Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
1124. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she will implement the recommended action 75 of the Ryan implementation group for a professionally managed national archive to be developed as a central repository for the records for all children in care; and her views on whether there are barriers to the implementation of this recommendation. [33971/17]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency business plan for 2017 includes reference to proposed actions in relation to outstanding actions under the Ryan Implementation Plan, specifically Action 75 and 76 which relate to the Agency (Tusla) as follows:
- Action 75 - a professionally managed national archive is to be developed as a central repository for the records for all children in care; and
- Action 76 - records created in non-statutory agencies should be secured in the national archive.
The Agency’s business plan for 2017 states that Action 75 and 76 are to be addressed under the ICT Strategy for Tusla as the issue of records management spans significant areas of records beyond that of children in care and non-statutory agency records. Monitoring of Tusla's business plan takes place in the context of regular performance monitoring engagements between my Department and Tusla and I would expect any barriers to implementation to be raised in that context by Tusla.
I have asked that the Agency provide me with an update on progress in this regard and I will respond more fully to the Deputy in due course.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A.
I refer to Parliamentary Question 33971/17 tabled by you for answer on 13th July 2017 in relation to Action 75 of the Ryan Implementation Group.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency have advised that they are currently implementing the National Childcare Information System (NCCIS). The NCCIS will be fully implemented in all areas by June 2018 and will store all open and future referrals and associated records. Once fully operational it is intended to further extend the NCCIS in phases to become the central repository for all future records for all children in care. In addition Tusla are currently reviewing how best to address the management of all historical records and will be preparing a proposal as part of an overall records management policy for the Agency.
I trust this information is of assistance.
