Katherine Zappone (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. What she has said is certainly clear to me. Senator Mac Conghail always speaks well for himself, but it is clear to me what the Minister of State has said. I expect that it should also be clear to local authorities and those who will ultimately be the recipients of this. It is also clear that the Minister of State has taken an additional step in responding to us. If there is any lack of clarity concerning the pilot phase, the Minister of State will also issue a direction on that.

In one sense, people are already protected by the 2009 Act and the 2011 regulations. The Minister of State is now making a commitment that the regulations are being drafted. It should be perfectly clear to local authorities that, even if there is a movement from one list to another, people will not be disadvantaged. That is the intention of those regulations.