Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The petitioner was not satisfied with the reply given by the ombudsman, which suggested that the financial sanction could deplete the resources used to operate the system in which it operates and that, rather than sanction Tusla, a system of continuous improvement would bring about corrections to failings outlined by HIQA. The petitioner says the continuous improvement is not designed to deal with repeated failures, including the failure to implement action plans agreed with HIQA. Patients feel uncomfortable about complaining to HIQA inspectors because of a fear of recriminations and reprisals by social workers when they make complaints via Tusla's Tell Us system. The petitioner also states:

... HIQA has not made has not made any attempt to interview any of the mothers represented by our group; ABC (Alliance of Birthmothers Campaigning for Justice) in spite of the fact that ABC are the largest non-Tusla funded advocacy group for mothers affected by Tusla.

The petitioner also had other concerns. Do any members wish to come in on this?