Proposal for Tusla welfare checks on 18,000 young people whose cases were closed during covid

Government to consider legislation — but opposition TD says new law might not be needed, and that another agency could carry out the work

Children’s minister Norma Foley has sought advice from the AG as to whether the Government needs to introduce legislation to allow welfare checks. File picture: Domnick Walsh

The Government is considering legislation to allow Tusla to carry out welfare checks on 18,000 young adults who had cases closed during the pandemic.

Children’s minister Norma Foley has sought advice from the Attorney General as to whether the Government needs to introduce legislation to allow welfare checks to take place.

Daniel and Kyran 

The Government has launched a probe to determine whether thousands of children are currently safe and well, following the high-profile disappearances of Daniel Aruebose and Kyran Durnin.

Daniel would have turned eight last December, but the child had not been seen since aged three at his home in Donabate.

Gardaí discovered his remains last September.

Sources said that Ms Foley has sought clarity as to whether they need new laws, or if there are existing provisions which would allow checks to take place via other means.

Cross-referencing child records 

Details of the almost 24,000 children are being cross-referenced with school enrolment data, alongside records on children who have been homeschooled.

Tusla case information for children is also being matched against child benefit records.

Social Democrats children's spokesperson suggested that Tusla should not necessarily be the agency carrying out welfare checks. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins

If children are not found to be known to the school system, further checks will be carried out with the Department of Social Protection, HSE, Department of Children, and Department of Justice to ascertain their whereabouts.

If this cannot be done, cases will be referred to gardaí.

Social Democrats children’s spokesman Aidan Farrelly said the 18,000 children who had 'aged-out' of Tusla’s remit was a “significant cohort” of the population.

Mr Farrelly said that is a “problem”, but said it may not be necessary for new legislation and suggested another agency examine the issue. He said: 

Instead of giving Tusla the powers, can you ask the Department of Social Protection or somebody else to check? 

“I think it’s not just about trying to create a situation where Tusla can do it. 

"Maybe the quicker and just as qualitative piece would be is there another body skilled enough and competent enough to do it?”

Ms Foley previously said a cross-government working group is developing an early warning system for state agencies, if a child is not being checked in as expected at key stages of their life.

Mr Farrelly said he believed the Government needed to do this right and give time for checks to be carried out, adding that the 18,000 young people who have 'aged out' must be included.

• Tadgh McNally, Political Reporter