ISPCC Releases

The ISPCC today welcomed the publication of the Heads of Bill for Children First by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Francis Fitzgerald. The purpose of this Bill is to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children on a statutory footing.

The ISPCC have been calling for these guidelines to be placed on a statutory footing for a number of years as the failure to ensure that both statutory and non-state funded bodies are held accountable has resulted in patchy and inconsistent implementation throughout the country. We firmly believe that placing them on a statutory footing will significantly contribute to ensuring children are better protected and that the government takes child protection seriously and is truly committed to change.  

Mary Nicholson, Advocacy Manager, stated: “While individuals must take responsibility for protecting and identifying children at risk, it is also imperative that there is consistent implementation and interagency co-operation in applying these guidelines. By placing Children First on a statutory footing, the Government is ensuring that the necessary legislative framework is in place".

The ISPCC welcomes the opportunity to input through the consultation process and will provide a more detailed response following a thorough analysis of the Heads of Bill.

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For further information please contact:

Caroline Kingston – Communications Co-ordinator                01 676 7960
Mary Nicholson - National Advocacy Manager                                   01 676 7960 / 087 907 3633
Caroline O’ Sullivan - Director of Services                              01 676 7960 / 087 691 4399

Note to Editor:

The ISPCC (Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) is Ireland’s leading Independent Children’s Charity advocating for the rights, well-being and protection of children.  Since its formation more than 100 years ago, the ISPCC has sought to develop and deliver innovative child centred services in a number of locations throughout Ireland.   It does this by the provision of a range of national and local services so that, no matter where in Ireland a child lives, he or she can directly access one of ISPCC’s services i.e. Childline, Leanbh, ChildFocus, TeenFocus and Mentoring Support. For more information log on to www.ispcc.ie or www.childline.ie