Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
146. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to his debate in Dáil Éireann with this Deputy, if he has considered making an apology on behalf of the State to a person (details supplied) after they received an apology from Tusla regarding how they and their family were treated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9702/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that the situation you have described must be very difficult for all involved. However, statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I must inform you that as Minister I am not in a position to intervene in individual cases as Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is required by law to be independent in its work as set out in Section 8(11) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 that "the Agency shall be independent in the performance of its functions".
Decisions by public organisations or Government Departments can be brought to the attention of the Office of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman provides an independent, fair, and free to use service. The Ombudsman will ask for details relating to the issue and a copy of the organisation or department's final response to a complaint. The Ombudsman can be contacted by clicking on the ‘Make A Complaint’ link at www.ombudsman.ie or writing to the Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773. The Ombudsman can also be contacted on 01 636 5600 to advise on queries or provide assistance.
