Ms Laura McGarrigle:

I thank the Senator. As I mentioned, the starting point of the work of the IDG in its terms of reference was that it was to develop detailed and costed proposals for a repayment scheme that would take account of the commission's recommendations but not necessarily be limited by them. In looking at the starting point of the commission's recommendations, the commission made recommendations that recognised these unduly long lengths of stay and the commission had used the phrase "for example, in excess of six months" when referring to mothers who had unduly long lengths of stay. The reference to six months started in the commission's recommendations. It is important to say that the IDG did not just stick to the commission's recommendations. It made recommendations to the Minister and the Government that went beyond the commission's recommendations but that would have been the starting point.