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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 2d

💛 To mark the end of #KinshipCareWeek, we’re sharing Jack’s story.

When he began caring for his granddaughter Julie to keep her out of state care, he contacted the OCO to find out what supports were available.

🎥 Watch their story below.

#KinshipCareCounts

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 2d

🧠 #WorldMentalHealthDay

Too many children are still waiting for mental health support.

In 2024, 2% of OCO complaints were about access to services.

Every child deserves help when they need it 💙
👉 OCO.ie

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 3d

📢 We’re hiring a Digital Assistant (EO) to join our Communications team!

Work on digital design, content creation & online communications promoting children’s rights.

🗓 Closes 12 noon, 30 Oct 2025
👉 Apply: ocoJobs.com

#Hiring #DigitalJobs #OmbudsmanForChildren

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 4d

Budget 2026 is the first of the new Government.

So, what does it tell us about their commitments to children?

We take a look at some of the big-ticket items affecting children and their rights.

Head to our website below to read more:

www.oco.ie/news/budget-...

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 6d

🌍 No matter where you’re from, your rights travel with you.

Children’s rights don’t stop at borders. Every child deserves safety, equality, and respect.

👉 Learn more at OCO.ie

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 13d

📢 We’re hiring!

The OCO is recruiting a Senior P&RE Officer – Consultation Lead (HEO) to support our work promoting children’s rights & welfare.

👉 Apply now: ocojobs.com

Reposted by Ombudsman for Children

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People @nichildcom.bsky.social · 17d

Brilliant to have our friends from @ocoireland.bsky.social in Belfast 🙌

Top of our agenda was our shared goal of incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into domestic law. This is the single-most important thing we can do for children and young people 💙🩷🧡💚❤️

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 18d

🤝 Today we met with colleagues from @nichildcom.bsky.social to share ideas, strengthen ties and discuss our shared goal of incorporating the UNCRC into Irish law.

👉 Learn more: OCO.ie

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 18d

🤝 Today we met with colleagues from @nichildcom.bsky.social to share ideas, strengthen ties and discuss our shared goal of incorporating the UNCRC into Irish law.

👉 Learn more: OCO.ie

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 20d

🎲 Play isn’t just fun - it’s your right.

Every child has the right to rest, relax and play. It’s how you grow, learn, and enjoy your childhood.

👉 Want to know more about your rights? Head to OCO.ie

🎲 Ní hamháin spraoi atá sa súgradh - is é do cheart é.

Tá sé de cheart ag gach leanbh scíth a ligean, suaimhneas a fháil agus súgradh. Sin an chaoi a bhfásann tú, a fhoghlaimíonn tú, agus a mbainfidh tú taitneamh as do óige.

👉 Ar mhaith leat tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi do chearta? Téigh chuig OCO.ie
Fee

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 23d

🎥 Dr Niall Muldoon recaps the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children annual conference in Bucharest.

Theme: children’s right to physical health, which ranged from healthy food in schools to period dignity.

Watch below ⬇️
Learn more about children’s rights 👉 OCO.ie

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 26d

📢 Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon is calling for reforms to youth justice:

✔ Extend youth justice sanctions to under-24s
✔ Raise criminal responsibility age to 14
✔ Explore separate facilities for 18–24s

Read more via @irishexaminer.bsky.social

www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtan...

Children's ombudsman calls to extend youth justice sanctions to adults under 24

In a call echoed by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), Niall Muldoon also recommended increasing the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years.

www.irishexaminer.com

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 26d

🗣️ You have the right to be heard - your voice matters.
Every child deserves a say in decisions that affect their lives.
👉 Learn more at oco.ie

🗣️ You have the right to be heard - your voice matters.
Every child deserves a say in decisions that affect their lives.
👉 Learn more at http://OCO.ie

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · 26d

Yesterday Dr Niall Muldoon spoke at Children's Rights Alliance #EndChildPovertyWeek alongside Kate
Duggan CEO of Tusla, Lara Haynes, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, along with Dr Maria Corbett & Suzanne Connolly @barnardos-ireland.bsky.social

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 12

LISTEN BACK on @newstalkfm.bsky.social

Fionn McWeeney from the OCO Youth Advisory Panel spoke to Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder about school phone bans and his contribution to our report One Size Does Not Fit All.

www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...

