Ombudsman for Children ‘No End in Site’ report discussed by Oireachtas Committee

Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children; and Ms Nuala Ward, Director of Investigations, Ombudsman for Children's Office will appear before the Committee for the discussion.

The meeting at 12:30 pm will be broadcast from Committee Room 4 of Leinster House.

Cathaoirleach of the Committee Senator Eileen Flynn said: “The Committee and I look forward to discussing the ‘No End in Site’ report which was prepared by the Ombudsman for Children. The Committee is very interested in the background and investigation as this report and its’ recommendations are based not only on extensive physical inspections of the site in question but also findings from detailed interviews with Traveller Children living on the site and in these conditions. It is very hard to ignore a child telling you that ‘it’s hell’. No child should endure conditions of hardship like this.”

The Cathaoirleach added: “This report, while deeply uncomfortable and distressing in its reading, could very well be many other sites throughout the country. I am looking forward to exploring the mechanism and processes in play that has resulted in this situation, and seeking out, identifying and supporting the implementation into remedying practices that may undermine, isolate and harm the prosperity and progression of Traveller children. I intend to progress and engage with this report, in the severity in which it deserves.”

The Joint Committee on Key issues affecting the Traveller Community has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

You can view the meeting in Committee Room 4 on the Oireachtas website.

More information can be found on the dedicated Committee Webpage. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.