A special UN report on children's rights in Ireland has called on the Government to provide greater protection in the Constitution for children at risk of abuse.
The report follows hearings recently in Geneva in which the Irish authorities were asked to answer questions from international jurists and other experts.
In a comprehensive assessment released yesterday, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concern at the new age of criminal responsibility that means children as young as 10 could be found guilty of a serious criminal offence, and also criticised the slow implementation of the Children's Act.
The report was welcomed by the Ombudsman for Children, the Government, Opposition parties and children's support groups.
The Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, who has the responsibility for promoting children's rights and welfare in Ireland, welcomed what she said was a "grounded report".
"Of particular note are the many references to children who need additional support from the State," she said.
"They include children in care, separated children seeking asylum, children with disabilities, children with mental health difficulties, children in conflict with the law, support services in child protection, and children with special needs."
Ms Logan said she was pleased by the specific nature of the report, such as the recommended extension of the social work services provided to families and children at risk to a seven-day, 24-hour service.
Ms Logan said she was also satisfied that the UN committee had recommended the further strengthening of the Ombudsman for Children's office through direct funding from the Oireachtas and the Department of Finance.
The Minister of State for Children, Brian Lenihan, said the committee had recognised that significant progress had been made for children in Ireland since the last UN report in 1998 through the appointment of the Ombudsman for Children, the establishment of the office of the Minister for Children, and the adoption of the National Children's Strategy.
"In general, the committee agrees with the measures we have taken in a broad range of areas, though it has recommended speedier implementation of policy decisions," he said. "We accept that recommendation and will make all reasonable efforts to act upon it."
Regarding the committee's call for the strengthening of children's rights in the Constitution, Mr Lenihan reiterated that he is "engaged in an article-by-article examination, with a view to child-proofing the Constitution".
He said this work would be completed in a "matter of weeks", but that any change would need the approval of the people.
Mr Lenihan maintained that legislation, due to come into effect on October 16th, will raise the age of criminal responsibility from seven to 12 in all but the most serious cases.
Proceedings against children between 10 and 14 years will require the consent of the DPP, and the court will have the power to dismiss a case against a child under 14 where it determines that the child did not have a full understanding of what was involved on carrying out the offence.