The comprehensive information guide, now available online, sets out children and young people’s legal rights and entitlements in Ireland and has been written and designed in consultation with youth groups.

The nine key areas covered are equal treatment; education; health; protection from harm; rights in the family; immigration; rights in dealing with criminal law and the Gardaí; online rights; and right to shelter.

Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said: “One of our primary focuses over the last three years has been looking at children’s access to information and advice about the rights and protections they have under Irish law.

“We know through our helpline that this is not always easy to find or easy to understand. Children and young people have contacted us directly with questions about their rights, with legal issues they do not understand and with uncertainty about where to go to for help. We’ve also heard from parents and guardians who are struggling to get clarity on a legal issue or how best to advocate on behalf of a child or young person.

“We developed the Know Your Rights Guide to help bridge that gap. We want to inform children and young people about their rights but do so in a way that they can understand and engage with. We have also included sections specifically for parents and guardians to clearly state what a young person’s rights are under Irish law.”