Government urged to put children first

The Children's Rights Alliance has said the Government’s child policy must put youngsters first.

The umbrella group represents around 80 organisations which work with and for children.

It is lobbying for greater provisions for children in the election manifestos of the main political parties.

Chief executive Gillian Van Turnhout says official policy is often geared too much towards the rest of society, and they want to ensure that policies on health, education and recreation in particular really look at the needs of children.