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

Again, I appreciate the questions and concerns of the Deputy. On her first issue, all I am doing is reporting on the decision of Tusla in respect of Galway-Roscommon.

I am aware that YAP has services that operate throughout the country. It does not necessarily follow that this is just the first of many, which is what the Deputy is suggesting. As I understand it with regard to the decision relating to Galway and Roscommon, Tusla developed an approach that had regard to the analysis of needs there and, on that basis, identified that it would terminate the service level agreement. I appreciate that this is very challenging and possibly disheartening for the people involved. That is the decision of Tusla, whose rationale I have described.

Regarding the question of whether Tusla has adequate services in Galway and Roscommon to address young people's needs and the Deputy's concerns about the necessary professionals, my understanding is that Tusla has developed significantly in the area of family supports. The local area has a contract with Foróige, and this service has 12 embedded staff working in the area of family support teams to respond to children's needs.

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