Annual Review 2015.Pdf

ANNUAL REVIEW 2015 Uniting Voices For Children Who We Are The Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child.

What We Do We change the lives of all children in Ireland by making sure that their rights are respected and protected in our laws, policies and services.

We identify problems for children. We develop solutions. We educate and provide information on children’s rights. We unite our members and put pressure on government to put children first.

Our Record of Success Our work has had a real impact for children in Ireland. This includes:

> A referendum to strengthen children’s rights in the Constitution > The most significant law reform for children and their families in a generation under the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 > The establishment of Ireland’s first Ombudsman for Children and an extension of the Office’s remit to include asylum-seeking children > An end to smacking children in the home > A new practice of placing separated refugee children in safer care settings > An end to the detention of young boys in adult prisons > A legal prohibition on the practice of female genital mutilation in Ireland > Ratification of a mechanism to allow children and their families to complain directly to the UN if they feel their rights are not being vindicated at home > The first increase in sixteen years to the weekly payment to asylum-seeking children living in Direct Provision accommodation.

Get involved Follow us on Twitter @ChildRightsIRL Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/childrensrightsalliance Watch us on YouTube www.youtube.com/user/cradub

Children’s Rights Alliance 7 Red Cow Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, Ireland Ph: +353 1 662 9400 Email: [email protected] www.childrensrights.ie

Contents

Foreword 02

Introduction 03

Aim 1: Shared Vision

Bring About a Shared Vision that will Realise and Defend Children’s Rights 04

Aim 2: Implementation

Monitor and Identify Gaps in the Protection of Children’s Rights and Improve the Effective Implementation of Law and Government Policies 08

Aim 3: Securing Change

Secure Legislative and Policy Changes to Give Meaningful Effect to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 12

Aim 4: Internal Capacity

Ensure the Alliance has the Internal Capacity to Fulfil its Strategic Aims 19

01 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Foreword Introduction Welcome to the 2015 Annual Review, and my first as Chairperson. This Welcome to our Annual Review 2015. As I think you’ll agree, it was a year packed period we are living through will be seen historically as a momentous one full of important impacts. for children in Ireland. The ground-breaking Amendment of 2012, putting children’s rights at the heart of our Constitution, finally passed into law in The Report Card, our annual flagship publication tracking commitments to 2015. And also, Ireland faced its first examination by the United Nations since children, awarded the Government with a ‘C grade’ for the third year in a row. 2006 on its stewardship under the Convention of the Rights of the Child. Positive progress was achieved around school buildings and child literacy. Yet, dismal E and F grades were given for child poverty and support to Traveller, In these and many other historic developments, I am proud to record the Roma and migrant children. continuing central role played by the Alliance in undertaking the painstaking groundwork required in a thoroughly professional manner, and with Working with members, we submitted a report to the UN Committee on the considerable passion and flair. Both the Board and membership of the Alliance Rights of the Child and travelled to Geneva to present it. This was the first time in owe heartfelt thanks to our talented staff team led by Chief Executive, Tanya ten years that Ireland was examined. We called our report Are We There Yet? – Ward. An organisation like ours trades on its excellence and in particular its even though lots has been achieved for children, life is very far from perfect for reputation with stakeholders, both governmental and civil society based, and others. A case in point is homeless children. As the homelessness crisis rocketed we are indeed fortunate to have a group of staff that is held in high esteem throughout 2015 we became more aware that this was becoming a seriously and seen as a resource on so many issues and challenges. urgent issue.

With the introduction of our annual Report Card since 2009, the Alliance has It was an historic year with the passing of the Marriage Equality referendum that added an invaluable additional barometer of the state of children and families we were thrilled to be a part of, helping to change forever what it is to be an in Ireland. In turn, the Report Card results have provided the raw material to LGBT young person growing up in Ireland. identify particular challenges to be addressed and Report Card 2015 was no exception. While positive progress is recorded in important areas, such as in We represented children on a unique Working Group on direct provision and the literacy, serious problems persist especially in the area of child poverty, which protection process, securing important commitments. Subsequently, a small increase scored a dismal ‘F’ grade. was made to children’s payments and the Ombudsman for Children will soon be able to receive complaints from children. Far more is needed but this is a start. The Alliance has taken a leadership role in promoting the Government Framework on child and youth policy, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures The Children and Family Relationships Act was passed. This is the most and in particular supporting efforts to make tacking child poverty as an important family law reform in a generation and our influence proved vital. Now, overarching priority, working closely with officials. We look forward to what’s best for children is a guiding principle in family law proceedings and continuing to work with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on this children born inside and outside marriage are protected equally. and other common issues in the year ahead. Thanks to another change in the law sponsored by the Minister for Children and The members of the Children’s Rights Alliance continue to be the lifeblood Youth Affairs, James Reilly, TD, and Senator Jillian van Turnhout, it is no longer of the organisation. We look to our members working at the coalface with legal to smack your child. We’ve campaigned for this change for many years and children and families to tell us where the gaps are, so we can unite voices, it’s a giant leap forward that will help to change attitudes so children are better develop solutions and make change. protected from violence.

2015 was a year of transition, with the departure of my predecessor Paul We continued to build sustainability through diversifying funding sources and Gilligan after six highly successful years as Chair, as well as our Treasurer and securing new opportunities. We are overjoyed to have purchased of our very Board member of long standing, Aine Lynch. I wish to thank the current Board own building with EPIC, thanks to funding from The Atlantic Philanthropies. This most sincerely, not least for their patience as I settle into the Chair, and also has allowed us to create a forever home and children’s rights hub in the heart of bearing in mind that several of them were themselves recent recruits. Thanks Smithfield, Dublin. to one and all – Michael Barron, Denise Charlton, Fergus Finlay, Noreen Flynn, Catherine Keane and Tess Noonan. Our members are our lifeblood. We look to them for their knowledge to tell us where the gaps are. We translate the issues they are encountering into all I look forward to an Alliance that is well led corporately and adhering to the our advocacy work. Much of 2015’s work was shaped through select working highest standards. I have learned in my first year that we are well on the way groups. If you’re not already, why not become a member? to excellence and I look forward to consolidating that. I would like to thank the wonderful staff of the organisation for their incredible Tom Costello commitment and hard work. Once again, we can stand proud over all our achievements for children. Chairperson Tanya Ward Chief Executive 02 03 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

