Written Answers Nos. 395-416
395. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of child welfare and child protection cases closed by Tusla between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2022, broken down by month and by Tusla administrative area. [68792/25]
View answer396. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children whose cases, having been closed between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2022 that have since been subject to Tusla's wellbeing check; and the number of wellbeing checks completed to date. [68793/25]
View answer397. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of cases closed in the period 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2022 that have been reopened following a wellbeing check, broken down by reason for reopening. [68794/25]
View answer398. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children whose wellbeing check could not be completed because the child or family could not be contacted; and the procedure followed in cases where contact is not possible. [68795/25]
View answer399. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the methodology being used by Tusla to conduct wellbeing checks on children whose welfare or protection cases were closed between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2022, including whether the check involves direct contact, school liaison, Garda information, or in-person assessment. [68796/25]
View answer400. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the projected completion date for Tusla's wellbeing checks on all child welfare and protection cases closed between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2022. [68797/25]
View answer401. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of children whose cases were closed between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2022 who were categorised at the time as high-risk, medium-risk, or low-risk; and the number in each category who have now been subject to a wellbeing check. [68798/25]
View answer402. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of staff assigned by Tusla to conduct wellbeing checks on cases closed between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2022; the total cost of this work to date; and the expected total cost upon completion. [68799/25]
View answer403. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of cases closed between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2022 that resulted in new referrals to Tusla since the case was originally closed; and the reasons for those new referrals. [68800/25]
View answer404. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has conducted any internal review, audit, or risk analysis on the implications of 42,552 child welfare and protection cases being closed between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2022, and if she will publish the findings. [68801/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 395 to 404, inclusive, together.
I have asked Tusla to carry out an independently chaired Wellbeing Check of child welfare cases that were closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and where there has been no further contact with the child since.
The purpose of the project is to establish that these children are currently accounted for, are known to a relevant state service or state funded service, and that the service is aware they should contact Tulsa if they have any further concerns. It will also proactively test and strengthen the current safety net the State provides for children’s welfare and protection, and to provide assurances about the welfare of vulnerable children.
The project is encompassing all children and young people aged 0-18 years that were open to Tusla Child Protection Services, and their case was closed during the period COVID Lockdown periods.
The Wellbeing Check is being overseen by an Independent Steering Group and is Chaired Ms. Tanya Ward, CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance.
I can confirm that Phase 1 of the project is underway and a number of steps have been taken to date :
• The membership of the Steering Group has been finalised and includes representatives from this Department and the Departments of Social Protection; Health; Education and Youth; Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; along with representatives from the Health Service Executive; Central Statistics Office; Tusla, Barnardos and an independent social work expert.
• Engagement has taken place with other Government Departments to explore opportunities for appropriate data sharing use to establish where the children encompassed by this review are currently or recently known to a relevant State service or State funded service.
• A National Lead has been appointed.
• A Wellbeing Check Project Team Manager has also been appointed.
• A digital case management system is in place to support the work of the teams.
I have met with the Chair of the independent Steering Group on her appointment and met her again in advance of the commencement of Phase 2 of the project.
The Independent Steering Group held its first meeting on the 1st December last, and the methodology for the Wellbeing Checks and the Terms of Reference will be agreed very shortly. It has been agreed that the Steering Group will report into me every 2 months on its progress. The Steering Group is expected to complete its work in 2026. I will then consider the findings of the Steering Group’s final report and any recommendations that arise as a result.
I have secured additional funding in the Estimates for next year to assist Tusla with the implementation of the Wellbeing Checks. Funding of €3.2m is being allocated to cover the six-month period for the Wellbeing Checks, and this funding includes provision for the additional administrative supports required.
Department officials continue to engage with Tusla on the Wellbeing Check and its progress.
Tusla and this Department are central to protecting vulnerable children however, we must all strengthen the partnership across State agencies to ensure everyone is fully engaged and aware of the role they play is protecting children from harm.
Our collective focus must remain on supporting the work of An Garda Síochána’s investigations on the recent tragic cases, and identifying learnings to enhance the State’s services supporting vulnerable children and their families.
405. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has received any internal warnings, correspondence or briefing notes in the past three years that raised concerns about governance failures or safeguarding risks within subcontracted private care providers and to list the number of such items by year. [68842/25]
View answer408. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of cases in the past three years where her Department escalated concerns to Tusla regarding the operation of subcontracted private residential centres including the issues escalated and the timeframe in which responses were sought. [68845/25]
View answer410. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of governance or safeguarding concerns relating to subcontracted private care providers that were escalated to her Department in each of the past three years and the actions her Department took in response. [68847/25]
View answer414. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any red flags or internal warnings have been issued to senior management within her Department regarding the oversight of subcontracted private residential care providers and the matters that prompted such warnings. [68851/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 405, 408, 410 and 414 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has responsibility for the delivery of child protection and alternative care services in the State, and there are provisions under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 that provide the basis for Tusla to enter into arrangements with private providers. The Child Care Act 1991, which is the primary piece of legislation governing alternative care and child protection in Ireland, is a wide-ranging piece of legislation, that at its core seeks to promote the welfare of children who may not be receiving adequate care and protection.
Consequently, the Act sets out a detailed statutory framework, which includes but is not limited to provisions requiring Tusla to have regard to the best interests of the child, the criteria for bringing children into care, the types of placements where they may be placed, and the responsibilities of the State to children in alternative care. The child protection and welfare landscape in Ireland has changed greatly since the Act’s commencement, and there are areas of the legislation that require updating to reflect this, our improved understanding of children’s rights, and to allow for positive practice developments to be enshrined in law where needed. In 2023, following a comprehensive review of the Child Care Act 1991, the General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Act was published. This is turn has led to the drafting of amending legislation which will update parts of the 1991 Act, which is soon to be published.
The placement of children in alternative care is also governed by Regulations and Standards for Foster Care, Residential Care, and Special Care. These Regulations and Standards set out the detailed criteria against which Tusla is inspected, in its provision of alternative care services. The application of these Regulations and Standards promotes safe and high-quality practice in alternative care. Tusla’s Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service (ACIMS) manages the registration and inspection of non-statutory Children’s Residential Services, as well as non-statutory Foster Care agencies. The Department of Children receives Tusla’s Alternative Care Inspection Monitoring inspection reports. Reports that are considered significantly non-compliant are reviewed to identify any practice issues which can be escalated where deemed necessary.
Tusla has indicated that it is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate placements for children in the care of the State or being accommodated by Tusla, due to a number of factors, including difficulties in maintaining the number of foster carers; increasing complexity of the needs of children; increased numbers of Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) entering the State. In Budget 2026, Tusla will receive an increase of €165 million bringing its funding to over €1.3 billion, with significant investment in foster care and residential care over successive budgets in the last number of years.
When residential care and foster care placements are unavailable, a Special Emergency Arrangement (SEA) is used to ensure an immediate place of safety. Where children are placed in SEAs, Tusla has a number of safeguards in place:
• Tusla has advised that it has internal processes in place for the approval, placement and governance of Special Emergency Arrangements to mitigate risk and promote the safety and wellbeing of young people.
• Tusla has developed Standard Operating Procedures for these placements, which detail extensive checks that any prospective Special Emergency Arrangements provider must adhere to, including in relation to records management and staff vetting.
• Tusla has advised that all Special Emergency Arrangements providers are vetted by the Central Compliance Unit of Tusla, the unit ensures that Garda vetting and appropriate qualifications are in order before any child is placed with a prospective provider.
• Tusla has created a centralised database of staff screening information related to each provider of Special Emergency Arrangements which provides assurance on the vetting, qualifications and experience of staff employed by organisations providing care on its behalf.
