Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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266. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the latest report by the special rapporteur on child protection published on 29 May 2017; the steps being taken by her department to ensure all deficits in services, particularly Túsla's out-of-hours social work service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26493/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The recent report by Dr. Geoffrey Shannon, entitled "Audit of the exercise by An Garda Síochána of the provisions of Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991", examined records held by An Garda Síochána and completed questionnaires and interviews with members of An Garda Síochána. It is a valuable report and raises a number of issues that are of concern to us all.

Dr. Shannon's report refers to a number of case studies based in Garda records. I have asked Tusla to obtain the information on these cases and review them against their records so that we may have a fuller picture of events. I understand that a report based on these cases is expected to be available for my information in the coming weeks.

A protocol between An Garda Síochána and Tusla-Child and Family Agency is near completion and, shortly, a Tusla social worker will be co-located with the national child protection unit of An Garda Síochána. Liaison will be in place between Tusla and newly established Garda divisional child protection units. I understand that An Garda Síochána and Tusla already have excellent co-operation at senior management levels.

In November 2015, Tusla launched a consolidated national out of hours service, to improve on previous arrangements. I understand this was after the period reviewed by Dr. Shannon. All Gardaí who contact Tusla under this arrangement will speak with a social worker in a dedicated unit in Tusla's national office. This office may provide advice or in the busiest areas make arrangements to deliver a child to Tusla following the invocation of section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991. Gardaí also have limited access, for data protection reasons, to the Child Protection Notification System to identify if a child is subject to a child protection plan. There are social workers available to be on the ground in Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and Cork city, where demand is greatest, and an on-call social worker service across the areas where an out of hours request is not as frequent. Tusla has indicated that it is monitoring these arrangements and will report to me when they complete their review.

It is important to note that the powers under section 12 of the Act can only be invoked by An Garda Síochána under certain circumstances and Gardaí must then take steps to deliver a child to Tusla once the child has been removed. Tusla is then obliged under the Act to either reunite the child with a responsible caregiver or to seek an emergency care order in the Courts.