Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2019
560. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla has developed an internal risk rating system for use by the early years inspectorate when assessing early years services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39472/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla employs a risk rating system for all early years services which informs inspection scheduling and levels of oversight and scrutiny of a service. All services are assigned a risk rating according to the criteria set out below.
Critical: A service categorised as critical has been escalated to the National Registration and Enforcement Panel, either because of concerns about the level of non-compliance with regulations, or because an unregistered service has refused to close and Tusla is advancing to a prosecution of the service.
High: A service categorised as high is under deliberation and management by the National Registration and Enforcement Panel and has not advanced to a commencement of removal or a prosecution.
Medium: A service categorised as medium has conditions attached to registration which relate to non-compliance with the regulations.
Low: A service is categorised as low where no significant concerns exist.
A “critical” status on Tusla’s risk register implies a high and intensive level of scrutiny by Tusla. It does not imply that children attending these services are at risk or should be removed from the services.
It is essential to note that where there is evidence of a serious risk to children, Tusla bring this to the attention of the Social Work services, in which instance parents are informed. This is a requirement under the Children First Act.
