Kathleen Funchion Sinn Féin spokesperson on children and Chair of Dáil Children’s Committee questioned Minister Roderic O’Gorman about the concerns HIQA has about Child and Family Agency – Tusla online portal for complaints 𝑇𝑒𝑙𝑙 𝑈𝑠.
Deputy Funchion said: “records released under the Freedom of Information Act, which show that HIQA was quite concerned over the way in which the Child and Family Agency processed and investigated allegations and complaints. Several of these complaints received by HIQA related to Tusla’s management of child protection allegations and safeguarding concerns. Concerns have also been raised about the quality of care, including care planning, communication, governance and management. At the root of many of these complaints is probably the fact that so many social workers are often involved with one particular case. A young person or child can have a social worker who might change and then change again. Then, we know that many cases do not even have an assigned social worker, so that is also an issue. Obviously, we talk a lot about the early years. Consistency of care equals quality care. It is the same in Tusla for children in care. I know there is an issue with the retention of social workers, but we need to try to tackle that as one element of this.”