Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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662. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 523 and 724 of 27 May 2025, to identify the lead Department responsible for the National Child Death Review. [31854/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the current Programme for Government commitment to establish a National Child Death Review Mechanism on a statutory basis. Additionally, as Minister I also welcome the Ombudsman for Children’s report titled Child Death Review: The Case for a National Statutory Review Mechanism for the Deaths of Children in Ireland.

I am conscious that the Ombudsman for Children’s report highlights the fact that the vast majority of child deaths occur in medical settings. The data outlined in the report also highlights that deaths of children in care are only a small subset of the overall number of child deaths occurring in the State.

As the Deputy may be aware, Tusla commissions the National Review Panel (NRP) to conduct independent reviews of child deaths and serious incidents, where the child is in care or is known to Tusla. Officials from my Department are currently engaging with both the NRP and Tusla in order to review the NRP’s Operational Guidance.

I can assure the Deputy that my officials and I will proactively engage with the nominated lead department responsible for the delivery of a National Child Death Review Mechanism.