As a strategic plan for Oberstown Detention Campus is launched today, progress is already underway to ensure the interests of the child are central to everything done at the facility.

Operators of the children’s detention centre, Oberstown, have failed to outline the legal reasons for their refusal to publish a long overdue review of the centre’s operations.

A report being launched today claims that a “flawed immigration system” is harming migrant children, and in particular those in state care.

The first university-based sports law clinic of its kind in Ireland, which will provide free legal advice to people involved in sport, will be launched in Cork tonight.

A new bail scheme for juveniles charged with a criminal offence is trying to keep “as many young people out of the custodial system” as possible, the head of the Probation Service has said.

Today’s child summit marks a turning point as it brings together agents of change with the very policymakers who have the power to implement them, says Tanya Ward

The country’s most troubled teenagers are being criminalised while in the care of the State — arrested in the secure therapeutic centres aiming to stabilise and rehabilitate them.

SCHOOL holidays are almost here and, hopefully, long, sunny days lie ahead.

More reform of family law and the family courts is essential if the Children and Family Relationships Bill is to deliver justice, writes Professor Ursula Kilkelly.

An expert group set up by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office to investigate areas of concern affecting children is due to deliver its report by the end of next month.

Cultural problems in child detention centres and the proper resourcing of inspection agencies are among a range of issues that need to be tackled, according to a new report.

Proposals to raise €4 million a year through philanthropic donations to build facilities for a new school of business at University College Cork are contained in a strategy plan drawn up by a team of UCC professors.

A CHILD and Family Law masters set to begin in September at University College Cork will be the first of its kind in Britain and Ireland.

FACELESS administrators making vital decisions about children’s lives should have to explain why they are “saying no” and think about the impact their decision will have on the child.

LEGAL fees incurred taking children into care in child protection and welfare cases in the Cork/Kerry region are far higher than any other area in the country.

WHILE more than 3,200 young people appeared before the Children’s Court in 2009 accused of committing in excess of 8,400 crimes, just under 300 received a custodial sentence.

CHILDREN’S advocates such as the ISPCC (Letters, March 9) have been using recent horrific abuse cases like that in Roscommon to make false claims about the proposed children’s rights referendum.

THERE was a broad welcome for the proposed constitutional amendment enshrining the rights of the child yesterday.

CHILDREN’S ombudsman Emily Logan has backed calls in a new report for an end to the locking up of children in prisons.

A GOVERNMENT proposal to give the rights of children specific recognition under the Constitution does not go far enough, according to a group of experts on constitutional and family law.

VIOLENCE in Irish prisons is on the increase with growing numbers of prisoners seeking protection from fellow inmates, a report from an international human rights watchdog has found.

THE gap between promises and action to protect Ireland’s most vulnerable children has been criticised in a big new report commissioned by the Ombudsman for Children.

A senior academic today unveiled a six-point plan to better promote the rights of the child in society.

THE controversial introduction of ASBOs for children as young as 12 sparked huge rifts among the government, state services and children’s organisations, with opinion remaining sharply divided.

CHILDREN’S rights organisations yesterday formed an unofficial watchdog to monitor the controversial introduction of anti-social behaviour (ASBO) laws for young people.

SENIOR gardaí have strongly backed antisocial behaviour orders, Asbos, saying there was a “definite need” for them.

A NEW system to deal with young offenders is urgently needed, according to one of Ireland’s leading experts in juvenile justice.

CHILDREN as young as 10 are likely to end up in custody for non-criminal acts if new powers to clamp down on anti-social behaviour are introduced, the Irish Youth Justice Alliance (IYJA) has warned.

GOVERNMENT plans to change juvenile crime law will undermine a garda scheme aimed at diverting troublemakers away from a life of crime, a leading expert said yesterday.

LOCAL authorities could be sued in the courts under little-known, but powerful, European rights, according to a leading legal expert.

A report on the operation of the Children’s Courts has identified a number of issues in need of reform, including some abuses of the system.