Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That there were systemic failures and shortcomings, a failure to monitor, review and supervise, that there were numerous and notable warning signs and that her case disappeared from view are just some of the devastating findings of the two interim reports of the Farrelly commission of investigation. Running to nearly 800 pages, the two interim reports map out in significant detail the breathtaking failures of a system that was meant to protect a vulnerable person. There have been reviews, investigations and a number of inquiries over two decades and what seems evident from this wealth of information and investigation is that Grace was being systemically abused and failed over a prolonged period of time.

I often wonder whether we ever learn from history or mistakes to ask and understand the reasons systems designed by people to protect others fail so miserably.

There is little doubt the key personnel within the South Eastern Health Board at that time were outrageously inept in their roles and had little understanding of their duty of care towards Grace. To read they had no real understanding in regard to the discharge of their duties in the care of Grace beggars belief, and at times I wonder whether it is just a convenient excuse. It shows Grace was placed in a wholly unacceptable foster placement and simply forgotten, yet when staff in day services noted and reported disturbing behaviour, they were dismissed. Most worrying was the revelation that after an allegation of abuse, a decision to remove Grace was taken but then reversed. It is difficult to read that whatever failings Grace encountered as a minor not only continued but escalated amid confusion over her legal status, abandonment by officials for years on end and the fallout of the decision not to remove her from the foster home. The detailing of Grace's behaviour at this point is very distressing and difficult to read. This is compounded by the fact Grace could not articulate what she was suffering but rather suffered in silence.

I recently spoke about this issue on my local radio station and said, as I say regularly in the House, that I sometimes run out of words when it comes to the treatment of children by this State, both historically and in the present. Here we are again having a debate about which we are all shocked, dismayed and concerned, yet I can almost guarantee that in a few years' time, something else will happen and we will have a similar debate in here. We need to start putting the resources in place to ensure this will not happen to other children or vulnerable people.

The Garda was so concerned that it sent a file to Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, in 2020 recommending prosecution. I am open to correction but I think the DPP has yet to decide on the case. We were all shocked to learn in May of this year that the commission of investigation's work was to expand to examine a further 46 others in the home and whether they too had been abused. To think this went on for 20 years and could have an impact on 46 others is wholly unacceptable.

That this State has an appalling record when it comes to the treatment of children is a depressing understatement. When one considers Magdalen laundries, mother and baby institutions and industrial schools, it seems that, unfortunately, we never appear to be able to learn any sort of lesson and make positive changes. I have significant reservations regarding the use of the commission of investigation format to investigate these abuses properly. To date, the investigation has cost €7 million. Imagine if only a tiny fraction of this money were channelled into providing vulnerable young people and adults such as Grace with the care they so rightly deserve. We have seen with the mother and baby home investigation how the commission of investigation system is not fit for purpose and as legislators we need to consider amending that.

I sincerely hope I never again have to stand in the Chamber and talk about a case of absolute dereliction of duty but, unfortunately, I will not hold my breath in that regard. It is imperative that any staff working with vulnerable adults clearly understand their role and the legal status of those in care, particularly in respect of wardship and guardianship, and that they be held accountable in their roles. When they have the courage in certain cases to come forward and talk, they must not be discriminated against or dismissed for that.

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