Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the Minister and her team and I thank her for her contribution. I welcome the Child and Family Agency Bill. I am delighted to have had an opportunity to contribute on it on Second Stage yesterday. I share the concerns of my colleague, Deputy Ó Caoláin, as Second Stage clashed with the committee's meeting with the Ombudsman for Children, Ms Emily Logan. I was covering for Deputy Ó Caoláin and almost missed my speaking slot. The change in times made it difficult for people to address the Bill.

I submitted a number of questions, including on the Women's Aid annual report. I note that we do not have adequate hostel spaces. The Council of Europe recommended at least one refuge place per 10,000 population. What are we doing to address this issue?

The Minister referenced the European protection order. As of May, the Government had yet to sign the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.

Has the Government ratified the convention?

Question No. 12 is on the recently published Ombudsman's report on services for children at risk in the North Lee area of Cork city. I thank the Minister for her response but remain concerned. The Ombudsman's report found many instances in which it took months to respond properly even though some cases were priority 1 or high-risk cases, which typically require an immediate response. The report clearly highlighted a staffing issue in the North Lee area, which accounted for many of difficulties facing the area. Does the Minister intend to improve resources and supply additional staff?