On 18 April the Government authorised the drafting of the Ombudsman for Children Bill, 2000, on the lines of the general scheme attached to a memorandum which I submitted to Government. The process of drafting the Bill has now commenced with the assignment of a parliamentary draftsman.
The scope of the proposed functions is very comprehensive. This is because of the very broad range of Departments, agencies and other bodies whose responsibilities, services and actions impact on the lives of children. The office of Ombudsman for Children will provide an important additional protection for children.
The legislation will ensure that the Ombudsman for Children will be an independent office, and will be appointed by the President in a similar way to the existing Ombudsman.