Ombudsman for Children will undertake investigation into children taken into State Care

The Ombudsman for Children is an independent statutory authority with direct accountability to the Oireachtas, whose powers are set out in the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002.

The Ombudsman for Children intends to investigate recent events in which two children were taken into State care.

The Ombudsman for Children can undertake an own volition investigation into the actions of the HSE, under Section 10 (1)(a)(ii) of the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002, which provides that the Ombudsman for Children may conduct an investigation where an action may have adversely affected a child, where there may have been maladministration and where she considers that an investigation would be warranted.

The Minister for Justice contacted the Ombudsman for Children today to raise the possibility of an expanded role in investigating this matter. The Ombudsman for Children is awaiting clarification on the Minister’s proposal.

In the interim the Ombudsman for Children has commenced internal preparations for an investigation under the Act.

The Ombudsman for Children will make a determination about the most appropriate course of action in the coming days.

ENDS

Contact: Nikki Gallagher at 01-8656803 or 086-8163246

• 24 October 2013
• Type: Press Release
• Topic: Children in Care