The outgoing Children's Ombudsman says garda community and child protection roles are not valued as much as they should be.
Speaking at the launch of her final annual report, Emily Logan says the use of garda powers to remove children from their families is not accountable and should be independently audited.
Ms Logan says the provision under Section 12 of the Childcare Act is used over 700 times every year with no record on how or why it is used.
She says the power is worth retaining but it needs to be audited.
The powers were used in the removal of two Roma children from their families last year.
Ms Logan says her investigation into that case is proof that the role is not taken as seriously as it should be.
She also says the remit of her office should be expanded to include complaints from parents in direct provision centres.
