Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 December 2018
27. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the report of the national review panel which commenced on 16 May 2016 on the care of three children in a foster home in County Galway will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52338/18]
View answerI thank the Deputy for her important question. The abuse suffered by these very brave young women while in foster care in the early 2000's is shocking, and I am very sorry that their lives were so disrupted and deeply impacted by it. I appreciate that the Deputy is anxious to know the findings of this report. I am also conscious that the matter is the subject of significant public interest.
I have been informed that the NRP has completed the report. In keeping with established procedures the report has been submitted to the Chair of the Board of Tusla. My officials have been informed by Tusla that significant matters are raised in the report, which must be given the proper consideration by Tusla. Tusla is committed to being accountable in respect of the report's findings, but has emphasised to the Department that it is also conscious of the need to protect the rights, privacy, safety and well-being of all of the young people involved.
As part of the review process, all those who participated in the review, including the young people involved, and Tusla staff, were given an opportunity to review and respond to the sections of the report which relate to them. This report concerned an extremely complex and serious matter, and I am aware that it is not easy to predict how long such considerations can take. This may have been a factor in the report being finalised later than expected.
The report is with the Board of Tusla and is being considered at present. When deciding whether to publish any NRP report, Tusla must consider the views of the young people involved, and the potential impact publication may have on them and their families.
I understand that there is dissatisfaction with the length of time that it has taken for the report to be finalised, but I am sure the Deputy can appreciate that any interference with an independent review process would be inappropriate.
