Ms Kate Duggan:

As we said, we recognise that when there is such a significant demand on our services, we have to be accountable and make sure that we are using the resources we have to best effect. When we talk about restructuring and reform, that is about catching issues earlier. There are other examples.. We have talked about the fact that funding is coming for five new family resource centres. We have also received funding in the last year for a home visiting service. That is a really important service that has been established as a pilot. In involves a home visitor calling to homes to look at the types of supports that families need and make sure they are linked in with the child and family support networks. We know the families that are in need of help and we want to be able to support families to come forward and not feel that they cannot ask for help. Many families associate Tusla with its child protection work so they fear that if they go to Tusla for help, it will mean their children will be taken from them. What we want families across this country to know is that in 2024 we supported 48,000 families through our family support service and the community and voluntary services right across the country. That is very important.