Ms Kate Duggan:

I will speak broadly in terms of SEA providers. When SEA providers are engaged by us to provide a service, we obviously set out the requirements, as we would for any organisation providing a service, in terms of vetting and qualifications. As the significant increase in the number of special emergency arrangements in response to Ukraine, global movement and the post-Covid spike we are definitely seeing this in terms of the needs of children arose, we took a much more rigorous approach to overseeing these arrangements. We met with them all individually. We made sure they understood what their requirements were.

Our internal audit systems that we set up in the context of proactive audits, finance, vetting and the quality of services being provided picked up concerns in relation to different organisations. Where those concerns were picked up, they were evaluated. Where there was any concern that there was a risk to a child, we ceased operations with the company involved and, if necessary, referred the matter to An Garda Síochána.