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

Is Mr. Jeyes is happy with the legal fees? I imagine not. Does he feel that a priority in his engagement with the Minister should be the introduction of the necessary legislation for regulations to deal with proper supervision, training, monitoring and accountability in the service? I accept that it should be removed from Tusla. If this were introduced and it included adequate savings, the money saved could be diverted to the areas that Mr. Jeyes has identified as needing additional resources.

I will take up Mr. Jeyes on his offer regarding the report, and I would appreciate if he sent it on to me. On the day of the meeting on Laois and Offaly, I asked Tusla to check that proper procedures were being implemented in all 17 areas. Mr. Jeyes stated that there was capacity to deal with approximately 5,000 cases and he acknowledged that there was still a gap. Will he quantify the number of social workers he feels are required in our jurisdiction? What is the shortfall with regard to maternity cover?

In his reply to questions, Mr. Jeyes stated that 24-hour cover would be rolled out when Tusla had the necessary funding. Perhaps I misunderstood him. Will he outline in a little more detail the proposed 24-hour system to be rolled out? From his original contribution I felt it would be rolled out in September, but from what he said later I understood it to be when funds are in place.