Top UN Body on Children’s Issues’. This is a list of questions Picture Your Rights – what number of key points raised in the Rights puts spotlight to the State seeking clarification it’s like to be a child in report and by the group in Geneva on Ireland on certain issues which included Ireland today were subsequently reflected in Aim 1 direct provision, child poverty and the Committee’s ‘List of Issues’ We led the development of a In this project, the children of access to mental health services. for the Government including Civil Society Parallel Report for Ireland designed a report that Shared Vision child poverty, direct provision and Ireland’s examination by the UN directly influenced the UN We launched Are We There Yet? on religion in schools. Committee on the Rights of the Committee on the Rights of the 27 October in the Mansion House in Child. We influenced the questions Child’s examination of Ireland. Dublin with Fintan O’Toole from The The Report was officially launched put to Government and the UN Bring About a Shared Vision Irish Times as the keynote speaker. in the European Parliament offices Committee’s findings on Ireland. Picture Your Rights is a report by The launch trended on Twitter in Dublin and presented directly to that will Realise and Defend children and young people that under the hashtag #UNCRC and we the Minister for Children and Youth Children’s Rights The biggest and most exciting was presented to the UN received extensive media coverage. Affairs, Dr James Reilly TD on 10 June. focus for us in 2015 was the lead Committee on the Rights of the up to the examination of Ireland’s Child in June. Together with We gratefully acknowledge funding We are extremely proud of this children’s rights record by the UN UNICEF Ireland, we brought Key publications under received from the Katharine Howard project and feedback from the Committee on the Rights of the together 31 young people Foundation and the Department of young people was overwhelmingly Aim 1 in 2015: Child. The Committee, a group representing our membership Children and Youth Affairs to help us positive with many saying that they of international children’s rights organisations and from a cross- complete this project. never felt more listened to in their > Are We There Yet? Parallel experts, had not reviewed Ireland section of Irish society. Their report lives before. Report to Ireland’s Third and since 2006 – so there was lots to is a snapshot in time of what it is Fourth Combined Report tell them about. like to be a child living in Ireland. under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child After an epic nationwide The young people designed the > Picture Your Rights, A consultation with our members entire report from start to finish, Report to the UN and stakeholders who work at deciding on the methodology, Committee on the Rights of the coalface with children and themes and the use of quotes the Child from Children families in Ireland, we gained a and photographs via Instagram to Living in Ireland better understanding of the multi- depict children’s rights. The report > Submission to the UN faceted problems facing children represents the issues the group Committee on the Rights in Ireland today in all areas of their should be addressed for children of the Child on the Replies lives. We subsequently submitted and a particular focus was given to of Ireland to the List of Issues our Parallel Report on behalf of respecting teenagers, bullying and > A Plan to End Child Poverty civil society in May to the UN mental health, direct provision and Among Children and Young Committee. The report provides a religion in schools. People no-holds-barred view of what life is > Essentials for Children,Key like for children in Ireland outlining The consultation process was Asks for the Next where their rights are not being extensive involving 3,000 children Government protected. and young people. > What are the Political Parties Top: Launching the Picture Your Rights report promising for Children in outside Leinster House In June, a group of Children’s Middle: Some of the young people who In June, five of the young people Election 2016? Rights Alliance staff, our Founding wrote the Picture Your Rights report aged between 12 and 17 years > Briefing Note on Children Patron, Professor Geoffrey Bottom: Fintan Dwyer (young person), Peter from the group travelled to Power (UNICEF Ireland), James Reilly, TD, and Young People’s Report Shannon, Board member, Michael Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and Geneva to meet with the UN to the UN. Barron and young people headed our own Tanya Ward Committee on the Rights of the to Geneva to attend a confidential Child. Reflecting how empowered briefing with the UN Committee. and energised they felt, they took Working with UNICEF Ireland, and the somewhat unusual decision with funding from the Department to take full control and chair of Children and Youth Affairs, the meeting themselves. The we supported five young people Committee’s Secretariat remarked from the Picture Your Rights that it was one of the best forms group to present their report to of direct participation that they the UN Committee at this time had witnessed. The young people (see opposite). We were able to made a significant impact on track our strong influence on the the Committee’s examination. A Committee when a few weeks 04 later they published their ‘List of 05 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

Understanding Children’s Launch of Know Your “The prestigious Fellowship Rights Rights for Children is mutually beneficial, in that By providing accessible training Our Know Your Rights I can contribute to the Children’s Rights Alliance and The Bar of based on real life scenarios, we information pack equips children organisation through the Ireland Catherine McGuinness Fellowship educate and mobilise people and their families to learn about utilisation of my legal skills to bring children’s rights to the their rights. Timely information, while continually developing In 2014, the Children’s Rights Alliance was privileged to centre of their work. advice and intervention on as a champion of children’s establish a prestigious one-year Fellowship Programme children’s rights and entitlements rights. for newly-qualified barristers. The fellowship is named If you want to learn about children’s can remove barriers, prevent “Thanks for great day in honour of Judge Catherine McGuinness, one of rights, we are the people to talk children from being harmed, yesterday. I got a lot out of Catriona Doherty BL, inaugural Ireland’s greatest children’s rights champions. The it, you had a great line up of to. We design all our training denied access to a service/ Catherine McGuinness Fellow opportunity or from experiencing Fellow works as part of the Children’s Rights Alliance’s speakers and great facilitation sessions so that participants come away with a better understanding discrimination. Legal and Policy Team. Catriona Doherty BL was and organisation as always.” of what children’s rights are and appointed as the first Catherine McGuinness Fellow Feedback from a participant in more importantly, what to do Our Know Your Rights Guide is and her work with the Children’s Rights Alliance has ‘Turning Wrongs to Rights’ training when these rights are breached. a one-stop shop on the rights of been hugely successful during 2015. Using a children’s rights approach children that we developed with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties can prevent children from being The importance of the Fellowship has been harmed, denied access to a service/ (ICCL). Written in plain English and opportunity or from experiencing approved by the National Adult fully recognised by The Bar of Ireland who has discrimination. Literacy Agency (NALA), the Guide extended the Fellowship to a three-year partnership addresses basic information gaps with the Children’s Rights Alliance to further We are especially proud of the and sets out the legal rights and endorse and support the Fellowship. The Family inter-active training session we entitlements that children have in Lawyers Association of Ireland has also lent their ran in November called ‘Turning areas such as: equality and making vital endorsement and support. Through these Wrongs to Rights’ in the excellent my own decisions, education, partnerships, the Fellowship can continue to pitch health, protection from harm, venue at St. Patrick’s Hospital. The itself as unique, highly-valued and prestigious. aim of this session was to de-mystify rights in the family, as a migrant, in and provide information on the dealing with criminal law and the remedies and redress bodies that Gardaí and where to go for help. can be accessed when children’s rights have been violated. This day- In 2015, there were 4,349 page long session brought together 20 visits to the Know Your Rights participants from a range of sectors homepage on our website. from our membership and beyond Spunout.ie, an information hub and included advice givers, students, for approximately 80,000 active lawyers, family and parental support readers each month summarised workers, youth workers and others sections of our pack into a series of supporting children, young people factsheets. and their families.

