Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1358. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the public money paid to a company (details supplied); his views on the fact that the company is still operating despite the negligent practices regarding the safety and welfare of children that have been reported. [34370/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1359. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to explain how Tusla’s governance and oversight was not up to standard with regard to a company (details supplied), considering how Tusla were previously caught out by similar private providers in the special emergency accommodation sector with the same issues regarding Garda vetting. [34371/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1358 and 1359 together.
My Department and Tusla continue to take the issue of non-compliance with Garda vetting requirements by commissioned services very seriously and are committed to ensuring ongoing review of compliance by these services. Tusla has oversight and governance measures in place for all commissioned services.
Tusla ensures that all commissioned services are operating in compliance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and vulnerable persons) Acts 2012. Through the service level agreements between Tusla and commissioned services, compliance with Garda vetting and child safeguarding statements is reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis. When this issue arose, Tusla advised my Department that it referred the organisation in question to its Child Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit for review and to ensure that the organisations Child Safeguarding Statement was compliant with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015.
While Tusla does not comment on individual or specific external service providers, it’s important to note that under Children First, supervision/access centres are classified as a ‘relevant service’ as they provide care and supervision of children whilst in the centre. Therefore, any such service providers working with Tusla are required to have a Child Safeguarding Statement and relevant policies and procedures for reporting child protection and welfare concerns.
Tusla commissions over 660 Section 56 organisations to provide critical support services to children and families across the country. As part of the commissioning process, providers are required to sign a service level agreement which outlines the governance systems, processes, and standards to ensure an appropriate service for the children they work with.
In a small number of cases, Tusla uses external private providers, such as supervision/access centres, often on direction of the Court. Where Tusla engages such services, the conditions to be met are outlined to ensure they are compliant with Tusla standards. Therefore, any such service providers are required to have a Child Safeguarding Statement and relevant policies and procedures, including Garda vetting.
Where Tusla becomes aware of a situation such as that outlined, Tusla would work closely with the provider to assure itself that the appropriate governance systems and processes are in place while children are availing of the service. If this cannot be assured, Tusla may put in place additional safety mechanisms or discontinue use of the service until assurances could be provided.
As previously mentioned, Tusla is not in a position to comment on individual or specific external service providers, but Tusla has confirmed that it ceased using the services of this organisation in February 2024.
