Ms Annmarie O'Connor:

Just to add, on behalf of Safeguarding Ireland I respond to some of the contacts that come in to us. I would highlight the importance of it being a dedicated support line for adult safeguarding. It is not just to take the call but also to initiate the response. As the Deputy is probably aware, An Garda Síochána might not always be the appropriate response. It is the one we would signpost people to when we think there is an immediate risk of abuse but it is not necessarily what is actually required. We certainly rely very heavily on signposting people to the advocacy services and back into the HSE adult safeguarding and protection teams. As Ms Rickard-Clarke has said, those services do not exist beyond the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours. It is very important that something else is put in place.