HSE And Tusla To Oversee Review Of Foster Care Placement Abuse Allegations

An independent body is to be established to carry out a review of historical allegations of abuse within a foster care placement.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Finian McGrath and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Katherine Zappone, announced that they have held discussions with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and Tusla.

From the discussions it has been agreed that an independent review of the allegations was needed.

It is understood the case involved a young adult with disabilities, who remained in her foster care placement after a historical allegation of abuse was made by a member of a foster carer's extended family.

The Ministers said it was important to ascertain the facts of the case before commenting further.

They added that they were committed to protecting the privacy of the young person and two other children who were in the care setting at the time of the allegations becoming known but were subsequently removed, stating that "contrary to some media reports … the allegation did not involve alleged abuse of the children and young adult in question".

It has been agreed that a review of the case, commissioned by the HSE and Tusla, will be conducted over a six week timeframe. The review will be led independently, with support from a designated senior manager from the HSE and Tusla respectively, both of whom work outside the Cork region. The review will have access to all records held in this case. The case review will be published once complete.

(MH/LM)