Uncertainty reigns over children’s commissioner role

The ministry for the family and social solidarity kept mum when asked whether government intended to retain Helen D’Amato for another term as Commissioner for Children or whether it was planning on naming a successor.

Michael Farrugia’s ministry also remained silent on what led to this substantial delay and whether an individual had been aermarked for the role.

Sunday newspaper Illum reports that D’Amato’s term expired in May 2013, more than a year ago and the government has not made its intentions known yet.

“The government will take the relevant decisions regarding the position of commissioner for children in due course,” was the only reply given by the ministry.

Speaking to Illum, D’Amato said that initially she was told to remain in the role “unless informed otherwise”, but this was a temporary measure until a successor was appointed.

In fact, then minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca had launched a consultation process to see what qualities children wished to see in the new commissioner.

The process ended on 23 November and by 4 December, a finalised consultation document with the children’s opinion was presented to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Among other things, the document states that children wanted the new commissioner to be young and energetic, of around 30 years of age but not exceeding 45 years. Thus, a renewal of D’Amato’s term would be excluded if the government intended to keep with the children’s wishes.

Read more in today’s issue of Illum