Tusla and Gardaí to probechild case files
CHILD and Family Agency Tusla has confirmed to The Kerryman this week that it has notified An Garda Síochána of a concern relating to the referral of cases of suspected abuse in Kerry.
The Kerryman can reveal that the agency is now working with gardaí in Kerry to investigate issues it says it identified surrounding the referrals of suspected abuse cases.
Tusla informed The Kerryman that it identified the referrals as a problem in the Kerry area in the course of an internal audit and investigation of its files.
CEO of Tusla Bernard Gloster told The Kerryman that the issues involved ‘are very serious’: “These are very serious issues, and would not reflect the standards that could be reasonably expected today.
“While I am pleased it was our own processes that identified this issue and while I am encouraged by the response to managing it, I want to be clear, what is at issue here is completely unacceptable in a modern day progressive child and family service.”
The agency said it identified a problem with the referring-on of cases of suspected child abuse to An Garda Síochána in the Kerry area. It did not say how many cases are now to be probed or the nature of the suspected abuse.
“Tusla-Child and Family Agency is dealing with an issue in the Kerry area relating to notifications to An Garda Síochána on referrals of suspected abuse,” a spokesperson said. “Following Tusla’s own processes of audit and investigations, referrals to An Garda Síochána were identified as a problem in the area.
“Further examination has also raised concerns in relation to incomplete or unaddressed issues, in particular relating to a number of retrospective referrals. Separately, during the course of a HIQA Inspection in Kerry in late 2019, inspectors noted a number of deficits in staff personnel files relating to outstanding vetting and confirmation of CORU registration. These matters were pursued immediately and addressed.
“An investigation is currently underway. We wish to reassure the public that immediate action has been taken to address these issues, which were identified internally by Tusla and notified to the relevant authorities.”