I propose to take Questions Nos. 489 and 490 together.
The Collaborative Forum is the bespoke mechanism that I established to facilitate the active participation of former residents by identifying their concerns and recommending actions and solutions to address these matters.
The Forum's membership is comprised of a majority of former residents of Mother and Baby Homes and County Homes who were selected for appointment through an independent selection process. The Forum is a direct progression from the facilitated meetings which I arranged with former residents and the Charter for the Forum was informed by the issue raised at these meetings.
The Collaborative Forum has submitted its first report to me and I am meeting with participants this week to discuss the next steps in advancing their report. The report includes recommendations on a number of issues around:
- Terminology, Identity, and Representation
- Health and Well-being Supports
- Memorialisation and Personal Narratives
In line with its Charter, the Forum has a role in monitoring the implementation of measures which are designed to support former residents. The precise mechanisms for this will be considered in the course of developing specific measures in response to the Forum's recommendations.
