Ms Fiona Larthwell:

It is important to reflect there is a stepped series of sanctions that could be put in place under this legislation so I do not think that, typically, we would see a licence being revoked without prior warning or early warning signs. There will be the ability to put sanctions or conditions on a licence, so that people have to comply with things in order to remain licensed. I share the Senator's concern and we would not want to have this done in an unmanaged way. That is why measures such as revoking a licence have to be notified, I believe, to the Ministers and the HSE to ensure continuity of provision.

We are in a slightly different position than we are with the designated centres because they are people's homes. Therefore, people's homes going away is a bit more of a concern whereas being able to move one's provision from one service provider to another is a bit more straightforward.