John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill. I have a few concerns to express, particularly about the childcare sector, both the private and community care, and the interaction with Tusla. I acknowledge there is a need for regulation and a need to continue to supervise how children are being looked after, to ensure they are getting the proper care and attention and that a response mechanism is in place to address any issues that might arise. My experience with Tusla regarding a complaint I made recently was that the phone was not answered. I am still waiting for a call back from Tusla to register a serious complaint and its staff have not called me back. That does not say much for them. On the other hand, I have seen a case where a lady lost her home. She was a foster parent and ran into difficulty. Actually, she did not run into difficulty. Tusla got involved and it refused to engage. She fought in the interests of the child she was looking after and in the course of that fight, she lost her home. Deputy Troy was in touch with the Minister regarding this particular case and nothing has happened. The family is broken and the child is still there. I ask that in the course of the next part of this debate, I will be able to bring the details of that case to the House.

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