Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

The chief inspector of social services has a central role under the Bill and amendment No. 5 allows the authority to appoint an inspector to perform the functions of the chief inspector on a temporary basis where the chief inspector is absent for some period or where the position is vacant. It is a technical amendment made for the avoidance of doubt and designed to ensure there can be no question of dispute over the validity of registration decisions or other decisions made in respect of designated centres which must necessarily be made in the name of the chief inspector in situations where he or she is absent for some period or the position is vacant.

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