Mr. Gordon Jeyes:

I would be delighted. Deputy Robert Troy also asked me what difference the agency would make. With clearer lines of accountability and greater knowledge of what we are doing and what is going on, we can establish a national system that is locally delivered. There must be greater consistency in the support provided to children in every part of the country and there must be better local decision-making. I want somebody who asks for advice about being a foster parent or adoptive parent to obtain the same advice, irrespective of the team he or she goes to. Some services, including adoption services, I intend to run on a national basis and others I intend to operate locally with fewer than five decision-making steps required to get control of a budget. We must build strong local partnerships within the boundaries of local government. This is crucial, as all reports show, including the independent review of child deaths. As much as I need to raise the performance of social workers, this is about education, drug and alcohol abuse, the health services and social workers failing to access those services for their clients.

I was asked if I felt vulnerable. My experience in Ireland has been that it was in the job description for me to feel that way. If I do not feel vulnerable, I am not paying attention. We are not quite in limbo, as was suggested. There is only one legal and governance structure for us which is as part of the HSE. Child and family services will continue to be part of the HSE and accountable to the board until the Oireachtas determines otherwise. While the transition may be taking longer than any of us would wish, we are not in limbo. The legal status is clear.