Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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104. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reforms she will make to the child protection system to make it fit for purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59241/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to supporting Tusla and ensuring its structures are robust, responsive and capable of safeguarding every child in need. Tusla has made significant progress in its reform and transformation programme, and the Government has continued to increase investment in child protection.

Tusla is supported in its child protection role by the Children First Act 2015, which enshrined in statute the core principle that child protection is everyone’s business. This Act provides for a number of key child protection measures, including mandated reporting by a range of key professionals of child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold and enhanced safeguarding arrangements in organisations providing services to children. The Act also established on a statutory basis the Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group which is tasked with promoting, monitoring and reporting on effective implementation of the Act and accompanying National Guidance across sectors.

Tusla itself has significant powers under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection.

The Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland's Future, made a commitment to update the Child Care Act, 1991. The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 is now drafted. I intend to secure cabinet agreement soon and proceed to publication.

The amendments in this Bill will support Tusla to deliver more effectively on its duties to children and families. The Bill will introduce guiding principles to strengthen the child-centred focus of the Act and to foreground the best interests of the child.

It contains new measures to strengthen inter-agency co-operation and national coordination on child protection. Designated public bodies will be required to proactively share information and collaborate to deliver more coordinated and effective services.

I am eager to progress this legislation, and I am open to amendments to the Bill during its passage through the Oireachtas. I intend to bring forward amendments to the Bill, to place the National Review Panel on a statutory footing. This will further enhance the work of the National Review Panel, as well as strengthening its independence and its ability to compel information and witnesses in respect of all reviews that it undertakes.

In addition to other steps, I have also asked the Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group to undertake a mapping of the key touchpoints between State services and children to identify potential blind spots and vulnerabilities within the wider safety net for children under Children First.

A programme of reform of the guardian ad litem (GAL) system is also underway as a matter of strategic priority. This will extend and regulate the guardian ad litem system for children involved in child care proceedings, to uphold their rights and enhance the capacity of the courts to make the right decisions in helping children and their families.

Also, in keeping with a Programme for Government commitment, on Monday 3rd November I launched the consultation process for the National Policy Framework on Alternative Care, planned to be delivered in the summer of 2026. The framework will aim to articulate a Whole of Government vision of alternative care in Ireland and improve the experiences and outcomes of children, young people, and families known to alternative care services deliver.