Jack Wall
Question:26 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has with regard to the establishment of an ombudsman for children; the timescale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10577/99]
Written Answers. - Ombudsman for Children.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:40 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the powers, if any, proposed for the children's ombudsman to be established to vindicate the rights of children as provided for in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and when the office will be established. [10425/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 40 together.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Ireland is a party, sets out a broad range of children's rights which States party to the convention have committed themselves to respect. There is no specific requirement in the convention to establish a children's ombudsman, though the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child regards the establishment of a mechanism to vindicate the rights of children as being implicit in the convention but it accepts that a children's ombudsman is only one appropriate model.
It is my intention to proceed with the establishment of a children's ombudsman and options are currently being examined. No decision has yet been taken in regard to the powers to be assigned to the children's ombudsman nor has a timescale been decided.