The Minister for Children has stated that legislation reforms to strengthen the country's child protection services must ensure the welfare of young people is the number one priority.

Speaking in the Dail this week as part of the government's response to the Clyne report into the Vatican's role in child protection, Frances Fitzgerald said changes must be made, the Irish Times reports.

"Never again should someone be allowed to place the protection of the institution or organisation above the protection of children," she stated.

Ms Fitzgerald added that the reforms her department is proposing will provide a much broader range of measures to achieve this, including better reporting and information sharing requirements.

She said the legislation "will provide for a strong system of inspection and oversight" to ensure vulnerable children are better served in the future.

Earlier this week, the government's updated Children First guidelines were welcomed by the Irish National Teachers' Organisation.

The group's general secretary Sheila Nunan said all educators must be provided with training in the new rules as soon as possible.

Written by Donal Walsh
 

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