Ms Lara Hynes:

I will first address the larger point as to whether every avenue is exhausted before Tusla seeks an application to take a child into care. Through this Bill, we hope to revive the supervision order. The supervision order is not being used as much as it was, for various reasons, including various challenges related to the way it operated. We are strengthening what Tusla can do under a supervision order. In this regard, it can go to see the child in school or without the parents present. Also, the parents can be required to do certain things for the children, such as bringing them to medical appointments. The reason behind this is to make the option a real one in terms of the care of children at risk of going into care. Potentially, the supervision order might be used when there is a worry that the child might have to be taken into care, or it could be at the other end, when the child is being reunited with parents, as a way that allows Tusla to proportionately keep an eye on what is going on. The measure has been introduced to try to make what I have described a genuine option.

On the other queries, I will address the one on the interim care order because it is more straightforward. Basically, the intention of the provisions is to put a limit on how many interim care orders are granted. At the moment, people can be back in court month after month, and it can go on for years. The intention is to ensure it cannot go on for any longer than 12 months. That is not ideal either, obviously, but it is a question of having an absolute cap.