My officials have been consulting with the Department of Children and the protection and welfare of children is a matter of the highest priority and is underpinned by the Children First Act 2015 and the associated Children First National Guidance.
Child protection is a multi-agency responsibility, with statutory responsibility for the assessment and management of child protection concerns resting with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, under the aegis of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.
In the health context, where a minor presents to health services, including in relation to pregnancy, healthcare professionals are required to act in accordance with Children First. This includes having regard to safeguarding considerations, assessing for any child protection concerns and making a report to Tusla where the relevant thresholds are met.
All health services, including those providing termination of pregnancy services, operate within this established safeguarding framework. There are no separate child protection arrangements specific to any one clinical service; rather, a consistent approach applies across all care settings.
The HSE has policies and procedures in place to support staff in meeting their safeguarding obligations, including in relation to consent, capacity and vulnerability, and works closely with Tusla in this regard.
