Child Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024

Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Questions (576)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

576. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the implementation of recommendation 5.3.3 of the Protecting Against Predators report by the Sexual Exploitation Research Programme, which recommends that all professional care staff are provided with training and support to speak and listen to children and young people who disclose experiences of sexual exploitation to them; if Tusla have to date extended their training of the Child Sexual Exploitation procedure to all care staff in all residential centres; what actions Tusla has taken to ensure that all residential care units have clear policies and procedures for staff to follow to ensure the safeguarding and protection of children in their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19004/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Tusla maintains a Child Sexual Exploitation Procedure in partnership with An Garda Síochána. The joint working protocol between Tusla and AGS forms a critical part of the response to child abuse, neglect, and child sexual exploitation. A Principal Social Worker from Tusla has been seconded to the Garda National Protective Service Bureau (GNPSB) for a number of years.

Tusla has advised that online training on child sexual exploitation is available to Tusla staff, Tusla funded residential care staff, and to providers of SEAs. Training workshops are also facilitated where requested or required.

In line with Children First and child safeguarding requirements, service providers are obliged to comply with Children First and to have in place, and implement, policies and procedures. Tusla staff regularly ask for such policies and procedures as part of their work on inspections, audits, complaints, contract review processes. Tusla has indicated that all staff in residential centres for the care of children undergo Children First training, which provides guidance for the protection and welfare of children.

Tusla’s Children First Information and Advice Service (CFIAS) and its Child Safeguarding Compliance Unit (CSSCU) are also available to provide support and feedback on child safeguarding statements (CSS) and their associated procedures.