Mr. Phelim Quinn:

The last time we appeared before the committee we mentioned that over the course of the past year there had been an increase in HIQA's functions in respect of designated centres for people with disabilities. On foot of that enhancement of functions, we received sanction for additional posts, specifically 25 new inspectors. That relates to 1,700 service units for people with a disability.

In the course of the past year we have endeavoured to ensure that we are achieving value for money in the way we apply our inspectorate workforce. We have gone for a skills mix to help us with some elements of our inspection workforce, and that will be introduced in the next couple of months. We are applying performance targets internally to ensure we are achieving what we have set out to do with regard to numbers and nature of inspections being carried out. Our core focus is absolutely on the safety and quality of services and we want to demonstrate to the Irish public value for money in that achievement. The increase in staff numbers in no way reflects the increase in function, but we are determined to maintain a good quality regulatory service through the application of our staff. I am currently confident that we can do that.