Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for the update. All of this started with the body of work that this committee has undertaken. Significant failings emerged in the report into the foster care system in Dublin South-Central, which is where I am from, and I am rather concerned about this.

I welcome that we only have 8% residential placements. That is good for our children. Some of them are outside the State as well. I have raised this before in the context of the risk to children outside the State. Overwhelmingly, these children are in loving caring environments. They are in normal environments and family homes. The care given is great. Obviously, foster carers need to be supported and applauded for what they do as well – it is tough.

Dr. Shannon's report indicated the majority of cases of children at risk appear to be because of the abuse of alcohol and the misuse of substances, including medication, whether prescribed or otherwise. What are we doing about this? The last time I heard public discussion or debate on this was during the production of the national hidden harm project. Then we went to the strategic statement, Seeing Through Hidden Harm to Brighter Futures. That was the last report in 2015. How are we going to address this issue, which represents the majority of cases where children are being put at risk in their own homes?

Reference was made to the definition of childhood and aftercare. I welcome that from 1 September, it will be mandatory for an aftercare plan for all children reaching the age of 18 years. This discussion has come up again and again with particular reference to mental health services. The cut-off point seems to be rather absolute and cruel in some instances. Parents are asking why it cannot be based on individual needs assessment. The definition of the end of childhood needs to be a little more flexible. It should be pushed out to the early 20s. We will all work on that at some stage.

Can the Minister not advise Tusla? Would it not be better or more prudent, in the context of the hundreds of new social workers that Tusla intends to employ or is trying to attract, to advise the agency that with industrial relations negotiations, the roster should be part of the terms and conditions? Should the roster be set up as part of the process of the new social workers to be appointed? Should it be in their terms and conditions of employment in the contract? That would give certainty rather than allow it on a voluntary basis. That would give a certainty to the cover of out-of-hours for children at risk.

I note that following discussions with committee members, the Chair has put on record a request that a review of section 13 be carried out. I am unsure and unclear why it has gone to Tusla. Deputy Ó Laoghaire referred to this as well. I am unsure why it has gone via that route. It would be in the interests of children perhaps if the Minister herself appointed someone.