Top: Edel at a Know Your Rights information stand at St. Patrick’s Youth Mental Health Fair Bottom: A special launch for young people championed by disability rights activist, Joanne O’Riordan. Also: Walter Jayawardene, ICCL, Maria Corbett, Children’s Rights Catriona Doherty, BL and Judge Catherine McGuinness at The Bar of Ireland Alliance and Michael Barron, BeLonGTo

06 07 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

Report Card 2015 The Report Card is based on solid was broadcast on RTE’s Morning The value of the Report Card research and consultations and Ireland and Drivetime with other Aim 2 lies in its ability to drive the it is graded by an independent broadcast slots included Today implementation of promises assessment panel chaired by Judge FM’s The Last Word, Newstalk to children in the Programme Catherine McGuinness. Breakfast and TV3. We secured Implementation for Government that changes print coverage in the Irish children’s lives for the better. We secured blanket media Examiner, Irish Independent and in coverage for the launch of Report tabloid and local newspapers. Our annual flagship publication, Card 2015 on 23 February. There Monitor and Identify Gaps in Report Card, is our unique tool was a total of 38 references and/ Social media once again played a the Protection of Children’s for tracking the Government’s or interviews in online, print critical role in 2015 in driving traffic Rights and Improve the promises to children in the or broadcast media. Our Chief to the Report Card. Our Twitter Executive, Tanya conducted most handle and #ReportCard2015 Effective Implementation of Programme for Government. Valued by Government officials, of the media, in addition to Board, trended on the launch day and Law/Government Policies the Oireachtas, the media, the member organisations and the steered traffic to our web site. community and voluntary sectors Report Card panel. RTÉ coverage There were more than 1,193 and children/young people, the visits to Report Card pages of the Report Card has consistently website in February 2015. Key publications under helped to highlight important issues Aim 2 in 2015: for children and young people. A big thank you to the funders of Report Card which is an > Report Card 2015 independently funded project: The > Making Rights Real for Atlantic Philanthropies, Department HIGHEST AND LOWEST GRADES 2015 Children, A Children’s Rights of Environment, Community Audit of Irish Law. Child Literacy A and Local Government, The School Buildings A Community Foundation for Ireland, Child and Family Agency B The Ireland Funds, Irish Youth Foundation and the Katharine Inequalities in Family Life B Howard Foundation. Ryan Report Implementation Plan B- Children’s Referendum B- Constitutional Convention B- Mental Health E Top of the Class 2015 Traveller and Roma Children E+ Migrant Children E+ Top was the Department of Education and Skills, under the direction of the Minister Jan O’Sullivan TD, gaining two laudable ‘A’ grades for continued Child Poverty F investment in school buildings and for the roll-out of the national literacy and numeracy strategy. A close second came the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, James Reilly TD, who received a ‘B’ for the Child and Family Agency The Government received an overall Bill was published and Budget 2015 and a ‘B-’ for developments to protect children as set out in the Ryan Report ‘C’ grade in Report in 2015, for the provided some breathing space for Implementation Plan. third year in a row. It was awarded families. two ‘A’ grades for sustained investment in ‘School Buildings’ and However serious problems remain Bottom of the Class 2015 the first significant improvement in the areas of mental health, in ‘Child Literacy’ scores in thirty protection from discrimination and in Bottom was Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, who years. The Child and Family Agency combatting child poverty, all of which received an ‘F’ for Child Poverty. The Department of Justice and Equality did (Tusla) had a successful first year, the leaves too many children behind. little better with two ‘E+’ grades for the lack of clear social inclusion measures Children and Family Relationships to deal with the marginalisation of migrant children and Traveller and Roma children. An ‘E’ in Mental Health also reflected badly on the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch TD.

Comhshaol, Pobal agus Rialtas Áitiúil Environment, Community and Local Government 08 09 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

Making Rights Real for Each chapter is written by a different Children: A Children’s legal expert in their field and was Rights Audit of Irish Law peer reviewed. Themes reviewed Gratitude to our Founding Patron, include: non-discrimination and A compilation of inputs from Professor Geoffrey Shannon equality; access to justice and experts in their fields, the Audit decision-making; guardianship, is a stock take and a roadmap We are honoured to have Prof. Geoffrey Shannon as access and custody; health and pointing to the legal gaps in our Founding Patron. Appointed in 2014, and a leading healthcare; welfare and material children’s rights and child law. deprivation; education; youth justice; legal expert in children’s rights, Geoffrey’s list of immigration and asylum law; and, accolades is long and includes the Special Rapporteur We joined forces with the Law child care law. on Child Protection and the first Chair of the Adoption Centre for Children and Young People to develop this unique Authority. Geoffrey’s immense insights and knowledge You can find the Audit on the publication Making Rights Real coupled with his deep passion for children’s rights Children’s Rights Alliance website. for Children: A Children’s Rights provide us with a constant support and inspiration. Audit of Irish Law. With children’s Thank you to Geoffrey for being our Founding Patron Heartfelt thanks to our funders: rights strengthened in the Irish and for continuing to believe in the work of the Úna Ní Raifeartaigh, SC; Pól Ó Constitution, we turned our Murchú, Solicitor; Public Interest Children’s Rights Alliance. attention to the legislation that Law Alliance, PILA; Shannon & governs the lives of children O’Connor Solicitors and Muriel in Ireland and with this audit, Walls, Solicitor. aimed to highlight gaps in legal protection across a range of areas affecting children. While the audit focuses on areas of importance Thank you XL Catlin Insurance to vulnerable children, including A team of 30 volunteers from XL Catlin Insurance painted two floors of our children in care or in the asylum building on 10 September 2015. They purchased all supplies and paint in our process, there is also a focus on brand colours, and provided the necessary manpower to complete the painting non-discrimination and children’s – saving us thousands of Euro. As a result, our offices have been opened up for access to justice – of importance use to our over 100 member organisations and for rental income from other to all children. non-profits. The XL Catlin team is worth its weight in gold – because of them our vision to grow a children’s rights hub has become a reality.

We would also like to give a big shout out to Marcus Reid, Architect who provided invaluable interiors advice on the use of brand colours and materials. Our offices look great!

A packed house at the launch of our Child Law Audit in The Bar of Ireland’s Distillery Building

The brilliant staff of XL Catlin who painted our offices 10 11 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

