3005. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the basis on which Tusla can be satisfied that a family reunification has been successful where it does not subsequently monitor, contact or follow up with the child or family following reunification. [62474/26]

3006. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any post-reunification welfare or safeguarding checks are conducted following the transfer of an unaccompanied minor to family members in Ireland or abroad; and if not, the rationale for this policy. [62473/26]

3007. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the documentary evidence that is obtained to confirm that the individual receiving an unaccompanied minor is the verified family member identified during the reunification process. [62472/26]

3008. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific procedures followed to verify that a child has been reunited with the intended family member before Tusla closes the case. [62470/26]

3009. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a Tusla official physically accompanies a child to the point of handover in all family reunification cases; and if not, the circumstances in which this does not occur. [62471/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 3005, 3006, 3007, 3008 and 3009 together.

Tusla is responsible for the safety, protection, and welfare of minors. The international protection status of migrant children is the responsibility of the Department of Justice through the International Protection Office.

Tusla have advised that they have in place a robust procedure for ensuring that the young person is appropriately reunited including the following key steps:

The social worker requests and gathers all available documentation from the parents, relatives or significant person, that provide evidence of their relationship to the child. This includes, but is not limited to birth certs, marriage certificates, baptismal certs, passports, identity documents, school documents, and in some cases, documents detailing a family history.

A meeting is arranged to set out for the parents the process of decision making in relation to the request for the child to be placed/reunited into their care. If necessary, an interpreter is provided. They must be advised of the following:

• Their right to have representation present for their interview.

• The fact that local area checks will be undertaken.

• Information on the decision-making process.

Once the required assessments and procedures have been completed and reunification has been approved, the following arrangements apply: Where the reunification takes place in Ireland, a Tusla official physically accompanies a child to the point of handover. Tusla have advised that a home visit is undertaken to establish any additional support that the family may require. A copy of the family support plan is also provided to local area social work.

On occasion where the reunification takes place internationally, a Tusla official may accompany a child, or Tusla may work with the International Association of Social Work to accompany the child.

The local social work area to which the child has moved is also advised that if they require any additional information or need to take transfer of the file that this can be requested from the Principal Social Worker. Once Tusla is satisfied that the arrangement has the consent of the parents or legal guardians and that the child can be cared for in a safe and appropriate environment, the arrangement becomes a private family arrangement, and the case is closed by Tusla social work department.