On Monday 8th February, the ISPCC North East branch called on all election candidates in the Louth and Meath constituencies to make and keep promises to children. The event, which took place in the Ballymascanlon House Hotel in Dundalk, brought together election candidates and professionals in areas such as child protection, welfare, education, and drug awareness among others. In her opening address, Danielle Lambe, Childline Supervisor, and ISPCC local coordinator for the event said: “These are not just National issues, plucked from a National database that has no specific relevance to us here. These are the issues that our children and young people are struggling with here in the North East, on our very doorsteps. The election candidates have a unique opportunity at hand, and we truly hope that they do not let it pass them by. They have the opportunity to make real, lasting, and positive change to the lives of children and young people in Ireland both today, and for generations to come. The ISPCC urges them to invest in our children, their childhoods, and the childhoods of children in Ireland for years to come” 14 candidates attended and all of them were prepared to #InvestInChildhood

Members of the ISPCC Children’s Advisory Committee were present at the charity’s Cork General Election event and have called upon all election candidates to make and keep promises to children.The ISPCC Cork held the first in a series of regional Election Events taking place around the country as part of their #InvestInChildhood Election Campaign. Former ISPCC volunteer and current Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Chris O’Leary, spoke passionately before the candidate’s discussion about his own experience of working with youth people in Cork City and County.

The ISPCC were delighted with the launch of the #InvestInChildhood campaign at the Dail and Buswell's hotel (Launch HQ) The event was well attended by press, election candidates, industry professionals, staff and young people. It was a landmark event to promote important discussion on the needs of young people in Ireland today. See the video for some of the highlights of the event.