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

I take on board all of the points raised by the Deputy. I am trying to outline that there are a number of recommendations, many of which had been responded to, and major changes have happened.

That is not to deny given the challenges identified by the Deputy regarding the retention of social workers, etc., the difficulties will not continue to ensue in a high-risk environment that I have identified previously. It is helpful to ask about the Signs of Safety programme as a great deal of research was carried out to see what was the best way to take a preventative and early intervention approach under the programme, to train all of the Tusla staff throughout the country, where appropriate, and to pilot and roll out the programme in the 17 regions. All of that has happened. As this continues and as the programme is fully implemented, there needs to be ongoing monitoring and reporting back. I am confident that the programme is being monitored well and is seen as a very positive aspect of Tusla's reform.

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