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Children in Direct Provision will now share equal rights with other children in Ireland

The Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon, has welcomed the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald’s confirmation that legal issues have been clarified around the remit of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office to accept complaints about children in Direct Provision.

“Children in Direct Provision will now have equal access to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office. This will enable my Office to make a constructive contribution to the overall welfare of children living in Direct Provision accommodation.

“The Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, has confirmed that legal issues which were preventing us from accepting complaints on behalf of children in Direct Provision have been clarified.

“I would like to commend Minister Fitzgerald and the Department of Justice for the work they have done in progressing the McMahon report recommendations, one of which was to clarify the remit of the Ombudsman for Children in relation to children in Direct Provision.

“I am hopeful that by April we will be in a position to accept these complaints. We have already started engaging with the Direct Provision centres, as well as with agencies and organisations working in the area.”

ENDS

Contact:
Aoife Carragher
Ombudsman for Children’s Office
01 865 6806