Mr. Gerard Brophy:

On that point, the design is really important and was really important to us in drawing it up. We definitely wanted the adults and children to be separate. Absolutely, and that is the way it has to be. The adults come in an adult entrance to an adult reception desk at a different height, different build and different look. It is much more secure and by and large, they are in fear when they come in. Children are coming in, by and large, with their parents or others. They may also be in fear, coming into a new place, but the children's side of it is different. It would be really good for some of the members to come over and have a look at the centre in Galway. The children's side is much more designed for a child. It is much lower. There is real attention paid to having good light. The ceiling height has been brought down. We have child-friendly materials and the ability to plug in a phone or PlayStation. We had a group of children who were involved in this. We were really lucky to have a group of great young people in Mayo who consulted on this. A real part of the Barnahus model is that child participation.

When it comes to the services that are offered, the sexual assault treatment unit, SATU, also deals with 14 to 18-year-olds, as Ms. Shortt noted. While those 14 to 18-year-olds are children, they are older children. We really have three different ranges of people with which we are dealing, including those under 14. Even within that, you could subdivide it further. You are measuring the building, the reception you get, how you respond to those young people in different ways and then to those adults separately. There would not be a mixing of adults. Again, building design was really important. There is a different set of medical forensic rooms. They are right beside it but it is completely different. They have a different set of services that they attend.

We completely share the Deputy's concern and we are working really hard to make that the best and safest experience. The ability of children to self-regulate themselves is important. As they cannot talk about it like adults can, we are using a lot of soft furnishing, the availability of toys and a space where they can do that. Often I was trying to have that outdoor space as well. That regulation is really important. I absolutely agree with what the Deputy is saying.