Protecting, supporting and caring for children is my mission and the
mission of Tusla and of my Department. It is an area of work which we keep
under constant review to ensure best practice, according to the Minister
for Children and Youth Affairs Dr Katherine Zappone.
The Minister made her remarks as she published an Implementation Plan for
the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) following the publication of Dr.
Geoffrey Shannon’s report on how the Garda Síochána use their emergency
powers where children are at risk.
Minister Zappone said the report makes ‘an important contribution to the
debate on emergency child protection measures and will continue to inform
future policy’.
The Minister says she is taking action on key recommendations:
· Co-location: Tusla is in the process of assigning an experienced
social worker to the recently established Garda Síochána National
Child Protection Unit. The two bodies are also working closely to
ensure more effective liaison through the establishment of the new
child protection specialist units in each Garda Division.
· Out of hours: The Minister has directed Tusla to review, as a matter
of priority, the level of demand for an enhanced social work out of
hours service, and to identify the most appropriate and
child-friendly manner in which supports can be provided when a child
needs emergency out of hours care.
· Inter-agency Protocol: A new protocol, reflecting the Children First
legislation, is awaiting sign-off by the Garda Síochána. This will
address some of the key communication gaps which Dr. Shannon
identified.
· Public/private emergency placements: The Minister has directed her
officials and Tusla to examine as a matter of priority the legal and
policy position in relation to the use of public and private
providers of emergency accommodation for children who are removed
from their families under section 12.
· Decision-making in emergency cases: The Minister has asked Tusla to
commission independent research immediately into Tusla’s current
practice where children come into care following an emergency
intervention by the Garda Síochána. In particular, the research will
look how the decisions are made by Tusla where a child has been
removed and is later either returned home or is the subject of an
emergency care order by a court.
Informing policy on alcohol: An overwhelming feature of Dr. Shannon’s
report is the damaging impact for children of parental/family alcohol and
drug abuse, leading in the cases cited in the report, to the removal of
children in an emergency situation. The Minister believes that this
particular matter deserves wider societal discussion and policy
consideration. She has forwarded a copy of the audit to the Minister for
Health, for consideration of issues related to alcohol and substance abuse.
Minister Zappone added:
“The report has further informed debate about the best way we can respond
to the needs of children and families who require our support the most. I
welcome the engagement which is underway in the Oireachtas, including the
appearance of Professor Geoffrey Shannon before the Oireachtas Committee on
Children and Youth Affairs today (Wed 28th June 2017).
Shortly I will be making a full statement before the Oireachtas and will
outline the further steps which are being taken to improve child protection
in this country.”