Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to prejudice any investigation or make any comment on the investigation. A serious investigation on the part of the Garda and HSE into incidences of alleged abuse is taking place. Senators have all made comments on whether they consider it to be abuse but I do not want to prejudice what is a very serious investigation. It will take its course.

As I said, there have been prosecutions. Services can be closed and funding can be withdrawn. In the case of serious non-compliance and prosecutions, funding should be withdrawn. Ms Annie Callanan, who will be head of quality in the new child and family agency, will deal with that issue.

On legislation, the child and family support agency Bill, which is the biggest public sector reform on the management of services for children, is being finalised. It has come back from the Attorney General and is being finalised in my Department. The Bill will go before the Cabinet in a few weeks and before the Dáil during this term. That is major progress. It is a huge piece of work.