A cross border conference on child protection which is being held in Dundalk also heard of the need to develop common standards of vetting for the whole island of people with access to children.
The 'Beyond Borders' conference is organised by Barnardos and the Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
The three organisations are seeking greater co-operation between governments, health authorities, the education sector and police on both sides of the border and to develop a common approach to child protection.
