Realizing Children’s Rights in Ireland
Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in September 1992 and has since worked to bring its laws and policies up to international standards. After becoming a republic in 1949, the country developed stronger systems for education, healthcare, and child protection. Most children in Ireland grow up healthy and supported, but many still struggle with violence, abuse, or mental health difficulties. The legal protections for children are strong, yet making those rights real in everyday life remains an unfinished task.
Population: 5.4 million
Population aged 0–14: 18.56 %
Life expectancy: 82.8 years
Under-5 mortality rate: 3.8 ‰
Ireland at a glance
Ireland is an island country in western Europe, located to the west of Great Britain. It is separated from Great Britain by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St. George’s Channel, and shares its only land border with Northern Ireland. Its capital city is Dublin, and the official languages are Irish and English. Most people in Ireland are Roman Catholic, with others free to practice different faiths (Ranelagh & Boland, 2025).
In the 20th century, Ireland’s history was shaped by conflicts. The Irish War of Independence began in 1919 as an armed struggle against British rule and led to the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, which created the Irish Free State in the south while Northern Ireland stayed under British control. A short civil war followed between those who supported and opposed the Treaty. Ireland later strengthened its independence and formally became the Republic of Ireland in 1949 (Denison Magazine, 2020).
Ireland joined the European Economic Community, now the European Union, in 1973 after a national referendum in which more than 83% of voters supported membership. At the time, the country faced high unemployment and emigration, and many families struggled to provide stability for their children. Membership opened access to European markets and development funds that improved living standards. (CSO Ireland, 2023).
Over the following decades, these changes helped create new opportunities for young people through better education, healthcare, and social welfare systems. By 2025, Ireland’s gross domestic product was estimated at about $696 billion in purchasing power parity terms, showing how EU membership contributed to stronger public services and greater security for children growing up in Ireland today (World Economics, 2025).
Status of children’s rights[1]
Ireland’s progress in recognising children’s rights developed slowly and unevenly. For much of the twentieth century, the Catholic Church strongly influenced education, health, and social policy, and child protection focused more on responding to problems than on preventing them. A series of serious failures eventually pushed children’s rights and constitutional reform onto the public agenda (Muldoon, 2024).
Against that backdrop, Ireland ratified the UNCRC in 1992 and began to build new institutions. It appointed the first Minister of State for Children in 1994 and proposed an Ombudsman for Children in 1996; after the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child urged action in 1998, the Government opened consultations and drafted legislation, leading to the Ombudsman for Children Act (2002) (Muldoon, 2025).
Building on these reforms, a 2012 constitutional amendment expressly recognized children’s rights. However, the Convention itself has not been fully incorporated into Irish law, so children cannot directly invoke all UNCRC provisions in Irish courts. The UN Committee has repeatedly called on Ireland to complete incorporation and to intensify action on non-discrimination, child poverty, education, mental health, and child justice (Muldoon, 2024).
To advance these goals, the Government later introduced key measures such as the Children First Act 2015, which made child safeguarding a legal duty for professionals and organizations, and established Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in 2014 to lead national child welfare and protection services (Harlowe et al., 2019).
As part of its broader engagement with the UN Convention, Ireland also ratified the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict in 2002, which commits the State to preventing the use of children in military activity. In 2014, it ratified the Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure, giving children the right to bring complaints directly to the United Nations if their rights under the Convention are violated. Ireland also signed the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography in 2000 and is preparing to ratify it (Government of Ireland, 2025).
Addressing the needs of children
Right to education
Education in Ireland is free and compulsory from ages 6 to 16, or until students complete three years of post-primary school, though most children start primary school at age 4 or 5. The system includes primary, post-primary, further, and higher education, with most schools funded by the State (CIC, 2022).
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides free preschool for children before primary school, while the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) helps families cover childcare costs. Primary education usually begins at age 5 and follows a child-centered curriculum. Most students learn both English and Irish, though some are exempt (CIC, 2022).
