The Young Ireland Advisory Council will provide a forum for civil society and independent experts to advise and support the development and implementation of policies in respect of children and young people.

The Advisory Council will review and provide feedback on the implementation of Young Ireland, with a particular focus on the three Spotlight areas:

• Child and Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing,

• Disability Services, and

• Child Poverty and Well-Being.

The Advisory Council will also provide feedback on the implementation of other cross-government focused strategies for children and youth, such as First Five, the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making Action Plan, and progress on Young Ireland’s Enabling Environment.

The Young Ireland Advisory Council is one part of the governance structures being established to drive the implementation of Young Ireland. Existing civil and public servants will not be members of the council but will instead be represented at the Children and Young People’s Policy Forum. Further information about the overall governance structures is available in section 5 of Young Ireland (Governance).

DCEDIY are seeking expressions of interest for membership on the Young Ireland Advisory Council. Please note that this is an unpaid, voluntary membership, with travel and subsistence paid at domestic civil service rates.

Members should have experience in one of Young Ireland’s spotlight areas, or wider relevant experience, where this experience is relevant to the priorities of Young Ireland. For example, this could include people with expertise in play and recreation or the digital environment.

Membership will be balanced to ensure an appropriate mix of experience across the council. Due consideration will also be given to the diversity of the Council across the equality grounds. Please note that when considering expressions of interest for this council, the key consideration will be achieving the best balance and range of experience and perspectives. Particular consideration will be given to expressions of interest from individuals or from organisations who have not had the opportunity to serve on the previous Council.

Membership will be reviewed periodically, with initial membership expected to last 2.5 years. As implementation of the policy framework moves on, new spotlights may be added, so it will be necessary to review membership of this council to ensure it maintains a focus on spotlight areas, and ensure appropriate representation. This will also help us hear from as wide a range of organisations and experts as possible, in a fair and balanced way.

Please note the Young Ireland Advisory Council is not an advocacy, issue based or lobbying group, and members are not expected to focus on a sole issue of interest to them, but rather to engage fully in the remit of the group to act as part of the monitoring structure of the Young Ireland Policy Framework and its actions.

Respondents must be able to demonstrate the following:

• At least five years’ work experience, with at least two of these years relating to children and young people in Ireland;

• Experience or knowledge in at least one of the Spotlight or Priority areas in Young Ireland;

• That they are currently active on a paid/voluntary/other capacity in an area of work related to children and/or young people;

• Evidence of direct engagement with children or young people within their work experience, whether directly working with children/young people, consulting with children or young people, or other form of engagement; and

• An understanding of the aims, priorities and objectives of Young Ireland.

A small panel of representatives of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Health, as well as an independent panellist will undertake the selection process and make recommendations for appointment to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The panel will assess potential candidates once they meet the minimum criteria under the following headings (as appropriate):

– Experience;

– Specialist Knowledge;

– Experience of engagement with related public policy advisory groups; and

– Understanding of key challenges and their contribution to the Council.

The selection process will aim to ensure that the membership of the Committee represents a broad and diverse range of people with expertise across the spotlights and focus areas of Young Ireland. The final membership will need to reflect not just individual suitability, but also diversity of expertise and perspectives.