Latest news with #OCO
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Children's Ombudsman 'utterly dismayed' by rise in child homelessness
The Children's Ombudsman has said he is "exasperated and utterly dismayed" with the rise in child homelessness. Niall Muldoon was speaking as the Ombudsman's for Children's Office (OCO) publishes its annual report for 2024. "There were upwards of 4,500 children availing of homeless services at the end of 2024," Mr Muldoon said. "We still get complaints from people trying to access emergency accommodation. "It is clear that the delays these families are experiencing, due to the lack of available and affordable housing, is having a significant adverse impact on their children's lives," he added. Mr Muldoon said that the Ombudsman office has consistently called on the Government to review the support in place for children and families in homelessness. In a statement, the Department of Housing said child homelessness is not Government policy, however, addressing homelessness is a priority. "The new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, sets out a number of commitments around addressing family homelessness. "The plan commits to providing emergency accommodation for everyone who needs it, with special support for children impacted by homelessness; ensuring a holistic, cross departmental approach to homelessness prevention and focusing social housing allocations on getting families out of long-term homelessness," it added. "Increasing supply is key to addressing homelessness. The overall capital funding available for housing in 2025 is now over €6.5 billion. "In the first quarter of this year nationwide, 642 households, including 850 adults and 369 families, were prevented from entering emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy being created and in addition 628 households, including 796 adults and 277 families, exited emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy being created," the statement said. As well as highlighting the year-on-year rise in the number of families in emergency accommodation, the ombudsman's report also highlights the high volume of complaints the OCO receives about children's public services. In total, the OCO received 1,772 complaints in 2024. The complaints are increasing in complexity; 16% of complaints related to more than one agency, while 33% included multiple categories of concern. Education is the issue which OCO received the most complaints about, followed by Tusla and then children's health services. The OCO was established in 2004 to protect and promote the rights of children. Mr Muldoon said that many of the issues the OCO was advocating for two decades ago, are still not resolved. He emphasised that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is not fully and directly incorporated into Irish law. Although there has been "much progress" in that time, according to Mr Muldoon, there are still many areas where the complaints made to his office in its 20th year, are the same as what they heard in the first year. Complaints related to special education, access to health services, the standards of healthcare, access to disability services were all made in 2004 and also in 2024. "The consistency of the issues raised 20 years apart highlights for us again the need to properly place children's rights, all of them, at the forefront of policy decisions and service provision," Mr Muldoon said.
Muscat Daily
23-03-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
OCO distributes Ramadan aid in Yemen
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Salalah – Oman Charitable Organization (OCO) is distributing Ramadan aid in Hadhramaut governorate and around it in Yemen. This is part of the sultanate's ongoing humanitarian efforts to support the people of Yemen. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on needy families by providing essential food baskets through a structured distribution mechanism, ensuring aid reaches those most in need in coordination with relevant authorities. Officials in Hadhramaut expressed their gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the sultanate for their unwavering support. They commended OCO's efforts in assisting vulnerable families, particularly amid the economic challenges facing the governorate. Badr al Zaabi, Acting CEO of OCO, affirmed that this aid is an extension of Oman's longstanding humanitarian commitment to Yemen and that distribution efforts will continue ensuring support reaches the largest possible number of deserving families.
Muscat Daily
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Oman sends Ramadan aid to Yemen
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – Oman Charitable Organization (OCO) has sent Ramadan aid to Al Mahra governorate in Yemen, reinforcing the close ties between the two countries. A convoy of trucks distributed 28,500 food parcels among underprivileged families in various districts of Al Mahra. The aid aims to ease hardships faced by vulnerable families and provide relief during the holy month. Mohammed Ali Yasser, Governor of Al Mahra, expressed gratitude for Oman's support, acknowledging its vital role in providing aid, particularly amid economic difficulties faced by many families in the governorate. Badr Mohammed Ali al Zaabi, CEO of OCO, said, 'This aid reflects Oman's enduring humanitarian values and its responsibility to assist Yemen in times of need.' He added that OCO will continue to support humanitarian and development efforts to foster stability in the region.
Muscat Daily
19-02-2025
- General
- Muscat Daily
OCO to distribute 40,000 iftar vouchers
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – As part of its efforts to support low-income families during Ramadan, the Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) has begun distributing iftar vouchers. Forty-thousand vouchers will be provided to eligible Omani citizens through social development committees across the country, an OCO official said, adding that this initiative is part of OCO's ongoing mission to strengthen social solidarity during the holy month. Badr al Zaabi, Chairman of OCO, emphasised that this initiative reflects the organisation's commitment to supporting deserving families. He explained that OCO's aid distribution follows a structured and effective process, carried out in coordination with key partners, including social development committees, Omani Women's Associations, and various charitable teams across Oman. 'OCO is continuously working to enhance and refine its humanitarian efforts, ensuring the highest levels of efficiency and transparency in delivering Ramadan vouchers to those in need,' Zaabi stated. He further added that the organisation adopts best practices in managing charitable initiatives, particularly during periods requiring increased efforts.
