Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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523. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department will ensure that families affected by unexpected child deaths are provided with timely access to review findings from agencies such as Tusla and are provided the necessary psychological and legal supports throughout the process. [27391/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The death of a child in care or known to state services, whether at home, in care, or aftercare, is a tragic event that deeply affects family, friends, carers/staff connected to the child and local communities. In circumstances where families are affected by the unexpected death of a child known to or in the care of Tusla, such cases are notified to the National Review Panel (NRP).

The NRP was established by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in 2010 to undertake reviews of serious incidents, including deaths, of children in care or known to Tusla social work. The NRP is independent in the performance of its functions, making findings of fact and producing reports that are objective and independent of Tusla. The NRP produces reports that are factually based and identify points of learning to improve services provided to children and families.

Where the NRP conducts an independent review of the services provided to the family by Tusla, a report will be compiled and submitted to the Agency. Tusla has informed the Department that following receipt of such a report, social work staff will meet with the family to advise them of the contents, including the findings, of the report. Tusla has advised that the health and wellbeing of the family members are taken into consideration when sharing the contents of the report.

Tusla has further advised that it works with the families and provides emotional or psychological supports from internal or external sources. Legal supports are also provided through the Legal Aid Board, and Tusla continues to liaise with families providing financial or other supports.

Officials from my Department are currently engaging with their counterparts from both the NRP and Tusla to review the NRP Operational Guidance. As part of this engagement officials will ensure that matters pertaining to family access to review findings will form part of this process.

Additionally, the current Programme for Government commits to establish a National Child Death Review Mechanism on a statutory basis. I can inform the Deputy that my Department will proactively engage with the nominated lead department responsible for the delivery of such a mechanism.