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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Tusla file inaccuracies

Summary

Deputy Tóibín alleged Tusla had recorded false information on a mother’s file and sought details of how widespread the problem was. The Minister later said serious incorrect information had been found, explained when he became aware of it, and said Tusla would respond rapidly to future notifications.

We are out of time and three Deputies remain. I will take a 30-second question from each of them.

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Yesterday the Minister with responsibility for children responded to Aontú on a shocking case we raised with regard to Tusla recording untruths about a mother in its files. Tusla incorrectly stated the mother, along with other things, was an alcoholic. It said it was a copying and pasting error and has apologised since. For months we have had a back and forth with the Minister to try to find out how many other families have had untruths in their files. The Minister said he only became aware of this in March 2021. We have seen a document-----

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The time is up, Deputy. We cannot have a conversation.

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-----where he actually did become aware of it in October 2020.

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We are finished, Deputy, please.

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It is important that we find out-----

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Please, Deputy, do not ignore the Chair.

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-----as soon as possible the prevalence of this crisis among families throughout the country.

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I will not call the Deputy again if he continues to ignore the Chair.

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Last July, the Government approved Scariff Community College to proceed to tender for two mainstream classrooms, a metalwork room and a woodwork room. The school is under the patronage of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. The principal, Angela McNamara, is excellent, as are the staff. The project has been delayed for a while. I ask that the Taoiseach and my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Foley, might intervene to get this over the line. It is needed. I also have a question for the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. The school has also made an application for a running track and I ask him not to see it short.

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The Taoiseach is very familiar with the N25 between Carrigtwohill and Midleton, which is one of the busiest roads in the country with 30,000 traffic movements per day. It is a very dangerous road. The Taoiseach is also familiar with the former Amgen site, which is now landlocked because the N25 is not being upgraded. He is also familiar with the 2,500 houses that were to be built in Water-Rock which are also at risk because of a decision not to upgrade the N25. Will the Taoiseach intervene and make it happen?

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I will ask the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to answer the first question.

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Roderic O'Gorman Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Green Party

I will respond to Deputy Tóibín's question. In the case at issue, serious incorrect information was provided on the file. In my correspondence with the Deputy I outlined when I became aware of it as Minister. The Department and Tusla will always respond rapidly if similar instances are notified to us by any parent in future.

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