Author: Carole Coleman

The Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) is shining a light on the invisible army of kinship carers in Ireland who are providing full-time care to their relatives’ children without any formal support. These unsung heroes, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even young adults, step in during family crises such as parental death, addiction, or mental health issues. While the government pledged to address the lack of policy and support for these carers, the OCO is calling for urgent action and progress. Kinship Care Ireland estimates that there are thousands of families in this situation, with many more children in informal…