Mr. Niall Redmond:

In regard to the authority, it is a big question in terms of whether to have a wholly separate and new authority or whether to amalgamate some functions in relation to safeguarding into an existing authority. Ms O'Riordan's paper sets out a really good foundation for further research in that regard. We have to be mindful of the cost of a new agency versus the cost of amalgamating functions into an existing agency. There is going to be a high cost one way or another. Probably what works best and what is most efficient will certainly be part of the thinking on this. To give an example, Tusla, which would have reasonably similar functions and powers in the child sphere compared to what one would have in the adult sphere, has an annual budget of over €700 million. That is a very substantial cost. There are approximately 1,500 social care workers employed by Tusla. We spoke a lot about HIQA, and indeed the HSE. Something that was raised with us, as part of our consultations with other Departments, was that maybe Tusla was an organisation worth looking at in terms of expanding its functions, given that it has investigative functions that HIQA, in terms of individual cases, generally does not have. That is an interesting point worth further consideration.

I would like to touch on a point that Senator Colm Burke mentioned on striking a balance between ensuring the safety of services versus the continuation of services. That is an important point. We have to be mindful that we have to protect people and ensure they are in a safe environment. That is paramount. However, there is much to be said for ensuring close co-operation, whether that is through policies and procedures and memorandums of understanding, or through some legislative provision, to ensure authorities are working together in regard to decisions that are made. Whether we are looking at a new authority or an existing authority, in terms of expanding and putting out legislative provisions on safeguarding, there would have to be a lead-in time for service providers to get their houses in order, if that is needed. That may not be the case in all instances of course, but that lead-in time would be important.