Ms Niamh McCarthy:

We are developing the research methodology for this service. We are hoping to have parental consultation throughout. This will start at this stage, that is, in the context of service design, and will look at the experience over the five years and making sure that is a key element. We are not working with all the key stakeholders, including EPIC, Clarecare, addiction services, Tusla and the Legal Aid Board, that parents come across when navigating the care system in the context of childcare proceedings.

It is important that we capture the experiences, the demographics, the backgrounds and the different stages of the process. Obviously, there are three different sites, in north Dublin city, Waterford and Wexford. We must look at the similarities and differences, the key teams and stakeholders and their experiences. We must also look at the effect of having an advocate on board, and how that impacts on the childcare proceedings and the relationship between the parent and other key stakeholders.