A NEW children’s commissioner has been proposed by the Chief Minister.
Deputy Kristina Moore has asked the States Assembly to approve the appointment of Dr Carmel Corrigan, who is currently based in Ireland, for a six-year term.
The office will cost the public nearly £1 million to maintain over the term, an amount which is already accounted for in the existing allocated budget.
Dr Corrigan’s nomination comes after a recruitment process described as “comprehensive” and overseen by the chair of the Jersey Appointments Commission.
It included an initial technical interview with a former children’s commissioner for England and an interview with a panel of local children and young people.
Dr Corrigan is currently the head of participation and rights education at the Ombudsman for Children’s Office in Ireland.
Deputy Moore said: “Dr Corrigan’s experience and knowledge will be of enormous value in helping professionals to work together on the importance of children’s rights and in transforming understanding and acceptance throughout the community.”
Dr Corrigan said she was “committed to further enhancing and embedding the promotion, protection, and fulfilment of children’s rights in law, policy, services and in the wider community”.
Dr Corrigan would take up the role in the new year, with the exact date to be confirmed following approval by the States.
Since Deborah McMillan resigned from her post in 2022, the role has been filled on an interim basis by Andrea Le Saint.