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Subjects · Leaving Cert Politics & Society

Leaving Cert Politics & Society: Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC

How often Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC comes up on the Politics & Society papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 7 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

OL Asked on 6 of the last 7 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC, Higher Level(7 marks)

Quick ones on Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC.

(a)When did Ireland ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?
  1. 1948
  2. 1992
  3. 1937
(b)Under the UNCRC, who is the main duty bearer for children's rights?
  1. Private charities
  2. The child
  3. The State
(c)What does 'progressive realisation' of a right mean?
  1. States improve it over time as resources allow
  2. Rights must be delivered in full at once
  3. Rights are given to adults first
Show the answers

(a) 1992

(b) The State

(c) States improve it over time as resources allow

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 7 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2024. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Q1e
2023Q1g, Q4a
2022Q5
2021Q1l
2019Q1f
2018Not asked

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC questions

Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC, 2 marks

Which UNCRC article recognises the child's right to an adequate standard of living?

  1. Article 31
  2. Article 6
  3. Article 27
Show the answer

Article 27

Article 27 covers physical, mental and social development, with state help for parents on nutrition, clothing and housing: key for child poverty and homelessness.

Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC, 3 marks

What are 'unenumerated rights' in Irish constitutional law?

  1. Rights that are suspended in a national emergency
  2. Rights found by courts though not written in
  3. Rights that apply to non-citizens only
Show the answer

Rights found by courts though not written in

Irish courts have held that the Constitution protects some rights it does not list, e.g. bodily integrity (Ryan v Attorney General, 1965).

Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC, 3 marks

Why is child homelessness treated as a human rights issue?

  1. It undermines rights to health, education and play
  2. Children have a right to own their own property
  3. It breaches children's right to vote in elections
Show the answer

It undermines rights to health, education and play

Living in emergency accommodation can harm health, schooling and play (UNCRC Articles 24, 27, 28, 31). The State is the duty bearer.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 6 of the last 7 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2025. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q1e, Q1r
2024Q2
2023Q1t
2022Q1h, Q1i, Q2, Q4
2021Not asked
2019Q10
2018Q4

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC questions

Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC, 2 marks

Which two UNCRC articles deal with the right to education?

  1. Articles 12 and 13
  2. Articles 6 and 19
  3. Articles 28 and 29
Show the answer

Articles 28 and 29

Article 28 gives the right to education, including free primary schooling. Article 29 says education should develop each child's personality and talents and respect for rights.

Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC, 2 marks

What is a 'duty bearer'?

  1. A person who pays income tax to the State every year
  2. A person or body that must respect and protect rights
  3. Anyone who holds rights under the Convention
Show the answer

A person or body that must respect and protect rights

The State is the main duty bearer: it must respect, protect and fulfil rights. Parents, teachers and citizens can be duty bearers too. Everyone who has rights is a rights holder.

Human rights in Ireland & UNCRC, 2 marks

Which document, adopted by the UN in 1948, was the basis for later treaties like the UNCRC?

  1. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  2. The European Convention on Human Rights
  3. The Good Friday Agreement
Show the answer

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The UDHR (1948) set out rights for everyone. The UNCRC (1989) builds on it with rights specifically for children under 18.

Other Politics & Society topics

All of Leaving Cert Politics & Society