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	Young people will have a major say in the recruitment of the next Ombudsman for Children.</p>
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	Current ombudsman Emily Logan will vacate the position on October 1 to take up a new role as Chief Commissioner of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.</p>
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	Our youth will be involved in all stages of the hiring process, from the development of the role specification, right through to the advertising of the position, interviewing and selection.</p>
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	It is described as a &quot;refined&quot; version of the process to hire first ombudsman Ms Logan in 2003. Up to 12 children will be directly involved in the interviewing process, following recruitment via the Irish Primary Principals&#39; Network, Comhairle na n&Oacute;g, and a number of NGOs.</p>
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	Organisers said they will ensure a mix of age, gender, race and socio-economic backgrounds, with particular focus on &quot;seldom heard&quot; children.</p>
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	Announcing the recruitment process organised by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), Children and Youth Affairs Minister James Reilly said it &quot;builds on the innovative work in the original selection process in 2003&quot;.</p>
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	&quot;I am particularly pleased with the extent to which children will play a role. This model has become regarded as best practice internationally.&quot;</p>
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	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/children-to-help-select-our-new-youth-ombudsman-30623185.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/children-to-help-select-our-new-youth-ombudsman-30623185.html</a></p>
