Mr. Neil Maher:

We rolled out the implementation plans on 5 February or 2 February or whatever date it was. We have all the plans in now so we are going through them and will sit down with each local authority. The plans set out specific targets for each local authority to reach the 25% target by 2021. Obviously, each implementation plan we have is different but, generally speaking, team-wise, resources are the major issue. We are coming from a situation whereby local authorities were very badly hit by the recession and lost 25% of their workforce. The reality is that it has taken time to start escalating that back. As a Department, we are supportive of any sanction requests we get from local authorities. They are starting to come in now. I refer to the inspectorate function. That implementation process is very much in train and complements the other processes we are carrying out around streamlining training, for example, as I said earlier. We will have a programme rolled out and standardisation of the application of the regulations and guidelines. This will effectively bring all the inspectorate teams together across a number of programmes in order that out of that, it is hoped, they will also develop a network and we will have a consistency in application of the regulations and guidelines. There are many things going on that are starting to make a difference. Even last year, the indications are that inspection figures were up 4,000 on the previous year. We want to move things forward more quickly, but the changes being made are starting to take effect. I think those are the main issues the Senator raised.