Better Outcomes, Brighter Children’s Referendum Children and Family Futures – the National becomes part of the Irish Relationships Act 2015 Aim 3 Policy Framework for Constitution Working closely with our Children and Young At last, the amendment on members, we secured real and tangible change for children in People 2014-2020 children (Article 42A) is written Securing Change family law. By working directly with into the Constitution of Ireland. Government and our members, The Children and Family our role is central to the roll-out of In November 2012, the Irish people Relationships Act 2015 is a new the most important national policy voted in favour of inserting a new Secure Legislative Change piece of law responding to the for children and young people in article on children into the Irish and Policy Changes to Give increasing diversity of family life. Ireland today. Constitution. There were many Meaningful Effect to the UN problems up to that point whereby Children cared for outside the marital family – up to one-in-four Convention on the Rights of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures not all children were adequately children – as well as children from the Child is the first overarching national protected or treated equally. After LGBT families were amongst those policy framework for children and almost two and a half years tied whose rights were not fully young people (aged 0-24 years). up in a legal challenge in the protected. As the most important The purpose of this framework courts, finally, the amendment to family law reform since the Key publications under is to coordinate policy across strengthen children’s constitutional foundation of the state, our Government to achieve better The Children’s Rights Alliance is rights was signed into law in April Aim 3 in 2015: influence was essential. outcomes for children. A successful using the ambitious commitments 2015. national policy for children in all for children and young people > Analysis of Budget 2016 and The Children’s Rights Alliance’s aspects of their lives should provide in Better Outcomes, Brighter No More Smacking its Impact on Children endorsement of this legislation was a clear and cohesive plan of action Futures to address key problems Children are now safer and better > Pre-Budget 2016 Submission fundamental to its success. Our across departments and agencies in Ireland today. For example, protected thanks to the Children’s to the Department of Social impact on the Act secured with targets, lines of responsibility one third of children live in or are Rights Alliance and its members. Protection momentous achievements – now, > Briefing Note on the and a defined budget. at risk of poverty. The Children’s In November, we witnessed the the best interests of children are a Children and Family Rights Alliance is co-convening a end of the defence of ‘reasonable guiding principle in all custody, Relationships Act 2015 We are proud to have been Sub-Group with the Department chastisement’ to the corporal guardianship and access > Submission to the designated a central player in its of Social Protection with a view to punishment or smacking of arrangements. There is legal Department of Justice and implementation and we have been informing an implementation plan children in Irish law. We know certainty for children around Equality on the Victims of working hard to make sure that the that will lift 97,000 out of consistent the harm smacking or hitting their parentage and guardianship, Crime Bill 2015 voice of our members is brought to poverty by 2020. This sub-group has causes to children, affecting their and the cruel discrimination > Submission to the the table. Tanya is on the National been formed under the auspices of self-esteem and damaging the faced by children in non-marital Department of Health on the Advisory Council alongside the the National Advisory Council for parent-child relationship. Abolition families is no longer. Another very Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 is something that we have been positive component is that there > Submission to the working towards for many years, is a national Donor-Conceived Department of Justice and in particular, with the ISPCC. While Persons’ Register meaning that Equality on the International Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures adopts five this change is not a magic wand children can obtain their genetic Protection Bill 2015 outcomes for children and young people: to protect children, we know from heritage on reaching adulthood > Briefing Note on Food other countries that this is a tool – avoiding the pain that many Poverty as a Children’s > Are active and healthy, with positive physical and mental wellbeing for change that will reduce abuse adoptees have experienced in Rights Issue > Are achieving their full potential in all areas of learning and development levels against children overall and trying to uncover their genetic past. > Submission to the Department > Are safe and protected from harm support parents in their use of non- of Education and Skills on > Have economic security and opportunity violent alternatives to discipline. Transgender Children and > Are connected, respected and contributing to their world. How we were successful Young People in Schools Congratulations to Minister for > Written submissions to and > Uniting Voices: We did this by Children and Youth Affairs, Dr extracts Relating to Children uniting the voices of our James Reilly TD, and independent and Young People in the Final ISPCC, One Family and many other Children and Young People. We are membership through a Working members. Launched in 2014, the also supporting the Department Middle: James Reilly, TD, Minister for Children Senator, Jillian van Turnhout, who Group of 15 members. We Report of the Working Group and Youth Affairs signing the commencement co-sponsored this amendment to on the Protection Process. Council has successfully begun to of Children and Youth Affairs to order to effectively ban smacking co-ordinated activities, met complete its agenda as a platform implement the human rights and Bottom: Children’s Rights Alliance members the Children First Bill in the Seanad, regularly and organised closed and friends with Minister for Justice and paving the way for this momentous for members of civil society to equality commitments under this Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, TD, in Dublin briefings on the impact on the guide the implementation of policy framework and are using our Castle for seminar on Children and Family change. We also commend the Bill with key experts. the Framework and deliver its role on the Council to address child Relationships Act Government and An Taoiseach, many innovative and far-reaching homelessness and mental health Enda Kenny TD, for their leadership 12 commitments for children. issues for children. and commitment on the issue. 13 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

> Analysing the Bill and Co- in LGBT families could not fully Influencing Budget 2016 its tenure. We welcomed a number ordinating Advocacy Activities: access their rights. We supported Together with our members of important decisions to benefit and We analysed the Government’s our members working on the we discouraged attacks on improve the lives of thousands of legal proposals at all stages and ‘Yes Equality’ and ‘BeLonG To children and achieved the most children and families. advocated with the Minister for YES’ campaign which delivered family friendly Budget of the last Justice and Equality on behalf a historic ‘Yes’ vote in the Government. We also informed Though it is a very crowded space of the Working Group. We also referendum in May. our members and stakeholders to on budget day, the media was provided written briefings and improve their understanding of how interested in what we had to say. organised advocacy meetings The BeLonGTo YES coalition the Budget impacts on children. Tanya was interviewed for RTE’s with Oireachtas members, of children and youth rights Morning Ireland, Newstalk News and political parties and major organisations, of which the The Budget outlines the their dedicated Budget talk show, stakeholders. Children’s Rights Alliance was a Government’s proposed revenues Today FM and UTV Ireland. Broadcast > Building Consensus: We built central player, had a huge role in Tanya on RTE News discussing children’s rights and spending for the financial year. references were included in the Irish consensus among our securing this positive result on two Each year, we engage in a highly Examiner and Evening Echo. members and in the media. We counts, Firstly, by making the case effective and sustained campaign organised a major seminar in as to why marriage equality is in the to discourage the Government Within 48 hours of the Budget being Dublin Castle in March best interests of children and that from making budgetary attacks on issued, the Children’s Rights Alliance involving the Minister for it in no way undermines children’s children and families. We propose issued its hotly-anticipated, in-depth Top: Saoirse Brady discusses the Children and Family Relationships Act on RTE News Justice and Equality, Frances rights – deflecting an argument solutions and alternatives so that post-budget analysis providing a Below: Tanya joins with Fergus Finlay, Fitzgerald TD. put forward by opponents of the children are shielded from harsh detailed analysis of the budgetary Barnardos and Grainia Long, ISPCC in calling for marriage equality referendum. Secondly, by activing budgetary decisions and can live spend on children. This highlighted Middle: BeLonGTo YES coalition of children a huge grassroots network of their lives free from poverty. Our the positives and negatives, informing and youth rights groups Marriage Equality children, youth and family groups. our members and stakeholders to Right: Tanya writes an opinion article about approach paid dividends with the marriage equality for The Irish Times Referendum 2015 This inspired young people and first family-friendly budget for better understand the actual impact We made history by helping ensured a huge youth turnout on children by the Government during on children and their families. change forever what it means voting day. to grow up LGBT in Ireland and paving the way for equal The ‘Yes’ vote changed a lot about marriage. Ireland, but it particularly changed Our Analysis of Budget 2016 what it meant to be a young LGBT Before the Marriage Equality person in Ireland. The Children’s Positives of Budget 2016 Referendum, thousands of LGBT Rights Alliance is incredibly proud > The extension of free GP care for all children under 12 years children felt like second-class to have been a small part of > The introduction of two weeks’ paid paternity leave citizens and children growing up making such history. > The extension of the free pre-school year to children upon reaching three years of age > Extending subsidised childcare by 8,000 places so it is more widely available for families on low-incomes throughout the country > €15 million in 2016 to support children with disabilities to access early childhood care and education (and €33 million from 2017 onwards) > An investment of €3 million in afterschool services and €3.5 million to improve the quality of childcare > An additional €3 million for the School Meals Programme > An increase in the Family Income Supplement by €5 for a family with one child and by €10 for a family with two or more children > An increase by €5 to the Child Benefit payment bringing it to €140 per month > An extra €38 million for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency bringing its budget to €662 million > An additional €8 million for therapeutic services for children, including speech and language therapy > A tax increase of 50 cent on a packet of cigarettes to help deter children from a life of addiction.

