Ms Clare Murphy:

Just to go back to the first point raised, on the lack of flexibility regarding foster carers. Traditionally, they had to be married and own their own home. We definitely have moved from that. We have just come off the back of a campaign to recruit a diverse range of foster carers. We were very clear that carers could be married or unmarried, own their own homes or not, be working or not, be in same-sex relationships or be foreign. We are looking for a more diverse range of foster carers. We absolutely accept that the traditional model is not what we are using.

On foster care committees being diverse, the first thing I would say about the BMI is that most foster care committees have a GP or medical adviser. Having been on foster care committees, I hope that is the person who should be speaking about the BMI. We strive for consistency and standardisation. When HIQA inspects us, its representatives sit at a meeting of a foster care committee and give us feedback. We have the means of doing that.

On the diversity and complexity of the cases of young people, I believe hidden harm is a significant issue. I refer to the hidden harms of addiction and domestic violence. Whether there are more of these or whether we know more about them, I do not know the answer academically. Anecdotally, however, I believe it is a combination of both. On the basis of a number of public incidents or tragedies, I believe we are seeing an increase in violence in society.