Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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519. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla has a written policy for engaging with parents with disabilities in the context of childcare proceedings. [3957/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, recognises that some parents, including those with a disability, may need additional support and special consideration in respect of their disabilities and their parenting capacity. The Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook outlines that, in circumstances where a parent/carer has a disability, it is likely that there may be a number of professionals from different services involved. It is important that these professionals work together when enquiries and assessments are being conducted, to identify any links between the parent’s disability and the impact on the child. Any assessment should include an understanding of the needs of the family and individual children.

Legal representation is provided by the Legal Aid Board to parents who meet the eligibility criteria, and this includes parents with disabilities. Advocacy services are also provided by voluntary agencies, such as the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities, to parents with disabilities whose children are the subject of a court order.

The national approach to practice, 'Signs of Safety', highlights the importance of considering complicating factors including parental disability in a child’s life when a child protection concern is raised. Professionals involved must consider the impact of parental disability on the child and plan accordingly. Communication with parents is a key factor in the 'Signs of Safety' framework. Working together to ensure that parents are clearly aware of concerns regarding their child’s safety and contributing to plans to address those concerns is a cornerstone of this approach.