James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That covers the early years programme and the eight-point plan. I think there is a reasonably comprehensive answer to the Deputy's question at question No. 29. He spoke about the 4,200 different organisations, 30% of which are not for profit. I will let the Secretary General answer that question. In respect of the National Review Panel for Serious Incidents and Child Deaths, these are obviously of huge concern. As the Deputy is aware, the national review panel is independent. Its purpose is to bring transparency in order that we can learn from these tragedies and not continue to repeat the same mistakes. Reading the report, it is obvious there was a raft of things that seemed to be looked at in isolation rather than in a joined-up fashion, that there were delays in reports and information changing hands and that, as often happened in the past, issues were looked at in isolation rather than looking at the person and how all these things affected that individual. There needs to be more cohesion, and action has certainly been taken in the Department to correct many of the things highlighted in the report. That is not to say there is not room for further improvement because there certainly is room for improvement and a need for more work in this area.

The Deputy spoke about the number of social workers. Recruitment has taken place and a number have been recruited since the beginning of the year. Others must still be recruited and the Deputy mentioned the figures. This is an ongoing process. We are still awaiting the Children First legislation but that is to come in the autumn. The aftercare report and legislation will launched this afternoon. The audit of the ECCE scheme and Pobal was a proactive measure carried out by the Department to ensure we are getting value for money. It has shown up areas where further improvement can take place. The more transparency we have when we look at everything in public life, the more accountability and the better the outcome we get for the taxpayer and the people who use our services.

The referendum on judicial proceedings is a matter in the courts. The hearing is in December. I agree 100% with Deputy Ó Caoláin regarding the commission of investigation into the mother and baby homes. It is our intention that far more than social history will be done here. We will look into all these issues. We must have a thorough understanding of what happened and must be able to put it into the social context of the times. As I said yesterday, we want to be sufficiently inclusive to ensure we get a thorough understanding of the issues but not so expansive as to result in us not having a timely and cost-effective commission. What people want is to get knowledge as quickly as possible in a comprehensive fashion, and that is the aim of this commission.

The Deputy mentioned his concerns around Judge Murphy. I do not think there is anyone better placed than Judge Murphy given her record with regard to Cloyne, Dublin and symphysiotomy. She knows how to run a commission. We purposely appointed her as a chair and not as a sole person in order that she could avail of the opportunity to bring other people on to the commission. I will not prejudge her decision or that of the Government in that regard but, clearly, one can see the way we are leaning.

Adoption practices are best addressed through separate legislation in order that it can be done expeditiously. Otherwise, it will get caught up in the commission and delay the legislation and the commission. I think we would all agree that it is very important that people are able to trace their identity and know who they are genetically. Senator van Turnhout spoke about this and putting in place a legal right for people to know. We could certainly do that from this point on in the legislation. We propose to debate and do that. It is a bit like the law in many other areas. If a person entered into an agreement under certain terms and conditions, one cannot take their right to privacy away if they gave their child up on the basis that they had the right to reserve whereas from a point in the future, it would be clear in law that they would give up that right if they gave their child up for adoption.