11/05/2018 - Campaign Starts to Invite Expressions of Interest for Collaborative Forum

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone has today invited expressions of interest from former residents of Mother and Baby Homes and those with comparable experience in a County Home for membership of a Collaborative Forum. Family members of former residents and individuals providing related supports or advocacy are also eligible to apply for membership.

It is intended that majority membership will comprise of former residents of these institutions.

The establishment of the Forum is a direct response to the theme of “nothing about us without us” which emerged from the consultations with former residents of these institutions and their advocates. The Forum aims to support, facilitate and empower former residents to actively contribute to decisions on matters of concern to them and their families.

Launching the campaign the Minister said, “I am very pleased to announce the launch of an information campaign today seeking expressions of interest to participate in a Collaborative Forum of former residents of Mother and Baby homes and those with comparable experience in a County Home.

I believe this innovative approach will support and empower former residents to actively contribute to decisions on matters of concern to them and their families.

Application forms and an information booklet are available to download on my Department’s website. Information notices will commence in print media from this Sunday. It will also appear in national and regional newspapers during the following two weeks. A national radio campaign will commence next week also.

I encourage all interested parties to engage with the process and to apply for the Collaborative Forum.”

The closing date for applications is 5 pm on Wednesday 30th May 2018

Further information can be found here on our Departments website.