The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) has called on the Government to introduce measures to vet those wishing to work with children in Ireland.
The call comes in the wake of several recent attempted child abductions and the discovery of the bodies of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Suffolk, England.
Although acknowledging the abduction of the two girls would not have been prevented by such procedures, the ISPCC said procedures in Ireland are inadequate and compare poorly with those in England where a comprehensive system has been refined.
The concern is heightened in the light of increased freedom of movement within the EU and between Ireland and England.
The ISPCC has called on parents to exercise vigilance and common sense.
Investigations are continuing into attempted child abductions on both sides of the border. Police in Co Down called on parents to be vigilant after a nine-year old girl was approached by a man in a car on Friday night. The man asked to girl to get in, but she refused and walked away. The man then drove towards Belfast.
Gardaí are investigating three separate attempted child abductions made in Dundalk and south Co Dublin last week. Two girls, aged nine and ten, were approached by a man who offered them money to get into his car, in a housing estate in Dundalk on Wednesday. Another twelve-year old girl was approached the same evening.
Another approach made to three girls in Dún Laoghaire the same evening when the girls, aged 12 and 13 were offered money by a man driving Fiat Punto. The man, who had grey hair, was wearing glasses and is thought to be in his fifties or sixties.