Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2018
304. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some counties do not have access to an automated case management system and are instead relying on spreadsheets and manual records for the co-ordination and provision of Tusla services in their areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment in ICT infrastructure is essential as part of the provision of high quality and safe services to vulnerable children and families, and to support both social workers and other staff in their work.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the capital allocation for Tusla this year includes full provision for completion of the roll out of the National Child Care Information System (NCCIS) to all 17 Tusla areas. Tusla has advised that it is on target to complete the roll out of the NCCIS by in mid 2018. At present, the system is live in 8 Tusla areas.
The NCCIS will operate as the central national database supporting the provision of child welfare and protection services and it is a key priority for Tusla.
Access to the NCCIS system will ensure that every social work department has a user-friendly technology solution to record the case history of every child, who is the subject of a child protection or welfare concern, from the point of initial referral to case closure. The system will also have the capacity to facilitate the integration and sharing of information on child protection and welfare cases between Tusla areas where appropriate. Individuals using the system will be required to have authorised access to ensure access security, data security and client privacy.
