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The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr Katherine Zappone announces the membership of a Collaborative Forum for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone, has today announced 19 appointments to a Collaborative Forum for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes, and those with a comparable experience in a County Home. The membership of the Forum is comprised, in the majority, of former residents of Mother and Baby Homes and those with a comparable experience in a County Home.
There are appointees who are advocates, and family members of former residents also.
The 19 members appointed to the Forum today are:
| Rosemary Adaser | Mary Lawor |
| Conrad Bryan | Susan Lohan |
| Carmel Cantwell | Samantha Long |
| Alice Carroll | Patrick McDonagh |
| Alice Coughlan | Alice McEvoy |
| Kathy Finn | Helen McGree |
| Mary Harney | Finbar O’Regan |
| Bernie Harold | Amanda Quigley |
| Terri Harrison | Paul Redmond |
| Sidney Herdman | |
Cabinet was informed of the appointments today. Announcing the Forum, the Minister said
“I want to thank each member of the Forum for agreeing to take on this ambitious and challenging task. The fundamental principle behind the Collaborative Forum is that those affected by a decision have the right to be centrally involved in the decision making process. I look forward to the opportunity for Government to work with this Forum to examine solutions to issues of concern to them and their families”.
The Charter, published in December 2018, will be the blueprint by which the Forum will conduct its work. The first meeting of the Forum will be held in Government Buildings on 26th July at 12pm.
The Minister thanked the members of the independent Selection Panel for their work in overseeing the nomination of candidates for appointment. The Panel had a challenging task to ensure its nominations achieved an appropriate balance and diversity of stakeholder perspectives and experiences. In delivering on its task, the Panel has ensured representation of mothers, children, family members, diaspora and other relevant groupings.
Minister Zappone thanked all who took the time to express their interest in participating in the Collaborative Forum, and each applicant will be contacted directly in relation to the outcome of the process over the coming days.
The Minister concluded by saying
“The membership of the Forum reflects its remit to support and engage with those who were resident for a time in these institutions and those with comparable experiences in the former County Homes. I look forward to working with them”