NAME: Emily Logan

Occupation: Ombudsman for Children


Where are you from?
I was born in Limerick and brought up in Dublin.

What is your earliest childhood memory?
I’m one of seven so there are many memorable events, some of my most vivid memories involved injuries, the first I remember was my brother being bitten by a dog.

Are you a close family?
I spent most of my childhood with my siblings. Not all of them are living in Ireland so I don’t see them that often but in terms of love and loyalty, family will always come first.

Where did you go to school/college?
I went to Manor House School, Raheny, Dublin. When I left school I went to Temple Street Hospital to do children’s nursing. Most of my post grad education was in UCD.

Was there a teacher who had a particular influence on you?
I was quite unsure of myself at school and the person who influenced me was someone I felt understood that people blossom at different times.

How did you arrive at your current job as Ombudsman for Children?
I spent twenty three years working with children. In that time I saw many of what I believed were injustices toward children. This job offered me an opportunity to affect change and to try to make a real difference. I was interviewed for the job by 15 children between 11-17years and three adults, and following a debate in both houses of the Oireachtas I was then appointed by President Mary McAleese.

What are the main challenges of the role of Ombudsman for Children?
Sometimes people don’t believe the reality of some children’s lives or they feel that you are exaggerating that reality. Generating debate about these realities has been challenging.

What are the most common problems presented?
The most common problems relate to health and education provision. We can accept complaints from children directly and in this regard we hear mainly from children in care of the State. Often that relates to Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and having a say in decisions that affect you.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy the fact that you are in direct contact with the beneficiaries of your work, namely children and families.

Are you a workaholic?
No, but I do take my job very seriously and I give it as much energy as I can but I take my family just as seriously and do my best to get a good work life balance.

What do you do to chill out?
I find it hard to sit and be still so chill out time usually involves some physical activity.

Do you like living in Dublin?
Yes. Dublin has become a much more interesting place to live recently.

Have you a role model?
I have been inspired by many people I have met since I became Ombudsman for Children.

Are we as a nation taking good care of our children?
Generally yes, I think we haven’t lost our sense of family. I think there are still children and families living on the margins getting left behind and the gap seems to be getting wider.

Have you a message for teachers?
Not to underestimate the power they have in terms of making a connection for a child. I have met children for whom that one person has made a difference because they believed in them.

Have you a message for government?
Any government needs to be courageous and tackle the tough issues that will really make a difference to children’s lives.