Mr. Bernard Gloster:

I suppose it is an objective that we have been focusing on only this year. Coming off the back of a pandemic, we perhaps had other priorities with our carers. Leaving aside the issue of private providers for the moment, and many of them are very good, my more fundamental concern is that Ireland be able to maintain 90% of fostering in State care or the alternative care system, in which respect we are an international leader. I can see that becoming increasingly difficult, though. Society is changing, as are families' wishes and circumstances, and our ability to attract foster carers is reducing.