Michael Cahill
Question:421. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to assist family resource centres (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33587/26]
View answerFamily Resource Centres
Questions (421)
Written answers
I can inform the Deputy that the Department has been provided with a copy of the Family Resource Centre National Forum pre-Budget submission.
I was very pleased that Budget 2026 measures allowed us to honour the current Programme for Government commitment to ‘Work to increase funding and expand the capacity and network of Family Resource Centres’. In this context funding was secured to provide for an increase in minimum core funding to a new base level of €180,000, up from the previous base level of €160,000. This benefitted a significant number of Family Resource Centre Programme members. Core funding is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
The Department also secured funding to allow for the expansion of the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2026, allowing Programme membership to grow from 126 members to 136 members, an increase in ten members. This followed the 2025 expansion from 121 members to 126 members. Recent increases in FRC Programme membership have been very welcome developments for an additional fifteen communities in need of the comprehensive range of services offered by Family Resource Centres.
In relation to the proposal for a capital funding stream, neither the Department nor Tusla currently have capital funding to support FRC infrastructure proposals, including refurbishing vacant or derelict buildings. Tusla does not have a dedicated budget for capital or building works for third party organisations.
On counselling and therapeutic supports, I want to acknowledge the range of supports that are offered through Family Resource Centres, and also to acknowledge the fact that centres can come under pressure as a result of high demand. Tusla continues to invest in counselling and therapeutic supports, and recognises that Family Resource Centres are able to reach clients who, in many cases, would not be able to access such services, which are delivered at low to no-cost to the recipients. These supports have a strong focus on early intervention, affordability, and a holistic approach to mental health and well-being for all ages. I was pleased that over the last number of years the Department secured additional funding for family support services counselling providers around the country, many of which were Family Resource Centres.
Clinical and Therapeutic Lead posts were established by Tusla in 2024 in a number of FRCs around the country, to ensure that there is a Clinical and Therapeutic Lead in all six Tusla regions. I understand that this initiative is working very well. The focus of the role includes providing clinical leadership, ensuring that quality services are developed and adapted to meet emerging and presenting needs in the region, and monitoring standards regarding clinical practice and good governance. Clinical Leads also deliver therapy services directly to clients.
Departmental Data
Questions (422)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:422. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any review has been undertaken by her Department regarding the application of the Equal Status Acts in the context of licensed premises, particularly in circumstances where lawful refusals of entry or service are made on the basis of capacity, safety, or operational requirements; and whether any guidance exists or is planned to distinguish between legitimate complaints and vexatious or unfounded claims. [33709/26]
View answerWritten answers
Under Section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, cases of discrimination that occur on or at the point of entry to licensed premises are governed by that Act rather than the Equal Status Acts. This means that they are brought to the District Court rather than the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
It is proposed, in the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024, to repeal this provision, so that such cases will now be governed by the Equal Status Acts, as had been the case previously.
The General Scheme includes a number of legislative provisions arising from a review of Ireland’s equality legislation. It has been informed by submissions received in the review process, by additional stakeholder consultations on some of the complex issues arising, as well as by recent Private Members’ Bills, academic research, and requirements under EU Equality Directives. As part of the review, the Department invited written submissions to a public consultation. A report summarising the key issues raised was published in July 2023 and is available at https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/equality-acts-review_-summary-of-submissions.pdf. As noted in that report, a significant number of submissions commented on section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003.
Section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003 provides that where a person considers that they have been discriminated against on or at the point of entry to a licensed premises, they must apply to the District Court (rather than the Workplace Relations Commission) for redress. The decision to transfer such claims to the District Court introduced inconsistency in how discrimination claims are treated in Ireland. Concerns have been raised by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance regarding the barriers that this inconsistency creates.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality undertook pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme and issued its report in October 2025.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) provides guidance on equality matters, including discrimination claims, and has the power to prepare codes of practice related to discrimination. IHREC has also undertaken two separate reviews of Section 19 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act. These are available at https://www.ihrec.ie/publications/review-of-section-19-of-the-intoxicating-liquor-act.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Questions (423)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:423. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update in relation to a Naíonra (details supplied). [33765/26]
View answerWritten answers
In line with the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations, 2016, the Child Care Act, 1991 (Early Year Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018 and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Services) Regulations 2024, those wishing to operate a preschool, school age or child minding early years service are required to register with Tusla. Each year a number of early years services also decide to close of their own volition. Where these services close, they are also required, in line with these statutory provisions to notify Tusla of their planned closure.
Timelines in relation to reopening of the services are an operational issue for Tusla Early Years Inspectorate.
