8. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to set out the timeframe within which her Department intends to bring forward proposals for the establishment of a child death review mechanism; when implementation is expected to commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50199/25]

Sentiment score: -0.08

In light of the recent and heartbreaking death of Daniel Aruebose, I raise the urgent need for a statutory child death review mechanism. The Ombudsman for Children in the April 2025 child death review again raised his concerns as to the current system and provided clear recommendations for the Government. Such a mechanism is also provided for in the programme for Government, which is very good to see. Can the Minister provide us with an update as to where we are on implementing that commitment?

Sentiment score: -0.08

While the State cannot control every tragedy, we do have a duty to respond to tragic deaths such as this with clarity and compassion, and that means heeding the ombudsman's recommendations. One of the ombudsman's recommendations relates to the Minister's Department where he is looking for immediate engagement with his office to find a resolution to the many limitations with the NRP in accessing information, engaging with other agencies and fundamental governance pending the establishment of a new statutory child death review mechanism. Which is the lead Department? Can we get some clarity on that? When will that happen? Will a cross-departmental group be set up and will we see progress on this? Unfortunately, these tragic deaths really underscore the need for this mechanism and we need to see follow through from the Government. I want to make sure I can do that and I need to know who I will be following up with.

Sentiment score: 0.18

The Minister will know from the review and also from engagement with the ombudsman that one of the things he is really calling for is that the reports of the NRP should be shared with families and every effort be made to remove barriers to information. The frustration with timelines and communication with families can be seen throughout the report. Like everything in life, communication and clarity are key and that people are not left ghosted and left hanging. People are really suffering when they lose someone and we need to treat them with compassion. In terms of the NRP, I would really appreciate if the Minister could make sure there is a commitment in the interim to communicating with families and delivering finalised reports to them. We need to make sure learnings from tragic deaths like this are responded to by the State in a co-ordinated and efficient way. It can be seen in the report that the ombudsman does not believe this is happening. We are not learning from these deaths and we have to do everything to make sure we can avoid future deaths.

Sentiment score: 0.26