The ISPCC has called for constitutional reform to fully implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which today celebrates its 20th anniversary on Universal Children’s Day.
"The ISPCC is disappointed that, twenty years down the line, the UNCRC is still not fully operational in Ireland and we believe that further reform is needed in this area as a matter of priority," said chief executive Ashley Balbirnie.
She called for legislative change and constitutional recognition of children's rights in line with the UNCRC.
An ISPCC spokesman said children's rights are currently secondary to parents' rights by law. He said a child-centred approach was necessary to empower and protect children as well as enhance parenting, childcare services family structures, the community and society in general.
Children's Rights Alliance chief executive Jillian van Turnhout said: "To make children's rights a reality we must make children visible in the Irish constitution and work to improve the supports and services for children and their families.
"We want an Ireland where children in need of protection are listened to, where separated children are supported to keep them safe from traffickers, where child with mental health difficulties are cared for appropriately and not placed in an adult psychiatric unit. As a society we must tackle the ills of childhood poverty, homelessness and illiteracy which continue to plague children in Ireland. We must all work together to make Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child."
Dublin teenagers visited the Government Buildings today to sign Ireland's birthday card to the UN and question Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Barry Andrews on progress in implementing the UNCRC in Ireland.
Mr Andrews said: "I am proud of our work in listening to the voice of children and in developing the participation of young people in decision-making and policy formation. There is much more to do in this area, particularly in response to the Ryan Report and in developing a new National Children's Strategy to bring about joined up services for children across Ireland."
Universal Children's day is celebrated annually on November 20th to mark the day the UN Assembly adopted the UNCRC in 1989. Activities promote child welfare and understanding between children.