Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)

I recognise there is some flexibility. However, one of the issues - I am sure Deputy Stanton, as Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, will support this - is that people are unaware of the criteria on which decisions are based with regard to this flexibility. The Minister spoke about the low numbers who requested independent status. One of the reasons the numbers are so low is that people do not know this service is available. I have spoken to a number of groups who find it difficult to get a grasp of the criteria and the guidelines which apply in circumstances such as these. This is something the Minister should look at again.

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