Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The report points to the need for further performance indicators which encapsulate the points the Deputy made. In the case of children aged 16 to 18, what is their educational experience? Along with the Department of Education and Skills, I can examine the further gathering of such performance indicators so that we have the data. We will examine the report to see how we can further develop the data we have.

The Deputy made an interesting point about how statutory services relate to children in care, the need for an understanding of the child’s experience and the need to ensure the service is responding appropriately to those children. I would include the health services in this too. When I meet school principals, they speak about the need to get a better partnership with the HSE in response to concerns they might raise. When I speak with the HSE, it wants a better partnership with the schools. There are two sides to this, and we need to see better engagement and partnership between the statutory agencies involved with children in care. We also need greater awareness of the particular needs of children in care, as they are a vulnerable group. I like the Deputy’s suggestion of sending around a circular in this regard which would encapsulate some of the issues that arise. I can take that up with the Department of Education and Skills.

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