Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1153. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the joint protocol between gardaí and Tusla with regard to the Children First guidelines. [34178/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla and An Garda Síochána are the statutory bodies with primary responsibility for child protection and welfare. Joint working between Tusla and An Garda Síochána forms an integral part of the child protection and welfare service.

Chapter Seven of the Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children 2011 sets out the protocol that is in place for An Garda Síochána/Tusla liaison and details how they cooperate and interact in dealing with child welfare and protection concerns.

My officials are in the process of finalising a revised version of the Children First: National Guidance which, it is anticipated, will be published later this year. In that context the joint protocol between An Garda Síochána and Tusla is also being reviewed by the two Agencies. I understand that this is awaiting clearance through the Legal Unit of An Garda Síochána and, when finalised, will be available on each of their respective websites.