Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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1068. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason and the basis on which, the case of a missing child in Donabate has been referred by Tusla to the National Review Panel (NRP); the statutory remit and powers of the NRP; and to whom the NRP reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48221/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The death or disappearance 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 death or another serious incident involving a child known to or in the care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, such cases are notified to the National Review Panel (NRP). This is a standard process, as set out in the Guidance for Tusla on the Operation of the National Review Panel, published by the then Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in August 2021.

In this case, as Minister, I have requested that the case be prioritised by the NRP for review as soon as is practicable, in order to review the engagement the child in question and his family had with health, social, educational or other State services.

I have also asked Tusla to consider conducting a wider wellbeing review of cases closed to child protection services during the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. Tusla and the Department of Children are working closely on delivering a plan and agreeing timelines for this review.

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. 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 in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are currently engaging with their counterparts from both the NRP and Tusla to review the NRP's Guidance.

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 the Department will proactively engage with the nominated lead department responsible for the delivery of such a mechanism.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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1069. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the process currently being undertaken to review Tusla’s management of the case of a missing child in Donabate; the way in which the independence and effectiveness of that review will be assured; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48222/25]

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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1071. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures that are in place to ensure that any recommendations arising from the independent review of Tusla’s management of the case of the missing child in Donabate are acted upon promptly; the way in which accountability for implementation will be monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48224/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1069 and 1071 together.

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, which is of the deepest concern to myself and the Government. My 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. My 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.

Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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1070. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the expected timeframe for the completion of the National Review Panel’s examination of the case of the missing child in Donabate; when its findings will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48223/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The death or disappearance 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 this case, as Minister, I have requested that the case be prioritised by the NRP for review as soon as is practicable, in order to review the engagement the child in question and his family had with health, social, educational or other State services.

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. 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.

The Guidance for Tusla on the Operation of the National Review Panel 2021 sets out that Tusla commits to publishing an executive summary of the review as early as possible but in any event no later than three months, or as soon as practicable, after receipt of the final report from the NRP, notwithstanding any extenuating circumstances.

Further, also as outlined in this Guidance, an NRP review should not interfere with any legal processes, such as a coroner’s inquiry or Garda investigation, but should operate concurrently provided its operation is not affected by or impinging upon any such legal process.

In such cases, there will be consultation by the NRP with An Garda Síochána/Director of Public Prosecutions where there is an ongoing criminal investigation. Tusla will, through the An Garda Síochána Liaison, establish timing of the publication of a report that may have been subject to criminal proceedings. In order not to prejudice criminal proceedings, Tusla, in consultation with An Garda Síochána/Director of Public Prosecutions, may decide, on occasion to delay publishing a report.