Written Answers Nos. 470-489
471. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on her Department's response to the November 2025 HIQA report on the Tusla Dublin north city area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35960/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HIQA findings from its inspection of Tusla’s Dublin North City service area in June 2025 have been escalated within the Department. Tusla has stated that since the time of the inspection, it has made significant improvements and rectified almost all areas highlighted by HIQA, with any remaining actions being addressed as a matter of priority.
Tusla has submitted an action plan to address all areas outlined for improvement as a matter of urgency. This plan was accepted by HIQA and is well underway, with significant progress made in each of the standards assessed.
Following the inspection, Tusla’s Practice Assurance and Service Monitoring team completed a 12-month full audit of child-in-care referrals categorised as abuse to ensure screening, assessment, and notifications were completed as required. Tusla increased the number of social workers at the ‘front door’ of the service area from three to eight, and 94% of child protection and welfare referrals in Dublin North City are now being screened within two working days.
Tusla has also undertaken a review of the governance structure and oversight processes in the service area relating to the receipt and management of referrals and case allocation in accordance with relevant policy, procedures, and guidance. All other actions in the compliance plan associated with strengthening and reinforcing governance and oversight in the area are either completed or being actively addressed.
Budget 2026 saw Tusla receive increased funding of €165m to continue providing vital child welfare and family support services bringing its funding up by 14 per cent to €1.37 billion.
In total, Tusla is funded to have over 3,200 social workers and social care workers in 2026 to deal with over 100,000 referrals annually.
Budget 2026 includes funding for innovative “earn and learn” social work and social care work apprenticeship courses programmes and sponsorship. University College Cork introduced two new pathways into social work in 2024, which is expected to increase annual graduate output by 20%.
In relating to the difficulties in recruiting additional social workers, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to double the number of college places for social workers. In June the Government approved an expansion in training places for a range of health and social care professionals. This will provide up to 361 additional student places by 2028, including college places for social workers.
472. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports in place for new service providers of early years education and after school provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35975/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department supports the ongoing development of existing and new services in the sector through its range of funding schemes and support infrastructure including City and County Childcare Committees.
In particular the Core Funding scheme, which has operated since 2022, offers supply side funding to services.
The Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its fourth programme year, funds services based on the number of places available.
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service.
The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme is designed to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care. Core Funding Partner Services could apply for capital funding to physically extend their premises or to construct or purchase new premises. The Scheme will deliver up to 1,500 full-day care places for 1- to 3-year-olds.
Following on from the success of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, a further Building Blocks scheme will open for applications in 2026. The Building Blocks Extension Scheme Phase 2 will provide grants for community and private early learning and childcare services who are Core Funding partner services to increase their capacity by means of extensions to their existing premises.
Separately, in January, I announced €135 million of capital investment over the coming five years for State-led services to provide high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative.
Up to eight buildings will be selected for investment this year. The State-led initiative will provide thousands of places up to 2030.
The Department also funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist operators who are considering establishing a new early learning and childcare service or expanding existing provision.
The contact details for the City/County Childcare Committees may be found here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/city-and-county-childcare-committees/
473. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the body, office, or accountable person that holds ultimate responsibility at national level for monitoring systemic delays in permanency outcomes for children in State care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36033/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether HIQA conducts inspections, thematic reviews, audits, or performance analysis specifically relating to permanency delays, placement drift, or prolonged temporary care arrangements for children in State care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36036/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any proposal, policy development, or internal review is underway to introduce national key performance indicators relating to reopened social work cases, placement stability, repeat care entry, or time-to-permanency outcomes for children in State care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36039/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra480. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any internal analysis, briefing material, policy papers, or governance reviews prepared in connection with the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 identified concerns relating to permanency delays, care drift, prolonged interim care orders, or extended voluntary care arrangements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36042/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra485. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department receives aggregate reporting on the outcomes following Section 12 removals, including rates of return home, repeat removals, interim care orders, or progression to full care orders. [36076/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 473, 476, 479, 480 and 485 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is required by law to be independent in its work as set out in Section 8 (11) of the Child and Family Agency Act. It would be inappropriate for the Department to interfere with the professional judgement of Tusla staff in specific cases, including in relation to permanency planning. The Department therefore does not specifically review nor receive reports on Tusla's decision-making in respect of permanency planning or outcomes arising from the invocation of Section 12 by An Garda Síochána. Tusla’s permanency planning in respect of children in the care of the State focuses on ensuring children have stable and secure environment to reside in.
While Tusla acts as the guardian of children in care, care orders under the Act are granted by the Courts. Court oversight of the granting of care orders is a key aspect of upholding the rights of parents and families, and ensuring that children are taken into care only where it is found that they are unlikely to receive the care or protection they need unless a Court makes a care order in respect of that child.
