Skip to main content
Normal View

Youth Services Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2013

Thursday, 19 September 2013

Questions (172)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

172. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied regarding the availability of adequate resources to provide the full scale of services required in respect of child and youth services, all categories; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38981/13]

View answer

Written answers

My Department was set up to drive the delivery of key commitments in relation to children and young people and to put in place a unified framework of policy, legislation and provision across Government in respect of children and young people.

The 2013 estimate includes an allocation of €443m for my Department which represents an increase of €16m over the 2012 allocation and this clearly demonstrates the continuing commitment of this Government to the ongoing development of quality and effective services to support children and families.

Since establishment, I and my Department have the responsibility for the welfare of children and young adults. The resources associated with those services include those attaching to the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board both of which are already under my remit. By agreement with my colleague the Minister for Health, the Child Protection and Welfare services of the HSE has been operating as a shadow agency over the period of 2012 in preparation for the transition to the new Agency. The resources relating to these services and any other services proposed for transfer will also come under my remit. Processes regarding the transfer of the related staff are largely finalised and the final budgetary transfers will be subject to an agreed due diligence process. Control of this Voted expenditure will transfer to my Department on establishment day.

There is no doubt that this is a substantial programme of reform which does not end on establishment day. The setting up of the Child and Family Agency is at the heart of the Government's reform of child and family services. The Government decided that it was essential and appropriate that child welfare and protection services transfer from the Health Service Executive to a new, dedicated Agency. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health are working jointly on an impact analysis of proposed future arrangements for this service as they relate to children and family services covered by the Child and Family Agency and to services provided by the HSE. The establishment of a single agency incorporating key children's services will provide a focus for the major reforms already underway within Children and Family Services. In addition to this large scale structural reform programme, the HSE Child and Family Directorate is also implementing a significant programme of ongoing reforms. These reforms at operational level respond in detail to many identified gaps and changes needed to ensure a more consistent, effective and quality service delivery.

I also want to acknowledge the challenges facing our child welfare and protection services and the pressures facing social work teams around the country. The service is operating in a climate of increased demand particularly in the area of child neglect. Since 2006 the number of referrals of child protection and welfare reports has almost doubled from 21,000 in 2006 to 40,000 in 2012. The increase in 2012 was almost 10,000 above the 2011 level. Child Welfare and Protection services have also been faced with particular challenges over recent months arising from a high number of vacancies due to maternity leave and to a lesser degree sick leave. In response to these pressures a new panel of professionally qualified social workers was established in June 2013 to allow for the filling of vacancies in social work teams. A total of 112 vacant social worker posts have been approved for filling from this panel with the position being kept under constant review. The latest HSE employment census indicates that the number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) social workers employed in the HSE Children and Families service area was 1,397 at the end of June 2013.

The Department is currently examining its internal structures to ensure they are aligned and resourced to continue and enhance its oversight and performance management function as regards the new Agency. I will be continuing to work with my colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (in the context of the budgetary process) on the resources issue as we progress towards establishment of the new Agency.

Top
Share