Guardians tell of fears over speaking out

A GROUP of foster parents have slammed the Government for refusing to take whistleblower complaints from them about their child protection concerns.

- ALISON O'REILLY

The care givers say they are barred from making protected disclosure complaints because the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, says they are not employees.

They are fearful of making serious complaints through the standard Tusla Tell Us complaints system for fear of losing their foster child as a result.

An Oireachtas committee was told by Tusla CEO Bernard Gloster this week that senior staff had invited foster carers to meet with them and share their concerns.

However, a number of foster carers have hit back saying many "were ' not asked to take part in group discussions with Tusla".

One foster carer said she has serious concerns over breaches to the Hague Convention and interference in adoptions by social workers and those in authority.