A clinical psychologist with almost 20 years experience in the field of child protection is to become Ireland's new Ombudsman for Children, it has been announced.

Subject to the approval of both houses of the Oireachtas, Dr Niall Muldoon will take up the post, succeeding Emily Logan who stepped down after a decade in the job to take up the position of Chief Commissioner of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

Almost 100 applications for the post were made and Dr Muldoon was selected by the Public Appointments Service following a process that began last September.

Dr Muldoon is currently the director of investigations at the Ombudsman for Children's office. He has held this post for two-and a half years and it involves overseeing almost 1,600 complaints per year.

He is a registered clinical and counselling psychologist, and was formerly the national clinical director of the children's charity, CARI, which provides therapy and support to children and families affected by sexual abuse.

The role of the Ombudsman for Children is to promote and safeguard the rights and welfare of young people up to the age of 18 years. It has the power to investigate complaints made by children and teenagers, or by adults on their behalf, about most types of schools and hospitals, government departments and certain public bodies.

The recruitment process included interviews and a role play session with children based on topics chosen by the children themselves.

For more information on the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, click here