Children’s rights group calls for Oireachtas debate on child sex abuse report

The Children’s Rights Alliance (CRA) has called for a debate in the Oireachtas on a new report into the management of allegations of child sex abuse by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla).

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) yesterday published the report, which was commissioned by Government out of concern that Tusla was poorly handling information concerning allegations of child sex abuse.

Commenting, Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, welcomed the report and its recommendations.

However, Ms Ward added: “Tusla was established in 2014 when Ireland was coming out of a recession with no lead-in time and without sufficient resources.

“In 2018, while Tusla has put considerable national policies and structures in place, now the focus must move to the frontline to ensure that all children get access to a consistent child protection and welfare system. No child should be put at risk because of a systems or oversight failure.

“What is special about today’s report is that it provides a roadmap containing real solutions to improve child protection. We welcome the clear statement and commitment by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and Tusla to implement the HIQA recommendations as a matter of urgency.

“It is vital that an action plan is now put in place and published so these recommendations can become a reality and that public confidence in our child protection system is restored. We are also calling for this report to be debated by both Houses of the Oireachtas.”