In this case, a registration application is being processed by Tusla however a number of key supporting documents required to progress this application remain outstanding. Tusla has been liaising directly with the applicant in this matter, however it is not possible to progress this application in the absence of an application that accords with statutory requirements. Following receipt of these documents from the applicant, Tusla will of course endeavour to complete this application as quickly as possible to facilitate opening of the service at the earliest possible juncture.
Local City/County Childcare are available to support services contact information can be found here https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/
I do not want any Provider to be faced with financial sustainability issues in their delivery of early learning and childcare services. To support services, there are wider financial supports available from the Department. Where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has viability concerns, these can be accessed while remaining within Core Funding.
This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
Any service having trouble and who would like support should contact their CCC to access case management supports. Contact details for all City and County Childcare Committees are available on the gov.ie website.
Equality Issues
Questions (424, 425)
Barry Ward
Question:424. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to a campaign (details supplied); if she has engaged with same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33811/26]
View answerBarry Ward
Question:425. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the survey carried out by a campaign (details supplied) regarding the delivery of residential places for adults with intellectual disability; the actions she will take to ensure that these issues are addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33814/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 424 and 425 together.
I recently met with members of the Before We Die group and I wish to acknowledge the ongoing work of the group, in advocating for increases in the provision of residential services for people with disabilities and to bring awareness to the issues many of the parents involved are facing. I understand An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister Emer Higgins have also separately met with the group, in addition to representatives from the HSE.
I wish to assure you that this Government, along with the HSE, is committed to supporting people with disabilities and their families/carer(s) and will continue to work to provide and expand services to ensure people are provided with the necessary supports at the appropriate time.
I wish to thank Before We Die for providing this survey, which was previously shared with the Department. It is always very valuable to hear from people with disabilities and their families/carers.
The Department is undertaking research and progressing policy development throughout 2026, with a view to developing a new policy framework for specialist residential services. The policy development process will consider a range of matters relevant to specialist residential services including models of service. The Department and I appreciate the views and information provided by the Before We Die group, which will be taken into consideration in ongoing policy discussions.
The 2025 Programme for Government includes a number of commitments to advance the rights and improve the lives of people with disabilities, including:
• The development of a multi-year capital plan for investment in residential and independent living options for both adults and children, while continuing to implement the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings Strategy.
• Addressing waiting lists for specialist disability services by implementation of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-6, and resourcing and delivering on its targets.
The Programme for Government recognises the requirement for a whole-of-government approach to advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
In 2025, the Department for Children, Disability and Equality published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with input from disabled people and representative organisations on the issues that matter the most to them.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, will work in collaboration with a number of other Departments and agencies including the HSE and Local Authorities, to advance Pillar 3 of the Strategy, which outlines a collective approach to provide a clear pathway for disabled people to access the supports they require to live independently and address societal barriers that impact on their daily lives.
There are several measures and programmes aimed at supporting people with disabilities to remain in their family homes for as long as they and their families wish. However, the Department acknowledges that in most cases, a person with an intellectual disability will require full-time residential care at some stage in their life.
In this instance, the HSE, alongside contracted service providers, make every effort to provide the correct supports. Supports for people with disabilities, including those with ageing parents/carers include day services, respite services, residential services, home support and personal assistance.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality continues to engage with the HSE, to expand and develop residential services for people with disabilities. A number of actions are underway to move towards a more planned approach to providing residential care.
As of February 2026, 8,927 specialist disability places are being delivered by approximately 90 service providers. Since 2020, additional funding provided to the HSE has supported the creation of almost a thousand additional residential places for people with disabilities.
Approximately €3.9 billion of funding has been allocated to Specialist Disability Services in 2026. Specialist disability residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, almost 60% (€2.2bn) of the total budget.
€65m has been allocated to Disability Residential Services in 2026 for new developments, which includes €40m of funding that will provide in the region of 199 residential responses. This includes 152 newly created residential placements as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026, including 72 planned places and 80 places to meet urgent, unplanned need. Funding will also support new residents in existing placements that have become vacant and require enhancement and in limited circumstances, placements in nursing home settings.
Generally, the majority of people with disabilities who receive new residential placements are currently living with their parent(s) or carer(s) and it should be expected that a number of the new planned places and unplanned urgent places funded in 2026, will be provided to people with disabilities, living with older parents.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is working closely with the HSE to achieve a more balanced response to the demand for residential placements and move towards planned provision and away from unplanned responses where possible. HSE regions are working collaboratively with voluntary service providers in each Integrated Healthcare Area to identify and prioritise individuals, in an effort to ensure plans are in place before a crisis arises.