Negatives of Budget 2016 > No increase in the Direct Provision payment for children > Limited measures to protect families at risk of homelessness > No increase in the excise duty on alcohol. 14 15 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

Our Role as a Social We were appointed as the only New Law to Protect International Protection Partner children’s representative by Victims of Crime Act 2015 As a dedicated Social Partner, Minister for Justice and Equality, We made recommendations so We shaped the law so that it is we bring children’s issues to this Frances Fitzgerald, TD and Minister that child victims will be better more child-friendly for refugee unique form of engagement with for State with responsibility for protected in law. children. Government to secure change. New Communities, Culture and Equality, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD at Childhood is a precious place and This Act is important as it impacts The Children’s Rights Alliance is a the Departments of Justice and child victims of crime deserve on extremely vulnerable children nominated Social Partner on the Equality to the Working Group on every protection possible – up who are seeking protection, who Community and Voluntary Pillar. Direct Provision and the Protection to now this has not been the have been trafficked or are separated This allows us to give a children’s Process. case. During 2015, we completed from their parents. We wrote several rights perspective to engagement Our Catherine McGuinness Fellow, Catriona a child-focused review of the papers to identify issues for children, with Government Departments We worked very hard to Doherty BL presents to the Oireachtas Joint General Scheme of the Criminal and we presented before the Joint Committee on Justice on a range of issues, most notably successfully bring the voice Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2015. Committee on Justice, Defence budgetary issues. This high-level of children to the decision- This new law puts forward many and Equality to help shape the of interaction can help to ensure making table and shape far- changes to better protect victims development of this law. We were that decisions are made protect reaching recommendations in of crime and is long overdue, very pleased when in December, children from harsh budgetary the report. This was a unique keeping Ireland in line with a key Frances Fitzgerald TD, the Minister cuts so they can grow up free from endeavour involving five NGO EU Directive. We presented at for Justice and Equality announced poverty. and representatives from all an Immigrant Council of Ireland she would improve the protection of government departments. The final seminar in September, providing children in the Bill. She said this was recommendations were difficult a critique of the weakness of the prompted by “helpful engagement” to secure yet represent the most General Scheme to provide a right from the Children’s Rights Alliance. significant change in government Comhshaol, Pobal agus Rialtas Áitiúil of access to services for child The Minister accepted amendments Environment, Community and Local Government policy on asylum seekers in 15 victims. We also presented to the from the Alliance to make the years. Oireachtas Joint Committee on protection system more child- Securing Change for Justice, Defence and Equality in friendly. Since the report was published in October. The impact of these Children in Direct June, the Children’s Rights Alliance activities will be fully understood Provision and the has worked hard to ensure that the as the Bill progresses through the Protection Process child-related recommendations Oireachtas. We represented the voice of were implemented. We ran a children on a Working Group campaign event in December that made recommendations outside the gates of Leinster House on child protection, welfare and with the support of Barnardos developmental issues for children and ISPCC to encourage the in direct provision. Government to increase the direct provision payment for children. There are nearly 1,300 asylum This resulted in the first increase seeking children living in a system in nearly 16 years by €6. A small of direct provision where they amount but it’s a start. largely live in B&B and hotel type accommodation. The problems We also succeeded in encouraging for children in direct provision are the Department of Children and well documented by the Special Youth Affairs and the Reception Rapporteur on Child Protection, and Integration Agency to carry Professor Geoffrey Shannon. out the first Government-led Their experience varies hugely consultation with asylum seeking with some children growing up children. This will be published their whole lives never seeing in 2016. The Government also their parents cook a meal or agreed to lift restrictions preventing living in overcrowded bedrooms. asylum seeking children from HIQA reported in May 2015, that complaining to the Ombudsman Athlone, Co. Westmeath direct provision centre many children were experiencing for Children. extreme poverty with not enough clothes or toys. 16 17 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

Protecting Children from Smoking is the largest cause of Smoking preventable death in the world We supported a campaign to so we support any steps made to Aim 4 introduce plain packaging for reduce the numbers of children cigarettes that will help stop from smoking. We continued to children from smoking. work with the fantastic campaign Building Internal by the Irish Heart Foundation, the Irish Cancer Society and a Capacity coalition of children’s charities to support the Government’s plans to standardise cigarette packets to stop children from Ensure the Children’s Rights smoking. In March, the Public Alliance has the Internal Robust Governance Compliance Statement on our website under ‘Our Promise to Health (Standardised Packaging Capacity to Fulfill its of Tobacco) Act 2015 was Alliance supporters’. Strategic Aims Structure enacted, introducing standardised The Children’s Rights Alliance is packaging for tobacco products. a company limited by guarantee Board without a share capital. It is governed The Children’s Rights Alliance is During the year, we also made Key publications under by a Memorandum and Articles of governed by a Board of Directors submissions to the Department who are elected by the members, Aim 4 in 2015: Association, which were last amended of Health on the introduction of at our AGM on 28 May 2013. and with additional limited an EU Directive on Tobacco and provision for up to two co-options > Annual Review 2014 to provide additional expertise/ on legislation around the sale of Compliance tobacco and e-cigarettes. > Weekly Oireachtas Monitors perspective. Elected potential We are registered with the Charities > Information E-Bulletins for board members are nominated Regulatory Authority. We comply Members and Friends. by members and elected by with The Governance Code for secret ballot at AGMs. At every the Community, Voluntary and AGM, one-third of the Board must Tanya at photocall marking introduction Charitable Sector in Ireland. We are retire or stand for re-election. The of legislation banning smoking in cars with fully signed up to the Statement of children, alongside James Reilly, TD, Minister independent Chair of the Alliance, Guiding Principles for Fundraising for Children and Youth Affairs, Leo Varadkar, Top: Some members of staff and Board of the Tom Costello, is the sole co-optee TD, Minister for Health and Senators Children’s Rights Alliance drawn up by the Irish Charities currently. Co-optees are subject to Tax Research Ltd. You can read reappointment at each AGM. our Donor Charter and Public

