I wish to raise the issue of family hubs. Yesterday the Mercy Law Resource Centre, the Children's Rights Alliance, Focus Ireland and Dr. Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children, presented to the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. They spoke of really harrowing experiences that children are undergoing in family hubs. Yes, family hubs are better than what we had before, but there are serious concerns about them.

I am particularly cognisant of the views of the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, whose statutory responsibility is to promote the rights and welfare of children and to examine and investigate complaints made on their behalf and the administration of public services pertaining to them. He has strongly stated that the State needs an independent inspector to oversee this area. How can anyone argue with the Ombudsman for Children, Focus Ireland, the Mercy Law Resource Centre and all the rest? Members should remember, these are the hubs where there has been follow-through. This was the subject of a Commencement matter raised in the House earlier. To be brief, I am asking for the Minister-----

Did the Senator not raise this as a Commencement matter this morning?

I am raising it during the Order of Business because I wish to make a further request. Unfortunately the Minister could not be here but when he is back in the House could he specifically deal with this particularly important issue? In the meantime, I will write to the Minister today setting out what Dr. Muldoon has said. I ask the Leader to use his good offices to ask the Minister to deal with this specific area when he comes to the House. The Leader indicated yesterday that this would be in a matter of weeks.