Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2015
15. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the report by the Health Information and Quality Authority into child protection and welfare services in the Cork area that found more than one in four children, who had been the subject of a referral, did not have an allocated social worker; the measures that are being taken to address these shortcomings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14471/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) carried out an announced inspection of Child Protection and Welfare Services in Cork in October 2014. The investigation identified two areas of significant risk, which were immediately addressed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The remaining actions addressing the inspection findings were published in an Action Plan with specific time-lines for each point.
Children known to social work departments are required to have an allocated social worker. However, resource constraints and staff on leave can affect the allocation status of cases. These cases are monitored regularly by the social work Team Leaders and Principal Social Workers and managed on a day-to-day basis by the duty social work team. The reviews of these cases take account of changes in the child's circumstances and the case can be re-prioritised, if appropriate.
As the allocation of social workers is a priority with Tusla, a review is to take place of all cases awaiting allocation to determine the level of resources required and to overall improve the service being provided. It is important to note that the downward trend for children waiting to be allocated a social worker in 2014 has been achieved at the current level of resources and staffing.
Tusla is making strong efforts to fill the social work posts as quickly as possible. It is one of my key priorities to ensure that Tusla's workforce development plan addresses both current and future service needs for our most vulnerable children.
