Issues of family and care have emerged as the biggest concern for Irish children in the results of a unique ballot involving 69,000 primary and post-primary pupils nationwide.
Play and recreation has also polled strongly. Children cast their votes in schools and youth centres throughout the country earlier this month.
The five categories offered in the ballot received the following support: Family and Care 31.5%; Play and Recreation 24%; Having a Voice 16.5%; Health, Wealth and Material Wellbeing 16%; and Education 12%.
The Office of the Ombudsman for Children, which conducted the vote, said that the top result refers to the importance of the family for children and the importance of the provision of alternative care when a child is without support.
The Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, said that the vote was the most extensive process of consultation ever undertaken with Irish children.
'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,' she said.
Ms Logan said that the results of the ballot would inform the work programme of her office, and that she would also be informing policymakers and legislators of the study's findings.
About the vote
69,000 primary and post-primary pupils cast their ballots earlier this month on what they believe should be the priorities for the Ombudsman's office in the future.
In the vote, children were asked to nominate one of five issues that they felt the Ombudsman should concentrate on.
The five broad categories were: Children's Right to be Heard; Family and Care; Health, Wealth and Material Well-being; Education; and Play, Leisure and Recreation.
The results were announced by RTÉ's Miriam O'Callaghan at City Hall in Dublin this afternoon. Watch the ceremony here.
Download a detailed county-by-county breakdown of the results here.
