Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My next question for Tusla may not be for this committee today but for the children's committee. However, I often hear from constituents that Tusla is called into divorce proceedings when child protection allegations are made against a partner. In such cases, an accusation is made, generally against the father of the child, of some inappropriate behaviour. I know this is a sensitive issue and I will tread sensitively here. Tusla's role is to protect the child. It cannot wait for the outcome of the divorce proceedings and the judge to rule. It has to accept what it is told. I have been told it has been referred to anecdotally in Tusla as the nuclear button where a normal divorce situation goes terribly wrong. I have also been told this is an increasing phenomenon. Is that the case? I am sure it costs money to deal with these cases, meaning it relates to this committee.