Children’s Rights on the agenda for Ombudsman for Children’s regional Donegal and Island visit

The Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, will visit a number of schools in Donegal and Árainn Mhór today and tomorrow to highlight the rights of children and the work of the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO). Joined by the OCO’s Participation and Rights Education unit, this is the first time that Dr. Muldoon, who himself hails from Donegal Town, will visit Donegal and the islands on behalf of the OCO. The team will visit 11 primary and secondary schools in the region, taking in Donegal Town, Ballyshannon, Ballybofey and Stranorlar, as well as Árainn Mhór Island off the Donegal coast.

Speaking ahead of the trip, Dr Muldoon, said:

“This is a really important trip for the OCO as it marks the start of a national rollout of visits we plan to make to schools in more remote locations on the islands around Ireland. These are in regions that would typically find it more difficult to access our Office and the services we provide, so we are delighted to finally get the chance to make this trip.

“The past two years of the pandemic have been such a challenging time for children and young people across Ireland, and I’m sure the students in the schools we visit will have so much to tell us about how they’ve fared and what they’re up to now. One of the worst parts about the Covid restrictions for our Office was not being able to get out and visit schools or welcome any of the children into the OCO. We are really looking forward to getting back out on the road and meeting all these wonderful school communities in person again.”

Dr Muldoon and the OCO team will visit:

• Glebe National School, Donegal Town
• Holy Family NS, East Rock, Ballyshannon
• Coláiste Cholmchille, College St, Ballyshannon
• Barnesmore Montessori, Donegal Town
• St. Francis’ National School, Barnesmore, Donegal Town
• Scoil Árainn Mhór, Arainn Island Community Centre
• Scoil Athphoirt, Arainn Island Community Centre
• Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, An Leadhbgarbh, Árainn Mhór
• St Columbas College, Stranorlar, Lifford
• Finn Valley College, Stranorlar, Lifford
• Welchtown Primary School, Welchtown, Glenfin Rd, Ballybofey

 

ENDS

• 25 April 2022
• Type: Press Release
• Topic: Education