Would a phone ban in schools work? | Newstalk

Yesterday on the show Kieran spoke with Eric Nelligan, who is a teacher, Assistant Principal and ...

www.newstalk.com

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 10

📻 LISTEN BACK: Ban on phone use does not protect children

Drivetime nterview on @rteradio1.bsky.social with the OCO’s Head of Policy Dr Tricia Keilthy about our new report into why blanket bans on mobile phones in schools are not in the best interest of children.

www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Ban on phone use does not protect children

A new report from the office of the Ombudsman for Children has found that a ban on the use of mobile phones does not protect children from the potential harmful impacts of phones and social media, and...

www.rte.ie

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 10

📱 Members of our Youth Advisory Panel share their concerns in this new video, from how bans affect their rights, to why students must be part of the decision-making process.

🎥 Watch their views below and read our full report One Size Does Not Fit All now at www.oco.ie

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 10

📱 Phone bans in schools affect young people’s rights.

Our Youth Advisory Panel created this animated video to share their perspective and why their voices matter.

🎥 Watch below and read our new report One Size Does Not Fit All at oco.ie

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 10

📖 What do young people really think about school phone bans?

Our Youth Advisory Panel shared their views on how bans affect children’s rights and why students must be part of the conversation.

Read the full report One Size Does Not Fit All at oco.ie

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 9

The OCO is very concerned by the latest ESRI report on child poverty which shows that one in five children in Ireland live below the poverty line. The Ombudsman for Children has written to the Minister for Finance asking him to prioritise measures to tackle child homelessness and poverty.

RTÉ News @news.rte.ie · Sep 9

One in five children are living below the poverty line after housing costs are taken into account, according to research from the Economic and Social Research Institute

Fifth of children in poverty after housing costs - ESRI

One in five children are living below the poverty line after housing costs are taken into account, according to research from the Economic and Social Research Institute.

www.rte.ie

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 8

📢 Teachers! We’re looking for two 6th classes + one 1st Year CSPE class to join our 2025/26 School Ambassador Programme.

Help us spread the word about children’s rights in classrooms and online.

👉 Learn more: www.oco.ie/childrens-ri...

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 8

📢 Join us THIS WEDNESDAY for the launch of our new report One Size Does Not Fit All.

This report looks at how school phone bans impact children’s rights, with insights from the OCO Youth Advisory Panel.

🗓 Wed, 10 Sept | 🕙 10am
🎟️ Register via the link in comments 👇

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 5

📻 LISTEN BACK

This morning on Newstalk Breakfast Dr. Niall Muldoon criticised the State’s response to missing feared dead.

www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...

Children's Ombudsman criticises State’s response to missing child feared dead | Newstalk

The Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon has said he is "extremely concerned" over the State's...

www.newstalk.com

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 4

“I am extremely concerned that the major response to the disappearance and possible death of this little boy in North Dublin, is a referral to the National Review Panel. This is a structure that has no statutory power and no independent authority to publish reports." www.oco.ie/news/stateme...

Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 3

A child's right to learn, grow, and thrive is a fundamental human right.

The Ombudsman for Children's Office is dedicated to protecting this right so that every child in Ireland has the support necessary to reach their full potential.

Learn more at OCO.ie

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Ombudsman for Children @ocoireland.bsky.social · Sep 3

📢 Join us for the launch of our new report One Size Does Not Fit All.

This report looks at how school phone bans impact children’s rights, with insights from the OCO Youth Advisory Panel.

🗓 Wed, 10 Sept | 🕙 10am
🎟️ Register via the link in comments 👇

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