Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I ask the Minister to keep us informed of progress because there will be recruitment needed, and the point about having senior social workers available. It should be a wrap-around service because it is at the weekends and at night time that so many of these issues arise. It is important as well that whoever responds is as knowledgeable as possible about the needs of the child.

My particular issue, I suppose, is the one that Dr. Shannon raised significantly last week around the inter-agency co-operation and the feedback to the Garda. They told us they have these kind of arrangements at national level, but it is clear from Dr. Shannon's evidence:

There is no evidence of formal routine follow-up from Tusla regarding the progress of a particular case after a member of An Garda Síochána has handed over responsibility. Moreover, there is no evidence of effective and robust systems for inter-agency information-sharing...

Dr. Shannon goes on to say, "notification is not communication". This is crucial in terms of the welfare of the children involved. In ongoing implementation of the report and ongoing interaction with Tusla, it is vital that the Minister insists that that happens at all levels, and particularly at the level of the individual cases. It is a big failing that was pointed out by Dr. Shannon. That would be the main issue I wanted to raise with the Minister.

Also, I have raised with everyone that there is a new system being proposed by Tusla called Signs of Safety and Tusla is starting to train its staff in it. As I understand Signs of Safety, it involves the wider community. It involves the gardaí being trained. It involves other community and even family members understanding what it is about. My fear is that children who are genuinely at risk will end up back with their family or back in situations where there is significant risk to them. It might be a good system in terms of children who are at lesser risk - maybe there is always a risk. I want to ensure that the Minister is aware that this is happening and that she is kept informed as to how it is being implemented, and particularly that there is appropriate and proper training for anybody who is involved in the system. My concern is this it is not about saving resources, that it is actually about the welfare of children.