Thank you Deputy, for your question relating to Tusla’s disability-informed assessment protocols, reasonable accommodation standards, or specialist procedural safeguards when child protection proceedings involve a parent with a diagnosed autism spectrum condition or intellectual disability.
Tusla is an agile and responsive organisation and is well placed to tailor its services to address the needs of those requiring its services, and the broader public.
Ensuring access to Tusla services is the responsibility of all Tusla staff. In the majority of cases the access needs of persons with disabilities or challenges are met by their frontline services on a day-to-day basis but sometimes additional support is required.
To help provide this support and to fulfil their responsibilities under Section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005, Tusla has identified 33 Disability Access Officers across their services throughout the country.
When required, their Disability Access Officers are there to help arrange and co-ordinate the provision of additional assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities or challenges in accessing their services. They can also act as a point of contact for people with disabilities or challenges wishing to access Tusla services.
If anyone has additional needs in accessing Tusla services due to disability, they can contact one of the Disability Access Officers to discuss their needs and appropriate supports.
