Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)

I thank the Minister and her colleagues for their time. It is always worthwhile to have an opportunity to discuss these issues. Putting my public accounts committee hat on for a minute, I am of a similar opinion to the Minister that an overspend in this area is always better than an underspend. It is always questionable when we see an underspend in one or two areas. Many areas in these Estimates are pointing towards a trend.

Has any analysis been done of the competency, ability, time and resources available to people to draw down the funds that are available? Could it be made less complex or challenging, notwithstanding the rigours that need to be in place? If there are barriers, whether IT infrastructure of whatever it is, could that mechanism be made easier?

On Tusla, it is noted in the documents that much of the overspend relates to private residential care but there is €14 million or so outside of that €30 million that is also overspend. Where is the majority of that overspend going?