Response to Audit of Section 12 Child Care Cases

The Taoiseach this morning met with the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Mrs. Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Ms. Katherine Zappone, T.D., to discuss the concerns arising from the recent report of the audit of the Garda application of Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991. The meeting was also attended by senior management in Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the relevant Departments.

The Tánaiste and the Minister for Children have agreed that An Garda Síochána and Tusla will work together using the Strategic Liaison Committee to oversee the timely implementation of the recommendations in Dr. Shannon’s report.

Reassurance was provided on the developments underway or already in place across both organisations to ensure a clear and consistent response to children at risk. A range of measures have already been put in place since 2015, to enhance inter-agency cooperation, provide appropriate Garda training and the expansion of the Tusla out-of-hours service.

Both Tusla and An Garda Síochána are in full agreement to build on this work and to develop further opportunities to enhance close working and communication such as increased linkage between Tusla and the Garda Youth Diversion Programme.

The Taoiseach has requested the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy to review progress in three months including the findings of the report by Tusla of the 91 cases in Dr. Shannon’s report.

Ends