Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 11:

In page 10, subsection (1), to delete line 6.

The Bill provides for an enormous administrative backup, which will cost a lot of money and in view of this I am concerned that much of the funding allocated under the Bill will go into the administrative framework. I wonder if we are building layers of bureaucracy and whether it is necessary. Could we have the assessment officer carry out the functions of the liaison officer or vice versa? In other Departments, we have seen too many layers of staff, which ultimately does not deliver a good service. A streamlined workforce can function much better.

People must act responsibly. I am not saying that they are not acting responsibly but the Bill gives them more responsibility instead of someone being appointed as the boss and making decisions. Too many people and officers with different titles are involved. My amendment suggests we reduce these numbers and that one person could carry out the functions of at least two of the people provided for in the legislation.