Ms Nuala Ward:

This is a common theme and something we have raised on countless occasions. Children, especially children in care, need all services to work together. Children are in care for a reason. They have suffered neglect and abuse, which is why they have been taken into State care. Tusla, of course, has a fundamental role. We can think of Tusla as a parent. None of us can look after a child without other services, such as schools, healthcare, mental health services and everything that is needed in order to raise a happy fulfilled child. That is why it is imperative that other services come to the table.

The Senator may know that we published an investigation into a little boy, whom we call Jack. Jack was in hospital for two and a half years beyond medical need because the HSE and Tusla could not work together to agree what he needed. We published a follow-up report entitled Nowhere to Turn. Some parents of children with disabilities who are struggling are showing up at emergency departments in hospitals or leaving their children behind in respite centres not because they do not love them - they love them the same as any other parent - but because they cannot cope.

Parents could cope if they had services and respite services. We need the HSE and Tusla to work together and not take each other to court to see who is responsible for the provision of services. That is one of our most critical aims. We will continue to fight for good strong interagency co-operation in the best interests of children.