Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
981. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to address the issue where vulnerable children are left at risk as the courts are repeatedly told that there are no available placements in either foster care or residential care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2913/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla is working to reduce reliance on Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs). Tusla is also working to reduce the cost and promote the quality and safety of these placements. My Department is supporting Tusla in these efforts. In the interim, specific measures have and are being taken by Tusla to promote and support the quality and safety of these placements.
Where children are placed in an SEA, there are a number of safeguards in place:
• Tusla have developed Standard Operating Procedures for these placements, which detail extensive checks that any prospective SEA provider must adhere to, including in relation to records management and staff vetting.
• I am informed that all SEA providers are vetted by the Central Compliance Unit (CCU) of Tusla, the unit ensures that Garda vetting and appropriate qualifications are in order before any child is placed with a prospective provider. The CCU also carries out spot checks to validate staff on active duty.
• Tusla uses Practice Assurance and Service Monitoring (PASM) reports to support the provision of high-quality services for children and families. The monitoring extends across Tusla activity, including SEAs.
• All SEA providers met with Tusla representatives in September 2024 to receive feedback on the quality of service they provide. These meetings focused on where good care practices were in place and discussed areas for improvement. During these meetings, the Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service (ACIMS) also met with each SEA provider to support moves to registered regulated services. I am informed that Tusla is working with providers of SEAs to progress their services towards becoming fully compliant with regulations.
• Through contracts between Tusla and commissioned services, compliance with Garda vetting and child safeguarding statements is reviewed and monitored by Tusla on an ongoing basis.
• Young people in special emergency arrangements are visited weekly by a social worker or delegated person to have their voice heard and check on the care being provided.
• In accordance with the latest Standard Operating Procedure for SEAs, regular reviews are required, and a child may only be placed in an SEA if it is judged to be the most suitable placement available at the time. All efforts are made by Tusla to move children from SEAs to a suitable mainstream alternative care placement as quickly as possible.
• Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children sets out the steps which should be taken to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm. This also outlines the roles of the main statutory bodies involved in child welfare and protection: Tusla - Child and Family Agency, and An Garda Síochána.
Officials in my Department continue to work with their counterparts in Tusla to seek to reduce the use of SEAs in the State, and to improve the provision of general residential care and the management of SEAs in the medium term.
