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

I thank the Deputy. As he knows, I meet Tusla on a quarterly basis. I was not at a meeting held two weeks ago, but at a previous meeting we discussed special care and the particular recruitment challenges in the sector. I specifically asked Tusla to bring forward a detailed business case for a special care allowance. That has been brought forward and we are considering it. We will revert to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. As I say to all journalists now, all of these things are part of the Estimates process and we cannot give any more detail other than that. We see it is necessary in terms of the particular recruitment and retention challenges we face in the sector.

It is an important part but it is important for me to set out those other elements as well.

It is also important to note that we are drafting terms of reference between my Department and Tusla for a special care planning group to examine the future of special care in Ireland, particularly its configuration. That future-facing piece is really important. The current situation needs to be addressed by better recruitment and enhanced retention of staff. I very much hope to see a special care allowance play a part in that. I thank the Deputy for continuing to champion this issue. I know it is not hugely popular politically but it is so important. I have no doubt he will continue to my focus and that my Department on it.

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