merrion street

Morrison Hotel, Dublin

Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs today opened a
consultation with young people (aged 13-17) 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.

“Yesterday, we had a similar consultation workshop with children (aged
8-12) who gave us really interesting opinions on the person specification
for the Ombudsman for Children,” added the Minister.

“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. This information will help you in discussing the most important
qualities of the Ombudsman for Children,” 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.