The former Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care, Helen D’Amato has been proposed as the new Children’s Commissioner but the process is still open and the appointment must first be discussed in Parliament’s Social Affairs Committee.

The discussion is expected to take place next Thursday and the official appointment is expected to be announced on Friday or Monday, a spokesperson for the Family, Education and Employment Ministry said.

The term of outgoing Children’s Commissioner Carmen Zammit expired in April yet there is no definite date as to when Ms D’Amato will take office, if the process is completed and the proposal for her appointment is confirmed.

Ms D’Amato, who was not re-elected in 2008, was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care in the Health Ministry on 23 March, 2004. She was also chairperson of the Social Affairs Committee between 1998 and 2004.

Her experience as a teacher in several primary and secondary state schools is thought to be an asset for her new role, once approved.

Ms D’Amato was elected to Parliament in 1996, 1998 and 2003.