Law rapporteur calls for overhaul of childcare act

The latest report by government-appointed Child Law Rapporteur has called for a complete overhaul of the Child Care Act, querying whether the current provisions are fit for purpose.

The act has been one of the principle statutes underpinning child law for the past two decades, but the latest Child Law Rapporteur’s Report from Geoffrey Shannon has recommended as many as 20 amendments.

The report also said the Direct Provision (DP) system for asylum-seekers needs to be reviewed immediately, with a specific focus on vulnerability of children in DP centres.