Unvetted care workers subcontracted by Tusla were given access to vulnerable children at risk of abuse

Allegations made by a whistleblower state that 

Unvetted care workers subcontracted by Tusla were given access to vulnerable children at risk of abuse, it has been alleged.

The child and family agency is investigating allegations that workers at a private firm to whom it outsources work with vulnerable children were not all fully garda vetted.

The allegations have been made by a whistleblower who has made a Protected Disclosure to Tusla under the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022.

The Irish Examiner understands that at least five workers at the firm were put straight into contact with the vulnerable children before their vetting was either applied for or completed.

Tusla were informed last November by the whistleblower that there was an issue over garda vetting in the private company and the agency immediately launched an investigation.

As a result, contracts between the agency and the firm — which was contracted by Tusla to work all over the country, including Cork, Limerick and Dublin — were briefly suspended.

However, while the issue is still being looked into, the Irish Examiner understands the private firm is still working for Tusla. The agency has refused to comment on the investigation.

It also won’t comment on whether it has changed the way it verifies if companies to whom it outsources work are fully compliant with current child safeguarding protocols and legislation.

It has also repeatedly declined to say if it has done anything since it received the allegations last November to make sure all contractors it outsources work with vulnerable children to are fully garda vetted.

Audit

Tusla, which has been asked repeatedly since January 9 to explain its position in light of the protected disclosure, also won’t say whether or not it has initiated any audit of private firms to whom it outsources work with vulnerable children since the allegations came to light last November.

Instead, it states: “Tusla does not comment on individual or specific external service providers.

“It is important to note service providers working with Tusla are required to have a Child Safeguarding Statement and relevant policies and procedures for reporting child protection and welfare concerns.”

 It added that where Tusla becomes aware of such situations as outlined, it "would work closely with the provider to assure itself that the appropriate governance systems and processes are in place while children are availing of the service".

"If this cannot be assured, the Agency may put in place additional safety mechanisms or discontinue use of the service until assurances could be provided."

All of the children the private firm assigned workers to but who had not been garda vetted were classed as vulnerable children whose parents were either before the courts or with whom Tusla is involved.

The children are vulnerable because of a variety of reasons, including the fact that they might be at risk of abduction, sexual abuse or exposed to adult addiction issues.

It is an offence for an employer to permit a new employee, unpaid worker or contractor to work or be in contact with children or vulnerable adults prior to receiving full garda vetting.

News of the investigation comes just weeks after a Hiqa inspection report stated Tusla was not operating in line with its requirements covered by the vetting act. It found “delays in the submission of notifications to the Garda Vetting Bureau” in relation to concerns about adults.