BOARD MEMBERS MEETING ATTENDANCE Paul Gilligan, Chair (retired in April 2015) 2/2 Aine Lynch, Vice Chair (retired in May 2015) 3/3 Noreen Flynn 6/7 Fergus Finlay 7/7 Jackie O’Callaghan 0/7 Michael Barron 4/7 Denise Charlton 5/7 Tom Costello 6/7 Tess Noonan (elected in May 2015) 6/6 Catherine Keane (elected in May 2015) 4/4 Robert Martin (co-opted in May 2015) 1/3 STAFF IN REGULAR ATTENDANCE Chief Executive 7/7 Office and Finance Manager 7/7 18 19 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

The Board is supported by a committee structure which deals with specific Auditors aspects of the company’s business. There were two standing committees in 2015: The annual audit of the Children’s Rights Alliance is undertaken by JPA Brenson Lawlor Chartered Accountants. They were appointed at our AGM in May 2015.

AUDIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS This Committee is responsible Aine Lynch for effective review and (retired in May 2015) Farewell and Welcome to Chair and Board Members “… I find all CRA [Children’s monitoring of financial risks; Denise Charlton Rights Alliance] processes reliable management and (retired in May 2015) We bid a very fond farewell to Paul Gilligan who was our highly-regarded inclusive and have a strong financial reporting; ensuring Noreen Flynn Chairperson since 2009. Paul was an excellent chair and deeply committed impression CRA listens to its compliance with laws/ Robert Martin to the children’s rights cause. Always a fantastic source of advice and wisdom, membership - nice one!” regulations; and maintenance (retired in December 2015) perhaps the greatest highpoint during his tenure was the passing of the of an effective and efficient Michael Barron Children’s Rights Referendum, something Paul had called for over many years. Quote from a Children’s Rights audit. The Audit Committee (retired in May 2015) Alliance member We held a special event for Paul in March to formally thank him for his incredible meets four times a year in Tom Costello contribution. We look forward to ongoing, future collaboration with Paul and his advance of Board meetings. Colm Bryson, Independent fantastic team at St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services.

This Committee was expanded Staff in regular attendance In 2015 we welcomed our new Chair, Tom Costello. Tom joined the Board to become the Finance, Chief Executive in 2014 as the Vice-Chair. He recently finished as Programme Executive at Audit and Risk Committee in Office and Finance Manager The Atlantic Philanthropies after 14 years advising on investments spanning September 2015. programmes for Children, Older People, and in Education and Community Development. He is a member of the Charities Regulatory Authority Board and has held positions on the Faculty of the Irish Management Institute, and REMUNERATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS as Director of Programme Development with FÁS and the Youth Employment This Committee meets once a Tom Costello Agency. Tom’s early career in the voluntary sector included stints as Director year to set and review all staff Denise Charlton of the National Youth Council of Ireland and President of the Union of salaries and pensions. Robert Martin Students in Ireland. We are thrilled to have Tom as our new Chairperson and (retired in December 2015) look forward to working with him. Noreen Flynn In 2015 we bid a farewell to longstanding Board member Áine Lynch. Áine Staff in attendance was a terrific asset to the Children’s Rights Alliance as Treasurer and Vice Chief Executive Top: Paul Gilligan, outgoing Chairperson Chair. At the end of 2014, Carmel Corrigan also stepped down from the Board Bottom: Tom Costello, new Chairperson and we heartily thank her for all her work. Robert Martin retired from the Board in December 2015 and we thank him for his input. Jackie O’Callaghan departed from the Board in December 2015 also. In 2015, we welcomed Tess Finance Noonan (ISPCC), Catherine Keane (Alcohol Action Ireland) and Robert Martin (Independent) onto the board. The management accounts are prepared in the Children’s Rights Alliance by appropriate personnel with the necessary expertise and in accordance with best practice. In 2013, the Board adopted a Financial and Internal Controls Policy and the accounts are prepared in accordance with this policy. Impactful Relationships Act 2015, Are We There Yet? Report and in relation to The audited accounts comply with the requirements of Companies Act 2014 Communications HIQA reports on Direct Provision and although not obliged to comply with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), we 2015 and Ballydowd special care unit, have implemented its recommendations in our audited accounts. as well as on the issue of corporal punishment. 2015 was another impactful year Financial Overview for the Children’s Rights Alliance in Our new and responsive frontend Income and Expenditure for the Year Ended 31 December 2015 terms of our communications. to the website continued to load faster, look cleaner and work well We secured sustained broadcast, on mobile devices. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 2015 2014 online and print media interest Income €701,896 €753,299 throughout the year, particularly Expenditure €530,385 €802,253 at the time of the launch of Report Net Incoming (Outgoing) Resources for Year €171,511 (€48,954) Card 2015, the Children and Family Total General Funds carried forward at end 20 of year €599,693 €428,182 21 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

