There has been a broad welcome to the publication of landmark legislation, making the reporting of child abuse mandatory for named professions.
The Children First Bill 2014 is aimed at giving legal clarity to teachers, clergy members, gardaí and medical staff to ensure they bring all suspicions of abuse or neglect forward.
The Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald is warning organisations they could face funding cuts if they do not fully comply.
Since 1997 successive governments have promised to make reporting of child abuse cases mandatory under Irish law. 17 years later, Minister Fitzgerald is finally publishing the Children First Bill after it was approved by Cabinet last week.
Under its provisions, professionals and clergy members will be legally obliged to come forward with any suspicions of abuse or neglect.
Withholding that information is already a crime and Frances Fitzgerald says this new Bill will bring child protection full circle.
She says funding will be looked at if groups fail to fully support the legislation.
The Executive director of One in Four, Maeve Lewis, has welcomed publication of the Bill. However she said it is disappointing that there are no sanctions against those who fail to comply.
