The Ombudsman for Children has said significant efforts are needed to address "persistent shortfalls", when it comes to safeguarding the rights of younger citizens.
Niall Muldoon's comments coincide with the publication of two reports on how the State is fulfilling its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Ombudsman says a "significant gear change" is required to ensure that the needs of children are better considered by the State and by the Government.
Dr Muldoon contends that this month’s Budget offers an opportunity to prioritise services which benefit children. He suggests that ring-fenced funding for mental health provision or disability services, would demonstrate a commitment to meeting obligations set out in the convention.
Ireland ratified the convention in 1991.
The reports published today are being submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, as part of an ongoing monitoring and assessment process.
One of the reports, 'Pieces of Us' details the views of thousands of children who took part in a nationwide consultation process to gather their opinions.
A second report, by the Office of the Ombudsman for Children (OCO), makes more than 40 recommendations on how the State can better meet its obligations to those aged under18.
The UN periodically examines progress in this regard and is due to have a constructive dialogue with the State early next year. The reports will inform those discussions.
Dr Muldoon says that innovative approaches are needed when it comes to making decisions impacting children. He points out that in the 'Pieces of Us' report, children outlined several issues they had with the provision of health services, particularly mental health services.
Concerns were expressed about long waiting lists and inadequate services.
Other areas of concern included education, exam reform and the impact of bullying in schools.
Dr Muldoon said children had ideas about the supports and changes that were needed and that they should be listened to.
The views of more than 5,500 children were gathered as part of the process to compile the report.
Research was carried out online initially and then by focus groups, which considered themes identified in the wider study.
Opportunities to play and take part in sporting activities were very important to younger children, with school also considered one of the ‘most-liked’ aspects of life for this cohort. Family and friends were "enormously important" to this age group too.
On the other hand, school, Covid-19 and a lack of leisure or play spaces were all identified as aspects of life that concerned some children under 12.
The survey found that children were also aware about wider societal pressures, such as the cost of housing, disability supports and racism.
Many of those aged 13 and older shared positive experiences of their younger counterparts when it came to education and family matters.
Others were critical of the State exam system, a lack of respect from adults or peers and the erratic provision of a range of services and infrastructure in different parts of the country.
Older children identified a need for change and improvement across a number of headings, including education, public transport and health.
The report takes in the opinions of those aged between 2 and 17 years.
Responses gathered from very young respondents reflect the topics that matter most to them. One pre-school child highlighted "doing the bailing" and "tractors" as their favourite thing, while another said they like it "when my sister loses her teeth because she shares her money with me".
The OCO report to the UN Committee says that impact of the pandemic on children's rights is one area worthy of further investigation and analysis.
The 65-page analysis raises concern about "challenges families can face" when children are suicidal and references "inadequacies in the response of services" to those children. The report says the State needs to strengthen measures to prevent suicide and self-harm, and to provide timely, safe access to appropriate services for those in need of them.
It also recommends that there should be independent monitoring and inspection of homeless and residential care services. The report says international protection accommodation should be routinely inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA).
The OCO says it is concerned too about "persistent discrimination" experienced by children on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and religion. It is calling for new strategies to cover these areas.
And the report says steps could also be taken to ensure the voices of young people are better heard. It calls for a promised examination of Scotland’s experience in lowering the voting age to 16 to be completed and says the Government should provide clarity about whether it plans to hold a referendum to allow a similar move here.
Other recommendations cover targeted supports for all children with disabilities, efforts to counter bullying and measures to improve the experience of children involved in court proceedings.
The report says those with special educational needs should be able to participate in an inclusive system, where strengthened and appropriate resources are provided.
