Children denied basic rights of care and education being let down by legal system, report finds

Report recommends the creation of a specialist children’s legal service in Ireland to enhance access to justice for children and young people, particularly for those impacted by disadvantage and inequality or lacking family supports.

Children most at risk of being failed in terms of their care, education, housing, disability and mental services are being denied their rights and do not have the means to challenge it, a new report has said.

Published by charity Community Law and Mediation, it found a string of issues are compounding this lack of access for children, such as gaps in professional knowledge among lawyers in how to support those whose rights are violated, and inadequate legal support for organisations working directly with children.