Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The court also cannot make recommendations on services, etc. I recall the statement earlier when we spoke about unaccompanied minors. We provide them and children in the State with the same care when they come into that, but we do not when it comes to the voluntary care system because certain things are not mandated in a certain direction around supports and services or advocacy or a social worker. There is not equality in what we provide for children in some sort of care system. How do we fix that so somebody within a voluntary care agreement gets the same supports and oversight, to some extent, without having to go to court, as they will not be going to court? There must be some sort of oversight system that ensures those children get what they need in that system. Empowering People in Care, EPIC, also recommended enshrining the right to independent advocacy for all children. It is especially important for children who may not have the same supports as a child who has gone through the court system, compared to the voluntary system. Where do the witnesses stand on the recommendation to enshrine the right to independent advocacy for children in all shapes and forms of care?