Ombudsman for Children

IMAGE: actor Alisha Weir in a recording booth for the audiobook The Keeper of Rights. The social media post highlights the release of the audiobook and its availability on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

🎧 The Keeper of Rights audiobook is here!

📖✨ Voiced by Matilda star Alisha Weir, the book helps children learn about their rights and the role of the Ombudsman in a clear and accessible way 📖

⬇️ Listen now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/t...

IMAGE: Hands from a family holding a red love heart. The text reads Care Day 2026. Every Child Has the Right to Thrive. Thanks to those who stand beside them. DETAILS OF SOCIAL MEDIA POST: On Care Day 2026, we are celebrating children and young people in care, along with the many people who support them each day. All children have the right to thrive, and being in care does not change that. Children in care have the same rights, hopes and potential as their peers, and with the right support around them, they can grow and succeed. Care Day reminds us why putting children’s rights first matters.

On Care Day2026, we are celebrating children and young people in care, along with the many people who support them each day.

All children have the right to thrive, and being in care does not change that.

#CareDay2026 reminds us why putting children’s rights first matters.

@epiconline.ie

IMAGE: Cover of the document for the OCO's Observations on the Minister’s Amendments to the International Protection Bill 2026

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) is concerned by the Minister for Justice’s proposed amendments to the International Protection Bill 2026.

To learn more, read our analysis on our website below:
www.oco.ie/library/chan...

IMAGE: National Young Carer Conference poster. DETAILS: The OCO is really proud to be supporting this year’s National Young Carer Conference 2026 at O Reilly Hall, University College Dublin, with President Catherine Connolly joining young carers and advocates for the day.

The OCO is really proud to be supporting this year’s National Young Carer Conference 2026 at O Reilly Hall, University College Dublin, with President Catherine Connolly joining young carers and advocates for the day.

Reserve your place in the link below:

www.eventbrite.ie/e/national-y...

Yesterday, Dr Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children, spoke at two important national events in Portlaoise: the ETBI National Symposium Let’s Talk Ethos and the Irish Association of Social Workers Empowering Voices conference.

Watch Niall’s message to learn more.

IMAGE: OCO's Head of Policy Tricia Keilthy and Ombudsman for Children, Niall Muldoon outside Leinster House. DETAILS: The Government’s new child and family homelessness action plan took centre stage at discussions between the OCO and the Department of Housing and Department of an Taoiseach this week. This was a great opportunity to put forward our priorities from a children’s rights perspective. The OCO, along with other organisations working directly with homeless families, have long been calling for a specific plan for children in measures to tackle the homeless crisis. We hope this is a turning point to ending child homelessness and look forward to continued engagement as the plan is developed and put in place.

This week, we met with the Department of Housing and Department of an Taoiseach to discuss the new child and family homelessness action plan.

We have long called for a clear, child focused approach to tackling homelessness.

We hope this marks a real turning point for children.

IMAGE: Cover of the submission to the the Ombudsman for Children’s Office amendments to the International Protection Bill 2026. DETAILS: The International Protection Bill 2026 is moving through the Oireachtas at pace, with Committee Stage due to commence next Wednesday, 18 February. As drafted, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) is concerned the legislation does not provide sufficient safeguards for migrant children arriving in Ireland.

The OCO is concerned the International Protection Bill 2026, as drafted, does not provide sufficient safeguards for migrant and asylum-seeking children arriving in the State.

We have identified three priority areas which require urgent attention:

www.oco.ie/library/oco-...

It’s #SaferInternetDay! 🌐✨

To celebrate, we caught up with our brilliant School Ambassadors from Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire in Co. Louth to talk about life online.

Let’s all follow the lead of Scoil Mhuire na Trócaire: Be kind online.

IMAGE: Girl on phone DETAILS OF POST: It’s Safer Internet Day, a good time to remember that children have just as many rights online as they do offline. If you want to learn more about children’s rights and how they work, visit our website OCO.ie #SaferInternetDay #OCOIreland #SaferInternetDay2026

It’s Safer Internet Day, a good time to remember that children have just as many rights online as they do offline.

If you want to learn more about children’s rights and how they work, visit our website OCO.ie

#SaferInternetDay #OCOIreland #SaferInternetDay2026

Dr Niall Muldoon was in Brussels this week for key conversations on children’s rights across Europe.

He joined the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children Bureau - all working towards one goal. Better protection and real progress for children across Europe. 💛

IMAGE: Dr. Niall Muldoon with Chris Quinn (NICCY), Tanya Ward (President of Eurochild) and Seamus Power (President of the European Economic and Social Committee)

IMAGES: Dr. Niall Muldoon in Brussels for the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children meeting for a roundtable event called Joining Forces: strengthening cooperation for children’s rights in Europe.

Progress for children is never built alone.

During his visit to Brussels, Dr Niall Muldoon spent time with colleagues and partners who are working every day to strengthen children’s rights across Europe.

January gave us three important reminders of why children’s voices matter.

Three moments. One shared purpose.

IMAGE: submission cover reading submission to the Joint Committee on Education and Youth on Evaluating the Impacts of the Hot School Meals Programme. DETAIL OF POST: The OCO welcomes the expansion of the hot meals programme to all primary schools as a key measure in tackling food poverty among children in Ireland. The universal nature of the programme is vital to ensuring there is no stigma associated with the provision of hot meals. The full submission can be read on OCO.ie

The OCO welcomes the expansion of the hot meals programme to all primary schools.

Read our submission to the Joint Committee on Education and Youth on Evaluating the Impacts of the Hot School Meals Programme in full, here:

www.oco.ie/app/uploads/...

