Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1494. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the rapid review being conducted by Tusla following the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58301/25]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1495. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the work of the National Review Panel following the case of a child (details supplied); when the report will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58302/25]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1496. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the work of the Steering Group for Tusla's well-being check on children; the persons on the group; the dates they have met; to provide an update on their work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58303/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1494 to 1496, inclusive, 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, this 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 completed its Internal Rapid Review and this has been completed in line with Tusla Incident Management Policy. This Review has been forwarded to the National Review Panel and 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. Time and space should be afforded to the National Review Panel to complete its important work, and when this work is concluded I will consider the findings accordingly.

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.

This Wellbeing Check relates to cases closed to child protection services during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, specifically where there has been no further contact with the child since. This action is to provide assurance about the welfare of vulnerable children, strengthen Ireland’s child protection systems and learn from the unique challenges of that period. The Wellbeing Check will be overseen by an independent Steering Group chaired by Ms. Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance. The membership of the Steering Group is now finalised with nominations from my Department, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Tusla – the Child and Family Agency, the Health Service Executive, the Central Statistics Office, Barnardos and an independent Social Work Expert. Tusla has appointed a National Lead for the Wellbeing Checks and the Steering Group will meet shortly once Tusla has finalised its draft methodology which will be considered by the Steering Group.

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.