Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I thank colleagues for their contributions. The Minister of State has given us good news. One of the core issues relating to foster care is the inadequate number of social workers available to investigate whether children are at risk. That will be addressed, which is a welcome development. I ask the Minister of State to ensure the Department expedites the matter to ensure pending cases are dealt with in the most efficient way possible. I am a grandparent and our children are paramount. They are tomorrow's leaders, industrialists and carers and, therefore, it is absolutely imperative that during their childhood they receive optimum care in a loving and caring setting. Such an environment is provided by foster carers. I cannot say enough to extol what they do and the IFCA provides back-up for them. It is important that carers have support and very often, when they do not, carers become the people who have to be cared for. I commend the motion to the House.