Published: Friday, 21st May, 2010 1:55pm

Child welfare groups unhappy by lack of progress

On the first anniversary since the publication of the Ryan Report, which included an investigation into abuse at the Daingean Reformatory, child welfare groups are accusing the Government of failing to implement the recommendations so far.

Barnardos, CARI, the Children's Rights Alliance, the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, the ISPCC, the Irish Association of Young People in Care, One in Four and Rape Crisis Network Ireland united to launch the 'Saving Childhood Ryan' yesterday (Thursday) to insist that the Government introduces key policy changes promised after the report's publication.

Fergus Finlay, Barnardos' CEO described Ireland's child protection system as broken.

"We must ensure that the promises and hopes laid out in the Ryan Implementation Plan are made a reality.

They must not get stuck in the bureaucracy of politics or left behind because of a lack of resources. It is time for us all to work together to save childhood for those children who need us to champion their cause," he said. "We must fight for an overhaul of the services provided to children across Ireland so that their childhoods will be better, their futures brighter. Some progress has been made, but more is needed."

The policy changes recommended in the report include, placing the Children First child protection guidelines on a statutory footing; introducing legislation for the right of children's voices to be heard in judicial proceedings affecting them; the statutory provision for aftercare and numerous developments in the provision of services for children in the care of the State.

Jillian van Turnhout, Children's Rights Alliance' Chief Executive said that failures on the part of the State continue to damage childhoods that will leave a legacy of hurt well into adulthood. She said that the Government and the arms of the State now had a non-negotiable duty to live up to these promises to remedy the gaps.

The group is encouraging people to email or write to their local TD or Senator, asking them to ensure that children are protected from harm by improving the child protection systems and services in Ireland. Go to www.savingchildhoodryan.ie/index.cfm for more information.