Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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887. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which her Department monitors children in fosterage who may have been subject to abuse; if she is satisfied that adequate protective measures have been taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24042/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Children coming into care have been subject to abuse, including neglect, or are in need of care due to welfare reasons. It is a priority of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that children in care are safe and have opportunities to thrive. Tusla's arrangements for the monitoring of the safety of children in care is based on the following:

- Comprehensive assessment of foster carers;

- Vetting of foster carers, as well as the adults residing in the households;

- Allocation of a Link Social Worker for the supervision and support of foster carers;

- Allocation of a dedicated social worker to the child in care to support the child and allow for a Care Plan to be implemented and reviewed;

- Training of all social workers, social carers and foster carers in child protection and the Children First guidance (2011);

- Social workers engage directly with children and talk with them about their rights, safety and future.

Where an allegation or concern is made to a social worker by a child, it is their responsibility to ensure the concern is listened to and to respond accordingly. The immediate safety of the child is always central in responding to any allegation of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect. Following an allegation the overall safety of the child is considered. Where there is an obvious ongoing risk to a child, whether in their family home or in a care placement, the child has to be made safe. That either involves removing the risk, or removing the child. The impact of removing a child from their home is a serious one with possible adverse implications for them, and so should only be done where there is no alternative and where it is based on an assessment of the best interests of the child. The allocated social worker will also review the child's care plan and arrange for specialist assessments to determine what therapeutic or medical services are required.

Allegations of abuse can be made against anyone, including biological parents, family members, foster carers, friends, professionals, other children and in some cases, people unknown to the child. It is important to note that any child welfare or protection issue raised by a child should be dealt with under Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children(2011).