Jillian van Turnhout (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegates. I will take up one or two points in the statement by Mr. Jeyes and then deal with some other issues. I welcome the fact that the child protection notification system is available to external services and the operation of the national out-of-hours service, which is something that many individuals and organisations have been calling for. It is good that it is commencing and clearly we will monitor it.

I join with my colleagues on the issue of the psychologists. I echo what Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said in regard to sending a message from the committee to the HSE that it is unacceptable. I would welcome an update but I have a feeling of déjà vu because the last time the witnesses appeared before the committee spoke very similar words. Perhaps we can discuss how to progress it. Is there something the committee can do because it is unacceptable that children do not have access to psychological services in the way they should?

I would welcome input on the pressure from the legal system for court orders for assessments. This is appropriate, but will it use up the resources available and affect our ability to reach children at an early stage and provide early support for psychological services for children, mothers and mothers-to-be? These are equally important, so how are we to balance these and ensure this area is resourced? Like Deputy Troy, I am interested to hear more about the IT system mentioned on Tusla's last visit here.

In regard to the Children First Act, the after-care and other legislation that has come before us, how ready is Tusla for these and has it the resources to implement them? Has it engaged with other agencies and bodies that are vital to helping it deliver on this legislation? Some issues related to the Children First Act, such as education, teachers and the health system, are not within the purview of Tusla, yet it will be asked for support in these areas. Tusla is smaller than the other bodies, yet it has the lead role on the legislation. I want to ensure we send out the appropriate messages. I welcome the launch the other day of a programme on parenting supports. The abolition of corporal punishment came in through the Children First Act, and it is good to see resources are available for parents.

On the issue of adoption information and tracing, we have had committee hearings and the committee has produced reports. Mr. Jeyes cited the issue of "compelling reasons" for non-disclosure. The committee is still trying to identify what could be a "compelling reason". I was not happy with the example given to us by the interim national manager of the adoption services. We were given the example of what was termed "distress" and "stress" but I do not see these as compelling reasons and committee members agreed with me in that regard. I would like to hear more from Tusla on this.

I was happy with the response on how the awareness plan will be developed. I believe our committee, particularly Deputies, could play a role in examining the plan and providing an input, given it is to be rolled out nationwide. The development in regard to legal services is very welcome. We often hear about high legal costs and questions about what we can do about them. Should this committee be considering legislation in that regard or has Tusla got to the stage of considering that yet? I am concerned about costs but I am also concerned that we must ensure children and families get the legal support they need as they go through the system. How are we to manage this? The issue of social workers arose in the child care law reporting project. What training is available for them regarding particular aspects of the Child Care Act? What is Tusla doing to prepare social workers for preparing for and reporting in courts? Is work being done on this?

There is inconsistency across the country in regard to engagement with external bodies, whether one is looking at the courts system or the Garda. This inconsistency is a particular concern in regard to safety and protection orders. Dublin may have more cases so people have more experience in this area and therefore have greater influence. I have come across a number of inconsistencies around the country.

I am very conscious of children's rights and wish to raise the issue of the child care law reporting project. Tusla is the Child and Family Agency and must be aware this report highlighted the need for greater engagement on parental support. A major concern I have is that the greater number of court care cases involve Traveller families and families of children with intellectual difficulties. What is the agency doing to support vulnerable parents? The launch of the report highlighted a number of issues showing parents were extremely vulnerable. Often the risk to a child may be low grade but the situation for a family can often escalate quite quickly thereby exposing the child to greater risk.

I have concerns about direct provision but because of the lack of time I will leave that in order to discuss the issue of homelessness and how the agency engages on that. I have a serious concern but I do not believe it is the role of the agency to sort out that concern. However, the agency has some role to play. Homeless children are being placed in hotels but staff and guests in those hotels are not vetted. I understand this practice would not be acceptable in the United Kingdom. Is it acceptable that we put children in inappropriate accommodation or in housing, such as modular housing? Has Tusla been consulted about these provisions or about how these units are designed? Has it been asked about how accommodation can be designed to meet the needs of children? We should look at these issues. The agency has an expertise and a role to play regarding homeless children and families. Therefore, when considering the issue of homelessness, we should ensure the agency has a role and engages and uses the expertise it has developed.

Many of my questions relate to how we can develop the agency, now it has taken its first steps. How do we ensure it takes solid steps in the future?