Family and care are the chief concerns of Irish children, according to a major survey of young people published today.
The results of the national 'Big Ballot', a poll of attitudes among children organised by the Ombudsman for Children, also show education ranks as the least important issue with only 12 per cent of young people considering it a major concern.
The survey found the importance of the family and the provision of alternative care when a child is without support were the most important issues for children, with nearly 32 per cent of those surveyed ranking them top.
Play and recreation were ranked second with 24 per cent considering it a major concern.
The survey, which sought the opinion of children in 1,000 schools and training centres across 20 counties, was conducted in an attempt to find out which issues were important to children and which they would like the Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, to work on over the coming years.
Commenting on the results, Ms Logan said: "Children and young people have a right to be heard. They have a right to express their opinions on the issues that matter most to them, and I have a responsibility to ensure that these issues inform the work programme of my Office."
"At a time when Irish society is changing dramatically, and families are facing significant challenges, it is particularly encouraging that children view the family as being of such critical importance.
Over the course of my national tour last month, I was struck by the number of children who articulated issues relating to the family. Today's results underscore many of these comments," she said.