Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I wonder if the Minister will address the points in my amendment. He has addressed Deputy Shatter's amendment, which I appreciate, but the point I am making in my amendment is somewhat different: if an accredited agency is carrying out an assessment, it should not have to go back to the HSE and then the Adoption Board, which it must do anyway under section 40.

To return to the previous point, a committee of different people is not necessarily the appropriate mechanism for dealing with difficulties with social workers. The appointment of an alternative social worker would seem a more practical way of addressing any personality issues. I agree this does happen; I have heard of such cases myself. It is just a question of finding the most effective mechanism for dealing with it. It might be more practical for somebody senior to consider the situation and perhaps decide to assign a different social worker. I cannot see that the problem would necessarily be resolved by having such a committee deal with it.

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