Opposition parties demand minister answer parliamentary questions on criminal links in private child welfare firms
Rødt, Sp, Høyre and SV are urging child-and-family minister Lene Vågslid to appear before the Storting after a probe revealed criminal ties in 16 private child-welfare companies.
A study by the A-crimsenteret in Tønsberg surveyed 16 private child-welfare enterprises operating in Buskerud, Vestfold and Telemark and identified criminal figures occupying central roles. The Barne- og familiedepartementet learned of several companies' connections in May, but only in August did it obtain a complete picture of all implicated firms. Rødt leader Marie Sneve Martinussen condemned the oversight, demanding that minister Lene Vågslid appear before the Storting.
Centre Party deputy leader Kjersti Toppe echoed the call, while SV leader Kirsti Bergstø argued for eliminating commercial operators altogether, and Høyre's Tone Trøen blamed insufficient state oversight. The ministry’s communications unit confirmed that written responses have been submitted but no oral hearing request has been made. Vågslid previously stated that individuals with criminal ties must be removed from any role in child-welfare services.
