1056. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether consideration has been given to establishing an independent, cross-agency statutory oversight mechanism for cases where responsibility for the safeguarding, care, or welfare of a child crosses organisational boundaries between Tusla, the HSE, and An Garda Síochána; the mechanism currently that exist to examine the actions and responsibilities of these public bodies collectively rather than separately; and if no such joint mechanism exists, the reason it has not been implemented. [65250/26]

Effective interagency working is fundamental to supporting children who come to the attention of Tusla, the HSE and An Garda Síochána. Depending on the particular circumstances and needs of the child, this may involve coordinated responses and relevant oversight structures across child protection, youth justice and healthcare systems.

In cases of serious incidents including deaths of children in care or known to Tusla, the National Review Panel investigates these and produces reports that are factually based and identify points of learning with a view to improving the quality of services provided to children and families. Where the NRP makes recommendations which fall outside the remit of both the DCDE and Tusla, officials within the DCDE ensure that these recommendations are brought to the attention of the appropriate departments or agencies across Government for their attention. I intend to bring forward amendments via the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 to place the NRP on a statutory footing. This will further enhance the work of the NRP, as well as strengthening its governance and independence.

In addition, the Department established the Interagency Group for Vulnerable Children in 2024 to identify and address a range of challenges in the delivery of State services to a cohort of vulnerable children and young people. The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025 makes provision for the establishment of a high-level inter-departmental and interagency committee, the Child Care Implementation and Inter-Agency Committee. This Committee will provide a mechanism for bodies to work together in the planning for, and implementation of, child welfare, protection and family support services. The Implementation and Interagency Committee will play a significant role in identifying and addressing policy or service gaps for children in care with complex, intersectional needs.

In the particular case of children who experience sexual abuse, Ireland has rolled out the Barnahus model, which is the leading European model of child-friendly, multidisciplinary and interagency interventions, bringing together child protection, policing, forensic medical, and therapeutic services under one roof, to provide an integrated response within the “four rooms’” for children who experience sexual abuse and their families and placing the best interests of the child at the centre.