Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
658. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality given that three separate and substantively different governance gaps have now been put to her Department and met with the same non-substantive reply, whether she accepts that her Department is currently unable to state whether any of these matters are being treated as risks by Tusla at all. [52830/26]
View answerThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality is responsible for the governance and oversight of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Tusla is statutorily independent in the performance of its functions under Section 8(11) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Accordingly, the Department does not issue directions in relation to operational decision-making to Tusla.
Tusla continues to operate under a formal risk management policy and maintains a Risk Register, which is updated on an ongoing basis. The maintenance of the Risk Register ensures that risks are identified and assessed and the necessary mitigating actions are put in place. In line provisions of the Oversight Agreement , Tusla is required to inform the Department of any significant risks, including reputational risks and to do so in a timely manner.
Independent of the mechanics around Risk, regular engagement is maintained between the Chairperson and Board of Tusla, the senior management team in Tusla and counterparts within the Department of Children, Disability and Equality through a variety of forums. This frequent communication allows for concerns and issues to be discussed, rationalised and mitigated where appropriate.