• Young people in Special Emergency Arrangements are visited weekly by a social worker or delegated person to have their voice heard and check on the care being provided. Tusla has advised that ACIMS has met and actively engaged with current SEA providers on the process of registering their centres. Since May 2024, 18 SEA providers, encompassing 29 centres have successfully registered a centre with the ACIMS. There are 5 active applications and ACIMS anticipates some of these applications may achieve registration by year end.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality regularly receives correspondence from a variety of sources, including from the Child and Family Agency, key stakeholders, elected representatives, and members of the public, some of which includes concerns regarding providers. Correspondence can be in relation to wide variety of topics, from queries regarding registration and location of centres, to complaints about individual services and members of staff. The Department engages on these matters in a variety of different ways, including through established fora, bilateral engagements with the Child and Family Agency, and engagements with other stakeholders.
The Government is committed to supporting the provision of high quality and safe services to children in care, which will help them to reach their full potential. Officials in my Department meet regularly with their counterparts in Tusla at the highest levels to discuss a range of issues, including availability of placements, workforce planning and interagency issues, with a view to supporting the continuous improvement of services delivered to children in care.
I will continue to engage closely with relevant stakeholders, including Tusla, to improve the delivery of high quality care to children and young people.
406. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service reports received by her Department in the past three years that were graded as significantly non-compliant; and the actions taken by her Department following receipt of each report. [68843/25]
View answer411. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service reports received by her Department in the past three years that identified significant non-compliance in private residential centres and the steps her Department required Tusla to take following those reports. [68848/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 406 and 411 together.
The Department receives all Tusla Alternative Care Inspection Monitoring inspection reports. ACIMS The Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service (ACIMS) is one of the regulatory services within Children’s Service Regulation which is part of the Quality and Regulatory Directorate within Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. ACIMS has two distinct functions.
The registration and inspection of non-statutory Children’s Residential Services
The monitoring of non-statutory Foster Care agencies
The Child Care (Standards in Children’s Residential Centres) Regulations, 1996 provide the regulatory framework against which registration decisions are primarily made. The National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres, 2018 (HIQA) provide the framework against which inspections are carried out and provide the criteria against which centres’ structures and care practices are examined. During inspection, inspectors use the standards to inform their judgement on compliance with relevant regulations. Inspections will be carried out against specific themes and may be announced or unannounced.
Results on ACIMS inspections were not collated centrally in previous years, though the Department will engage with Tusla on this going forward. Three categories are used to describe how standards are complied with. These are as follows:
Met: means that no action is required as the service/centre has fully met the standard and is in full compliance with the relevant regulation where applicable.
Met in some respect only: means that some action is required by the service/centre to fully meet a standard.
Not met: means that substantial action is required by the service/centre to fully meet a standard or to comply with the relevant regulation where applicable.
The Department reviews the reports that are deemed significantly non-compliant/Not met to determine any practice issues which can be escalated where deemed necessary. Through this process, the Department monitor emerging themes/patterns in practice in alternative care.
407. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has conducted any analysis of the rapid expansion of Special Emergency Arrangements including the number of new SEA providers approved since 2022 the number rejected and the criteria used in assessing provider suitability. [68844/25]
View answerTusla is compiling the information sought, therefore a response will be provided directly to you in the coming days.
409. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has carried out any review of the governance and oversight of subcontracted private residential centres in advance of allocating additional funding to Tusla in Budget 2026 and to outline the conclusions of any such review. [68846/25]
View answer413. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has reviewed the governance structures used by Tusla in approving and monitoring subcontracted private residential centres and the findings of any such review. [68850/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 413 together.
Both Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and the Department are committed to promoting safe and high-quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care. This is achieved through the thorough application of regulations and standards that govern care placements on behalf of the State.
Tusla is the statutory regulator of both Private and Voluntary Children’s Residential Centres, and is therefore responsible for the registration and inspection of these centres in accordance with Regulations, standards, and the relevant provisions of the Child Care Act 1991.
This Act is the statutory framework for child welfare and protection in Ireland. The legislation places a statutory duty on Tusla to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. It sets the legislative provisions in relation to taking children into care, and the responsibilities of the State in that regard, which aim to improve outcomes for looked after children.
Tusla, in discharging its statutory responsibilities under the Child Care Acts, must have the best interests of the child as its paramount consideration. It actively monitors every placement of every child in care to ensure its appropriateness to the needs of that child, and any concerns or breaches of standards or Regulations are addressed in this context.
