Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I appreciate the concern and feelings expressed and I know the view is shared by others. There are two aspects to the question. It is a lot of money and some of the commentators are wondering if that amount of money is being spent in the best possible way in supporting a guardian ad litemsystem. We all agree there is a requirement for it when it comes to the rights of children. Within the Chairman's question I hear the query of whether it is the most efficient way to use that money within the system. Moreover, what about moneys we require for the care and protection of children in other contexts? The ambition and policy intention of the new legislation is to give a much more cost-effective system, with much more given to the voice of children and less money spent on legal fees.

The second point is we anticipate that in the design of the system as it is rolled out - I know the committee was doing pre-legislative scrutiny on it earlier - more children will have access to it. In that way, there will still be a cost. That is what we must consider. Underneath the Chairman's question is the query of whether the money is being spent in the most efficient manner but the legislation is effectively saying it needs to be better. That is what we are trying to achieve.