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Children & young people

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ChildcareChild protectionCAMHSChild sexual abuse
Enacted

Guardianship of Infants and Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2026

The proposal would let a court restrict or remove a parent’s or guardian’s rights over a child where that guardian has been convicted of killing, or seriously assaulting, another guardian, or of another very serious offence that has harmed the child’s welfare. It also sets out how the Child and Family Agency can apply, how courts should review or delay orders until safe care is in place, and how children can be represented in those cases. The aim is to protect children while making the child’s best interests the main factor in every decision.
Dáil

Alleged fraud in online safety company

Deputy Lawless outlined allegations of fraud, unpaid wages and falsified contracts involving an Irish child-safety company. The Tánaiste declined to comment further because of the apparent Garda investigation.
Dáil

E-scooter injuries in children

Deputies raised the alarming rise in child injuries and traumatic brain injuries linked to e-scooters, and the Tánaiste agreed urgent action was needed. The discussion moved from possible bans to calls for workable regulation and parental responsibility.
Dáil

CAMHS response for Offaly teenager

Deputy Nolan raises an urgent case of a distressed teenager in Offaly awaiting CAMHS support, and the Tánaiste says the Minister of State will engage with the HSE and the system must better handle complex cases.
Seanad

Assessment of need delays

Senator O'Reilly backed Senator Harmon and described the crisis in assessments of need for families in Cavan and Monaghan, where a child was left waiting despite an early intervention preschool place.
Seanad

Bessborough site

Senator Harmon urged action on Bessborough in Cork, including possible negotiation, compulsory purchase, publication of burial records and an inquest. Senators Higgins and O'Reilly voiced support.
Seanad

LNG Bill guillotine and childcare

Senator Higgins criticised the guillotining of the LNG Bill, arguing it should not be rushed and should receive proper scrutiny. She then raised childcare, citing an early years affordability roadmap from SIPTU and the need for quality jobs and better services.
Seanad

Order of Business

The Leader outlined the motions due to be taken later, and Senators Fitzpatrick and McDowell criticised aspects of recent public policy and the planning regulations process.
Dáil

Education Policy

Updated SPHE curriculum now covers consent, healthy relationships and abuse at junior and senior cycle, with phased rollout to 2027 and extensive teacher training, while calls were made to move the content earlier and strengthen student engagement.
Joint Committee on Children and Equality

Child Protection Matters, Special Care and Special Emergency Care Arrangements: Tusla

Tusla outlined rising demand for child protection services, with almost 6,000 children in care, increasing referrals, and a sharp rise in separated children seeking international protection. It said special emergency arrangements have now been phased out in favour of regulated emergency placements with HIQA oversight, and admitted it cannot yet fully meet its statutory duty on special care because of staffing shortages. Members pressed Tusla on residential placement capacity, use of private providers, security staff in homes, aftercare, and the lack of capital investment in the community and voluntary sector. Tusla said recruitment, training and reform are under way, with a focus on expanding foster care, therapeutic supports and staff numbers.
Current

Protection of Children (Online Age Verification) Bill 2026

Aimed at child protection, the proposal would make websites, app stores and online services that host or generate pornographic content block access in Ireland unless the user first passes an age check. It also lets the Minister set acceptable ID documents, allows age checks to be done by approved third parties, and creates offences and penalties for non-compliance, including fines and prison terms.
Current

Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026

The measure tightens rules on nicotine products, especially vapes and similar items, by controlling how they look and are packaged, limiting the flavour names they can use, and restricting where they can be advertised or displayed. It also makes it an offence to sell nicotine consumption products to children, extends enforcement powers to cover these products, and adds stronger tools for inspections, notices, seizures and penalties.
Current

Civil Liability (Child Sexual Abuse Proceedings Against Unincorporated Bodies of Persons) Bill 2025

The bill would make it easier to take civil claims for child sexual abuse against unincorporated groups such as religious orders, clubs or societies, by allowing them to be sued in their own name rather than having to identify individual members. It also lets a court use an associated trust’s assets to pay damages in some cases, and gives survivors an extra year after the law starts to bring claims that would otherwise be out of time. This matters because the current rules can make it very hard to sue these groups, even where they are effectively responsible.
Seanad

Cavan hospital child care

Senator Tully raised a 12-year-old boy's delayed treatment in Cavan General Hospital and alleged that no doctor came despite repeated calls overnight.
Current

Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2026

The change would exempt certain early childhood education premises from business rates, including not-for-profit providers, some providers that receive Core Funding and cap fees at ECCE rates, and after-school, sessional and part-time care run from those premises. It would also exempt childminding services run from a childminder’s own home, including mixed-use homes where part of the building is lived in and part is used for childminding. This matters because it lowers costs for childcare providers and home-based childminders, which could help support access and affordability.