Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and the representatives from Tusla for their presentations. Some of my questions have been answered, so I will turn to Tusla first. Ms Duggan has a new remit, which I welcome, but what steps are being taken to find solutions to the issue of foster carer recruitment and retention? What are the challenges to the public taking up this role?

I wish to ask about Tusla’s staffing in community healthcare organisation, CHO, 5, whose remit covers Carlow-Kilkenny. At what capacity is it? I work closely with social workers in my area of Carlow and I can say hand on heart that they are doing a great job, but does Tusla have the number of staff it needs? What changes can be made to provide extra staff across the country?

Turning to the Minister, we speak about joined-up thinking between Departments and so forth. I spoke to the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, about this matter previously. There is a significant issue in their Department. Are additional third level places needed for social workers, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists? According to this report, many areas have been affected. In fairness to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, 120 extra veterinary places are being provided this year. That is a welcome and good move. Regarding children, these reports, retention issues and recruitment campaigns, have the Departments involved been considering creating extra places so that we can recruit more people? Everyone is doing his or her best and we are constantly told that, although money is an issue, it is not of such a scale as to make it difficult to recruit.

I welcome that, for the first time, the HSE will have a dedicated national youth mental health officer. That is important. Mental health is covered in this report. Ms Duggan spoke about issues within specialty services, for example, disability, mental health and addiction. In Carlow-Kilkenny, there has been an astronomical rise in the number of referral refusals. It is staggering that 54% of all referrals to CAMHS in CHO 5 are being refused. What can we do to move on this? Timing is important. While I welcome the Minister’s remarks on the working group and the UCD report, which we all read, the situation is worrying. There is no question about that. Are timescales being considered in these reports? How can we sort out these apparently long-term issues? We are unquestionably doing our best, but we are speaking about children.

Regarding social workers and so forth, I am working on a case involving a lovely lady who will be working with her grandchild. She needs information, though, and I am trying to get it from Tusla. What pathway is there for information and clarification and what more can we do in that regard?

I spoke to the Cathaoirleach about my next question, which is on St. John Ambulance. She stated that this was not the day for it, and I respect that, but is there an update on funding and supports for the alleged victims?