Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct. The protection of children is the primary obligation on Tusla. By and large, the removal of children from their families is a last resort and is undertaken in situations where the social worker or indeed An Garda Síochána feel there is a significant risk to the child and they have to intervene. Where that takes place, the response is as much as is possible to place a child with a foster family to ensure he or she is in as natural a family atmosphere as possible. A total of 90% of children in care in this country are in foster care, which is a much higher percentage than many other countries.

I recognise that where a child has been taken away from their family and particularly their mother, it creates incredible hardship for that family. We are looking at whether there are ways in which we can provide better advocacy and supports to parents, recognising that advocacy systems are in place for children in the care system. It is also important to recognise the needs of parents who have had children taken away from them.

See this speech in context