Rights groups back prosecution plan

Children’s rights groups have welcomed plans to prosecute or close services who provide an unsafe environment for children.

Schools, societies, religious groups, and medical facilities working with children risk being shut for failing to implement official guidelines on child protection and welfare.

Under the Children First Bill, all organisations where children attend without their parents or guardians will have a “designated officer” responsible for reporting child abuse or neglect to the HSE, whether it occurs in the organisation or elsewhere.