ISPCC to invest €40m over next five years

The ISPCC said today it would invest €40 million over the next five years to make the organisation's new strategy, Child Citizen,a success.

According to the society's director of funding, Michael Sheridan, most of the money will be raised through direct funding from the public and some through corporate support.

ISPCC Chief Executive Paul Gilligan said that key components of the strategy were to allow every child be able to access an ISPCC service if necessary.

He also said the society should make use of technology, including text messages and web-based services.

The strategy aims to address the issue of advocacy to ensure children's rights and participation as citizens.

Mr Gilligan said the ISPCC would "hassle plea, beg, bribe do what we have to do to get real legislative change so children can be real participating citizens."

Speaking at the launch the Minster for Children, Brian Lenihan praised the key tenets of the strategy saying he hoped it "will make a contribution to bettering the lives of children"

"We know that there are some children who will need the support of the statutory and non-statutory sector if they are to have experiences and opportunities that will allow them to fulfill their potential as children and as adults, in the future," the Minster added.