The placement of children in Residential Care is governed by the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres 2018, and underpinned by the Child Care (Placement in Residential Care) Regulation 1995, and the Child Care (Standards in Children’s Residential Centres) 1996.
Further, the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children sets out the steps which should be taken to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm. This also outlines the roles of the main statutory bodies involved in child welfare and protection: Tusla - Child and Family Agency, and An Garda Síochána.
The Department is working closely with Tusla to ensure the promotion of safety and quality of Special Emergency Arrangements (SEA), while the Agency seeks to reduce its reliance on these placements.
When a child is placed in an SEA, a number of safeguards are put in place. Tusla have developed Standard Operating Procedures for these placements, which detail extensive checks that any prospective SEA provider must adhere to, including in relation to records management and staff vetting.
Tusla has advised that all SEA providers are vetted by the Central Compliance Unit (CCU) of Tusla, the unit ensures that Garda vetting and appropriate qualifications are in order before any child is placed with a prospective provider. The CCU also carries out spot checks to validate staff on active duty. Tusla uses Practice Assurance and Service Monitoring (PASM) reports to support the provision of high quality services for children and families. The monitoring extends across Tusla activity, including SEAs.
In accordance with the latest Standard Operating Procedure for SEAs, regular reviews are required and all efforts are made by Tusla to move children from SEAs as quickly as possible.
As part of the process of reducing reliance on SEAs, The Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service (ACIMS) has met with each SEA provider to support for the transition of these providers to registered, regulated services.
Regarding the provision of placements by external providers, Tusla procures these services in compliance with relevant legislation, procurement rules, and government Circulars in relation to grant funding. I can advise the Deputy that this Department does not directly monitor companies contracted by Tusla to provide placements for children in care. However, the DCDE does have regular engagement with Tusla at all levels to address issues related to the provision of services.
I can advise that officials within this Department regularly engage with their counterparts in Tusla seeking to ensure the regulatory oversight of Tusla commissioned residential providers is of the required standard.
412. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of Special Emergency Arrangement providers that her Department has sought clarification or assurance on since 2022 including the reasons such clarifications were requested. [68849/25]
View answerThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality works closely with Tusla to ensure the quality and safety of all Special Emergency Arrangements (SEA) and will continue to support them in these efforts.
I can inform the Deputy that officials from the Department regularly receives correspondence from both members of the public and stakeholders in respect of matters relating to SEAs. Additionally, officials regularly engage with counterparts in Tusla through a range of different fora, in respect of the delivery of residential services, including SEAs.
I can inform the Deputy that Tusla has specific Standard Operating Procedures for the governing of SEA placements, which detail extensive checks that any prospective provider must adhere to.
Additionally, all SEA providers are vetted by the Central Compliance Unit (CCU) of Tusla, which ensures that Garda vetting and appropriate qualifications are in order before any child is placed with a prospective provider. The CCU also carries out spot checks to validate staff on active duty.
Tusla has also advised that it has created a centralised database of staff screening information relating to each provider of Special Emergency Arrangements, which provides assurance on the vetting, qualifications and experience of staff employed by organisations providing care on its behalf.
Tusla also uses Practice Assurance and Service Monitoring (PASM) reports to support the provision of high-quality services for children and families. The monitoring extends across Tusla activity, including SEAs.
The Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service (ACIMS) managed by Tusla is responsible for the registration and inspection of non-statutory (private and voluntary) children’s residential centres. It is a requirement that all SEA service providers apply for registration for their respective services with ACIMS.
As such, ACIMS has met with each Special Emergency Arrangements provider to support moves to registered regulated services. Tusla has advised that between January and May 2025, ACIMS met and actively engaged with 14 current SEA providers on the process of registering their centres. Since May 2024, 5 SEA providers for 11 centres have successfully registered a centre with ACIMS. There are a number of outstanding active applications, among which some ACIMS anticipate may be eligible for registration.
Tusla continues to work to reduce the reliance on SEA placements, whilst in the interim making such placements more safe, secure and efficient. The Department will continue to support the Agency in these efforts.
415. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware of a case (details supplied); and if she will instruct her Department to investigate the matter and ensure the programme has sufficient resources to ensure children with additional needs are able to fully benefit from creche services. [68858/25]
View answerThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs or a disability can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Access to AIM is based on the needs of the individual child, in the context of the pre-school setting, and does not require a diagnosis.
AIM Level 7 support enables providers to reduce the child-to-adult ratio in the pre-school room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the ECCE setting. In recognition of best practice in this area, this support is designed to improve inclusion and ensure meaningful participation of all children in the room.
The ‘First 5’ whole-of-government strategy (2019) committed to the phased extension of AIM, a commitment reaffirmed by the findings of an independent end-of-year-three evaluation. Participants in the evaluation supported proposals that AIM be scaled up and were keen to see the extension of AIM support to hours outside the ECCE entitlement. Based on the evaluation AIM is now being extended on a phased basis as funding becomes available.
As a first step in this extension, all AIM targeted supports have, since September 2024, been available to ECCE children beyond the time that they spend in the ECCE programme, all year round. Children can now access these supports for up to an additional 3 hours per day during the ECCE term and up to 6 hours per day outside of the ECCE term (in holiday periods).
The child referenced is currently in receipt of 15 hours of AIM Standard per week while attending the ECCE programme and is also in receipt of an additional 15 hours of AIM Plus per week for hours attending outside of ECCE.
For the weeks that ECCE is not available 30 hours of non-term funding have been approved for the child.
The Pobal Early Years Specialist has previously engaged with both the service provider and the legal guardian, clarifying that the maximum allowable hours under the AIM programme have been awarded to the child.
It is intended that over time, all children with additional needs in early learning and childcare services will have access to AIM supports. The next phase of expansion focuses on a redesign of AIM for children under three, to meet the specific needs of this younger cohort. Consideration will then be given to an extension of AIM for children attending school-age childcare.
An action plan has been developed to respond to other areas for improvement including increasing awareness of AIM, streamlining the application process and strengthening support for autistic children. A key step taken in this regard is the 2024 publication of Introductory Guidelines to Support the Inclusion of Autistic Children in Early Learning and Care, School-Age Childcare and Childminding Settings, with the support of ASIAM.
While the Department oversees AIM, early learning and childcare providers are private entities and responsible for their own admissions policies, which are outside the Department’s remit. Parents and carers experiencing challenges in accessing early learning and childcare supports are encouraged to contact their local City or County Childcare Committee, who can provide advice and guidance on available options in their area. Contact details are available at: www.gov.ie/childcarecommittee.
416. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there are plans to appoint a person with suitable archival qualifications to the National Centre for Research and Remembrance Steering Committee. [68882/25]
View answerThe National Centre for Research and Remembrance will be located in Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin 1. It will comprise a museum and exhibition space which will form part of the National Museum of Ireland, and a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century which will form part of the National Archives.
This Centre will honour equally all those who spent time in Industrial Schools, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, Reformatories, and related institutions. The National Centre campus will also make a valuable contribution to the social and economic development of Dublin’s North East Inner City, through the provision of social housing units, further and higher educational facilities, and facilities for family and parenting supports.
A Steering Group, chaired by Mr Martin Fraser, former Secretary General to the Government and Ambassador to Great Britain, is driving the overall coordinated development of the National Centre campus. Work on the repository of records within the National Centre is being led by the National Archives and the Director of the National Archives is a member of the Steering Group.
In addition, the Steering Group has established a dedicated legal subgroup to consider and develop legislative proposals relating to the transfer of records to the National Archives. Membership of this subgroup includes representation from the National Archives. The Steering Group has also established an Archives subgroup, chaired by the National Archives, with representatives from archival and records management staff from across relevant government departments.
This repository in the National Centre is intended as a specialised archive within the overall National Archives and will be operated by staff of the National Archives. A dedicated team of experienced archivists has been established in the National Archives and is currently working with several government departments to identify and prepare records for transfer to the National Archives in advance of the opening of the Centre.
