Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I confirm that I am at the convention centre. I thank our guests for their excellent contributions. Those who have engaged with Tusla will, in general, have already committed to raising professional standards in childcare and will welcome the appropriate regulation. As was noted, however, many others see childminding as a short-term, casual job and some parents can avail of this casual approach only. Given that childminding works for tens of thousands of families throughout the State, there is a fear that over-regulation could disrupt these ongoing casual arrangements. What is in the plan to prevent this from happening and to prevent people from exiting childminding services in order that families in need can be helped?

I have to speak in the Chamber in a moment, so I might ask my other question now. It relates to Tusla's responsibility to manage the register. I spoke to our guests a couple of weeks ago at a meeting of the committee on adoption rights. Tusla is expected to manage counselling for those who have experience of adoption. At that stage, there were concerns about the capacity of Tusla and the resources it would need to provide that service. What resources are in place for Tusla to manage the childminding register? Does it have enough resources or will additional resources be required?