Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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630. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which children with special needs continue to receive the support of Tusla in all situations where required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26385/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I must assume that the Deputy is referring to a situation where a child in the care of Tusla may have additional needs.

The thresholds for taking a child in to care are set out in the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. The thresholds are based on the risk that the child may not receive adequate care or protection unless they are taken into care, and do not explicitly reference any additional needs of the child.

Tusla in discharging its statutory responsibilities under the Child Care Acts must have the best interests of the child as its paramount consideration. On coming into care, an assessment of the child's needs will be carried out where required, and will include, as appropriate, any additional needs. The child's care plan will then reference the support to be provided to the child to meet the child's needs

Tusla actively monitors every placement of every child in care to ensure its appropriateness to the needs of that child, and any concerns or breaches of standards or Regulations are addressed in this context.