Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has satisfied herself that all necessary provisions to protect children in residential or foster care are in place and operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22618/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla holds the statutory responsibility for child welfare and protection, and is the appropriate body to receive reports relating to the safety and well-being of a child. This applies to children under the age of 18, living in their own home or living in care. Each referral received by Tusla is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team.

There are safeguards surrounding each child care placement, whether foster or residential care. Placements are supervised by a professionally qualified social worker, and the provision of care services is monitored by Tusla management and subject to inspections by the Health Information Quality Authority and by Tusla Registration Services.

The Deputy should also be aware that children in care have access to independent advocacy supports, such as the organisation Empowering People in Care, or EPIC. Children in care also have access to the complaints mechanism in Tulsa, and may make complaints, or be assisted to make complaints, about their care to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children.

There is, however, no room for complacency about our safeguarding measures, and we will constantly review them to ensure that they are effective.