David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have visited most of the centres by now and much progress has been made with respect to the McMahon report. We are putting in place a provision whereby people can cook meals for their families and we are putting families into family-specific units. I have visited those and spoken to the people and they report that they are quite happy there. Many people move into and out of provision all the time so the number is approximately 4,000, as the Deputy said. We hope to have the legislation enacted at the end of this year, if not sooner. If not, it will be very early next year. Much work has been done on commencing the Act in law and having it working soon.

See this speech in context