CHILD PROTECTION

Child Protection Programs in Ireland



Child Protection Programs in Ireland

Introduction

It is the youth of any country that reflects through its status, the fate of the country. Hence, any country that does not pay attention to the needs and requirements of its youth is ultimately compromising on the security of their future. Many of the countries still do not realize this fact. Therefore, it can be observed that youth in many of the third world countries continues to tolerate the various abuses and injustices. However, on the contrary, many of these countries utilize all their resources in order to cater the needs of the children. In addition, many of these countries also propose such a legal framework that all the possible rights of the children in various different aspects are preserved and protected at all costs. Ireland is one of such countries that are known to give special attention to the planning and implementation of their Children Protection programs (Ahern, 2000, pp.60).

Overview

According to an official government survey in the year 2005, there were approximately 1,027,880 children under the age of 18 years living in Ireland. Therefore, in the year 2005, the children percentage under the age 18 years accounted for approximately 24.9% (one-quarter) of the total Ireland population. Of these, 500,491 were girls and 527,389 were boys. In fact, 2005 was known to be a year when the population of under 18 children in Ireland was 25% which was recorded to be the highest population than any other EU state (Buckley, 2005, pp.5). However, irrespective of an overall population increase and with the highest number of under 18 population over the same duration, there has been observed a decrease in the number of children from approximately 1,246,443 to 1,027,880 from the year 1981 to the year 2005. This tremendous decrease in the under 18 population in the time span of 25 years is very alarming indeed. Therefore, it was way back since the decade of 90's when the Government of Ireland accepted the fact that their children support programs needs an immediate revision. Since then, various legislative guidelines and policies have been proposed and implemented.

Discussion

Development in the Legislations and Legal Framework

It was in the year 1991 when the Child Care Act was passed. Combination of various laws and guidelines, the act remains one of the most comprehensive and effective step for the welfare of children and the preservation of their rights. The Act covers all the possible aspects and matters regarding the children of Ireland. It proposes laws that are sufficient, grants children the right to a better and secure accommodation by parents and guardians, the right of receiving all the needed medical attention and facilities, the right to educational services and facilities and much more (Clissmann, 2006).

The Act of 1991 although the first successful attempt in the way of achieving protection of children's right, however, The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 was a more concrete step in the right ...