Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate all the comments and questions from Deputies and I acknowledge the great contribution made by this report. It has informed all of us about the great elements of the system, particularly the foster care families and carers themselves, as well as the gaps that still exist. I will address specific issues that were raised.

Deputy Rabbitte referred to a number of the 12 points and it is helpful that the report was so clear and concise in its recommendations. It is why we are able to respond as we are.

Deputies Rabbitte and Mitchell mentioned the importance of data collection. Tusla is moving on in this regard with ICT systems being rolled out throughout the country. Deputies noted that there is still a challenge in this area and spoke about the importance of transparency and accessible information. We made the decision on the national roll-out for social workers, and they are trying to focus on their practice. It is not that they are not collecting data at a local level but we are waiting for the full roll-out of the other system in order that they can focus on practice instead of completing more paperwork. Deputies asked about what is on the website and also about the 2016 annual review that recently arrived into the Department. Most of the information from the annual review is already on the Tusla website. As we are waiting for the full system to be rolled out, I ask that if Deputies have any specific questions or concerns, they should contact me and we can follow through on them. Our hope is that the system will be more transparent when it is completed.

Deputy Rabbitte referred to the movement to inter-agency co-operation between the Garda and Tusla. It is great to hear that the Deputy knows of a local and regional response in the form of the joint policing committees she mentioned. We still have a way to go in that regard. We are changing the cultures of two major agencies and institutions in order to ensure that they work together. There were concerns in resect of recruitment and retention and I addressed those, and other matters, in the House recently. The Deputies referred to creativity, which is required, and I spoke about the work force strategy currently being worked on very carefully. Particularly in the context of retention, some of the key issues for social workers include being able to manage caseloads, having good supervision and seeing administrative supports and information technology. Those specific issues are being worked on in the workforce development strategy.

Deputy McGuinness raised the matter of insurance or indemnification. My understanding is that the individual cases will be underwritten by the State while my Department is sorting out the indemnity issue. It is working on that. The Secretary General of my Department has reassured the Irish Foster Care Association of this so if there is a difficulty or problem, there will be indemnification as cases come up. It is an interim solution and a longer-term solution is being worked on as we speak. All cases in foster care are currently being dealt with on an individual basis. There should not be any concern about this. My officials are working with other Departments to put in place that scheme. It is more complicated than initially anticipated.

Deputy McGuinness began by asking about finding a way in which Members of the Oireachtas can make representations regarding what comes to them in the form of complaints, specifically in respect of vulnerable families. The Deputy raised this matter with me previously. I brought it to the attention of officials in the Department and I will have to do so again. The questions raised by the Deputy are reasonable and we should see if there is potential for moving in different ways.

Much of the system is good and we respect and want to find greater ways to support the foster care families. Significant improvements must be made in the foster care system, and HIQA is demonstrating that. I am in conversation with the authority about giving it more powers regarding Tusla. Members referred to recent HIQA reports and I am also very disappointed by the inspection findings, particularly those concerning the two foster care companies. I have directed my officials to find out the full facts of Tusla's arrangements in placing children through private companies. They will report to me on all issues outlined in the inspection reports. I have also been informed that Tusla is not making any new placements of children with Care Visions Fostering Ireland, which is one of the companies identified . No new referrals will be made until the company is fully compliant with standards. It is essential that Tusla is satisfied that every company has competent and reliable leadership and management structures. Many of the failings outlined in these reports are a direct result of problems at that level.

In regard to those two recent reports, I have directed my officials.

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