Website: We had 107,396 unique The Atlantic Philanthropies has “…It helped clarify how you users visit the website in 2015.This been a champion of the Children’s can meaningfully engage in is a 27% increase on 2014. Rights Alliance through its Children government policy The Atlantic Philanthropies – Champions for Children and Youth Programme. Atlantic development. While not Social media: 1,775 new followers made a three-year investment in Overall, the Atlantic Philanthropies has invested $1.2b in Ireland over almost everything we were looking for on Twitter (total end 2015 approx. the Alliance from 2014-2016. This thirty years to advance higher education, human rights and services for the 8,275) and 842 new Facebook includes a capital grant to enable came about, it was clear that young and old in Ireland. The Children’s Rights Alliance has been a recipient page likes (total end 2015 approx. the Children’s Rights Alliance to the process impacted on the of core funding from Atlantic since the late 1990s and year-on-year, this 5,572). purchase a permanent building. legislation that was brought support has been the largest source of funding to us. The value of such core about.” funding cannot be overstated. Such support has allowed us to fully retain Press releases: 39 press releases We also raised a further €151,286 our independence with the freedom to react to a range of children’s rights Quote from a Children’s Rights were issued in 2015, an increase of (excluding membership, see issues as they arise. This has helped us to secure many important milestones Alliance member 21 from 2014. below) for other projects, training, for children over the last number of years, perhaps most important of these consultancy and donations. has been ensuring children’s rights are better reflected in the Constitution. A Radio and television: We appeared massive thank you to The Atlantic Philanthropies for continually believing in us on all major national news agenda Our flagship annual Report Card and helping us make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. setting stations and local stations project continued to benefit from and there were at least 250 three-year funding campaign broadsheet, tabloid, regional and from the Community Foundation online newspaper mentions of for Ireland, the Katharine Howard us in 2015. Television and radio Foundation and the Irish Youth interviews included: RTÉ Radio Foundation covering 2014 to 2016. 1 Morning Ireland, RTÉ Radio 1 Representing a total of €127,500, Drivetime, RTÉ News at One, RTÉ their support of the Report Card Television News, RTÉ Nuacht, TV3 will help us achieve many more News, TV3 Tonight with Vincent changes for children in Ireland. Our Forever Home - Children’s Rights Hub in Red Cow Lane Browne, UTV Ireland, Today FM’s A funding partnership was agreed The Last Word, Newstalk Breakfast with The Bar of Ireland to endorse Along with our member organisation, EPIC – Empowering People in and numerous regional stations. and support the Catherine Care, in 2015 we purchased our ‘Forever Home’ at 7 Red Cow Lane, McGuiness Fellowship for three- Smithfield, Dublin 7. By securing a donation of €200,000 from The years and funding was also Atlantic Philanthropies along with some of our reserves, we purchased a secured from the Family Lawyers five-storey building in the heart of one of the most up-and-coming areas Building a Association of Ireland for this of the city. The team moved to the new building in February. This will Top: Emma McKinley our Communications undoubtedly help create a sustainable future for the organisation. Our and Development Manager oversees the Sustainable project. sustainability plan, media activities and is our vision is to create a children’s rights hub for members and other non-profit brand guardian Organisation Being a strong independent organisations, while securing valuable rental income at the same time. Bottom: Children’s Rights Alliance website voice for children is core to the This dream is coming to fruition and we have already rented out some of The Children’s Rights Alliance work of the Children’s Rights the space to organisations including EQUATE, the Prevention and Early continued to receive core Alliance. Membership income is Intervention Network and the Katharine Howard Foundation. funding from the Department “Very well briefed by CRA an important way to guarantee of Environment, Community [Children’s Rights Alliance] and that independence. Members A special thanks is due to our solicitor Eamonn Shannon, to John McKay and Local Affairs for our work in CRA happy to take views on pay a fee ranging from €70 (for in Ganly Walters and to Jane Forman in The Atlantic Philanthropies for representing children’s issues on organisations with an income 7 Red Cow Lane – our forever home their help in making this happen! board” Social Partnership and to act as a under €50,000) to €1,000 (for national network. The Department Quote from a Children’s Rights organisations with an income Alliance member of Children and Youth Affairs also over €2 million). Thanks to our supported the Children’s Rights many members, our membership Alliance to deliver critical projects income increased from €27,858 relating to Ireland’s review under in 2014 to €30,220 in 2015. To the UN Committee on the Rights further sustain the organisation, a of the Child and supporting the Thanks to our funders Member Development Fund has national implementation of policy been established to provide greater for children. In total we received Our work for children could not happen without the support of our funders. funding for the organisation to €193,314 in government grants. We thank you for believing in us. ensure our independence and responsiveness to members. 22 23 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

New Members Dental Health Foundation Irish Association for Infant The Dental Health Foundation Mental Health Membership We welcomed nine new full (DHF), governed by a Board Affiliated with the World members in 2015, increasing our of trustees from both public Association for Infant Mental and private dental practice, is a Health, the Irish Association for The size and diversity of our membership gives the Children’s Rights Alliance membership to 113 by the end of charitable trust with the aim of Infant Mental Health (IAIMH) is a its credibility, mandate and voice for children. Our members are integral to December 2015. We also now have improving the oral health of the non-profit national organisation our work, informing our advocacy and helping us translate the reality that 21 individual members and one Irish people. Since its establishment of professionals from a range of children and families face into national policy making. We have established a Associate member. the DHF has emerged as a unifying disciplines, who work with infants, number of working groups comprised of members and stakeholders to work voice in the field of oral health toddlers, and their families. IAIMH’s on specific issues. In 2015, groups worked on: 22q11 Ireland Support Group The 22q11 Ireland Support Group promotion, working with a wide mission is to raise awareness variety of interested parties to about the social and emotional > Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for was set up in 2007 to provide help, champion change. development of babies and Children and Young People 2014-2020 support and accurate information toddlers and the importance of > Parallel Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Project to Irish families. Our children early care giving relationships > Children and Family Relationships Bill are heroes. They are born with a including the role of families, > Working Group on the Protection Process chromosomal disorder that not community, and culture. It also > Child and family homelessness. too many people know about (including us!) which means that supports education, training, basically they grow up in a world research, clinical practice, and surrounded by adults who do Extern Ireland policy development in the area of A busy members meeting on homelessness Membership Benefits at 7 Red Cow Lane in September not understand their condition. Extern Ireland works with young infant mental health. Apart from their many medicinal people at the edge of care/ By joining the Children’s Rights Alliance, members can: problems the neuro-cognitive custody and their families. They profile of 22q 11 is not very well aim to change people’s lives, > Be part of a well-recognised national voice that is led by its members and recognised and this lack of by meeting them at their point works collectively to achieve real change for children awareness can and does cause of need bringing solutions > Inform our research, shape our policy and set our agenda distress both to the children and delivering quality services > Receive our information updates, newsletters and weekly Oireachtas/ themselves and those involved in reconnecting them with society, parliamentary monitor detailing what is happening for children their care. building better communities for Suas Educational Development > Access to our expertise, networking opportunities and training on us all. They provide supports to The vision of Suas Educational children’s rights. young people and families in their Development is a world where all local communities as they are young people have the opportunity committed to positive community to reach their full potential. Suas Membership Survey inclusion and believe everyone has believes education can transform the ability to contribute positively lives. They provide education to In 2015 we surveyed our members to ensure that we are being effective. The in society. the children that need it most in results of this survey were incredibly positive and will be used to guide the Disability Federation of Ireland Ireland, India and Kenya. They review of our Member Strategy for the next two years. The Disability Federation of Ireland educate young people about (DFI) represents the interests and global issues that cause poverty Our impact on members the expectations of people with and inequality. disabilities to be fully included > 95 per cent of the members surveyed view membership as being value for in Irish society. It comprises money organisations that represent and Gaelscoileanna Teo > 75 per cent of members surveyed view membership as being quite or support people with disabilities and Gaelscoileanna Teo is a national extremely important to their work disabling conditions. support organisation in the pre- > 54 per cent of members surveyed had taken part in member working school, primary and post-primary groups Irish medium education sector. > 89 per cent of members surveyed are happy with the strategic direction of It offers support, advice and the Alliance. assistance to all those who wish to have their children educated through Irish as well as support and advocacy to the naionraí and schools and the entire sector.

