Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 October 2025
290. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps the Government is taking to implement the recommendations of the Ombudsman for Children’s report ‘Child Death Review: The Case for a National Statutory Review Mechanism for the Deaths of Children in Ireland’. [54103/25]
View answer291. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality which Government Department has been designated as the lead Department responsible for the development and implementation of the statutory child death review mechanism. [54104/25]
View answer292. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a timeline for the establishment of the statutory child death review mechanism, including expected dates for publication of draft legislation, stakeholder consultation and commencement of operations [54105/25]
View answer293. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the coordination taking place between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Health and other relevant agencies to ensure the child death review mechanism is comprehensive and effective. [54106/25]
View answer294. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the measures that will be included in the statutory mechanism to ensure bereaved families are supported, consulted and kept informed throughout the review process. [54107/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 290 to 294, inclusive, together.
The death of a child, whether at home, in care, known to state services or in aftercare, is a tragic event that deeply affects family, friends, carers and staff connected to the child and local communities. When tragic events occur, Tusla works with the families and provides emotional or psychological supports from internal or external sources as appropriate. Legal supports may also be provided through the Legal Aid Board, and Tusla continues its engagement with families, providing financial or other supports.
In circumstances where families are affected by the death or another serious incident involving a child known to or in the care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, such cases are notified to the National Review Panel (NRP). This is a standard process, as set out in the operational guidance, published by the then Department of Children in August 2021.
The NRP is independent in the performance of its functions, making findings of fact and producing reports that are objective and independent of Tusla. The NRP produces reports that are factually based and identify points of learning to improve services provided to children and families.
Since its establishment the NRP has played a critical role in identifying systemic issues, obstacles to good practice, and areas for learning to improve services.
I welcomed the publication, in April, of the Ombudsman for Children’s report entitled Child Death Review: The Case for a National Statutory Review Mechanism for the Deaths of Children in Ireland.
I am conscious however that the data outlined in the report highlights that deaths of children in care are a small subset of the overall number of child deaths occurring in the State. Engagement with colleagues across Government to identify the most appropriate lead organisation continues. Engagement with the Ombudsman and his office will continue in the coming period also.
In this context, it is not possible, at this time, to share a timeline, or specific measures relating to the establishment of a National Child Death Review Mechanism. However, it would be expected that strong communication and support for affected family members would be a crucial component to the delivery of such a mechanism.
Officials from my Department are currently engaged with their counterparts in Tusla and the Chair of the NRP in respect of reviewing and updating the NRP's Guidance.
Once this review of the Guidance is complete, officials will further engage with Tusla and the NRP in respect of agreeing a future structure for the NRP within the context of the broader child death review landscape.
