Sharon Keogan: Demands Answers on Child Protection Failures
Sharon Keogan criticised failures in the child protection system, citing an inquiry that found at least 250 children were not assigned social workers and over 660 court orders went uncomplied with. She described the system as "toothless", said the chief executive was aware of the problems, and called for the Minister for Children to appear before the chamber immediately.
Judge Fottrell inquiry findings
The speech referenced a recent inquiry by Judge Conor Fottrell which found that at least 250 children had not been assigned a social worker and that the state agency had failed to comply with more than 660 additional court orders.
Allegations about senior management awareness
She said the "toothless" chief executive Kate Duggan had confirmed awareness of the issue and that "absolutely no action had been taken", emphasising concerns about accountability at senior levels.
Supporting reports and systemic problems
The Hickwell report was cited as echoing many concerns, pointing to a shortage of social workers, delays in allocating them, inadequate planning and monitoring, gaps in the review of safety plans, and poor governance of oversight for children on the Children's Protection Notification System.
Call for ministerial accountability
She argued that similar scandals would usually prompt inquiries, resignations and systemic overhaul, but none of those steps have occurred. She renewed calls for the Minister for Children to appear before the chamber post-haste to answer for the growing list of concerns and failures outlined in the reports and inquiry.
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Only a fortnight ago I spoke about the serious failures of the Children's Rights Alliance to review toothless performance and I highlighted concerns that there were serious gaps appearing in the toothless system, leaving hundreds of children vulnerable. Considering the news released in the last week, it deeply saddens me to say that these fears have been validated. The recent inquiry by Judge Conor Fottrell found that at least 250 children had not been assigned a social worker as the state agency had failed to comply with court orders to do so. The judge also informed that toothless had failed to comply with over 660 additional court orders. What beggars believe is that toothless chief executive Kate Duggan confirmed that she was aware of the issue and that absolutely no action had been taken. A recent Hickwell report has only echoed many of these concerns in addition to the shortage of social workers and the delays of allocating them to vulnerable children. Other serious problems included inadequate planning and monitoring where reports said there were significant lack of oversight as well as gaps in the review of safety plans. The report also identified the poor governance of oversight of children on the Children's Protection Notification System as a serious issue. Colleagues, in any same country, scandals like this would result in inquiries, resignations and the overhaul of the system. We have yet to see anything of the sort. I therefore renew my calls for the Minister for Children to appear before this chamber post-haste to answer for all these growing lists of concerns and disasters.
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