Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
841. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide details of the total number of reviews currently underway in respect of children known to Tusla who are now deceased.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5578/26]
View answer842. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline who conducts reviews relating to the deaths of children known to Tusla, including the structures or bodies responsible for initiating, overseeing, and completing such reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5579/26]
View answer843. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide details of the total number of reviews relating to the deaths of children known to Tusla that have been completed in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5580/26]
View answer844. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline the key learnings identified from reviews completed in the past five years concerning the deaths of children known to Tusla; to detail how such learnings have been incorporated into practice improvements or policy changes within Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5581/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 841, 842, 843 and 844 together.
The National Review Panel (NRP) was established by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2010 to conduct reviews of child deaths and serious incidents, where the child is in care or is known to Tusla. The NRP is functionally independent, with an independent chair and panel members along with its own independent legal advisors. Its purpose is to conduct reviews of child deaths and serious incidents and produce reports that are factually based and identify points of learning with a view to improving the quality of services provided to children and families.
While the final decision to publish NRP reports ordinarily rests with Tusla, a number of factors are considered in this regard, including the professional judgment of the NRP members undertaking the review and the wishes of the family members of the child.
Tusla has advised that the NRP has completed and submitted 47 reviews in the last five years, 37 of which related to the deaths of children known to Tusla. Tusla has further advised that there were 36 recommendations arising out of these reports and 184 points of learning. Recommendations are directed at actions that are required at an Agency level, and the learning points are directed at the network area where the child death arose. Tusla has stated that all learning arising is disseminated at network and regional levels.
Of the 36 recommendations at an Agency level, Tusla has confirmed that 23 recommendations are now completed, and it is actively pursuing actions across the Agency and at an Inter-Agency/ Inter-departmental level in relation to the remaining 13 recommendations.
The recommendations broadly fall under:
Internal Recommendations:Actions to strengthen existing practice/ develop policy positions across the Agency response pathway relating to review of governance and management of risk: review and assessment of previous and early intervention responses; the assessment and intervention practice and timelines in responding to child protection and welfare reports, safety planning and child protection safety planning intervention practice processes; management of cases awaiting allocation and timelines for responses across the continuum of care. Assessment of needs in care planning and placement/staffing capacity to respond to the needs of children in care and young adults in aftercare.
Externally focused recommendations:relating to strengthening multi-agency working protocols and integrated responses to the complex needs of vulnerable children and young adults. The following stakeholders have been identified by Tusla as significant to this work:
• The Health Service Executive (HSE) and the wider health system, in particular Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services,
• The Department of Education and Skills,
• The Department of Justice,
• Tusla-funded services, particularly in partnership with the HSE,
• An Garda Síochána.
The NRP has advised that it is currently processing 21 reviews relating to 35 children or young people who have died and were either in care or known to Tusla. Additional there are 18 cases of children who are deceased which have been notified to the NRP and are awaiting a decision regarding review. Decisions to review are made upon receipt of Tusla's own internal review reports.
Officials from this Department regularly review NRP reports from the context of analysing the quality of services provided directly or indirectly by Tusla to the child or young person concerned. In some instances, follow-up with Tusla may be required. Where this is deemed necessary it can include requests for a written response from Tusla, or a meeting with Tusla officials. Additionally, I can inform the Deputy that NRP reports are reviewed by my officials in the context of driving change and identifying learning and good practice across both Alternative Care and Child Protection and Welfare services.
Where the NRP makes recommendations which fall outside the remit of both this Department and Tusla, officials ensure that these recommendations are brought to the attention of the appropriate departments or agencies across Government for their attention.
Finally, I want to reiterate that the death of a child in any circumstances is a tragedy, and is deeply felt by families, friends, and communities, as well as professionals who worked with the child. The work of the NRP is vitally important to provide answers for those closest to the children who have died, and to recommend improvements in how services are delivered to the most vulnerable children in the State.
