Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I hope that after many long years of abandonment by the State, the Health Service Executive and Tusla, Grace will receive the truth and justice she deserves. As previous speakers pointed out, however, the commission of investigation must not be hypocritical by failing to address the cases of other children who were failed and who suffered abuse. It must bring fair retribution for Grace and all other children affected by the horrific treatment they received in the foster home in question. Those responsible for the years of negligence and lack of oversight, protection, advocacy and care should be investigated and charged accordingly.

The most upsetting thing for people hearing about Grace is the repeated failures she faced in being rescued. This is indicative of how the voiceless and vulnerable in society are treated. It is disgusting to realise that we have a care system that not only allows for this, but systematically attempts to cover up its failures. A commitment must be given to all the other families concerned that they will receive an investigation, rather than waiting for 12 months simply to learn if they will receive one.

The terms of reference do not go far enough. The proposal to deal with the matter in modules means that many families who have been waiting for answers are expected to wait potentially for years. That is not right. Are the reputations of the HSE and the commission now deemed more important than the safety of children? If that is the case, I worry that we have not learned anything.

I am also particularly concerned about my constituency of Kilkenny regarding revelations last week that St. Patrick's centre sent children on respite trips to the foster home in question. The centre and any other homes that may have arranged similar visits should be included in the overall investigation.

A lesson must be learned from this case, which cannot all be in vain. The HSE and Tusla must make sufficient provision for all children in need of a qualified social worker, not only for a basic minimum period. There must be continuity and consistency in the treatment of vulnerable children and people with special needs. The ad hocsystem of plastering over issues with minimal resources must end. Otherwise, as we have tragically witnessed time and again, the risk is too high.

While this commission of investigation is crucial, we cannot wait for its findings before rectifying other cases currently in the system. If anything, there should be an immediate examination of all high-risk cases as a matter of urgency to ensure other "Graces" are not suffering in a similar way as we speak. I have no doubt there are other vulnerable and voiceless children in the care system who are not being vouched for or receiving the care they need.

11 o’clock

We know this in report after report from the HSE. In light of all that has been revealed in past weeks, the HSE and Tusla must make those children who are at risk in the system a priority today. More social workers must be employed immediately to seek out those on the waiting lists who could potentially be in precarious situations. As is often quoted, the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.

The events of the past few weeks concerning Grace, the other 46 children sent to this home and the 796 children's bodies revealed at Tuam have us all feeling unimaginably disgusted. In this context, let us not forget that there are modern-day issues such as child homelessness, child poverty, children currently in care with substandard help and children in direct provision, who could all equally be as vulnerable today as those in the past. The direct provision issue is one we must consider very soon because in a number of years we will all hang our heads in shame over how the children in direct provision were treated. Collectively as a society and as elected representatives we have a responsibility to hold those in positions of responsibility to account and to vouch for our citizens and children today who are voiceless. That is our duty and is what we should be here for. The commission of investigation needs to be broadened. It must address all those who suffered and hold those responsible to account.

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