Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

We must look at all routes to increase recruitment. Turning to the Senator's final point on the child poverty unit, we have been involved with its formation. A former principal officer from our Department, Ms Anna Visser, is now the head of this Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office. We engaged with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Taoiseach himself in respect of setting the priorities for this new office. If we look at the five key areas listed, one is how early learning and care can assist all children, but particularly those at risk of poverty. This aspect obviously falls full square within the remit of my Department. The issue of supports for families and parents must also be examined, because this new office is concerned with poverty and well-being. This latter element is important as well and much of the work Tusla does is also in these areas. The new unit, therefore, is very much focusing on our areas.

Turning to the last question, yes, we are seeking to expand the Barnahus model. I visited Barnahus West, I think it was last year, and I was hugely impressed with the team over there and the degree of integration. As Ms Duggan said, we are looking to expand the model initially in the south and then into Dublin for Barnahus East. There is a need to secure a budget, capital and current, but this is something we are working on. We see that model is working in the west.