Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
1142. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department believes that every child in a special emergency arrangement should have an allocated social worker; if he is concerned by reports in a newspaper (details supplied) that suggest this is not the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14729/24]
View answerThe care and welfare of children in care is a priority for Government, and I share the Deputy's concerns that all children in Special Emergency Arrangements (SEAs) should be safeguarded to the greatest possible extent.
Ideally all children in SEAs would have an allocated social worker, where this is required by applicable regulations and standards and is indicated by the presentation of the child and the relevant risk factors. However, the Deputy will be aware that Tusla is currently experiencing very significant difficulties in recruiting and retaining social workers.
Accordingly, while the vast majority of children from the community in SEAs have an allocated social worker, for those Separated Children Seeking International Protection who are in SEAs and don’t have an allocated social worker, Tusla have put other safeguarding measures in place. In this regard, I am informed all young people have a point of contact from the SCSIP team’s Active On Duty service, some have an assigned worker, and all have an absence management plan.
I am also informed that the Active On Duty (AOD) team checks in with young people by telephone on a weekly basis and there are daily calls between the Compliance and Legal Manager and the Active on Duty Principal Social Worker to alert each other to any complaints or issues of concern arising.
The SCSIP service has secured 50 Youth Advocate Programmes (YAP) integration support packages for 50 of the young people with the highest need both SCSIP and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). The SCSIP service continue with their HR strategy to recruit staff to meet increases in demand and now include Family Support Practitioner recruitment for support roles with children in Section 5.
A Standard Operating Procedure specifically related to SEAs for SCSIP is currently being finalised and will help to ensure a standardised approach to the response from SCSIP to this cohort of young people in providing care and continuous safeguarding.
Tusla, supported by my Department, are working to reduce reliance on SEAs. I have resourced Tusla to maintain and expand their services by securing additional funding as part of Budget 2024. In addition, regarding efforts to maintain the number of foster carers, I was very pleased to secure a significant increase in the rates of the Foster Care Allowance in Budget 2024. In the interim, specific measures are being taken by Tusla to promote and support the quality and safety of these placements.
