Tusla ‘in dark’ on identity of Grace staff

Tusla — the national child agency — has been “kept in the dark” by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as to the identities of staff members who were involved in the decisions to leave an intellectually disabled woman known as Grace in a foster home in the South East.

The agency had sought from the HSE the names of staff members who occupy senior posts at Tusla, but the HSE has failed to hand over the information.

Recent reports in the Irish Examiner, highlighting Grace’s case, led to the Government announcing a commission of investigation into the allegations of horrific abuse at the foster home and also the failings in care to 47 children and young adults.

Following an appearance by HSE bosses at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last month, Tusla requested details from the HSE as to the role of any of its staff in the scandal.

When the PAC raised issues about Grace’s care, and highlighted where staff who had dealt with her care now worked, the HSE delivered a redacted copy of a 2012 report on the matter to Tusla.

But it emerged yesterday that the HSE has failed to reveal the names of those involved to Tusla.

Tusla said an internal report sent by the HSE refers to the posts involved in Grace’s case but does not specify names.

“Following the comments made by the HSE in front of the PAC, Tusla requested the names of any individuals involved in the case who are now working in Tusla. Tusla has not yet received a response from the HSE,” the statement said.

The HSE said it is seeking legal advice before passing on the information requested by Tusla.

In a statement to the Irish Examiner, the HSE said: “The Conal Devine and Reliance Reports, with permission of An Garda Síochána and in line with legal advice have been provided to Tusla.”

The statement added that some additional information was sought by Tusla in recent days.

The HSE through its legal advisers “is consulting with An Garda Síochána on whether the additional information can be provided”.

The Tusla statement was given to RTÉ’s This Week programme.

Allegations of savage physical and sexual abuse against a person in the foster care setting being raised in the mid-1990s, yet Grace remained in that setting until 2009 before legal steps were taken to remove her by a voluntary service provider.

Another woman, known as Ann, remained in the home until 2013.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, former Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman John McGuinness was scathing in his criticism of the HSE and its refusal to hand over the information to Tusla.

“It is simply outrageous. The HSE seems to be sitting on its hands and has kept Tusla and the victims in the dark,” he said.

“None of it is satisfactory, how they have handled this matter. The continued redaction just shows the organisation is incompetent and is setting a very poor standard.”

Mr McGuinness and his vice chairman, Fine Gael TD John Deasy, played a significant role in highlighting Grace’s case over many months.

Before the general election, following reports in this newspaper over the mishandling of an apology to Grace by the HSE, the previous government agreed to establish a commission of investigation once a scoping exercise is completed.

That review is currently being undertaken by Conor Dignam SC at the request of minster of state at the Department of Health which is expected to conclude around April.

The next Government is expected to formally approve the establishment of a Commission into the matter.

Yesterday, HSE director general Tony O’Brien, in a statement, said he remains concerned as to how the giving of the apology to Grace was mishandled, which led to the PAC being misled.

He said a review is underway to ensure no such mistakes happen again.