Post-primary education has two stages: the Junior Cycle (ages 12–15), ending with the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement, and the Senior Cycle (ages 16–18), which leads to one of three Leaving Certificate programs: academic, vocational, or practical (CIC, 2022).
While Ireland’s education system performs well, some students still face challenges. Children from poorer backgrounds don’t have the same learning opportunities as others. Bullying in schools is also a major problem. To help stop this, the Department of Education requires all schools to follow national anti-bullying rules and have trained staff to make sure every student feels safe and included (Tangredi, 2023).
Right to health
Health care in Ireland is funded mainly through taxes, with some user fees and private insurance. All residents can access public hospital services, while free GP visits are available to children under six and families who qualify for medical cards. The Health Service Executive (HSE) also supports community services such as disability care, vaccinations, and child development programs (Staines et al., 2016).
Most children are born in hospitals, and families are supported by public health nurses who visit homes after birth. These nurses monitor children’s growth, offer advice on nutrition and safety, and guide parents in caring for their child’s health. Schools also play an important role in promoting healthy habits through lessons on hygiene, exercise, and mental wellbeing (HSE, n.d.).
Children’s health is generally good, and Ireland ranks high among EU countries for child wellbeing. However, inequalities remain between families with different incomes or living in rural areas. Some children face long waiting times for specialist care, and mental health challenges among young people are a growing concern. Childhood obesity and underage drinking continue to affect overall health outcomes (Staines et al., 2016).
To make services work better together, the Government created the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in 2011 to link policies on health, education, and child protection. It also introduced national frameworks to support children’s physical and mental wellbeing through early intervention, community programs, and cooperation across government departments (Staines et al., 2016).
Right to identity
For much of the 20th century, Ireland failed to protect children’s right to identity. Unmarried mothers were often sent to Mother and Baby Homes, institutions run mainly by the Catholic Church and supported by the State. Many women were separated from their babies, and thousands of children were adopted without their mothers’ consent (Donahue, 2023).
Birth records were altered or hidden, leaving many unable to discover who they were or where they came from. The Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation later found that more than 56,000 women and 57,000 children lived in these homes, exposing serious violations of human rights (ODAIT, 2020). In response, the government passed the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, giving adopted people full access to their birth certificates and personal records (IHREC, 2022).
Today, Ireland recognizes every child’s right to a legal identity from birth. If parents are married, the father is automatically recognized by law; if not, both must attend the registration to include the father’s name. Adopted children are entered into the Adopted Children’s Register, which links their new legal family with their original birth record (Child Identity Protection, 2022).
However, some children in Ireland remain at risk of being stateless, meaning they have no recognized nationality. This can affect children of migrants, refugees, or families from stateless communities. While Ireland allows stateless people to apply for travel documents and some children born in the country can gain citizenship, there is still no formal system to identify or protect stateless children (Child Identity Protection, 2022).
Risk factors → Country-specific challenges
Child abuse
Ireland continues to reckon with the legacy of child abuse in religious-run schools and institutions. A 2024 government inquiry documented 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse involving 884 alleged abusers in more than 300 schools operated by Catholic orders between 1927 and 2013. Survivors described being raped, beaten, and humiliated in “an atmosphere of terror and silence,” often by priests and teachers who were meant to protect them (Reuters, 2024).
One of the first to break the silence was Christine Buckley, who spent her childhood in Goldenbridge orphanage, run by the Sisters of Mercy. She recalled being beaten, scalded, and treated “like a number, not a child.” Her courage in speaking publicly in the 1990s helped expose decades of hidden abuse and led to the government’s 1999 Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CRIN, 2020).
In response to the findings of institutional child abuse, the Irish government established the Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB). Its purpose was to provide financial compensation and support to people who had suffered abuse while in Church-run institutions. By 2014, over 15,000 survivors had received payments averaging €62,250, at a total cost of €1.5 billion (CRIN, 2020).
