Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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70. To ask the Taoiseach if he will meet with the Ombudsman for Children to discuss his recent remarks and proposals for reform of the child protection review system. [47994/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware that in April, the Ombudsman for Children published a report entitled Child Death Review: The Case for a National Statutory Review Mechanism for the Deaths of Children in Ireland. I take it the Deputy’s question relates to this proposal.

The report recommends the establishment of a statutory child death review mechanism in Ireland to examine all child deaths occurring within the State.

The Government supports this recommendation, and a commitment to establishing such a mechanism is included in the current Programme for Government.

This proposed mechanism would encompass all child deaths and therefore extends significantly beyond the remit of the National Review Panel, which is currently mandated to review deaths or serious incidents involving children in care or known to Tusla.

I met with the Ombudsman, Dr. Niall Muldoon, in March and we discussed the report and his recommendations.

Since that meeting, officials in my Department have been engaging with colleagues across Government to identify the most appropriate lead organisation to take this work forward. I will continue to engage with the Ombudsman and his office in the coming period.