HIQA carries out announced and unannounced inspections of statutory Children’s Services provided by Tusla. HIQA carries out these inspections against the relevant Regulations and Standards. In this regard, HIQA may inspect against Standards relating to care planning and review of cases. As HIQA falls under the remit of the Department of Health, an operational queries in respect of the Agency should be directed towards that Department.
All children in the care of the state deserve a permanent home and certainty about their future. In relation to data and reporting on the length of time children may spend in care before attaining permanency, it is important to note that permanency may look different for each and every child. While for some children permanency can mean adoption or a guardianship arrangements, for most children permanency entails an alternative care placement within the care of Tusla. A majority of these children are placed in foster care, which provides a loving and stable family environment.
Tusla publishes annual data in relation to children in care on its website: www.tusla.ie/publications/review-of-adequacy-reports/
This data includes information regarding the length of time children in care have spent in alternative care, at a given point in time. In addition, in 2022 the Department launched a research and data programme, Care Experiences: Journeys Through the Irish Care System, which is being run in close collaboration with the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. The Care Experiences Programme comprises a combination of primary research and administrative data analysis to examine and better understand the lives of children and young people in care and aftercare and adults who were in care as children, including permanency and their pathways through care more generally.
Tusla has advised that all placements of children in care are subject to review on a six-monthly basis for the first two years, and annually thereafter. These reviews consider and take account of the care plan for each child, including the permanency plan. Additionally, Tusla has developed a policy and operational document relating to permanency planning for children in care, the Pathways to Permanency Handbook. This document supports social work practitioners and decision makers in their aim to ensure stable and safe care placements for children.
Tusla has further advised that the objective of permanency planning is to provide children with the opportunity of reaching their full potential in a safe and secure base and secondly, to prevent drift in care when other more appropriate care solutions could be sought. A key component of permanency planning is concurrent planning which is an approach that involves social workers considering and pursuing all reasonable permanency options at the same time for children as soon as the children are admitted to care.
Where a child is in care for over two years or under a full care order and reunification is deemed unlikely then consideration is given to the various permanency options such as:
• placement with extended family under guardianship
• placement with relatives
• long term foster care
• fostering to adoption
Bringing a child into the care of the State and maintaining them there is a significant matter, which requires careful consideration of the specific circumstances of a child and their family. This consideration, whether by the Child and Family Agency or the Courts in relation to orders under the Act, must also have regard to the constitutional rights of all parties as they arise in each individual case. Within this context, the Department is advancing proposals within the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 to support permanency for children in alternative care. This includes proposals to impose a maximum duration on Interim Care Orders and amendments to clarify the criteria and purpose of Voluntary Care Arrangements, which will be subject to regular review.
474. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the Tusla Board receives regular reports, dashboards, or governance updates relating to time-to-permanency for children in care, placement drift, duration under interim care orders, duration under voluntary care arrangements, placement instability, or repeat care episodes; and if she will provide details of the metrics reported and the reporting frequency. [36034/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
475. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether risks associated with delayed permanency outcomes, care drift, or prolonged temporary care arrangements are included within Tusla corporate risk registers, governance escalation frameworks, or internal oversight structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36035/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to operational matters managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, this question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
477. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Tusla currently maintains the technical capability within its information systems to distinguish between re-referrals, formally reopened social work cases, repeat safeguarding episodes, and repeat entries into State care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36037/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra478. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the absence of a distinct national dataset relating to formally reopened social work cases has been identified internally by her Department or Tusla as a governance, safeguarding, or performance-monitoring limitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36038/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra484. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department has sought legal or policy advice regarding whether reopened child protection cases should form part of a national safeguarding and outcomes dataset. [36075/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 477, 478 and 484 together.
As set out in legislation (Child and Family Agency Act, 2013), Tusla is independent in the performance of its functions, including management of Child Protection and Welfare cases. This includes the decision to reopen a case. Oversight, governance and implementation of internal case management systems and data sets are a matter for Tusla.
Tusla’s Case Management System (TCM), launched in 2021, provides a single, integrated case management system that, over time, will be implemented across all Tusla services. TCM provides a single view of each child, young person, family, care provider, and others who are engaged with Tusla.
The vision for this system is to support all Tusla functions to work in an efficient and joined-up way in the delivering of services. TCM is currently being used by a number of services across Tusla, and will continue to be extended to become the single integrated case management system across all Agency services providing:
• Joined-up digital systems and data for joined up services. TCM will provide a single integrated case management across all Tusla services.
• A single view of the child, family and their connections across all services and all engagements with Tusla.
• Excellence in record keeping. TCM will continue to be designed for comprehensive and ease of record-keeping supporting the full information life cycle of our case files.
