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

Our guests may perceive some of my comments as negative, but I see them as constructive criticism. I do not have a huge amount of confidence in Tusla as it currently exists. I am just being 100% honest. It is a very toxic organisation. I am glad Mr. Gloster used the word "defensive" because that has been my experience and that of people who contact me. Part of our duty on this committee is to bring that message about negative experiences to people in key positions in Tusla when we have the opportunity to speak directly to them.

The witnesses will be aware of the recent HIQA report covering Carlow-Kilkenny, which I represent, as well as other places such as Tipperary. I was not surprised when I saw that report because that is the culture that exists in Tusla. It is defensive. It does not acknowledge that there could be an issue and it is difficult for people to get answers. Time and again, I come across people, particularly women, who voluntarily went to Tusla and said that they were struggling and needed some sort of assistance. Now that they have their lives back on track, they cannot seem to get increased access or move on from where they were, despite being years down the road. That is totally unacceptable. We try to get answers on their behalf, but I have never got an answer to any of those questions. Not once. I asked the Minister about this recently in the Dáil. On one occasion I received a response which stated that I had sent the correspondence to the incorrect address. There is only one Tusla headquarters in Kilkenny that I know of. To send someone a letter like that is unacceptable. Tusla obviously received the letter if it sent back that type of reply. It is petty. Someone could have picked up the phone and said that while I might have got the wrong person, we should have a discussion about the issue.

Mr. Gloster stated that people do not always hear the good stories. I disagree with that. People do not currently have confidence in Tusla. I genuinely hope that Mr. Gloster is going to bring about the change and reform that are needed. I would give him the benefit of the doubt in that regard but I have to be honest about this. I feel I must represent the view that people are currently not happy and feel very let down. Ultimately, it is the children who are being let down by Tusla. That is important to note, given our history in this country and how we consistently fail children.

I have a number of questions to which the witnesses might not have answers. I accept that, but ask them to forward on a response to them. I welcome what Mr. Gloster said about being open to individual meetings. That is good and positive.

Are we to ask both sets of questions now?