Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to address a very serious problem in our child protection system and, in particular, the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, report which suggests that we are not doing our job in terms of child protection in Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary. Young people are being left at risk because standards in these counties are very weak.

Last November, HIQA undertook an inspection of these services which are operated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in respect of which it identified five failures. At that time, the service had a waiting list of 213 children and families in need of initial assessment. Even worse, HIQA inspectors discovered that the waiting lists were not being effectively managed, leaving children at risk. The report outlined that the systems in place to alert gardaí are not robust enough and it also called into question the quality of the screening of families that are referred to the services. Network checks with other professionals and appropriate contact with parents were not routinely undertaken as part of the screening process. The report identified a failure to carry out background checks and, most worryingly, there was a lack of speed in following up some allegations of physical abuse of children.

I have heard from service users that the system is broken but to read in a report that there was concern about multiple referrals of the same children but there was no joined-up response from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was shocking. These vulnerable children did not receive a consistent response in line with the national and local area procedures. They were not given a family response and their safety was compromised. This is an incredible failing. It is absolutely disgraceful. The Minister is not doing her job if she does not throw her whole weight behind sorting out this problem. There needs to be an immediate spotlight shone on the services in these areas, including my own county, Carlow, as a matter of urgency. The plight of these families has to be highlighted and standards need to be radically improved. We are not looking after those in need when we are not listening properly. There must be change and an urgent audit nationwide of these services.

Like other speakers, I encourage everyone to check on their elderly neighbours over the next few days. It is important that we do not forget to call on them and on people with mobility issues. In addition, I call on the Minister to provide additional funding to these vulnerable people.