Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
528. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps taken and planned following the publication of a report (details supplied); if a report has issued from his Department further to the publication of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2761/24]
View answerMy Department and the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) continue to take the issue of potential Child Sexual Exploitation very seriously and are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care, including working with An Garda Síochána as required. In this regard, my Department and Tusla have undertaken a range of actions in relation to potential child sexual exploitation, including the following:
• I engaged with the authors of the identified report, and my officials have engaged with Tusla, to ensure that any child protection concerns outlined in the report are being followed up, including in respect of any necessary reports to An Garda Síochána. Tusla has confirmed that its National Garda Liaison lead met with An Garda Síochána in relation to the issues raised in the study.
• Tusla has a statutory obligation to notify An Garda Síochána (AGS) of all incidences of suspected child sexual exploitation (CSE), including those relating to children in the care of the State. An Garda Síochána lead the investigation into these notifications.
• In 2021 Tusla implemented its Child Exploitation (CSE) 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.
• All staff in residential centres for the care of children have undergone Children First training, which provides guidance for the protection and welfare of children.
• Prior to the publication of the report, my Department and Tusla established a Working Group looking at institutional and organisational abuse. My Department has requested that the Group consider the report and make recommendations as required, after which I will consider any further steps as may be necessary.
• The work of this Group is ongoing, including reviewing criteria for definition of such abuse and reviewing further supports and guidance for staff around any potential indicators of child sexual exploitation of children in State care. The Group has recently commissioned an external research provider to conduct research on this area. That procurement process is completed and a provider is due to commence this research in the coming weeks.
Children in the care of the State are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. My Department continues to work closely with Tusla's senior management team on the safeguarding framework for all children in care, to ensure that it continues to be sufficiently robust to protect children from evolving risks.
