Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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582. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the method by which new members of the mother and baby home collaborative forum will be appointed as vacancies arise. [43363/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The independent Selection Panel which I appointed to nominate representatives to the Forum for my consideration, selected 19 applicants from the expressions of interest received.

All 20 members of the Collaborative Forum, which includes the Chairman, are Ministerial appointments. Should a vacancy arise, I will consider any further appointments on a case by case basis, having due regard to the representative nature of the Forum.

A number of factors are considered when appointing a member to the Collaborative Forum. The key consideration in selecting a replacement for the Forum, will be maintaining a balanced and inclusive representation within the Forum, of the various Mother and Baby Homes and related institutions being examined by the Commission of Investigation.