NEW TASKFORCE has been set up to advise the Government on the transition to a dedicated child welfare and protection agency.
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald yesterday named the 10-person taskforce which has been set up to advise the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on the necessary transition programme in establishing the agency.
Although formally announced yesterday, the agency held its first meeting last week. Among the responsibilities of the body are to advise on the appropriate service responsibilities of such an agency and their delivery.
The taskforce will be chaired by management consultant and former chairwoman of the Children First National Guidelines Maureen Lynott. The other members are: Jim Breslin, secretary general, Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Prof Pat Dolan, Unesco chairman and director of the Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway; Norah Gibbons, director of advocacy with Barnardos; Gordon Jeyes, HSE national director of Child and Family Services; Sylda Langford, former director general of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs; Dr Kevin McCoy, former chief inspector, Northern Ireland Social Services Inspectorate; Pat McLoughlin, chief executive, Irish Payment Services Organisation Limited; Ellen O’Malley-Dunlop, chief executive, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre; and Liam Woods, national director, finance, HSE.
Also yesterday, Ms Fitzgerald advertised on her department’s website a number of vacancies on State boards. Expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons are sought for the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Family Support Agency and the National Education and Welfare Board.