Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 25 April 2023

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth

Possible Enhancement of Child Protection Powers of Tusla: Discussion

Ms Patricia Finlay:

We have immediate powers. If there are identified children at risk, we have immediate powers, if required. We will engage with their parents and put a safety plan in place. We can share third-party information in terms of a potential risk to children. We have those powers. We have our child abuse substantiation policy, so we have very clear policies and procedures to ensure we do that in line with due process and fair procedure, following a large stakeholder engagement on the development of that policy. We are very clear. If there is an allegation against a person at this point, we have powers to intervene in respect of the immediate risk-----