Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Jeyes and his colleagues and wish them well after 18 months of service in this area. I hope Tusla will grow to meet all the challenges it has to contend with. Could Mr. Jeyes expand a little on his commitment that there will be nationwide round-the-clock social work service by September? How will it actually function? How accessible is it in terms of individual impact and will it be all-encompassing geographically?

There were some criticisms in the recent report from HIQA, specifically focusing on the north Dublin area, that investigation of allegations of physical abuse of children has been impeded by considerable delays on the part of Tusla in informing the Garda of the allegations. This is something the Garda has said. I note in the report that this matter has been satisfactorily addressed, according to HIQA. I am aware of that in raising it, but I would like to hear an elaboration from Mr. Jeyes. Is he satisfied, not only in respect of the north Dublin area but right across the State, that there are no delays in engaging with and informing the Garda of physical abuse of children, and situations comparable to those referred to in the HIQA report?

Could Mr. Jeyes comment on the fact that the report is critical of the allocation of complex cases involving long-term harm and neglect to newly qualified and inexperienced staff and, in some cases, agency staff? The report does not say that all these matters have been satisfactorily addressed. Is he taking steps to ensure that cases of such seriousness are dealt with by those who have experience and competence? The use of agency staff suggests a very temporary exposure, that staff would not have a longer engagement with the young person concerned or even with the particular case, when there is a need for consistency and continuity. Would he comment on the appropriateness of using agency staff in such cases?