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The head of Tusla said last month that, despite the “harrowing” case of the missing child, the organisation had uncovered “no child protection concerns” regarding his disappearance. Sinn Féin's children's spokesperson, Claire Kerrane, had asked a series of questions of children's minister Norma Foley around the issue. Ms Foley said Tusla has completed its internal rapid review, and this has been forwarded to the national review panel. However, Ms Kerrane questioned if the panel has begun its work. Ms Foley said she has "requested that the independent national review panel prioritise a review of this case". "This review will examine the nature and extent of any engagement the child and his family agency had with all relevant State services, including health, social, and educational services," Ms Foley said. "Time and space should be afforded to the national review panel to complete its important work and, when this work is concluded, I will consider the findings accordingly." Separately, Ms Foley said she has also asked Tusla to conduct a wider follow-on review focused on cases that were closed to child protection services during the covid pandemic lockdowns. She said her department "is currently liaising with Tusla on the legal basis and scoping of this process". Ms Kerrane told the Irish Examiner:"There is no excuse for the lack of progress on really important actions that were agreed in response to this case." "It is now November and it does not appear the national review panel has begun its work or if it has it only has. Of course it could only begin its work once Tusla’s internal rapid review was concluded. It’s unclear how long that took. “The promised wider review or wellbeing checks of cases closed during covid has not commenced. This action was sought on September 4, nine weeks ago. It’s hard to believe this work still hasn’t begun given the seriousness of the case that led to it. How much longer is this going to take? When will the wellbeing checks commence? How many closed cases will be checked before the end of this year? “I understand that processes have to be put in place correctly, however, we need a much greater sense of urgency over two months after this case was reported to gardaí. These actions are the response to a child who was unaccounted for for a number of years, and whose remains were since found." Ms Foley said that the checks relate to cases closed to child protection services during the covid pandemic lockdowns, specifically where there has been no further contact with the child since. "This action is to provide assurance about the welfare of vulnerable children, strengthen Ireland’s child protection systems, and learn from the unique challenges of that period," she said. Tusla has been contacted for comment.
