Dr. Karen McAuley:

The committee will be aware that under our legislation, we have an obligation to consult with children and young people and to highlight issues relating to their rights and welfare that have concerned children themselves. It is very helpful that Deputies have raised the issue of children and young people in direct provision. We understand that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs recently undertook a piece of work to hear the views of children and young people in direct provision. We have not seen the outcome of that yet. It will be important to see that and to see whether there is a way in which, in our work, we can build on or complement that work in the future so that we do not duplicate what somebody else has already done. I would be very interested to find out more about what Deputy Rabbitte hears from young people in direct provision regarding mechanisms. One of the points that struck me in what she said is that they are looking for a mechanism that will enable them to regularly raise concerns that they may have on an ongoing basis, as opposed to a once-off initiative. Perhaps after this meeting we could speak a little more about that. That would be very helpful.