Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. O’Carroll for the report and for all of the work he has been doing throughout this, especially most recently. At the end of his presentation, he talked about a learning system. I would be keen to have him elaborate on that, looking at reflective analysis and decision-making. In particular, if we are putting in place a learning system, I would ask how quickly decisions can be made and whether the process has to come back to the Government or there is sufficient discretion within the services. Perhaps he could elaborate on that. That is the first question.

Second, with regard to staff, having worked in homeless services some time ago, I know there was a tendency in the voluntary sector supporting the services to have quite a staff turnover. I am curious about how that impacts and whether there is a loss of continuity of skills and experience, and even personal knowledge of the individuals presenting for services. How is that managed? Dr. O’Carroll might give a flavour of that.

When we discuss homelessness, it always strikes me that we have almost academic and political discussions about the matter without the people who experience it being at the table - it is always their representatives. In our process, when we reflect practice, when we are learning or following a critical incident, do we involve the people around the deceased, and do they get a voice in saying what might have happened? How is that represented, how is that included and is their voice in it?