Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank Deputy Martin for raising this very important issue. I also join him in thanking HIQA for doing this very thorough statutory investigation and doing it in just over a year, which is reasonably timely for a statutory investigation. I also want to commend the Minister, Deputy Zappone, for taking the initiative of commissioning this report in the first place.

The Government accepts the report. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs accepts the report. Tusla accepts the report. It will be implemented in full and, in fact, Tusla will be accounting for it before the Oireachtas joint committee today. I do have confidence in Tusla to implement the report but we will be monitoring that very closely and we will be taking independent advice on the monitoring of the implementation of that report. I also point out that while the report is very critical and very hard-hitting, it does not say that Tusla needs the kind of overhaul the Deputy is suggesting.

I am very conscious of the serious nature of the findings. We are determined, as a Government, that the focus now is on speeding up the pace of existing reforms and implementing all of HIQA's recommendations for the benefit and safety of children who may be at risk. The Minister has been in touch with the chairman of Tusla's board, emphasising the urgency of action on the recommendations. She intends to meet the board shortly to discuss the implications of the report and the next steps. An immediate and systematic improvement is needed and it is intended to implement the recommendations in full as soon as is practicable.

Officials from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs met this morning with Dr. Moling Ryan, who will chair the quality assurance group which will drive the implementation and recommendations made by HIQA to assure us they are being implemented. The Minister, Deputy Zappone, is taking full responsibility and will publish regular updates on the group's work to keep the public informed of progress. The Minister is also working with Government colleagues on the cross-cutting issues, and there are many cross-cutting issues. For example, she is working with the Minister for Justice and Equality on a new approach to deal with historical allegations of child sexual abuse and is engaging with the Minister for Education and Skills on a new formal career path for social work. She will also work with HIQA to identify how a review of best practice in the regulation of children's social services can inform the development of a regulatory framework.

The response from Tusla and the openness of senior management yesterday to respond to questions are welcome. As I said, they will be appearing before the Oireachtas joint committee later today, where they will give further account. I expect there will be a robust and good engagement at that.

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