Máire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I wish well Ms Joanne Hayes of the Kerry Babies case who is bringing the State to court following its actions in those awful days, particularly with reference to International Women's Day on Friday. I wish Ms Hayes the very best of luck. The women of Ireland, and the men, are behind her.

Two years ago, I brought up at the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs the damning report on fostering services in the Dublin South-Central area. In that committee, we held a good six-month investigation involving foster carers of Ireland, HIQA, Tusla and the Garda. Everybody came in to present to the committee. A decent report was launched following that and the Minister, Deputy Zappone, promised to oversee its recommendations and implementation. Unfortunately, today, HIQA has again expressed grave concerns about Dublin South-Central. The area includes Lucan, Ballyfermot, Ringsend and Clondalkin, some of which are disadvantaged. HIQA's concern is that foster carers there have not been trained or informed adequately of their need to report child protection issues. HIQA again has condemned Tusla's education of foster carers in this area. I do not know how many times we must ask the Minister to come in but I again ask her to do so and to explain to Members what is going on in Dublin South-Central and at what risk we are putting children in need of foster care and in need of the care of the State. Repeatedly, it is just not happening.