"Family and care" has emerged as the most important issue for children following the biggest ever consultation of young people in Ireland organised by the Ombudsman for Children.
The "big ballot" involved seeking the views of at least 200,000 people aged between four and 18 in more than 1,000 schools across the State.
Children were asked to vote on five issues that had been identified earlier through consultation by academics with a smaller group of children.
Almost one-third (31.5 per cent) said family and care was the most important issue, followed by play and recreation (24 per cent), having a voice (16.5 per cent), health, wealth and material wellbeing (16 per cent) and education (12 per cent).
There were some regional differences, with play and recreation the most important issue in the Connacht/Ulster area (29 per cent) followed by family and care (27 per cent). Family attracted the most votes in the Leinster area, (outside Dublin) with 35 per cent saying it was the most important issue in their lives. Education attracted the least votes of the five topics in most parts of the country. The results of the ballot were released at a function in Dublin's City Hall yesterday afternoon attended by hundreds of schoolchildren.
The ballot was the subject of a failed legal challenge earlier this month by a father of six who argued that the ballot undermined the rights of parents and was an "impermissible attack on the authority of the rights of parents".
However, the High Court rejected the case. Emily Logan, the Ombudsman for Children, said yesterday she would commit to working on the issues prioritised by young people over coming years. "Children and young people have a right to be heard. They have a right to express their opinions on the issues that matter most to them and I have a responsibility to ensure these issues inform the work programme of my office," she said.
The importance of family in children's lives was particularly encouraging at a time of dramatic social change, she said.
"Over the course of my national tour of schools last month, I was struck by the number of children who articulated issues relating to the family. I have already called for families to be given more support in my submission on the Constitution and much of my work is dedicated to working with children and families who need assistance," Ms Logan said.
"I will continue to press for improvements in how children in care are supported by the State and ensure that children with intellectual disabilities receive the proper support and assistance they need."
In the meantime, Ms Logan said the results of the ballot will be brought to the attention of policymakers and legislators in order to influence developments which may have a positive impact on the lives of young people.
She said her office was also involved in a new project to develop "child-friendly cities", aimed at encouraging adults, children and young people to work together to make their town, city or county a better place for families.
The project is in its early stages and is due to launch on a pilot basis with Laois County Council early next year.
Sociologist says young are growing up alone: page 8
