Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach. Fáiltím roimh an gcruinniú seo inniu. Tá fáilte roimh gach éinne agus tá súil agam go mbeimid in ann comhrá iontach a bheith againn. I thank the witnesses for being here. I hope they are keeping well. I want to frame the conversation around the importance of the role played by Tusla. It has been broadly acknowledged by the Deputies here today. There is also the sheer scale of Tusla as an entity and the number of people contributing to the positive work that goes on in Tusla. I really welcomed Ms Duggan's comments around the five pillars of reform, the digitisation strategy and the fact the implementation of a digital record for each child coming in under budget. That has to be welcomed. A lot of good work is going on in Tusla and the witnesses are probably up against it trying to make it happen. I wish them the very best of luck in everything they are trying to do.

I will run through a few questions I have and I very much appreciate the co-operation of the witnesses in tackling them. I have to thank them. When I emailed Tusla back in May, I was responded to promptly and the organisation did publish all its purchase orders online, as it is mandated to do. That was really welcome. However, the quantity of purchase orders rose by almost 25% between 2023 and 2024. This indicates to me that Tusla is doing more outsourcing than perhaps it was previously. Is it fair to say that?