Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 December 2015
18. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which he continues to be in a position to identify the extent of children at risk, with particular reference to early identification and remedial action; if the structures in place are adequate to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42641/15]
View answerMy Department has a range of systems in place to ensure it is informed of risk to children and families. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, within its national office, has a dedicated Quality Assurance Team. This team produces monthly, quarterly and annual reports in respect of Tusla's functions, and includes detailed reporting on key performance indicators. These reports give a good indication of the number of children and families in receipt of or requiring intervention. The reports also provide statistical evidence of improvements to child welfare and protection services and highlights challenges and areas where further improvement is required. The reports show the number of child welfare and protection referrals in the period, the numbers that have been screened and assessed and those cases that are awaiting an allocated social worker.
Tusla also provides me with information on children in care, their placement type, care status and allocation of social worker. Within my Department there is a Unit which scrutinises these reports and briefs me and senior officials on issues of note. This Unit also reviews and analyses HIQA and Tusla inspection reports of children's residential centres, special care centres, fostering and child protection services. The overview from these reports provides me with a level of assurance on the overall capacity of Tusla to identify and provide services to families and children at risk. Additional information is gleaned from the National Review Panel reports on individual cases, and investigations conducted by the Omudsman for Children.
Additionally, my officials frequently meet with Tusla to review the overall level of provision of service, including areas in need of improvement. I also meet with Tusla on a quarterly basis in this regard. There are protocols in place for the Agency to inform my Department of specific issues where risks are identified and to ensure that robust management responses are put in place.
The additional funding of €38 million which I have allocated to Tusla for 2016, will give the Agency greater capacity to respond to current risk and anticipated demand. These additional resources are intended to alleviate pressures being faced in the areas of unallocated cases, private residential and foster care, and Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy.