The government also created Caranua, a fund to help former residents with housing, education, and health needs. Although religious orders were expected to contribute €128 million, most in property, their payments fell short of agreed targets. This shortfall has drawn public criticism and remains an unresolved issue in Ireland’s approach to accountability and reparations (CRIN, 2020).
Violence
Peer violence remains a serious concern in Ireland, affecting young people in schools and other settings. According to UNICEF, nearly half of Irish teenagers (about 44%) report experiencing some form of violence from their peers, whether through bullying, teasing, or physical fights. Around 28% of students aged 13 to 15 said they had been bullied at school, while 27% had been involved in a physical fight (McMahon, 2018).
Several tragedies have shown the lasting harm that peer violence can cause. In 2012, thirteen-year-old Erin Gallagher took her own life after facing persistent bullying. Her death drew national attention to the impact of cyberbullying and led to renewed efforts to strengthen anti-bullying policies in Irish schools (Maguire, 2016).
Another tragic case that deeply shocked Ireland was the 2018 murder of fourteen-year-old Ana Kriégel. Ana was lured from her home by two thirteen-year-old boys and taken to an abandoned house, where she was beaten and sexually assaulted before being killed. The boys became the youngest people in Irish history to be convicted of murder (Carroll, 2019).
Following these incidents, Ireland has started to take peer violence more seriously. The government and its agencies have introduced new systems, training, and laws to stop it early and protect children better. For example, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and HIQA now treat peer-to-peer abuse as a real safeguarding issue (Probation Service, 2024).
Their national study in 2024 called for clear rules on what counts as abuse, better staff training, and consistent reporting across schools, care centres, and youth services. This means that if one child hurts another, it must be recorded and dealt with properly, and not dismissed as “just a fight” (Probation Service, 2024).
Child poverty
Despite strong economic growth, many children in Ireland live in poverty or precarious housing. In 2024, 15.3% of children (188,605 children) were at risk of poverty, representing the highest at-risk-of-poverty rate of any age group (Children’s Right Alliance, 2025).
Furthermore, 8.5% of children (104,780 children) experienced consistent poverty in 2024, up from 4.8% in 2023. By May 2025, more than 4,775 children were living in emergency accommodation with their families (Conneely, 2025).
Housing instability can have serious effects on children’s development, including learning delays, behavioural difficulties, and increased levels of anxiety and depression. On the other hand, supportive family relationships, school engagement, and access to targeted interventions can help reduce these negative impacts (D’Sa et al., 2020).
While government measures such as Housing for All and the Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office (launched in 2023) aim to halve child poverty by 2030, rights groups warn that progress remains slow and that children’s voices are rarely heard in housing policy (Ombudsman for Children’s Office, 2025).
Discrimination
Roma children in Ireland face many connected problems caused by poverty, poor housing, and discrimination. Many Roma families cannot get social welfare support because they do not meet the Habitual Residence Condition, which requires proof of work and long-term residence. As a result, some families do not have enough money for food, heating, or rent (Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, 2012).
Poor housing and limited access to clean water or heating can lead to health problems and delays in children’s development. Access to healthcare is often difficult because some families do not have medical cards or struggle with language barriers, and some avoid services due to fear or mistrust (Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, 2012).
Roma children also face barriers in education. Many miss school because of poverty, frequent moves, or discrimination, and some girls leave school early for marriage. These challenges are made worse by prejudice and exclusion, which stop families from seeking help (Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, 2012).
In response to these challenges, the Irish government has renewed its commitment to supporting Roma families. A 2025 report by Minister Roderic O’Gorman, based on the 2022 Census, showed progress in health and education but continued inequality in jobs and inclusion. It forms part of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II to promote equality and improve access to services (Department of Children, Disability and Equality, 2025).
Children with disabilities
Children with disabilities in Ireland are entitled to support to help them reach their full potential. The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides an Assessment of Need (AON) for children who may have a disability. This assessment identifies a child’s health and educational needs and recommends the services required to meet them (Coleman Legal LLP, n.d.).
