Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1443. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth given the recent case where a care home for vulnerable children falsified Garda vetting and background checks, what steps the Government is taking to enhance oversight and accountability in the recruitment process within child care facilities to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12627/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1444. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress of the Childcare (Standards in Children's Residential Centres) Regulations; if additional legislation or amendments are being considered to prevent fraudulent practices like those seen in the ideal care services case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12628/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1445. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions her Department is taking to ensure that care homes are properly vetted and are there additional safeguards in place to protect vulnerable populations from the risks posed by staff members who may not have undergone thorough background checks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12629/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1443 to 1445, inclusive, together.

My Department and Tusla continue to take the issue of non-compliance with Garda vetting requirements by commissioned services very seriously and are committed to ensuring ongoing review of compliance by these services. Tusla has oversight and governance measures in place for all commissioned services.

Tusla ensures that all commissioned services are operating in compliance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and vulnerable persons) Acts 2012. Through the service level agreements between Tusla and commissioned services, compliance with Garda vetting and child safeguarding statements is reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis. When this issue arose in this particular case, Tusla advised my Department that it referred the organisation in question to its Child Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit for review and to ensure that the organisations Child Safeguarding Statement was compliant with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015.

While Tusla does not comment on individual or specific external service providers, it’s important to note that under Children First, supervision/access centres are classified as a ‘relevant service’ as they provide care and supervision of children whilst in the centre. Therefore, any such service providers working with Tusla are required to have a Child Safeguarding Statement and relevant policies and procedures for reporting child protection and welfare concerns.

Tusla commissions over 660 Section 56 organisations to provide critical support services to children and families across the country. As part of the commissioning process, providers are required to sign a service level agreement which outlines the governance systems, processes, and standards to ensure an appropriate service for the children they work with.

Where Tusla engages such services, the conditions to be met are outlined to ensure they are compliant with Tusla standards. Therefore, any such service providers are required to have a Child Safeguarding Statement and relevant policies and procedures, including Garda vetting.

Where Tusla becomes aware of a situation such as that outlined, Tusla work closely with the provider to assure itself that the appropriate governance systems and processes are in place while children are availing of the service. If this cannot be assured, Tusla may put in place additional safety mechanisms or discontinue use of the service until assurances could be provided.

HIQA are currently drafting the National Standards for Children’s Social Care Services, which the Authority state will aim to promote progressive quality improvements in the care and support provided to children who are at risk or who are in the care of the State, and to recognise their individual and unique needs.