Mr. Bernard Gloster:

The same general principles and rules would apply in that, if you engage someone to provide a service, you would not then try to attract their resources or staff away from them. It is open to foster carers with private companies to apply to register as general foster carers with Tusla, as indeed it is open to general foster carers with Tusla to register with private providers. All of the families are approved through the Tusla approvals panel system, regardless of who they are with. We would not be trying actively to encourage people away into direct public service.