Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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205. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which complaints are still outstanding in respect of children alleged to have been abused while in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38265/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Allegations of abuse of any child are taken seriously and treated with priority, especially where a child is in care. Any such allegation is dealt with under the Children First procedures. Following an initial assessment of the allegation, and where appropriate, a safety plan is put in place for the child's immediate protection. A notification of the allegation is sent to An Garda Siochana for criminal investigation.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, do not collect at a national level data on retrospective or current allegations of abuse relating to children in care.

HIQA, when inspecting children's residential care and foster care, pay particular attention to the management of allegations of abuse and draw attention to areas requiring improvement.