Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In addition to the dedicated centre in Galway using the Barnahus model, there will be two further locations in the east and south. I understand they will provide national coverage and access for victims and families to the service. A joint EU-Council of Europe project to support national implementation of the model is also under way. An inception report for the project has just been published. The report will guide which areas the project needs to address as a priority in order to support the national Barnahus project in Ireland. I welcome the Deputy’s observation that it is an excellent model. Obviously, it needs to be worked out properly.

The Deputy spoke about seconding social workers into the divisional protected services unit. I will bring that point back to the Minister.

If children are at risk of abuse in any circumstances, or in any cases where a child’s immediate safety is deemed to be at risk, it is essential that a social worker inform An Garda Síochána as soon as possible about any actions that are taken or planned. In some cases, Tusla may request the assistance of An Garda Síochána in making an emergency intervention. The Deputy mentioned section 12 of the Child Care Act, which provides An Garda Síochána with specific powers to remove a child to safety where there are reasonable grounds for believing there is an immediate and serious risk to the health or the welfare of a child. I note the Deputy's point that he does not want the joint working protocol to be ad hoc and that it should be consistent. Having co-operation and co-ordination in the working environment will be at the heart of the framework and will help inform part of the child protection and welfare services. The structure the Deputy spoke about is integral to and will be implemented under the new strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

See this speech in context