people. The new Programme for Government outlines some very positive initiatives for children but ...

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  • 16 December 2024
  • Type: Statement

  Statement from the OCO on the new guidelines for schools dealing with behaviours of concern

  The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) welcomes the publication of these long-awaited guidelines, which we hope will provide much needed advice to schools, parents and children on how best to manage behaviours that may place children ...

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  • 4 December 2024
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Child Protection

  Children’s rights in the 34th Dáil – The Ombudsman for Children’s Office highlights need to consider children’s issues in the new Programme for Government

  As discussions now turn towards Government formation, the OCO is highlighting key areas affecting children that should be included in the new Programme for Government. Reflecting on the need to prioritise children, the Ombudsman for Children, ...

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  • 20 November 2024
  • Type: Press Release

  Over 1,000 young people descend on the Helix for Child Talks the OCO’s World Children’s Day celebrations

  Five amazing young speakers will take to the Helix stage today (Wednesday, November 20) for Child Talks, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office’s (OCO) award winning event celebrating World Children’s Day. Hosted by RTÉ’s Mark ‘the Science ...

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  • 16 October 2024
  • Type: Press Release

  Is é bainistiú péine an t-aon rogha atá ag othar scolóise Ivy agus drochbhail fós ar chúrsaí do leanaí in Éirinn

  Chuir Ivy a gearán faoi bhráid Oifig an Ombudsman do Leanaí (OCO), tar éis di bheith ag fulaingt iarmhairtí sláinte fadtéarmacha mar gheall ar fheitheamh 5 bliana ar obráid scolóise agus de mhí-ádh níl sí ina ...

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  • 16 October 2024
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Health

  Pain management the only option for scoliosis patient Ivy as situation for children in Ireland remains bleak

  Ivy* was a child in 2020 when she brought her complaint about access to scoliosis surgery to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO). She had suffered long term health implications from her 5 year wait for ...

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  • 10 October 2024
  • Type: Press Release

  Ombudsman for Children’s Office celebrates 20th Anniversary with Children’s Party in Cork City 

  Up to 150 children from five local schools in Cork City were the special guests at a children’s party hosted by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office this week (Tuesday, Oct 8) to celebrate its 20th anniversary. ...

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  • 9 October 2024
  • Type: Press Release

  Ombudsman for Children puts Election Manifesto Asks to TDs and Senators at Leinster House alongside former Scottish Commissioner for Children

  The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) has today presented their priorities for children for the next Programme for Government in Leinster House. The OCO were joined by Bruce Adamson, Former Commissioner for Children and Young People ...

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  • 8 October 2024
  • Type: Press Release

  €17.9m investment in local authority halting site will benefit children and can be an example to others – Ombudsman for Children

  The response from a Local Authority to an Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) investigation into living conditions for 66 children and their families at a halting site could act as a blueprint of success for other ...