Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and do not for a moment doubt her bona fides in this area. I will be in contact with her office in regard to this specific situation. I have listened to the tears of the heart-broken foster mother, who really felt she was the last chance for this young boy. I would share the foster mother's concerns about this little boy surviving and having a life that a young boy of his age should have.

I know Tusla and the social workers operate in an environment of uncertainty and I accept that, in many cases, the social workers are not getting the supports they need. As the Minister acknowledges, it is hugely important that the interventions take place. The supports that are needed have to be readily accessible. I believe John's foster situation was doomed to fail before it began because of the lack of assessment of his needs and the failure to put supports in place.

These foster families absolutely need to have all they can to sort out the chaos of these children's lives. As my colleague, Deputy Rabbitte, said, it is so important to link in with EPIC, Sugru and Care Leavers' Network with regard to their life experiences.

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