Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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I have a comment on section 13. I can speak about it when we get to it. As the Minister of State can see, I am substituting for Deputy Cullinane. It gives the right of entry to the unregistered centres and it empowers a chief inspector with a right of entry for registered centres.

I have a query for the Minister of State. Has she considered expanding the legal right of entry to social workers or safeguarding teams to ensure that they have a right of entry? Has she considered legislating for a care partner scheme similar to the one in the Six Counties? That was successful, particularly during the pandemic, in supporting people who were isolated. That scheme prevented isolation and neglect. We are considering a potential Report Stage amendment to give the Minister the power to enable this for social workers. We will support any enabling powers for the Minister to implement such a scheme, as well as for a right of entry for social workers and safeguarding teams. We are also considering a Report Stage amendment to insert a requirement for a review of the operation of the Act to ensure that the powers under the principal Act and this Bill are operating to the expected and intended standard.