Mr. Bernard O'Regan:

I will ask Ms Crehan-Roche and Professor MacLachlan to speak on a couple of points as well.

To the extent that I can provide any assurance on the future security of posts linked to children's services, I assure the Senator that they are intended for children's services and will continue to be for children's services, and where vacancies arise naturally, those posts will be protected within children's services and will be recruited for in that respect. There is no intention, nor would it be appropriate, that there be any dilution of what has been a hard-earned and hard-fought for investment in those services. We are clear that that should not happen.

I will ask Professor MacLachlann to comment on the question on gaps in services. In the development of the clinical programme, we have sought to ensure that those elements of service that are not on the radar, for example, specialist service needs, are comprehended by and incorporated in our clinical structure and included in our planning.

Ms Crehan-Roche will comment on the Senator's question on the availability of emergency respite so as to provide some understanding from a CHO perspective.