Ms Catherine Bond:

Senator Ruane raised a number of issues. First and foremost, the Constitution works to promote the retention of children with their natural families. This is enshrined in our Constitution. When decisions are made for children not to be with their families, it is because many people are concerned about what is happening. The next layer of support that is put in is support for families. I know that between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Tusla, a high level of supports are put into family resource centres and the likes of voluntary organisations. As well as Tusla introducing the signs of safety approach to work with and support families to keep children with them. When it gets to the point where a decision is made for a child to come into care, it is a very onerous decision and not one that is taken lightly. That is very important to note.

We expect a lot from children. When children are removed from their families of origin, of course, them leaving is a wrench. Despite the best intentions of the parents, blood is always thicker than water. Children having to leave their family of origin is very traumatic, regardless of what went on during their tender years. Foster carers take these children into their homes to look after and care for them.

Foster carers have an extensive assessment period that can span from 12 months to 18 months, and that includes every member in the foster care family, including their own children. The threshold for fostering is quite high. Foster carers are then required to go before a foster care committee where everything regarding their family, including their lifestyle, is put on the line. They are Garda vetted. Medical checks are done. Their own children's school reports are considered and teachers contacted. It is a comprehensive assessment. To become a foster carer, the threshold is quite high because a foster carer is caring for somebody else's child.

As to children going on access with their birth families, it is very stressful and traumatic for children, and it is traumatic for foster carers who have to support that child when he or she comes back from access. The thing about access is it is court directed. Therefore, only the court can say who goes to access, how frequently it takes place, and where it takes place. That is not within the gift of the birth family or foster carers. That is the reality. We also need to talk about the care team around the child, which includes everybody. This includes the child's natural family, the social workers and the foster carers, because that is how foster care works well - when everybody is working in unison.

A new service is being set up to support birth parents, which was commissioned by Tusla a few months ago. Plans are in place in recognition of the need to support birth families. They are and should continue to be an important part of children's lives. When the system works collaboratively and supports one another, with everybody working in the best interests of the child, that is what people are working towards.