Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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598. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 519 of 5 March 2019, if the reason she did not seek a copy of the report in question was due to the fact that she was informed by Tusla that it was an internal management report; and the circumstances in which Tusla informed her of same. [11940/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that the primary reason that I did not seek a copy of the report in question was that I was informed by Tusla that it was an internal management report.

I received correspondence from the sub-committee of the Board of Tusla, which indicated that the report was to review management, structures and processes in the Midlands. I was informed that this report was not intended for publication. I had separately sought assurances as to the improvements implemented by Tusla to address issues in the Midlands and have outlined these in previous correspondence with the Deputy in November 2018.

There are a number of reasons why I may or may not seek a report from an agency under my remit. I continue to seek assurances from Tusla and other statutory bodies through regular engagement on routine and specific matters. Such assurances are supported by information from a number of sources including performance data, reports and engagement with key stakeholders.

The Deputy will be aware that I have sought written clarification from Tusla in relation to a number of matters regarding the report, and will also be part of an investigation which is being overseen by a sub-committee of the Board of Tusla.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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599. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 519 of 5 March 2019, when her attention was drawn to the fact that the report in question had been received by Tusla in May 2016. [11941/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Deputy tabled a Parliamentary Question in relation to this report on 11 September, 2017 that suggested that the report was concluded in July 2016. Tusla's reply indicated that the report was under legal review and a date for publication had not been set but did not say when the report was received.

I received correspondence in May 2018 from the sub-committee of the Board of Tusla that is responsible for the oversight of the investigation into matters raised in the correspondence of December 2016, and includes matters relating to this report. This correspondence indicated that the report was with Tusla in May 2016. I corresponded with the Deputy in November 2018 on matters relating to this report when it was clear that the information provided to the Deputy in September 2017 was incorrect.

The Deputy will be aware that I have sought written clarification from Tusla in relation to a number of matters regarding the report, and will also be part of an investigation which is being overseen by a sub-committee of the Board of Tusla.