Call for Survivors to Join Special Advocate Advisory Council and National Research Centre Steering Group
National Centre for Research and Remembrance Survivors Representatives
The National Centre for Research and Remembrance based in Sean McDermott Street, Dublin will commemorate those who were incarcerate in Ireland’s institutions, had their births illegally registered and their family members. The Centre’s steering group recently held consultation events in Dublin, Galway, Cork, online and London. In addition to hearing about plans for the Centre the group also captured recommendation from attendees, which has been summarised in a report listing seven key themes available here.
Amongst the recommendations from the consultation is an increase in survivor involvement in the decision making processes regarding the Centre. In response to this the steering group will have four survivor representatives. If you are interested in becoming part of this important process you can complete an Expression of Interest form here. More information is available here.
Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse Advisory Council
The Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse is establishing an Advisory Council that will further ensure that the work of the Special Advocate is informed by the lived experience and needs of those most centrally affected.
The Special Advocate for Survivors will establish 7 pillars as part of the Advisory Council supporting her work. Each pillar will represent a specific area of institutional abuse and forced family separation;
Pillar 1: People who spent time in Industrial School and Reformatory Institutions
Pillar 2: People who spent time in Magdalene Laundries
Pillar 3: Mothers who spent time in Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions, or who experienced forced family separation
Pillar 4: People who were born in or who spent time in Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions and related institutions, or who experienced forced family separation
Pillar 5: People who were Boarded Out or Fostered
Pillar 6: People whose births were illegally registered
Pillar 7: Survivors and Affected Persons living overseas who spent time in an institution covered under the Special Advocate’s remit, or who experienced forced family separation
More information about the Advisory Council and the Expression of Interest Form can be found on the Special Advocate website.
Applications for both the Steering Group and Advisory Council need to be submitted by 19th September 2025.
If you have been in an institution in Ireland and require specialist support please contact the National Response Line on 0800 519 5519, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10.00am to 4pm 0800 519 5519.