Background
The Research Sub-Committee was set up in February 2003, and has been extremely active, responding to a wide variety of issues on research on behalf of National Federation Members. Its establishment was born out of a recognition that now more than ever there was a need for strong evidence based research in terms of cultivating best practice in services development. Research has a key role to play in supporting the rights of people with intellectual disability to full and active lives by creating reflective practice to service provision and to wider needs.
Terms of Reference
The Research Committee has the following functions:
- To advise the Board of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies on research issues
- To identify key areas of research for the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies and to explore potential of developing a cohesive plan of research actions
- To assist the National Federation in developing research proposals for funded and non-funded research
- To provide support for National Federation research projects through participation in project advisory committees
- To assist researchers in a variety of ways at every stage of the research process
- To disseminate the research undertaken by the National Federation and the member organisations, and to highlight the benefits for service users and their families (using Federation website, newsletters, conferences, etc.)
- To encourage informal networking and to facilitate interagency cooperation on research projects among the member organisations
- To highlight the research activities of the National Federation and its members with EASPD, IASSID and the NDA and to encourage closer cooperation where appropriate
- To debate best practice and develop guidelines in intellectual disability research
- To disseminate national and international research findings
- To assist people with intellectual disabilities to conduct research
Members of the Research Sub-Committee
Edel Tierney, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies
Francis Coughlan, SOS Kilkenny - Chair
Bernie Fay, Sisters of Charity of Jesus & Mary
Alison Harnett, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies
Teresa Ryan, Brothers of Charity Limerick
Aine Kelly, Order of Hospitallier St. John of Gods Dublin
Brian McClean, Brothers of Charity Roscommon
Mary McCarron, School of Nursing and Midwifery Trinity College Dublin and Daughters of Charity Dublin
Mark Staunton, Brothers of Charity Clare
Sean Abbott, COPE Foundation Cork
Caroline Looney, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies
Further Information
Further information is available from Edel Tierney, Caroline Looney or Alison Harnett.