Ms Angela Fitzgerald:

We have very constructive dialogue with the HSE on a regular basis. One of the areas on which we have been in discussion with it is that we have a role to play and we monitor the situation. We do planned and unplanned inspections, but there is a separate piece around how it assures itself that all is well. One of the areas of discussion we are having with the HSE is about how we work together to support that in terms of earlier opportunities for intervention. The case referenced by Senator Kyne was a very extreme one but we come across cases that are not as extreme but are as upsetting for the families affected. The HSE is very open to working with us on how it does much more of that work for itself and the indicators it relies on. The HSE had very significant challenges during Covid in terms of being able to be on the ground to the extent that it needs to. There is no doubt that both from Mr. Egan's work and from Ms Grogan's work, apart from the power of communication, the power to be on site, to observe, to listen, to see and to engage is one of the biggest powers we have in how we do our work. It is one of the things we share quite a lot with the HSE when we talk to it.