James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have covered the budgetary issues. Senator Cullinane referred to shortfalls, and I am very pleased with his party's support on it. It is unfair to be overly critical of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, which came into being less than two years ago and has made much progress in many areas, although I acknowledge that more needs to be done and will be done. Senator O’Keeffe referred to ensuring young people are aware of their rights. This will be done. The issue is about placing an onus on Tusla to chase people who may have left care and with whom it has lost contact. It would be unwise to do this in legislation. Although I could talk further, we will have an opportunity to do so on Committee Stage.

I thank all the Senators for their support for the Bill, which is critically important. I echo what people have said about the less than admirable history of our care of vulnerable children and I hope our generation will be seen as the one that sought to address and redress it. Again, I thank all the wonderful people who are involved in foster care and who give such great care to the children in their charge. It is evidenced by the fact that so many stay with the families afterwards and continue to be supported by them. It is a tribute to our system that such a high percentage of children who are in care are in foster care rather than residential care. We would all prefer if none of them were in care but were at home with their families enjoying a happy and memorable childhood.