Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the witnesses for all of their engagement so far. I will stick with special care. We have touched on some traumatic cases in respect of Tusla. I do not think the general public is aware of how challenging and difficult some special care cases can be. We discussed recruitment, the need for more salary bursaries and so on. The fantastic support workers are in danger at times and the work is very difficult. Wraparound services may not be in place. Dr. Corbett mentioned a high support unit.

There are children in their late teens who may, as has been said, be involved in criminal activity or children with disabilities. I have worked in the area of neurodiversity for 19 years. Sometimes when there is not enough respite available for parents they are forced to go to accident and emergency departments and ask to hand over a child because the family or child is not safe. Can the witnesses discuss the high support unit or centre of excellence and what a five-star service would look like?