UNCRC makes recommendations on Irish law and courts

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) has published its concluding observations on Ireland’s record under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The 19-page report urges the Government to take, as a matter of priority, all necessary measures to fully incorporate the Convention into domestic law.

It makes a series of recommendations surrounding Irish law and Ireland’s courts.

The UNCRC said it “is concerned that judges in family law cases are not provided with systematic training for dealing with cases concerning children, and that there are long delays in such cases, to the detriment of the children involved”.

It recommends the Government encourage and provide sufficient resources for the training of judges for family law cases involving children and ensure that such cases are prioritised in the court system.

Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said: “Overall, the Committee recognised that the Irish Government has worked to put in place essential infrastructure to protect the rights of children.

“The changes to the Constitution, the introduction of our national policy framework for children (Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures), the establishment of the Child and Family Agency, and reforms in family law are among some of the important developments that have taken place in Ireland.

“These are of course welcome, but the message from the UN – which is shared by the Children’s Rights Alliance – is that there’s still work to be done. Critically, the focus must now go on to delivering the nuts and bolts across services and supports for children.

“Where Ireland is found most wanting is in the area of support for vulnerable and marginalised children. Their rights and well-being must be a priority in the next programme for government.”