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The Ombudsman for Children has revealed that his office has received an avalanche of complaints from parents and children in relation to the processing of the abandonment certificate.
The latest annual report from the Ombudsman for 2019 shows that the number of complaints it received overall last year dropped to 1,503 compared to 1,622 the previous year. However, there was an increase in the percentage on education that now accounts for almost half (49%) of the complaints.
The majority (75%) were related to schools, while 17% were in reference to the Department of Education and Skills and 4% were associated with other educational agencies such as the National Council on Special Education and the State Testing Commission.
However, the Ombudsman, Dr. Niall Muldoon, said that the number of complaints related to education will increase significantly in his next report. He told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland program that his office has had a lot of “commitment” from parents and children regarding the Leaving Certificate.
The OCO’s annual report, released today, also revealed that complaints related to family supportive care and protection dropped from 2018 to 20%.
Meanwhile, 14% of the complaints received last year were related to health.
Following the story of a child with complex needs who complained to the Ombudsman about his experience in an emergency shelter, Tusla has confirmed to the OCO that a 24-hour service would be provided. Additionally, the agency said it would develop a series of residential respite centers to support children living at home or in foster care who require additional supports.
There was no change in the number of complaints received about housing in 2018, but Ombudsman Dr. Niall Muldoon said the issue needs to be addressed urgently.
“I would like to see the homeless crisis addressed as a matter of urgency, ensuring that meaningful action is taken on the issue of listing the right to housing in our Constitution.”
He said his office also remains concerned about the slow pace of change to improve laws, policies and regulations in the area of child and youth mental health.
“In a meeting with the Minister of State responsible for Mental Health and the Elderly in December 2019, I raised the need for rapid progress in a number of areas, including the Government’s Mental Health (Amendment) Act; the publication of the Updated Vision for Change and the establishment of the Youth Mental Health Pathfinder project, “he said.
“From my perspective as Ombudsman for Children, the key issues for children and their rights that I want the government and the state to pursue during 2020 include making tangible progress in implementing a mental health system for children that is suitable for children. its purpose and defend children’s right to the highest possible level of mental health. ”
He also said that new political commitments to address and end Direct Provision are welcome and he hopes they will be fulfilled “in the shortest possible time.”
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