Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for again providing me with the opportunity to listen and understand the concerns he is raising regarding the balance in County Clare. I generally think the county-by-county strategy is where we need to get to, insofar as advancing the Minister's thinking in this regard already. Of course, there is a need to rationalise and manage contracts in cases where some providers have not been compliant and again, I am not suggesting this is the case in this situation. In terms of a balanced overall need, there is definitely a need to balance the economic, tourism and sheer social and personal needs involved in providing accommodation. The best way of doing this, of course, is to discuss it with local representatives.

I have certainly had a good experience with centres in Dún Laoghaire and Blackrock and in respect of a well-managed and supported process with people in Dublin. I certainly hope all the other Members of these Houses will have the same opportunity to engage and represent their broad communities, including those new people who have come into their communities, in the broadest possible way.

I will say that, as a person, I am glad that the changes that had to be made, if they had to be made, were made at the end of the school term and not during the school year. Whatever about moving children at the end of the school term, doing this during the school year is just so disruptive it really could not be countenanced. This is my only comment on this measure.