Children's Commissioner Helen D'Amato to stay on

Former Nationalist parliamentary secretary Helen D'Amato will continue her role as Commissioner for Children. This was confirmed by Social Policy Minister Marie Louise Coleiro Preca during a meeting at the ministry with the Commissioner.

Today's meeting is expected to brief the minister on the Commissioner's work and the way forward.

In a brief address to the press, the minister explained that priorities would be given to issues relating care orders, children in institutions, fostering and adoption. The minister is also seeking to strengthen the Commissioner's position, viewed as the voice of the children.

"Our goal is to also develop a comprehensive laws which gathers all that concerns children and one which reflects the UN convention on children's rights. We also want to hear the recommendations of the Children's Commissioner that will guide us in other aspects," she said, describing D'Amato as the "coordinating factor" that together with the ministry will help improve legislation and policies of other ministries.

She however complained that when she walked into the ministry, no documentation or files were available and that all she knew came through past literature and parliament sittings.

Asked whether the Commissioner will be given executive powers, Coleiro Preca said that her position will be evaluated and the necessary steps taken to strengthen the Commissioner's position.

The minister also said that the government was committed to give children a voice in the court of law, where whether a child is heard or not would not be at the discretion of the judiciary but part of the court proceedings.

Coleiro Preca said that the government's pledge to give 16-year-olds the right of vote during local council elections was another step which showed government's commitment towards youths.

On her part, Commissioner D'Amato said she wished to see more coordination between ministries on children's policy coupled with better legislation. She also highlighted the fact that while all children were vulnerable, special attention should be given to children in out of home care which she said were the most vulnerable.

She also said it was important that the adoption unit at Appogg is strengthened.