Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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72. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the supports offered to birth mothers of children in State care; the ways through which they are supported through the process of taking their children into care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49651/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Tusla’s Strategic Plan for Foster Care Services for Children and Young People 2022 – 2025 forms part of Tusla’s overall Alternative Care Strategy across the continuum of care. The implementation plan for this strategy and regular progress updates are shared with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

The Plan sets out various recommendations to strengthen supports to birth parents of children and young people in care. This includes the recommendation to support and fund independent research into the design and piloting of an advocacy service for parents whose children are in the care of the state.

In October 2024, Tusla provided an update to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality on the pilot programme. Tusla advised that the Parental Advocacy and Information Service, launched in 2022, is funded by Tusla and delivered by Barnardos with oversight from the Children’s Rights Alliance. Advocates from the service are currently available in two pilot regions: Dublin North City and Waterford/Wexford. The primary goal of the service is to empower parents to actively engage in child protection and court proceedings concerning their children.

Tusla has informed that the service has supported over 200 parents through a variety of activities, such as face-to-face meetings and accompanying them to various appointments and events, including Child Protection Conference, Family Welfare Conferences, meetings with their children’s social worker, GAL meetings, Child in Care reviews, access reviews, Safety Network meetings, court proceedings as well as pre-court and post-court meetings, pre-birth meetings for expectant parents, and reunification meetings.

I am also aware that the service is provided in close collaboration with Tusla's own staff, legal professionals, and other organisations. As the service has evolved there has been a significant increase in referrals, and advocacy activities. Notably, more advocates are attending child protection conferences, indicating that parents are referring or being referred to the service earlier in care proceedings.

I can also inform the Deputy that the informational component of the service is available to all parents whose children are or have been taken into care and that parents can access this through Barnardos website. A helpline, leaflets, tip sheets, webinars, workshops, and social media channels are also available as resources for parents.

Tusla has further advised that it recognises the importance of children living with their families, where possible, and works to achieve reunification where this is in the best interests of the child. In the interest of improving the support network around children, even where that child may be in care, Tusla has stated that its workers advocate on behalf of parents to secure support services. These could include addiction or mental health services, housing and income supports, as well as parenting and family supports.

In the event that a child remains in care long-term, Tusla has advised that the supports it offers to parents seeks to assist the parent in maintaining regular contact with the child by means of family access, where parent, child and siblings may visit or spend time with each other.