Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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85. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the engagement there has been with Tusla regarding child protection issues highlighted recently in the public domain (details supplied); the plans in place for a fit-for-purpose child protection system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61509/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I wish to ask the Minister about her engagement with Tusla. I think we have all been absolutely shocked by the tragedies of Kyran Durnin, Daniel Aruebose, Vadym Davydenko and the really distressing case of the ten-year-old who was sexually assaulted and who had been in the care of Tusla. I accept that the Minister cannot get into the ins and outs of these very specific cases, but perhaps we could find out about the review mechanisms and what has been done and then ensure we have the proper protocols and protections in relation to a working child protection system because that is what people need, and that is what is demanded.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising these matters. As we said previously, they are matters that are of enormous concern to all of us in this House and, indeed, right across government and I would say right across society. I want to say sincerely that I am deeply saddened by the very tragic cases that have come to light, and I extend my own sympathy and thoughts and those of the Government to the families and loved ones of these children and young people.

I appreciate that the Deputy also acknowledged that these cases are the subject of active and ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific details that could, even inadvertently, prejudice that very important investigation by An Garda Síochána. I can say that, as soon as Tusla became aware of these cases, the Department was notified immediately through the agreed protocols and procedures in place. There has been ongoing engagement with Tusla relating to Tusla's own internal reviews of each specific case and on any recommendations that have arisen to date as a result of these internal reviews. I have directed the national review panel to undertake a review of each case as a matter of priority and to make findings and recommendations in respect of these as deemed appropriate. The national review panel is independent and has remit to review serious incidents, in particular where there is suspected or confirmed abuse of a child in care.

With regard to the well-being check, which we referenced earlier, its purpose is to proactively test and strengthen the current safety net the State provides for children’s welfare and protection and to provide assurances about the welfare of vulnerable children. The well-being check is focused on cases that were closed to child protection services during Covid-19 and relates to cases where there has been no further contact with the child since. As I already confirmed, the well-being check will be overseen by the independent steering group, which is to be chaired by Ms Tanya Ward, the CEO of the Children's Rights Alliance. As I said earlier to the House, I can confirm that phase 1 of the project is under way and a number of steps have been taken to date. The membership of the steering committee has been finalised and includes representatives from a variety of Departments including Social Protection, Health, Education and Youth, and Justice Home Affairs and Migration, along with representatives from the Health Service Executive, the Central Statistics Office, Tusla, Barnardos and an independent social work expert.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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All our thoughts go out to the families and friends of these children. We are talking about absolutely brutal circumstances, and we do not want to get into the ins and outs of it. I agree with the Minister on that. However, I think we need to find and ensure that we actually have a system that is fit for purpose. I welcome the fact that there is a review of each of these cases. Is it possible at this point to have a timeline for when we would see the outworkings of those reviews and when we would actually see recommendations? Has any work been done to date in relation to looking at our overall child protection protocols and the need for anything that needs to be done straight away even before any of these happen? Will Minister give a timeline for when she believes the well-being checks will be done? It is just making sure we do what we can now, and then make sure we assess everything and carry out the recommendations, but in a timely fashion.

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate all the points the Deputy raised. I do want to say that it is not just the setting up of the check and putting in place the independent steering group and all that. Engagement has also taken place with other Government Departments to explore opportunities for appropriate data sharing to establish where the children encompassed by this review are currently or recently known to the relevant State services or State-funded service.

On other things that have been done, the national lead has been appointed, a well-being check team manager has been appointed, a digital case management system is in place to support the work of the teams and so forth. Again, I can confirm that I have met with the chair of the independent steering group on her appointment and, indeed, I will be doing so again in advance of the commencement of phase 2. As I already mentioned, there is funding of €3.2 million being made available.

The Deputy referenced other measures that could be done. I will shortly be bringing forward a Bill updating and modernising the Child Care Act, which provides the foundation for child protection and welfare services in the State. This will strengthen the child protection legal framework and the powers available to Tusla. I also intend to bring forward amendments via the childcare Bill 2025 to place the national review panel on a statutory footing. This will further enhance the work of the national review panel and will strengthen its independence and ability to compel information and witnesses in respect of all reviews that it undertakes.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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As I said, could we have a timeline for those independent reviews, when we could be looking at them being completed and their recommendations, and when we think those well-being checks would be done and completed? Beyond that, I welcome what the Minister said from a point of view of anything necessary as regards data sharing and the legislative changes if there are necessary powers and protocols that are required by Tusla and other Government agencies. Could the Minister give me not only the timelines but also some of the detail of what powers are being proposed here? What changes are going to happen to Tusla? What can be done so that we can avoid some of these circumstances to ensure we have the best means of protecting some of the most vulnerable children who are out there?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I recognise that it is a whole-of-house determination to do right here and, where we can improve things and make things better, that we would absolutely do that. The first step for us, of course, is the well-being check in terms of specifically having eyes on children where cases were closed during Covid. I will be led by the steering group on the timeline for that. I will respect its independence in terms of that, but I would be hopeful that we are talking about just a matter of months in that regard. Again, however, I will not be dictating to it. I will allow the work to take place, but I would like it to be done in the tightest timeframe possible. I want it to be a full body of work as well, but that we would speak of months rather than anything else.

I will provide briefings and so forth on the childcare amendment Bill. It is an ideal opportunity now for us now to tighten up where we need to from a legislative point of view. That will include the national review panel and strengthening the child protection legal framework and the powers Tusla has available to it.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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What about the timeline for the review of cases?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Again, that is a matter for the national review panel. Prior to anything being published, it will have to be with the permission of the Attorney General. It would have to go through all of that, so as soon as all the Attorney General work is completed.