• Data privacy by design. Data protection considerations will continue to permeate all aspects of TCM.
• Ease of use. TCM was designed by practitioners for practitioners as an intuitive system to use. It included capabilities like dashboards, wizards, templates and auto complete to support users in finding and entering data.
This case management system provides a single view of each child, young person, family, care provider, and others who are engaged with Tusla. It is providing a single view of the child, family and their connections across all services and all engagements with Tusla. Tusla is improving its case management system. The system will continue to be designed for comprehensive and ease of record-keeping supporting the full information life cycle of Tusla case files.
In effect, Tusla is building an integrated data environment centred around Case Management that will enable the Agency to deliver improved integrated reporting by the end of the Tusla Data Management and Digital Transformation Strategy 2024-2026. This strategy was reviewed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and is aligned with the overall public sector data strategy. Key to this is the creation of a single record for each child and young person which supports integrated working including more streamlined referral and allocation system for residential care, improved communications, accurate data to improve decision making on an individual level and resource allocation.
Tusla has simplified its standard business processes to reduce inefficiencies and maximise time with children and families facilitating more focus on direct contact and relationship building.
The Department meets regularly with Tusla, to discuss performance metrics, and will explore what work is possible, or is underway in this space with Tusla.
481. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether the absence of a national dataset tracking formally reopened child protection cases has ever been discussed within the governance, oversight, audit, or risk-management engagements held between her Department and Tusla. [36072/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs set out in legislation (Child and Family Agency Act, 2013), Tusla is independent in the performance of its functions, including management of Child Protection and Welfare cases. This includes the decision to reopen a case. Oversight, governance and implementation of internal case management systems and data sets are a matter for Tusla.
Tusla’s Case Management System (TCM), launched in 2021, provides a single, integrated case management system that, over time, will be implemented across all Tusla services. TCM provides a single view of each child, young person, family, care provider, and others who are engaged with Tusla.
The vision for this system is to support all Tusla functions to work in an efficient and joined-up way in the delivering of services. TCM is currently being used by a number of services across Tusla, and will continue to be extended to become the single integrated case management system across all Agency services providing:
• Joined-up digital systems and data for joined up services. TCM will provide a single integrated case management across all Tusla services.
• A single view of the child, family and their connections across all services and all engagements with Tusla.
• Excellence in record keeping. TCM will continue to be designed for comprehensive and ease of record-keeping supporting the full information life cycle of our case files.
• Data privacy by design. Data protection considerations will continue to permeate all aspects of TCM.
• Ease of use. TCM was designed by practitioners for practitioners as an intuitive system to use. It included capabilities like dashboards, wizards, templates and auto complete to support users in finding and entering data.
In effect, Tusla is building an integrated data environment centred around Case Management that will enable the Agency to deliver improved integrated reporting by the end of the Tusla Data Management and Digital Transformation Strategy 2024-2026. This strategy was reviewed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and is aligned with the overall public sector data strategy. Key to this is the creation of a single record for each child and young person which supports integrated working including more streamlined referral and allocation system for residential care, improved communications, accurate data to improve decision making on an individual level and resource allocation.
The Department meets regularly with Tusla, to discuss performance metrics, and will explore what work is possible, or is underway in this space with Tusla.
482. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether Tusla’s Audit and Risk Committee has considered risks associated with the absence of nationally standardised data on reopened child protection cases. [36073/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to operational matters managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, this question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
483. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any key performance indicators, governance metrics, or safeguarding indicators monitored under the Tusla Oversight Agreement relate to repeat child protection interventions, repeat emergency removals, or reopened social work cases. [36074/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to operational matters managed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, this question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
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.
488. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of child deaths involving children known to Tusla were reviewed by the National Review Panel in each year since its establishment. [36116/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
489. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any recommendations made by the National Review Panel since its establishment remain outstanding or unimplemented; and if so, to provide details. [36118/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its establishment, the National Review Panel (NRP) has played a critical role in identifying systemic issues, obstacles to good practice, and areas for learning to improve services.
The 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.
The NRP operates under a guidance document issued by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, which was last updated in 2021. The Guidance provides all main stakeholders with key information and direction regarding the review of deaths and serious incidents.
Officials regularly review NRP reports from the context of analysing the quality of services provided directly or indirectly by the Child and Family Agency to the child or young person concerned. In some instances, follow-up with the Child and Family Agency may be required. Where this is deemed necessary it can include requests for a written response from the Child and Family Agency, or a meeting with officials.
Additionally, NRP reports are reviewed by the Department within 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 Department of Children and the Child and Family Agency, officials within the Department ensure that these recommendations are brought to the attention of the appropriate departments or agencies across Government.
