John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said, the correspondence was dated 24 April and the Minister is actively considering it. We are awaiting the national review panel report, which should be completed very soon, according to the information presented to me by the officials before I came in. The Deputy asked a direct question earlier about why the apology was only made on Tuesday and I am not in a position to answer that.

We have had too many of these cases. I deal with foster families, as do all Members of the House in their constituencies, and I know the care they offer is invaluable and much-needed, and more is needed, as the Deputy pointed out. However, those families are done a huge disservice when the system does not work, in particular when governance do not work. The time, love, attention and care they give to children is not matched by some parts of the system when we see examples such as this case.

When the Minister, Deputy Zappone, returns, I will speak to her directly on the issues the Deputy has raised and, in particular, on the correspondence she has received in regard to an inquiry.

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