In addition to funding existing and new residential services, in 2026 with allocated funding, the HSE has begun work to establish Residential Placement Planning & Review Teams in each Regional Health Area. The aim of these teams will be to ensure that individuals are appropriately assessed in relation to support needs prior to placement in residential services and reviewed in a timely manner for duration of the placement in respect of quality of care and support needs.
Availability of suitable housing is particularly important in the delivery of residential supports. The National Housing Strategy 2022 to 2027 places responsibility for the provision of housing with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and it is the responsibility of the HSE to provide additional supports related to care needs to varying degrees of complexity.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality, DCDE, is engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Authority, and the HSE, to explore means of responding to the need for additional capacity, which can assist forward planning and cost-effective placements. Additionally, the HSE and Local Authorities are working together through regional inter-agency groups to develop and advance plans for delivering housing to people with disabilities.
Question No. 425 answered with Question No. 424.
Departmental Data
Questions (426)
Catherine Callaghan
Question:426. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including early years, childcare and disability infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department, and bodies under her aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33453/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Questions (427)
Catherine Callaghan
Question:427. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including early years, childcare and disability infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department, and bodies under her aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33454/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (428)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:428. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the date an assessment of needs will be carried out for a child (details supplied). [33480/26]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Childcare Services
Questions (429, 430, 431, 432)
Grace Boland
Question:429. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the consideration that has been given to introducing greater flexibility within the national childcare scheme for families with part-time, reduced or variable working hours; whether any review is underway to ensure that NCS subsidies better reflect modern working patterns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33569/26]
View answerGrace Boland
Question:430. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the engagement her Department has had with childcare providers regarding the availability of part-time or flexible places under the national childcare scheme; whether supports or incentives are available to encourage providers to offer more flexible childcare arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33570/26]
View answerGrace Boland
Question:431. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she recognises the financial pressure faced by families with multiple children in childcare where reduced hours of care lead to higher overall costs under the national childcare scheme; whether changes are planned to ensure the scheme supports affordability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33571/26]
View answerGrace Boland
Question:432. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has received representations from families in north County Dublin regarding the lack of flexible childcare options under the national childcare scheme; the policy or operational changes planned to address these concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33572/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 429, 430, 431 and 432 together.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents reduce the cost of early learning and childcare.
Many families avail of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) as a way to reduce the cost of their early learning and childcare. NCS subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be paid for. It is between the parent and provider to agree on the hours of childcare based on the family's requirements and what sessions the provider can offer. The NCS supports all childcare hours up to 45 hours a week.
Subsidies are available for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. The minimum rate available to all families in Ireland is €2.14 per hour, which is available for up to 45 weekly hours. Depending on the child's age and the family's income, an additional income assessed subsidy may be available to provide additional support. This subsidy can be as much as €5.10 per hour, also for up to 45 weekly hours.
In some cases, services require parents to pay full time fees even if the child is only attending part time hours. The NCS can only be paid for hours that the child is actually in attendance at the childcare service. The accurate recording of a child’s attendance is a core obligation under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 for early years providers and is one of the conditions set out in the NCS funding agreement.
With this said, the rules of the Scheme are designed to be very flexible. Children can under-attend services for a consecutive 12 weeks before action is taken. The Department recognises that there are many reasons why a child’s attendance may be occasionally less than their agreed hours. For instance, a parent may be able to collect their child earlier than usual because of changes in their work pattern. It is only if continual under-attendance is recorded for a consecutive 12 weeks that the award will be revised to reflect the child’s actual hours.
In full detail, if a child attends fewer than their agreed hours for a consecutive 8 week period, the provider must notify the scheme administrator and a warning will issue to the parent alerting them to the situation. At this point, if the child attends their agreed hours for a full week after this warning is issued, then no further action is taken. However, if the under-attendance continues for a further four consecutive weeks, the number of subsidised hours awarded under the Scheme will be revised to reflect the average number of hours that were actually attended by the child over the previous 12-week period.
This is a key financial and governance control to ensure that Exchequer funding is used responsibly, and not to fund full-time places in respect of a child actually attending part-time hours. Under the National Childcare Scheme, providers are supported to offer part- or full-time hours as their business needs dictate.
An initial review of representations received in 2026 suggests no representations were received from parents in North County Dublin on the matter. Please note not all representations specify where the family is living or using childcare.
Finally, I would note that the Department will soon commence an evaluation of the NCS. This will include consultation and engagement with parents, educators and representative organisations. This evaluation will examine how the NCS is performing currently and identify ways in which the NCS can better support families. As part of this evaluation, the hours-based model of the NCS will be reviewed.
Question No. 430 answered with Question No. 429.
Question No. 431 answered with Question No. 429.
Question No. 432 answered with Question No. 429.
