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

Yes, as I stated, the Health Information and Quality Authority has a monitoring role and function under the Health Act 2007. It also has the power to make recommendations in respect of how services are provided and to follow up on the implementation of its recommendations. HIQA's remit now also includes child welfare and protection services delivered by the HSE's children and family services. I took the decision last year that HIQA should monitor child protection services and a number of reports already have been produced that show improvements in some areas and gaps in others. However, I am pleased that HIQA is examining precisely how the services are being delivered across the country. Given that HIQA was established under health legislation, any expansion of its remit such as that proposed in this amendment would fall to my colleague, the Minister for Health. As time goes on, however, everyone will be watching how the role of HIQA develops and I have no doubt but that it will move into other areas. For the present, I am satisfied with the role it will play in respect of the child protection services because that was expanded last year. As I stated, that work has now started and at least six reports already have been produced.