The voice of the children of Ireland [IrishTimes]
- Published: 27 July 2010
The Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, is determined that children who do not have parents to fight for them will still be respected and protected by the State, through legislation, policies and public bodies, writes SHEILA WAYMAN
WHEN A parent of two children with special needs has to liaise with people from 24 different health specialities in an effort to secure services, it is clear there is something radically wrong with the system.
It was just one of the 900-plus complaints which the Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, handled last year, but it would not be atypical. The burden put on such parents is, she believes, unacceptable.
“The pursuit and organisation of medical and educational intervention for the two children took the form of constantly following up on the transfer of files, co-ordinating the relevant information, arranging and rearranging assessments and tests and generally petitioning for services on their behalf,” according to her recently released annual report for 2009.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
