Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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194. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to a recently published report by a group (details supplied); her views on the findings of the report; the actions she will take to address the issues raised in the cases that were highlighted in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38218/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As the Deputy is aware, on Monday 17 September the Child Care Law Reporting Project (CCLRP) published its latest series of reports on child care proceedings in Ireland, detailing 30 cases. This series is the first to be published under a new agreement between the CCLRP and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The agreement will run for 3 years.

The Child Care Law Reporting Project is an independent project authorised under Section 29 of the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007), and in accordance with Regulations made under that Section to report on child care proceedings. The project is supported in this work by my Department.

These cases reveal the complexities that can arise in child care proceedings and the challenges that arise in certain cases, including delays in obtaining appropriate placements and services for young people with severe therapeutic needs, and the prevalence of substance abuse, learning disabilities and mental health issues among parents in child care cases. The reports clearly highlight the variety and complexity of factors present in certain child care proceedings that come before the courts. The reports also include examples of successful outcomes – one young man, having spent three years in State care, had turned his life around and was hoping to attend third-level education; there was also an example of family reunification.

Aspects of the reports including the lack of adequate facilities for children with severe psychological and psychiatric needs, and the prolonged nature of court proceedings, especially those involving allegations of child sexual abuse, have received attention in the media.

To address this lack of adequate facilities, Tusla are currently working towards increasing capacity of special care beds. Furthermore, Tusla are aiming to achieve positive outcomes by implementing a new model of care; this will provide staff and young people with a framework that focuses on all aspects of their lives and not just behaviour, leading to improved relationships and understanding of the young person’s needs and how, in partnership with them, these needs might be met. It also provides a visible assessment tool where progress can be clearly demonstrated, strengthening and extending the governance process in special care to include the remodeling of the current referrals committee (for special care) and extend and strengthen the governance of special care placements with direct accountability from the Area Managers. Tusla is also examining additional mechanisms by which staffing vacancies in special care can be met.

I am pleased to note that Tusla have accepted the findings of previous CCLRP reports and are working to improve their own services and processes on this basis.

The CCLRP’s work continues to be invaluable in assisting my Department to gain a greater depth of knowledge and understanding of child care cases and increasing the evidence base on which future policy formulation can be based. In particular, the Project’s case reports are proving to be highly useful in the ongoing Review of the Child Care Act 1991.