Ms Fiona McDonnell:

It depends on the level of risk to children. If an inspection encountered a situation such as that in the RTÉ programme, there would be an immediate action notice. Usually, if an inspection identifies non-compliance, but there is no significant risk to children, the provider will receive a report on the non-compliance. At the closing meeting, we always advise the provider what was found on inspection and the provider has an opportunity to rectify it. An immediate action notice is issued to the provider if necessary. If there is significant risk, we revisit the premises quite quickly. The provider is usually given ten days to respond to an inspection report and there is much back and forth with the inspectorate regarding the corrective and preventative actions of the provider, which takes time. Some providers challenge us. There are many legal challenges and so on which slow the process. The removal of the five services from the register involved extended processes, but it is important that providers are afforded due process.