HIQA has again highlighted delays by Tusla in notifying An Garda Síochana about suspected child abuse in Kerry.
The watchdog carried out an inspection between January 18th and 21st due to ongoing risks within the child protection and welfare services run by Tusla in Kerry.
HIQA decided to carry out the inspection as it wasn't reassured by a report from Tusla in November.
HIQA inspections in 2019 of the child protection and welfare services in Kerry pointed to a series of shortcomings including no system to track allegations and child protection concerns, inadequate management and classification of complaints and delays in notifying Gardai of suspected abuse.
The inspection in January was undertaken to examine progress in implementing actions to address risks to children in both the child protection and welfare and foster care services.
HIQA said overall management structures had improved, there was clarity of roles, accountabilities and responsibilities and teams had been restructured.
This meant children and families had needs assessed in a more timely way.
Although, HIQA said further improvements were needed in foster care for it to reach full compliance with standards, this included poor monitoring of visits to children, categorisations of allegations and records not being kept up to date.
HIQA also said the timeliness in notifying gardaí about suspected child abuse remained an issue.
In response to the report, Tusla said it was pleased HIQA recognised the positive improvements to the service which are continuing and a detailed action plan has been developed.
Tusla says whilst challenges remain for this area, additional resources have been provided and where a child is at immediate risk of harm they receive an immediate protective response.
Tusla noted the monitoring and oversight to ensure timely notification to gardaí required further improvement along with management and oversight around visits for children.
