Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept that there was a long break and that the Minister may have forgotten a couple of the questions asked.

I accept the bona fides of the previous Minister in terms of the publication of the document on the children's rights referendum. Because of this, the outcome was delayed by two years, although I accept that the Minister could not intervene in the judicial system. The legislation to give children with foster families a second chance in terms of long-term foster care was delayed by two years. We should, therefore, prioritise the issue before any more children fall out of the net.

I also asked about the staff shortages in the Ombudsman's office, an issue the Ombudsman raised last week when he appeared before the committee.

On the quality agenda, in the light of the information the Minister supplied to me in the reply to a parliamentary question on the percentages at levels 5 and 6, why was a decision taken to defer meeting the educational requirements by 12 months? Why are we still awaiting publication of the regulations? Why is it that the registration process which was given legal effect more than 12 months ago still has not been initiated?