Under the Disability Act 2005, the HSE must begin the assessment within three months of receiving an application and complete it within six months. However, many families face long delays. By the end of 2024, over 14,200 children were waiting for their assessment, with most waiting longer than the legal timeframe (Coleman Legal LLP, n.d.).
Courts have confirmed that assessments cannot be refused or delayed due to a lack of staff or funding, and that children are entitled to full diagnostic evaluations when needed. Despite these protections, the backlog remains a major concern and may breach Ireland’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Coleman Legal LLP, n.d.).
In 2024, Inclusion Ireland reported that almost half of children with additional support needs were being failed by the education system. Among 492 parents surveyed, only 14% said their child was thriving at school, while 6% were on reduced timetables, 4% were not attending due to a lack of support, and 22% did not have appropriate support in place (Inclusion Ireland, 2024).
The same year, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) published An Inclusive Education for an Inclusive Society, outlining a gradual move toward a fully inclusive education system in Ireland. The plan, guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, calls for stronger psychological and therapeutic supports, improved teacher training, and better guidance for schools (NCSE, 2024).
Children and addictions
In 2016, alcohol was responsible for about 16% of all deaths among 15- to 19-year-olds in Europe and 23% among those aged 20 to 24, making it one of the deadliest substances for young people. In Ireland, the pattern is no different. After a steady decline from the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s, youth drinking has begun to rise again (HRB, 2025).
National data show that among 15–24-year-olds, the proportion who drink increased from around two-thirds in 2018 to three-quarters in 2024. Even more worrying, when drinking does start, it tends to be heavy: about 64% of young drinkers binge drink regularly, and one in three meets the criteria for an alcohol use disorder (HRB, 2025).
Another study, the Planet Youth 2020 Survey, looked at 4,473 students aged 15–16 in the west of Ireland and found clear ways to help prevent teen drinking. Teens whose parents kept a close eye on them and clearly said they were against drinking were much less likely to binge drink, while those who got alcohol from their parents were almost twice as likely to do it (Kelly et al., 2023).
The study also showed that getting alcohol from friends or other adults increased the likelihood of binge drinking severalfold, highlighting that availability and social access are key drivers. Peer influence was particularly powerful: teenagers with friends who drank alcohol had almost five times higher odds of binge drinking than those whose friends did not (Kelly et al., 2023).
Because mental health, smoking, and cannabis use were also strong predictors, effective prevention should address these connected risks together. Finally, the authors note that coordinated community and policy action, such as implementing the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, remains essential to delay alcohol use, limit youth access, and protect adolescents from alcohol-related harm (Kelly et al., 2023).
Juvenile detention
Ireland’s youth justice system is built on the principle that detention should be used only as a last resort. The Children Act 2001 prohibits the imprisonment of anyone under 18, providing instead that children be detained in a Children Detention School rather than an adult prison, a measure fully implemented in 2017. These schools focus on rehabilitation and supporting young people’s reintegration into society (IPRT, n.d.).
A major step forward came in 2017, when Ireland ended the practice of sending under-18s to adult prisons. All children sentenced by the courts are now detained at Oberstown Children Detention Campus (the national facility for young offenders). Oberstown operates on a Model of Care based on restorative practice. It offers programmes to help young people understand the impact of their actions and prepare for life after release (Oberstown Children Detention Campus, 2018).
However, recent inspections have shown continuing challenges. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) found that while Oberstown offers a safe and structured environment, it has struggled with staff shortages and the overuse of restrictive practices such as single separation (IPRT, 2024).
In a 2024 review, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) warned that detention is not always being used as a last resort, even though this is required by law. The organization also noted that young people were sometimes isolated for minor incidents, such as name-calling or refusing medication, and called for stronger safeguards and clearer procedures (IPRT, 2024).
Written by Lidija Misic
Last updated on November 9, 2025
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[1] This article by no means purports to give a full or representative account of children’s rights in Ireland; indeed, one of the many challenges is the scant updated information on Irish children, much of which is unreliable, not representative, outdated, or simply non-existent.
