merrion street

Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs today opened a
consultation with children (aged 8-12) seeking their views on the person
specification for the recruitment of the Ombudsman for Children. Speaking
at the event Minister Reilly said: “Today you will get the chance to give
your views on what kind of person the Ombudsman for Children should be. The
Ombudsman for Children is a really important job and we need to get the
views of children and young people so that the Public Appointments Service
can select the right person for the job.” The consultation process was
conducted by the Citizen Participation Unit of the Department of Children
and Youth Affairs.

“Tomorrow, we will have a similar consultation workshop with young people
(aged 13-17) so they can also give their opinions on the person
specification for the Ombudsman for Children,” added the Minister.

“Before you begin giving your opinions, you will be given information about
the role of an Ombudsman by Bernie McNally, Director General, of the Office
of the Ombudsman. Karen McAuley, the Participation and Education Officer in
the Ombudsman for Children’s Office will talk about some of the work done
in their office in recent years. You will also get important information on
the recruitment process by Áine Gray, Head of Assessment Services of the
Public Appointments Service,” stated Minister Reilly.

“At the end of each of consultation day, six children and six young people
will be selected to become part of the children and young people’s panel
for the recruitment process,” continued the Minister.

The Minister noted that the children and young people’s panel will be
involved in the following stages of the recruitment process for the
Ombudsman for Children:
• Developing, taking part in, and evaluating a role play with
candidates;
• Participating in the final interview panel.

“My Department will partner with the Public Appointment Service in the
provision of appropriate training in role play and interview skills. And
finally, the Public Appointment Service will oversee the appropriate and
respectful involvement of a number of children and young people from the
panel in role play sessions with candidates and of two young people in the
interview process,” concluded the Minister.

Ends//

Editors Notes

The involvement of children in identifying qualities for an Ombudsman for
Children occurs in many countries. It is now recognised as good practice to
appropriately involve children and young people in the recruitment
processes for an Ombudsman for Children.