Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 2

Written Answers. - Child Abuse.

Alan Shatter

Question:

308 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 595, 596 and 597 of 3 October 2000, he is in a position to furnish the information relating to the Eastern Regional Health Authority area. [22232/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The following is the position in respect of the Eastern Regional Health Authority area in regard to children alleged to be victims of abuse whose family circumstances and situation are currently being assessed:

ERHA	SexualAbuse	PhysicalAbuse	EmotionalAbuse	Neglect	Total
	251	138	47	287	723

In the east coast area health board, if children are considered to be at immediate risk at the time of referral then an immediate social work response is made. In the northern area health board all child protection referrals are reviewed immediately to assess the risk in each of the categories. In the south western area health board all reports of suspected child abuse receive an initial assessment and are then prioritised based on the risk assessment.

It is not possible to indicate the average time for the completion of an assessment as this depends on the complexity of the case.

The following is the position in respect of the number of children in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area who are alleged to be victims of abuse and who are awaiting full assessment.

ERHA	SexualAbuse	PhysicalAbuse	EmotionalAbuse	Neglect	Total
	85	48	4	130	267

The Eastern Regional Health Authority is aware of seven children awaiting full assessment for more than three months in the east coast area health board, three for sexual abuse and four for neglect. All these children have received an initial assessment and found not to be at risk. There are no children awaiting full assessment for a period of more than three months in the northern area health board. The authority has informed me that the south-western area health board was not in a position to provide a response to this question due to lack of relevant computerised information systems within the board.

The following is the position in respect of the Eastern Regional Health Authority regarding the number of children assessed as in need of care and attention and as requiring institutional or foster care, the numbers currently in receipt of such care, and the number of such children currently awaiting the provision of the type of care recommended.

ERHA	Number assessed as in need of residential/foster care	Number currently receiving recommended care	Numberawaitingprovision ofrecommendedcare
	124	1614*	125**

*Long term care placements have been included in this category.

**One child has been placed provisionally while awaiting provision of recommended care.