Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)

I refer to the publication during the recess of the Grace report. It is shocking that after eight years of an investigation no one has been held to account. Grace was a young girl, who became a young women, with complex and profound intellectual disabilities left in a foster home for 20 years without oversight of her care. Even when, in 1996, there were allegations of sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect, and there was talk of moving her, Grace was left in that home for another nine years. It is not credible for the report to state that there was insufficient evidence of physical and sexual abuse. Such findings make me question the care of other vulnerable children and adults in the care system.

The Minister has said that the landscape has radically changed but I do not believe that either. This year, HIQA found five foster care services, which are operated by Tusla, to be non-compliant. In addition, hundreds of children do not have a social worker. I commend the foster families who do incredible work throughout society. We need more of them. We also need oversight to ensure foster carers get the necessary supports and provide the proper care to those in their care.

I am concerned that there is no adult safeguarding legislation. Many vulnerable adults live in residential settings but, again, there is no oversight. A number of people have raised with me their concerns about young adults with intellectual disabilities or autism who are in settings that are not really appropriate and do not receive the care they should receive.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to come to the House to debate all the issues associated with the Grace report. We must also debate the wider issues that pertain to our vulnerable young people and our young adults in care.