Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1023. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she accepts the Ombudsman for Children's finding that the National Review Panel is "not a powerful vehicle" and "disrespectful to families" in its handling of cases such as the disappearance of a child in Donabate now presumed dead; and if she will commit to establishing a fully independent statutory body with powers to investigate, publish, and enforce recommendations in serious child protection cases. [47976/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1024. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will review the statutory basis, powers, and independence of the National Review Panel, in light of the Ombudsman for Children’s statement that it is “not a powerful vehicle” and “disrespectful to families”; and if she will consider reforms to allow the publication of reports in full. [47985/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1023 and 1024 together.

The National Review Panel is tasked with reviewing serious incidents including the deaths of children in care and known to the child protection system. It is important to be clear that the National Review Panel has an independent Chair and panel members along with its own independent legal advisors. It makes findings of fact and produces reports that are objective and independent of Tusla. Decisions regarding the publication of NRP reports takes into consideration a range of factors, including the professional judgement of the members of the NRP as well as the views of family members of the child. Tusla has advised that, out of the 133 reports that the NRP has produced to date, 90 reports or executive summaries have been published and are available on Tusla's website.

Since its establishment the NRP has played a critical role in identifying systemic issues, obstacles to good practice, and areas for learning to improve services.

The current Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, contains a commitment to establish a National Child Death Review Mechanism on a statutory basis.

Additionally, I welcomed the Ombudsman for Children’s recent 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.

In the context of all of the above, it remains a commitment of the current Programme for Government to establish a National Child Death Review Mechanism on a statutory basis. I can assure the Deputy that Department officials and I will proactively engage with colleagues across Government on the delivery of this mechanism.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1025. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of child welfare and protection cases closed by Tusla due to Covid-19 restrictions between 2020 and 2022; and if she will outline the methodology and timelines for the current “well-being checks” being carried out on those cases. [47986/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1026. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of cases reviewed by Tusla’s National Review Panel in each of the past five years; the average time taken to complete such reviews; and the percentage of recommendations implemented. [47987/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As this question relates to operational information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been referred to the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1027. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider establishing an independent statutory body, separate from Tusla, with authority to investigate and publish reports on serious child protection failures. [47988/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The National Review Panel (NRP) conducts reviews of child deaths and serious incidents, where the child is in care or is known to Tusla.

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.

Officials from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) regularly review NRP reports from the context of analysing the quality of services provided directly or indirectly by Tusla to the child or young person concerned. In some instances, follow-up with Tusla may be required. Where this is deemed necessary it can include requests for a written response from Tusla, or a meeting with Tusla officials. Additionally, NRP reports are reviewed by the DCDE in the context of driving change and identifying learning and good practice across both Alternative Care and Child Protection and Welfare services.

Where the NRP makes recommendations which fall outside the remit of both the DCDE and Tusla, officials within the DCDE ensure that these recommendations are brought to the attention of the appropriate departments or agencies across Government for their attention.

While the final decision to publish NRP reports ordinarily rests with Tusla, a number of factors are considered in this regard, including the professional judgment of the NRP members undertaking the review and the wishes of the family members of the child.

Finally, I welcome the commitment under the current Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, to establish a National Child Death Review Mechanism on a statutory basis. I can assure the Deputy that officials in the DCDE and I will proactively engage with the nominated lead department responsible for the delivery of a National Child Death Review Mechanism.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1028. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider commissioning an independent inquiry into the handling of the Donabate case, given the Ombudsman’s concerns about the adequacy of existing review mechanisms. [47992/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which is of the deepest concern to myself and the Government. This Department was notified by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, of this case on the 1st of September, in full accordance with established protocols. Since that time, my Department has maintained close and ongoing contact with the Agency.

As the Deputy will be aware, this case is the subject of an active and ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on any specific details that could, even inadvertently, prejudice that vital investigation.

Tusla has initiated a rapid review of its own engagement with the family in this case. Furthermore, I have requested that the independent National Review Panel prioritise a review of this case. This review will examine the nature and extent of any engagement the child and his family had with all relevant State services, including health, social, and educational services. The National Review Panel has an independent Chair and operates with full independence, including its own legal advice, to ensure its findings are objective and factual.

Separately, and as a broader point of policy, I have also asked Tusla to conduct a wider follow-on review focused on cases that were closed to child protection services during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. The Department is currently liaising with Tusla on the legal basis and scoping of this process.

Our collective focus must remain on supporting the work of An Garda Síochána’s investigation and identifying learnings to enhance the State’s services supporting vulnerable children and their families.