The Ombudsman for Children’s Office has commissioned a survey to mark its 20th anniversary, which found 36 per cent of secondary school children experienced discrimination and 15 per cent experienced racism.
The study also found students wanted more education on these issues and greater consequences when they happen
Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon says the cost of living, also featured prominently in the survey:
"I was surprised by the the fact that the top issue for children and young people was cost of living, and also the third issue was housing in the future. So it sort of shows an example that children are really anxious about what they're hearing around them and about the environment that they think they're going to go into as adults. And that really is concerning for me, that sort of shows that it's, they can't hide from what's going on in the current environment.
A third of teens also said they would like to see Irish language removed from school curriculums.
12 to 18 year olds ranked the cost of living, future housing, mental health, education and job opportunities as the biggest issues for young people.
Dr Niall Muldoon says there were a number of positives from the survey:
"71% of our children are really happy and they feel that they can reach their potential here in Ireland. You know, when they talk about it being a warm and wonderful place to be - that's fantastic. A lot of our children are open to the idea of therapy, and schools that they needed it. So, again, there's that openness to the possibility of that, helping them in the future."
