Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I will do so in order to be helpful. My next question relates to the early years inspectorate within Tusla. I do not have the wisdom of Solomon on these matters, but I have always had a bit of an issue with the funder of an entity that also provides its own inspectorate. That has been the subject of some public discourse in the past but it seems to me that within this legislation, the intention is now that Tusla will also be the inspectorate. Perhaps that was always going to be the case but there have been some public interventions to question that ethos. Do I take it that Tusla will operate as the inspectorate for the early years regime? Is that the unambiguous intention or am I misinterpreting matters? Our guests can come back in. I will parcel together all my questions. I am only seeking clarity at this juncture.

The OCO's submission also touches on a prohibition on "the placement of children in unregulated accommodation and to establish a statutory duty for Tusla to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate placements within each administrative area, including for children in need of emergency accommodation ..." I have a concern based on anecdotal evidence about the lack of regulation in respect of what I would no longer call houses or homes. A number of entities are providing accommodation. I have referred this point to Tusla. I am seeking assurance as to whether or not this legislation will provide any solace to those of us who are concerned about unregulated accommodation. Will it ensure the presence of an inspectorate regime that is robust and fit for purpose, and in line with what I perceive to be the concerns that have been raised by the OCO?

The general scheme introduces a duty to co-operate which requires named Government agencies and bodies to co-operate with Tusla, and with each other, on matters relating to the development, welfare and protection of a child or the delivery of services for an eligible adult in respect of whom there is an aftercare plan. I would like a broader understanding of what that means in practical terms.