The OCO addressing the Joint Committee on Children and Equality today on the topic of ‘Technology, Social Media and Children’, with a focus on the safety and well-being of children online, from a child rights perspective.

Read our statement to the committee in full, here: www.oco.ie/news/opening...

More than 260,000 children in Ireland are living in households experiencing deprivation. Today, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office appeared before the Joint Committee on Children and Equality to address child poverty and deprivation. Read the full opening statement on OCO.ie

More than 260,000 children in Ireland are living in households experiencing deprivation. Today, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office appeared before the Joint Committee on Children and Equality to address child poverty and deprivation. Read the full opening statement on OCO.ie

More than 260,000 children in Ireland are living in households experiencing deprivation. Today, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office appeared before the Joint Committee on Children and Equality to address child poverty and deprivation. Read the full opening statement on OCO.ie

More than 260,000 children in Ireland are living in households experiencing deprivation.

Today, the Ombudsman for Children’s Office appeared before the Joint Committee on Children and Equality to address child poverty and deprivation.

Read the full opening statement:

www.oco.ie/news/opening...

The OCO made its submission in collaboration with our Youth Advisory Panel. The value of listening to children and taking their views seriously on issues that affect their lives is not to be underestimated. Young people we engage with routinely offer considered, rights-based solutions to problems, grounded in their lived experience. Read the Submission at OCO.ie

Last week, the OCO was asked to submit written evidence to the Joint Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport on the topic of the regulation of online platforms and supports to improve online safety and participation.

Read the Submission below:

www.oco.ie/library/oco-...

What an incredible week at #StripeYSTE! 💡

Dr. Niall Muldoon sums up a busy week from the OCO team engaging with so many brilliant young people - discussing children’s rights to seeing their passion for change, the energy was infectious.

#StripeYSTE2026

We’re at the #StripeYSTE 2026 🎉

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office is in the RDS talking to young people about children’s rights and the work of the OCO.

#StripeYSTE2026 #STEM #science #technology #childrensrights

We can’t wait to meet so many curious minds at #StripeYSTE tomorrow! 💡

If you’re heading to the RDS, come find the OCO team in Expo Hall 1. See you then!

#StripeYSTE2026 #STEM #science #technology

🎧 The Keeper of Rights audiobook is here! 📖✨ Voiced by Matilda star Alisha Weir, the book helps children learn about their rights and the role of the Ombudsman in a clear and accessible way 📖 Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

🎧 The Keeper of Rights audiobook is here!

📖✨ Voiced by Matilda star Alisha Weir, the book helps children learn about their rights and the role of the Ombudsman in a clear and accessible way 📖

⬇️ Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/t...

🎄As we get closer to Christmas, we want to take a moment to thank everyone who has worked with us to promote and protect children’s rights across Ireland this year.

❄️From all of us at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office, we wish you a peaceful Christmas and a hopeful New Year.

📢 Have you seen our latest survey? We asked young people about extremism, discrimination and gender roles, and what they told us paints a striking picture of modern Ireland. 👉 Read the full findings here: https://www.oco.ie/library/oco-survey-on-extremism-discrminiation-and-gender-roles/

📢 Have you seen our latest survey?

We asked young people about extremism, discrimination and gender roles, and what they told us paints a striking picture of modern Ireland.

👉 Read the full findings here:

www.oco.ie/library/oco-...

We are really proud of the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon who yesterday was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) by University College Dublin. A wonderful achievement for Niall and his family.

We are really proud of the Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon who yesterday was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt) by @ucddublin.bsky.social. A wonderful achievement for Niall and his family.

New Survey Alert! 📢 Our major new survey, Extremism, Discrimination & Gender Roles, reveals young people's views on modern Ireland. Read our full findings at OCO.ie

New Survey Alert! 📢

Our major new survey, Extremism, Discrimination & Gender Roles, reveals young people's views on modern Ireland.

Read our full findings:
www.oco.ie/library/oco-...

It’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities

#IDPD: Dr. Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children, discusses the barriers facing children with disabilities in Ireland and the urgent need for inclusion.

Watch the full video below.

#InclusionMatters #IDPD2025 #OCO

📌 Our new OCO survey highlights worrying trends in extremism, discrimination, misogyny and 'traditional' gender roles.

🎥 Watch the video below with Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon to learn more.

🔗Read more at OCO.ie

Our TY students got hands-on this week - helping with children’s rights workshops, going behind the scenes at Child Talks, and sharing their views on key issues for young people. 👏
#ChildrensRights #OCOIreland #ChildTalks2025

Ensuring children’s rights are central to the development of AI is vital. Dr Niall Muldoon met with Minister Niamh Smyth to discuss how AI impacts children and the OCO’s role in the EU AI Act. #ChildrensRights #AI #OCOIreland

Ensuring children’s rights are central to the development of AI is vital.

Dr Niall Muldoon met with Minister Niamh Smyth to discuss how AI impacts children and the OCO’s role in the EU AI Act.

#ChildrensRights #AI #OCOIreland

🎤 Our School Ambassadors from Scoil Mhuire Na Trócaire, Ardee and Bracken Educate Together National School joined us for their first-ever #ChildTalks2025

✨ We caught up with them before the event to hear how they were feeling attending this inspiring

One of the music highlights at this year's #ChildTalks2025 was the MGW Wind Band - they're a brass and wind ensemble co-ordinated by @MGWaterford

Here is a clip of them performing the anthem Eye of the Tiger.

#worldchildrensday #worldchildrensday2025