Policy and Research
Submission on the General Scheme of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023
Introduction We welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in their pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023. This long-awaited review and update...
Briefing to the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the topic of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023
Contact: Caroline Reid, Communications Manager | carolinereid@epiconline.ie | 087 216 2496 16 May 2023 EPIC's Opening Statement was delivered by Marissa Ryan, CEO of EPIC Good afternoon. We would like to thank the Cathaoirleach, committee staff and esteemed members...
Enshrining the Right to Independent Advocacy
Independent advocacy is a process of helping children and young people to express themselves, empower them to have a say and be heard on issues that affect their life and bring about positive change (with the help of non-governmental professional, known as an...
Headphones, Odd Shoes & A Second Chance at Life
An Exploration of the Experience of Children in Care & Care-leavers with Disabilities “For the ‘Headphones’, I would say... kind of you’re in your own reality, you’re not really paying attention to the world, and you’re just getting on with your day-to-day life as...
Submission to Public Consultation on the next Government Policy Framework for the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making
Introduction EPIC, Empowering People in Care is the only independent organisation in Ireland which works with, and for, children and young people in the care system or with care experience. A core part of the work of EPIC is the provision of an individual advocacy...
EPIC Advocacy Report 2021
This report gives an overview of the EPIC National Advocacy Service in 2021 EPIC’s National Advocacy Service works to empower children in care and young people with care experience to have a say and be heard on issues that affect their lives. This report gives an...
Briefing to the Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on Supports for Parents of Children in Care
Contact: Caroline Reid, Communications Manager | carolinereid@epiconline.ie | 087 216 2496 29 November 2022 EPIC's Opening Statement was delivered by Brenda Kneafsey, Advocacy Officer EPIC is a national organisation working with children in state care, young...
Briefing to the Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on Issues Related to Foster Care
Contact: Caroline Reid, Communications Manager | carolinereid@epiconline.ie | 087 216 2496 20 September 2022 EPIC's Opening Statement was delivered by Lauren O’Toole, EPIC Youth Council We would like to thank Committee members for inviting us here today, and we are...
Joint Submission: National Aftercare Policy for Alternative Care Review
Introduction Tusla’s National Aftercare Policy for Alternative Care, 2017 is now in its fifth year of delivery. There has been much learning accrued regarding the delivery of aftercare services since 2017, including from the perspective of care-experienced young...
Submission on the Draft General Scheme on the Inspection of Places of Detention Bill 2022
Introduction Following the publication of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Report in 2009 (the “Ryan Report”) a detailed implementation plan was published, with 99 recommended actions. One action stated that: “The HSE and Irish Youth Justice System will...