Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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854. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that sufficient coordination exists between Gardaí and Tusla in cases of children known to the agency who go missing. [47989/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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855. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if any Garda-Tusla joint protocols are in place for missing children cases, and if these protocols were activated in the Donabate case. [47990/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 854 and 855 together.

The Deputy will appreciate that, as there is an ongoing investigation into the incident referred to that I cannot comment in detail on specifics, beyond confirming that a referral to Gardaí was made by Tusla and acted upon by An Garda Síochána.

I am assured that An Garda Síochána, as a human rights based policing service, takes the issue of child safeguarding seriously. There are established protocols for referrals of cases of concern to Gardaí from Tusla, and these reports are investigated.

Of course, Gardaí are rarely the first State body to be involved in such cases. Schools and childcare facilities, public health officials and community or charitable organisations will often have engaged with vulnerable children in the first instance, before issues are brought to Tusla’s attention.

The Gardaí are a community policing service who have strong links to other partner agencies in their local areas. They also have specialised and trained members who can deal with instances of serious concern, such as child abuse or neglect.

A key role for Gardaí is to investigate cases referred to them and tragically in some cases the need to determine the circumstances of a disappearance or death of a child. This work is no doubt harrowing for the Gardaí involved, and support is available to Garda members dealing with these type of traumatic incidents.

Under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and operation of An Garda Síochána, including ongoing policing investigations. As Minister, I cannot direct An Garda Síochána, or comment on these independent matters.