Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is asking me a question as the Taoiseach. I will respond to it, if that is alright. First, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, is a good person who works hard and does a good job. I do not like the aspersion cast on him in the constant framing of the Deputy's questions quite frankly. Of course, I am going to use the time available to me, when the Deputy raised the case of Kyran Durnin, to put on the record of this House the extreme concern of Government and, I think, this House. That is an appropriate thing to do.

The Deputy is right regarding the need to reduce our reliance on the special emergency arrangements for the accommodation for children in care. I agree with that. Tusla's strategic plan on residential care outlines plans to increase residential care capacity and Tusla continues to progress a number of measures to secure residential care capacity. We have seen an increase to the foster care allowance in 2024. We have seen a further increase in that allowance scheduled to take effect in November. The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, has secured an increase of 14% in Tusla's total budget for 2025. That is an extra €145 million. These are extraordinarily difficult cases. Every child deserves their voice to be heard, including vulnerable children; in fact, vulnerable children most particularly who do not have others to raise their voice for them. The Deputy is right to highlight that. However, we do not yet know the facts. We need to know the facts of the horrific situation that is now emerging and the heartbreaking situation regarding Kyran Durnin.

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