Joan Freeman (Independent)
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I am delighted to see the Minister here again. I am also delighted to hear she will have a child-centred approach to every aspect related to the child, which is terrific. I am equally delighted to learn that she will be contract holder for this service and will have control over what will happen in this area.

I reiterate that my one concern relates to any involvement of Tusla in this service, and I have said that publicly on a few occasions. Although the Minister has said that it will have no involvement in the overseeing or management of the service, the fact that it will provide funding is like it having a power trip. I would like to know what Tusla's criteria will be to make payments. In the context of this power control aspect that it and the HSE have, and from having been involved for many years, it nearly comes down to the personality, not to what the child or what the service needs. That is my serious concern about any involvement of Tulsa in this service. Who will oversee the creation of this national service? The Minister said that she will be the contract holder. Will she have a sub-committee that will oversee this, or how will it work?