Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 26 June 2025

Committee on Children and Equality

Engagement with Office of the Ombudsman for Children

2:00 am

Photo of Grace BolandGrace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the witnesses for attending. I apologise I have a competing meeting at the same time. Unfortunately, I was in there and ran in here. I apologise for missing their opening remarks and if I repeat the previous questions. As a mum of eight-year-old twin girls and as a TD representing one of the youngest areas in the country with Balbriggan being the youngest and most culturally diverse large town in the country and rapidly growing, the issues that the witnesses have highlighted and continue to highlight in their reports are particularly alarming on many fronts. They raised again persistent systemic issues. Many of the same issues that they raised in 2004 are still being raised. What do they believe are the key barriers preventing systemic change in areas such as disability services, education and healthcare access for children? How can we help?