Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2017
305. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the false information in Tusla relating to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7724/17]
View answer306. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the false information in Tusla relating to a person (details supplied). [7725/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.
I can advise the Deputy that I have met with the person concerned, and heard for the first time of their experience with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I was extremely concerned for their individual situation and the serious impact it has had on the person concerned, his wife and their family.
This individual case, and the public response to the mistakes made, has shown again the necessity that agencies invested with responsibility for such important, sensitive and complex work can be trusted to be both competent and fair in their procedures and practices. I am concerned to know, and the public requires reassurance, that the mistakes acknowledged in this case cannot arise again in Tusla’s Child Protection and Welfare Services.
I have asked HIQA, the Health Information and Quality Authority, to undertake an independent Statutory Investigation, under Section 9 of the Health Act 2007, into how Tusla manages allegations of child abuse.
I will be making the Terms of Reference public as soon as possible and I will be seeking to have the investigation concluded as quickly as possible.
