Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Connolly is right. The vulnerability assessments are an EU obligation. They were not being carried out for many years, and that is why I identified them as a priority. They are being carried out now. They are revealing significant vulnerabilities, and that allows us to better plan the services we provide.

In terms of the update on the White Paper, I have reviewed a draft in recent days and I hope to bring it to the Cabinet before the Cabinet rises for the summer at the end of July. That is my hope and that is what I am working towards.

I hear what Deputy Connolly says about a lack of staff. That is why these integration teams are directly funded by my Department. This is money my Department is giving to each of the 31 city and county councils throughout the country, solely for the purpose of appointing these four-person teams. I think it is a grade 8, two grade 7s and a grade 5 to undertake this work. I know that hiring has begun in some local authorities. Deputy Connolly does not need me to tell her her job, but she can engage with Galway City Council and Galway County Council on where they are in hiring these two teams because they have the money.

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