Departmental Data
Questions (433)
Paula Butterly
Question:433. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including early years, childcare and disability infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Louth in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33644/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
Departmental Data
Questions (434)
Emer Currie
Question:434. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will provide a list of all capital projects, including early years, childcare and disability infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of her Department, and bodies under its aegis, which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin West in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33676/26]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
EU Presidency
Questions (435)
Pádraig Rice
Question:435. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 917 of 28 April 2026, the specific diplomatic and policy actions planned to progress the proposed European Union Equal Treatment Directive during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, including any planned bilateral engagements with Member States maintaining reservations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33687/26]
View answerWritten answers
Preparations for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU are intensifying across Government and Ireland's full policy programme will be published, as is usual practice, shortly before the start of our Presidency term, in June 2026.
The Equal Treatment Directive is an active Council file, and I wish to recognise the leadership and remit of the Cyprus Presidency on this matter. I understand the Cyprus Presidency intend to provide the EPSCO Council with a progress report on work during their Presidency on this file on the 29 June 2026. Ireland is working closely with the Cyprus Presidency and will be ready to take on responsibility as required for this file on 1 July.
As outlined, supporting the work of the Danish and the Cyprus Presidency, Ireland has continued to back efforts to reach unanimity at Council. As part of our Presidency preparations, I have met with Commissioner Lahbib to discuss the Directive, and officials are actively engaging with Member States at technical levels. I have also raised the Directive in the bilateral engagements I have had with ministerial counterparts.
Ireland has been a long-standing supporter of the adoption of the Equal Treatment Directive. As the Presidency, Ireland will act as an honest broker for the Council during our term, work with all Member States to understand their views, and will seek to progress this file and reach agreement where it is possible. As appropriate, time at the EPSCO Council and at EU Working Parties will be made available to progress this file. Officials from the Department will continue their engagements with their counterparts, and I will also continue to engage bilaterally with Member States on this file as appropriate.
I am confident that Ireland's Presidency will continue the important work of delivering on the goals of the Union of Equality strategies aimed at safeguarding and promoting rights and protecting the most vulnerable from discrimination.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (436)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:436. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to set out the policy basis on which reports of the National Review Panel are selected for publication or non-publication; the number of completed reports not published to date; the reasons for non-publication in each category; and whether she will commit to publishing all outstanding reports or summaries within a defined timeframe. [33688/26]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. The Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Question No. 437 answered with Question No. 445.
Departmental Bodies
Questions (438, 442, 443)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:438. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to specify which Department or statutory body currently holds overall responsibility for the review of child deaths at national level; and if no single body holds such responsibility; the way in which accountability is assigned across Government. [33690/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:442. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any formal interdepartmental or inter-agency governance framework exists governing the review of child deaths involving Tusla, An Garda Síochána, health services, and other relevant bodies; and if so, to provide details. [33694/26]
View answerKen O'Flynn
Question:443. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a clear timeline for the establishment of a national statutory child death review mechanism, as referenced in the Programme for Government; and to outline the key milestones for delivery. [33695/26]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 438, 442 and 443 together.
The death of a child, whether at home in the community, 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 where a child is known to the child protection system, 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.
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.
The Minster intends to bring forward amendments via the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025, to place the National Review Panel on a statutory footing. This will further enhance the work of the National Review Panel, as well as strengthening its governance and independence.
The Minister welcomed the publication, in April 2025, 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.
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. There is no single body, at this time, which is responsible for the review of all child deaths at national level. Engagement with colleagues across Government to identify the most appropriate lead organisation continues.
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.
Departmental Data
Questions (439)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:439. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has assessed the absence of a national dataset tracking reopened child protection cases; whether this gap has been identified as a governance or oversight risk; and if so, the actions that are being taken to address it. [33691/26]
View answerWritten answers
Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Departmental Data
Questions (440)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:440. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she accepts that data on re-referrals is not equivalent to data on reopened social work cases; and whether her Department intends to require Tusla to maintain a distinct dataset on formally reopened cases. [33692/26]
View answerWritten answers
Tusla and the Department speak about a re–referral, they mean a referral on a child who was previously open to social work, but whose referral was closed within 12 months prior to receipt of new referral. As would be expected, re-referrals may or may not give rise to a case being reopened depending on the circumstances. As such the metrics for re-referrals are different to those for re-opened cases.
The Department regularly meets with Tusla to discuss metrics and will explore what work is already underway in this space with Tusla.
You will also be aware that last September, I requested Tusla to conduct a series of wellbeing checks for children whose cases were closed during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
The Tusla Wellbeing Project team began its work last October. I am pleased to say that the project is making progress, thanks to the dedication of the Chair and the Steering Group, staff and colleagues across Government.