Child protection will be one of the topics discussed at a major two-day conference opening today in Kilkenny.

A NEW advisory board that will co-ordinate services for troubled teenagers and children was launched yesterday.

AN independent inspectorate is to be set up for child detention schools, Minister for Children Brian Lenihan said yesterday.

The body set up to advise the Government on juvenile detention has said it is concerned about the high number of children detained in adult facilities.