69. — (1) The Minister may give general directions to F357 [ the F358 [ Child and Family Agency ] ] in relation to the performance of the functions assigned to it by or under this Act and F357 [ the F359 [ Agency ] ] shall comply with any such direction.

(2) The Minister may cause to be inspected any service provided or premises F360 [ maintained by the F358 [ Child and Family Agency ] , or by a person who is taking care of a child on behalf of the F358 [ Child and Family Agency ] , under this Act, or by a person referred to in section 23B(4) (inserted by section 10 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011) ] .

(3) An inspection under this section shall be conducted by a person authorised in that behalf by the Minister (in this section referred to as an authorised person).

(4) An authorised person conducting an inspection under this section may —

( a ) enter any premises F361 [ maintained by the F358 [ Child and Family Agency ] , or by a person who is taking care of a child on behalf of the F358 [ Child and Family Agency ] , under this Act, or by a person referred to in section 23B(4) (inserted by section 10 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011) ] and make such examination into the state and management of the premises and the treatment of children therein as he thinks fit, and

( b ) examine such records and interview F362 [ employees of the F358 [ Child and Family Agency ] or of a person referred to in paragraph (a) ] as he thinks fit.

(5) The Minister may direct F357 [ the F358 [ Child and Family Agency ] ] to supply him with such reports and statistics in relation to the performance of the functions assigned to it by or under this Act as he may require and F357 [ the F358 [ Child and Family Agency ] ] shall comply with any such direction.