24 25 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

The Prevention and Early Oireachtas Monitor and Intervention Network eBulletin – Children’s Our People The Prevention and Early Rights Now! Intervention Network (PEIN) is The Children’s Rights Alliance benefits from a dynamic, expert a network of evidence-based We publish a weekly Oireachtas and committed team of individuals. practice, advocacy and research Monitor for members, providing organisations across the Republic a round-up of children’s issues of Ireland that share a commitment CHILDREN’S RIGHTS ALLIANCE STAFF discussed in the Oireachtas. “A fine organisation, thanks for to improving outcomes for The updates include debates, (AT DECEMBER 2015) children, young people and their all that you do!” written and oral questions and communities. The majority of our Committee sessions that have Tanya Ward Quote from a Children’s Rights members specialise in delivering Alliance member taken place in the previous week. prevention and early intervention Chief Executive In our membership survey the programs to help children, families Members rated the monitor as the and communities to realise their Legal and Policy Team most useful publication that we potential. Their network website develop. This unique publication Maria Corbett showcases more than 40 such is produced by Julie Ahern, our Legal and Policy Director & Deputy Chief Executive programmes in the Republic of Membership and Public Affairs Edel Quinn Ireland which have been delivered Officer and is disseminated by and independently validated. Senior Legal and Policy Officer, Attorney-at-Law email to members and placed on Catherine McGuinness Fellow our website. Catriona Doherty, BL Julie also compiles our very successful Children’s Rights Now! Communications and Development Team Teachers’ Union of Ireland eBulletin. Launched in 2014 Emma McKinley The Teachers’ Union of Ireland and totally unique to members, (TUI) is a Trade Union organising Communications and Development Manager it provides Children’s Rights teachers and lecturers in Ireland Julie Ahern Alliance updates, legal, policy and engaged in post-primary, higher Membership and Public Affairs Officer political developments, as well as and further education. TUI employment, training and funding represents over 14,500 members opportunities for the sector. Administration and Finance at second and third level in the Patricia Hoey education service. The Union is made up of 62 Branches in 19 Office & Finance Manager Areas. In 2015, we also gained from the invaluable support of several interns including: Cathleen Day (University of Tulsa), Lisa Ennis (Maynooth University), Lauren Flanagan (UNCRC Intern), Hazel Kerrigan (UCD Clinical Legal Education), John Morrissey, Ceara Martin (Maynooth University), Jennifer Murphy (Carlow IT). We greatly appreciate their time and commitment!

We said a sad goodbye to Ken Reid our Information Officer after eight years. Ken was an integral part of the team and is very much missed. We also bid farewell to Saoirse Brady, Research and Projects Manager, a valued member since 2013.

Julie Ahern, Membership and Public Affairs Office compiles the popular Oireachtas Monitor, the eBulletin and implements the membership strategy

26 27 Children’s Rights Alliance Annual Review 2015

Promoting Children > Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – NGO and Young People Standing Committee on Externally Human Rights > Ryan Report Implementation Plan Monitoring Group The Children’s Rights Alliance promoted the rights of children by Non-Governmental Organisations participating and being represented > Children’s Mental Health on the following entities during Coalition 2015. > Child Care Law Reporting Project Advisory Group International > Economic, Social and Cultural > Eurochild Rights Initiative led by Amnesty > Child Rights Connect International > EQUATE (Advisory Board) Government / Statutory > Equality and Rights Alliance > Better Outcomes, Brighter > Health and Children’s Charities Futures: National Advisory Standardised Packaging Council for Children and Alliance Young People > Our Voices, Our Rights, > Child Poverty Sub-Group co- NGO coalition responding convened with the to the second review of Department of Social Ireland under the UN Protection and the Children’s International Covenant on Rights Alliance under the Economic, Social and Cultural auspices of the National Rights led by FLAC, Free Legal Advisory Council for Children Advice Centres. and Young People as part of > Prevention and Early Better Outcomes, Brighter Intervention Network Futures > Saving Childhood Ryan Group > Community and Voluntary > Turn Off the Red Light led by Pillar, Social Partnership the Immigrant Council of > Working Group to Report Ireland to Government Working Group on the Protection Process on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers (until June 2015)

Edel Quinn, our Senior Legal and Policy Officer representing us in Brussels with Eurochild

28 The Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 Irish Girl Guides members working together to make Ireland one Irish Heart Foundation of the best places in the world to be a child. We Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) change the lives of all children in Ireland by making Irish Penal Reform Trust sure that their rights are respected and protected Irish Primary Principals Network in our laws, policies and services. Irish Refugee Council Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU) 22q11 Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Ag Eisteacht Irish Traveller Movement Alcohol Action Ireland Irish Youth Foundation (IYF) Alliance Against Cutbacks in Education Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation Amnesty International Ireland Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice ASH Ireland Kids’ Own Publishing Partnership Assoc. for Criminal Justice Research and Development (ACJRD) Law Centre for Children and Young People Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) Lifestart National Office ATD Fourth World – Ireland Ltd Mental Health Reform Atheist Ireland Mounttown Neighbourhood Youth and Family Project Autism Network Ireland MyMind Barnardos National Childhood Network Barretstown Camp National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers (NOTA) Bedford Row Family Project National Parents Council Post Primary BeLonG To Youth Services National Parents Council Primary Care Leavers’ Network National Youth Council of Ireland Catholic Guides of Ireland One Family Childhood Development Initiative One in Four Children in Hospital Ireland Parentstop COPE Galway Pavee Point Cork Life Centre Peter McVerry Trust Crosscare Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) Dental Health Foundation of Ireland Realt Beag Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, UCC SAFE Ireland Disability Federation of Ireland Saoirse Housing Association DIT – School of Social Sciences & Legal Studies SAOL Beag Children’s Centre Down Syndrome Ireland School of Education UCD Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Scouting Ireland Dun Laoghaire Refugee Project Simon Communities of Ireland Early Childhood Ireland Social Care Ireland Educate Together Society of St. Vincent de Paul EPIC Sonas Domestic Violence Charity EQUATE Special Needs Parents Association Extern Ireland SpunOut.ie Focus Ireland St. Nicholas Montessori College Foróige St. Nicholas Montessori Teacher’s Association Future Voices Ireland St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services Gaelscoileanna Teo Start Strong GLEN - Gay and Lesbian Equality Network Step by Step Child & Family Project Headstrong - The National Centre for Youth Mental Health Suas Educational Development Healthy Food for All Sugradh Immigrant Council of Ireland Teachers’ Union of Ireland Inclusion Ireland Terenure Rugby Football Club Independent Hospitals Association of Ireland The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children Inspire Ireland The Gaurdian Childrens Project Institute of Community Health Nursing The Prevention and Early Intervention Network Institute of Guidance Counsellors The UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway Irish Association for Infant Mental Health Traveller Visibility Group Ltd Irish Association of Social Workers Treoir Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway UNICEF Ireland Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) youngballymun Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) Youth Advocate Programme Ireland (YAP) Irish Foster Care Association Youth Work Ireland The Children’s Rights Alliance unites over 100 members working together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child. We change the lives of all children in Ireland by making sure that their rights are respected and protected in our laws, policies and services.

Children’s Rights Alliance 7 Red Cow Lane Smithfield Dublin 7 Ireland

Ph: +353 1 662 9400 Email: [email protected]

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www.childrensrights.ie