The Ombudsman for Children has expressed concern at the Government's failure to introduce adequate vetting procedures for adults working with children.
Emily Logan said that despite year-old plans to expand the remit of the Garda vetting unit, many categories of workers, such as teachers, did not come under its remit.
She was speaking at the official opening of the Ombudsman for Children's office at the weekend by President Mary McAleese.
Ms Logan said many complaints to her office related to child protection issues, many of which were linked to the need for appropriate vetting procedures.
Minister of State with responsibility for Children Brian Lenihan announced a year ago that anyone hoping to be a teacher or work in a school, a creche or a children's sports facility, or in the voluntary sector with children, would have to obtain Garda clearance. However, 12 months later, only potential health board employees automatically face such checks.
Child protection issues account for a large volume of complaints to Ms Logan's office. They have increased by some 75 per cent since the profile of her office was raised by publication of the office's first annual report last May.
"My office is a little more than one-year-old, yet the demand for our services is growing at an enormous rate. In the past four months alone, almost the same number of people has contacted our office as in the previous 12 months," Ms Logan said.
"Furthermore, the nature of complaints is far more complex and sensitive than anything we have seen before, and many of the complaints we are receiving are from some of the more vulnerable members of society."
The Ombudsman for Children's main functions involve promoting the rights and welfare of children and investigating complaints made against public bodies, schools and voluntary hospitals.
She said: "The types of complaints we have received recently have raised many rights issues and demonstrate the urgent need for children to have express rights in the Constitution. I will report publicly on some of these complaints later in the autumn.
"We are determined that everyone who contacts our office will receive a high-quality service that meets their needs. As an organisation, we are committed to doing everything we can to help vulnerable children and young people," said Ms Logan.
At the opening of the new office, President McAleese said the work of the Ombudsman underlined the need to protect childhood and make the issue of children's rights a priority.
