Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Those are all excellent questions. As I acknowledged, we do not yet have the uniformity that we seek. It is an ambition but it will require more work, particularly to ensure the adequate level of staffing in the different areas as well as ensuring that we improve data collection. That is what I tried to indicate in my answer. It relates to staff and to the need for better data, particularly in relation to the 700 young people.

The Deputy asked if we engage; we do. I had an extraordinary opportunity to meet the advisory council of EPIC who are young people who have been in foster care who represent the interests of those in foster care, and I will continue to engage with them. That may go some way to answering the Deputy's question.

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