Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The ISPCC childhood support staff have reported that children as young as nine are using drugs in some areas. These are children in acute need. The ISPCC reports that in some parts of the country, a child in need must wait 18 months to see a psychologist. This is not a picture of a well-resourced child protection and child welfare regime.

Despite the resource constraints, Tusla has begun preparations for the Children First law but the professionals working with children, including my colleagues in the ISPCC, are more than a little frustrated over the lack of momentum in the Dáil. I refer again to my points made during my priority question alluding to the Children First Bill. There is concern that the Bill will be passed but not enacted for some time due to the lack of resources being allocated to Tusla. We believe Tusla should be sufficiently supported to cope with current demands and the extra workload likely to arise with the passing of the Bill. Can the Minister guarantee sufficient resources will be provided?

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