Offaly teenager plays key role on Ombudsman Advisory Panel
An Offaly teenager was involved in coordinating an event by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) that saw over 100 children from across Ireland discuss the action they expect from Government as a result of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child’s Concluding Observations to the State.
16-year old Ailís Malone from Banagher is a member of the OCO’s Youth Advisory Panel, which has played a key role in assisting the OCO in compiling 'Pieces of Us; What's Next?' which details what children now want to happen on key issues.
In her capacity as a member of the OCO Youth Advisory Panel, Ailís accompanied her fellow panel members on a trip to Geneva in Switzerland to share the findings of 'Pieces of Us.'
The final report is a culmination of a series of reports by the OCO as part of Ireland’s reporting process to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. 5,515 children took part in a national online survey and 200 children participated in focus groups for Pieces of Us, the children’s report that went to the UN Committee in August 2022.
The OCO Youth Advisory Panel hosted a recent event in Croke Park which heard directly from children on what they had to say about the issues children care about in Ireland. Education, mental health, equality, play and leisure, hearing children’s voices and protecting the most vulnerable were the key themes for children.
Children are calling for a series of changes in schools and education settings. They want to take the pressure out of the Leaving Certificate; remove the stigma around the Leaving Cert Applied and Leaving Cert Vocational Programme. They want more cultural awareness training for teachers and better disability services.
In the area of mental health children want more, and better staff for CAMHS. They want shorter waiting lists and an understanding that you cannot be ‘too young’ to experience mental health issues. They also want more mental health support services in schools and improvements in transgender healthcare.
Speaking about the event, Ailís said “I did not know much about rights until I worked on the survey around the rights of children. Hearing from other people my age about what is important in their lives has been interesting. I like hearing the stories. I like to have the chance to put my ideas in my own words, too”
The Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon said “hearing directly from children and considering their views in the decision making process is essential. Pieces of Us: What’s Next? provides Government and policy makers with a clear insight into children’s priorities.
“The OCO Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) led this whole process and their hard work and commitment have been key not only to the success of the report, but to the impact that is has had in influencing the concluding observations. We will continue to share the messages from Pieces of Us: What’s Next? and to support the YAP in bringing these message directly to decision makers.”