2025-12-18

15. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will respond to a HIQA report published following an inspection of Tusla services in Dublin north city; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71909/25]

I want to give the Minister the opportunity to respond to the HIQA report that has been published recently in relation to Tusla services in Dublin north city.

The HIQA inspection was carried out between 24 June and 30 June 2025. The inspection was a monitoring inspection of the Dublin north child protection and welfare service to assess the progress made on the actions identified to address non-compliance during the previous inspection in May 2024. The inspection identified that significant system risks previously escalated to the Tusla regional chief officer following the April 2024 inspection had not been addressed, and required escalation to the Tusla national office following this inspection. In this inspection, HIQA found that of the five standards assessed for compliance with the national standards for protection and welfare of children, all five standards were deemed to be non-compliant. The HIQA findings from its inspection of Tusla’s Dublin north city service area have been escalated within the Department. Tusla has submitted an action plan to address all areas outlined for improvement as a matter of urgency. This plan was accepted by HIQA. Since the inspection, Tusla has made significant improvements and rectified almost all areas highlighted by HIQA, with any remaining actions being addressed as a matter of priority. To oversee the implementation of this compliance plan, Tusla has established a child protection and welfare governance implementation group, which meets weekly. Following the inspection in June 2025, Tusla’s practice assurance and service monitoring team completed a 12-month, full audit of child-in-care referrals categorised as abuse. This was to ensure that screening, assessment and notifications were completed as required. Tusla has increased the number of social workers at the front door of the service from three to eight and 94% of child protection and welfare referrals in Dublin north city are now screened within two working days. In relation to staffing shortages noted in the inspection report, Tusla is currently reviewing administrative capacity in the service area to ensure staff are being utilised effectively and to identify areas for improvement. The agency continues to move to a more multidisciplinary way of working to address challenges in recruiting a sufficient number of social workers from a very competitive and limited market. Since the inspection, Tusla has also undertaken a review of the governance structure and oversight processes in the service area relating to the receipt and management of referrals and case allocation in accordance with relevant policy, procedures and guidance.

I am glad to hear, and obviously the Minister has had it confirmed, that progress has been made in relation to the very serious findings not only in the initial inspection in April 2024 but also when HIQA went in well over a year later in June 2025 and things were not much improved at all. One example HIQA gave was a child with a disability who was non-verbal awaiting completion of a preliminary inquiry and safety planning for over two months. It reminded me, I have to say, of the Grace case - a non-verbal child with a disability waiting two months. Many other examples were given. There was an allegation of physical abuse by a parent against a child and they waited over four weeks. It was found the service was not safe, adequate or timely and where the screening for Tusla is supposed to be 24 hours, it was taking six months. I welcome if it is now two days. The likes of these cases really need to be checked on. We know the service also said things were done that were not done which was found when the inspection follow-up took place. I ask that a really close eye is kept on this.

I accept that there is and was incredible urgency to ensure matters were rectified as a matter of priority. I acknowledge the work of Tusla in that respect. It has increased the number of social workers and 94% of all cases are now seen within two days. There is very strong oversight of the operation. The Dublin north city area team, with support from Tusla’s regional and national teams, has worked diligently in an incredibly challenging environment to make significant improvements and rectify almost all areas highlighted by HIQA. Plans are in place to address any outstanding items and Tusla has been in close communication with HIQA during the implementation of the compliance plan. It is really important that HIQA is kept in the loop. Concerning Tusla more generally, budget 2026 saw Tusla receive increased funding of €165 million to continue providing vital child welfare and family support services, bringing its funding up by 14% to €1.37 billion.

When the word "allocated" is used, the figures look like a child is allocated to a social worker and therefore getting support but we also know from the HIQA report that some children were allocated to staff on extended statutory leave and had received no contact. We need to be careful in relation to what "allocated" actually means and that it is not just that a case is allocated but the case and the child concerned in that case is actually being seen and getting the support needed. There is also a need for consistent oversight. The HIQA report stated, "It was a significant concern, given that the significant risk’s identified in the April 2024 inspection, that the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) returned by the provider in advance of the [June 2025] inspection had deemed the service area to be substantially compliant ..." Of course, it was not. HIQA was misled. I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the very many good social workers but where they do not have the resources, their hands are tied. This should be a lesson to all of us in terms of what can go on in some of these services. Consistent oversight is needed.

The HIQA report on Dublin referred to by the Deputy sets out specifics. The questions raised by parents all over the country are similar to the questions raised in the context of the HIQA report and Tusla. What is the process in Tusla to respond to individual complaints of a serious nature? Is it expected to respond to and deal with issues or is it the case that parents have to go further? I referred to the Jones case recently in the Chamber and I refer to it again now. I referred to a child being cared for in a hotel setting which is unacceptable. All of these things are in breach of proper procedure and standards. Given the reports I have read, Tusla needs a complete reform and overhaul in order to deal with this. I ask the Minister to insist that the CEO of Tusla respond to queries and not make false promises.

To go back to the case highlighted, in the intervening time, it has to be an absolute priority. I welcome the HIQA report because where things are not right, it must be highlighted and rectified. Tusla submitted the action plan which was accepted by HIQA. Since the time of inspection, Tusla has made significant improvements and rectified almost all of the issues, for example, 94% of all cases are now screened within two days. That is really important. I do not take from the challenges and I appreciate that Deputy Kerrane has acknowledged the very strong work ethic of really good people on the ground dealing with very changed, different and challenging circumstances. I acknowledge that work as well. New oversight has been put in place. Resources were referenced by Deputy McGuinness. Resources for Tusla have increased significantly to €1.37 billion, a significant uplift which Tusla itself has acknowledged. In terms of attracting staff, there are new schemes such as earn and learn for social workers and recruitment from abroad. More will be done in this area going forward.