Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

All the questions have been asked and I will not rehearse a group of question that have already been answered.

I want to make the point that a lot of people who I and many of the public representatives would deal with are parents who are voluntarily putting their children into care because they know it is best for them for a period of time. It is important to make the point that it is a big step for such parents to contact social workers and there is a major stigma and taboo around the social worker and what that carries with it. What has happened in recent times has shaken those parents' confidence in the organisation. Tusla should not underestimate the task it has to restore their confidence. There are people with allegations. Obviously, they will not work with Tusla. However, there are many parents who are trying to do right by their children and they know that involves putting them into care, as difficult as that is. It is important to remember them in everything that is going on.