News

Latest News

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  • 21 May 2024
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Education

  Uncertain Times for children highlighted in OCO’s 2023 Annual Report

  A total of 1,790 complaints were made to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) about children’s public services in Ireland last year, with education once again the biggest concern, followed by health and complaints about Tusla. ...

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  • 30 April 2024

  MIC Thurles Summer School: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the OCO

  The Mary Immaculate College, Thurles Summer School returns from 11-13 June this year and will celebrate 20 years of the OCO. This year’s theme is how children’s voices have changed the landscape of education and participation ...

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  • 23 April 2024
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Education

  Ombudsman for Children’s Office Youth Advisory Panel Opening Statement to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

  We are the Ombudsman for Children’s Youth Advisory Panel and we are here today to talk to you about our work. Firstly, we want to tell you about our Pieces of Us series of reports, which ...

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  • 19 April 2024
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Education, Health

  OCO hosts Children’s Party to celebrate 20 years of promoting and protecting children’s rights

  The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) hosted over 100 children from local schools at the Swan Regional Youth Centre, St Agatha’s Hall in Dublin 1 on Thursday, April 18th to celebrate the Office’s 20th Anniversary. The ...

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  • 19 February 2024
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Education, Health

  Children being let down in Education, Mental Health and Disability Services

  The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) has highlighted its concerns over shortcomings faced by children in education, mental health and disability services, to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It’s the first time ...

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  • 8 February 2024
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Mental Health

  Children calling for Government action following UN Committee’s observations

  Over 100 children from across Ireland came together to discuss the action they expect from Government as a result of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s Concluding Observations to the State. The Ombudsman ...

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  • 30 November 2023
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Immigration

  Dáil to debate Ombudsman for Children’s Special Report on Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision

  The Ombudsman for Children’s Special Report on the Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision will be debated in the Dáil this evening (Thurs, 30th). The Special Report, the first of its kind ever published ...

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  • 9 November 2023
  • Type: Statement
  • Topic: Disability

  Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters Opening Statement by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office

  The Ombudsman for Children’s Office would like to thank the Joint Committee on Disability Matters (Committee) for the invitation to appear today to discuss rights based care for children with disabilities. The Ombudsman for Children, Dr ...

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  • 7 November 2023

  Children speak out on neurodiversity, LGBTQ+ issues and more – Child Talks 2023 live from the Helix

  Six young people will take to the stage at the Helix in Dublin on Tuesday, November 7 for Child Talks 2023, the annual World Children’s Day event hosted by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office. Child Talks ...

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  • 18 October 2023
  • Type: Press Release
  • Topic: Housing, Immigration

  Ombudsman for Children’s Office publishes first ever Special Report on Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision

  Crisis driven response to international protection is damaging children Ombudsman for Children’s Office publishes first ever Special Report on Safety and Welfare of Children in Direct Provision The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) has today (Thursday, ...