Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My intention with this Bill is to pass it so that survivors can benefit from what is in it. I appreciate that there is a difference of opinion on how far it goes. My absolute intention is to make sure they get access, not that people are refused or that anybody has to go to court. That is the last thing anybody wants, nor should it ever happen. I appreciate that sometimes it does but it should never happen. We should be putting in place these supports. Amendment No. 6 refers to professional support. We will not put a figure on this. The Senator is right that we cannot put a figure on truth. We should not be putting a figure on a lot of things. This is saying that every survivor will be statutorily entitled to this support. If the HSE decides it wants to reduce funding, there is a statutory right here so we must provide it. We are putting it into the legislation to make sure that is the case. That is absolutely the right thing to do.We need to make sure we have the qualified professionals who have expertise and experience in dealing with trauma to deal with these types of situations. That training is ongoing. We need to improve it and make sure we have those supports as much as possible.

Any change to the advocacy system would have to be through the Minister for children. It has not been suggested to me that the role is going to change, disappear or be removed. The role is there. As Senator Boyhan says, the first annual report is with the Minister now and I have no doubt she will publish it. I have no reason to believe she will not but, again, I will engage with her on that. It is about making sure that the existing supports remain and the resources are available to survivors. If we need to make changes, for example, to the role of the advocate or anything else, we are always open to doing that. We will review the supports and make sure that they are in place and working for those who need them most. I do not object to the amendment itself, what I am saying is that it is already in the legislation. I believe that is covered. We are putting it on a statutory footing. The most important point is that people can access the service and do so as quickly as possible.