Children will be consulted about the appointment of a new Ombudsman for Children when current Ombudsman Emily Logan finishes in the job on October 1st.
Ms Logan will leave her post, which she has held for more than a decade, to take up the new position of chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
Minister for Children James Reilly, announcing the process to find her replacement, said children would be involved at all stages of the recruitment, including developing the job's specifications, advertising the position and the final interview and selection process.
“I am particularly pleased with the extent to which children will play a role in this process,” he said.
“The involvement of children to this extent makes this unique in public service recruitment.”
The position will be filled by an open, competitive process organised by the Public Appointments Service.