Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
486. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any formal risk assessment has been conducted regarding the absence of a single national statutory child death review mechanism; and if so, to provide details of the findings. [36114/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra487. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any Department, agency, or external body has advised Government that the current fragmented approach to child death reviews presents a governance or safeguarding risk; and if so, to provide details. [36115/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra492. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any consultation has taken place with coronial services, An Garda Síochána, the HSE, HIQA, or the Ombudsman for Children regarding the design of a future national child death review mechanism. [36121/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 486, 487 and 492 together.
The Minister welcomed the publication, in April 2025, of the Ombudsman for Children’s report entitled Child Death Review: The Case for a National Statutory Review Mechanism for the Deaths of Children in Ireland.
The data outlined in the report highlights that deaths of children in care are a small subset of the overall number of child deaths occurring in the State. There is no single body, at this time, which is responsible for the review of all child deaths at national level.
Additionally the current Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a national child Death Review Mechanism on a statutory basis. Engagement with colleagues across Government to identify the most appropriate lead organisation continues.
The National Review Panel (NRP) conducts reviews of child deaths and serious incidents, where the child is in care or is known to Tusla.
The NRP is independent in the performance of its functions, making findings of fact and producing reports that are objective and independent of Tusla. The NRP produces reports that are factually based and identify points of learning to improve services provided to children and families.
Officials from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) regularly review NRP reports from the context of analysing the quality of services provided directly or indirectly by Tusla to the child or young person concerned Additionally, NRP reports are reviewed by the DCDE in the context of driving change and identifying learning and good practice across both Alternative Care and Child Protection and Welfare services.
Where the NRP makes recommendations which fall outside the remit of both the DCDE and Tusla, officials within the DCDE ensure that these recommendations are brought to the attention of the appropriate departments or agencies across Government for their attention.
I intend to bring forward amendments via the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025, to place the National Review Panel on a statutory footing. This will further enhance the work of the National Review Panel, as well as strengthening its governance and independence.
