Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2015
381. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide figures on the average frequency of visitations between social workers and the children in their care; if he will provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of these figures by level of priority; and if he will provide comparative figures, in tabular form, for the years 2010 to 2014, inclusive. [5904/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Child and Family Agency that data on the frequency of visits requested by the Deputy is not collected for statistical reporting. Regulations for foster and residential care set minimum intervals between visits of 3 months initially and, after 2 years, the maximum interval is 6 months. Visits may be as frequent as considered necessary and are often in excess of the frequency required under the regulations. The frequency of visits is considered on a case to case basis as part of the child's care plan. The need for visits would be further considered as part of care plan reviews and monitored as part of the inspection regime for that service. The Agency has provided my Department with a breakdown of the number of children in care, number of children in care with an allocated social worker and number of children in care with a written care plan for the past five years. It is provided below for the assistance of the Deputy.
Children in Care 2010 to October 2014
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
|
The number of children in the care of the State |
5,964 |
6,160 |
6,332 |
6,460 |
6,454 |
|
The no of children in the care of the State with a written care plan |
5,376 |
5,567 |
5,544 |
5,646 |
5,781 |
|
as % of Children in Care |
90% |
90% |
88% |
87% |
90% |
|
The no of children in the care of the State with an allocated social worker |
5,558 |
5,706 |
5,816 |
5,933 |
5,982 |
|
as % of Children in Care |
93% |
93% |
92% |
92% |
93% |
(Source: Child and Family Agency)
