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	Ministers will today hear about a case of a woman who remained in the care of a foster family for two years after allegations of sexual abuse were made.</p>
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	Children&#39;s Minister Katherine Zappone and Health Minister Simon Harris will bring a report to Cabinet into the treatment of an intellectually disabled woman known as &#39;Mary&#39;.</p>
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	The report, which was carried out by an independent expert, strongly criticises the Child and Family agency, Tusla, for its handling of the case.</p>
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	It&#39;s understood that after allegations were made against the foster family in 2014, a number of children in their care were removed.</p>
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	But &#39;Mary&#39; remained as she had turned 18 and was therefore deemed to be an adult, sources familiar with the report said last night.</p>
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	Although a decision was taken in September 2014 to remove &#39;Mary&#39; from the care of the foster, the order was not executed until February 2016.</p>
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	The report, which follows the recent &#39;Grace&#39; case, will pile further pressure on the State&#39;s care services.</p>
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	Read More: Key staff member in &#39;Grace&#39; case still working for Tusla</p>
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	It says that there should be better understanding between state bodies such as Tusla and the HSE.</p>
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	It is also understood the Government will agree a new protocol on the area of disabilities between the two agencies.</p>
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	Significantly, it will ensure that people still receive the State services when they reach 18.</p>
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	Separately, Ms Zappone is to seek Cabinet approval to end the detention of youth offenders in adult prisons.</p>
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	Boys aged 17 have been detained in institutions such as St Patrick&#39;s going back almost 30 years.</p>
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	The practice has been criticised by human rights advocates. Ms Zappone will prohibit the practice and start the removal of such offenders by way of ministerial order.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
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	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 28th March 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/tusla-faces-criticism-over-new-grace-case-35571123.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/tusla-faces-criticism-over-new-grace-case-35571123.html</a></p>
