Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2314. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 10 July 2018, if the referrals made in 2016, 2017 and 2018 have resulted in a child being placed on the child protection notification system. [33438/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2315. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 10 July 2018, if the referrals for 2018 resulted in children awaiting allocation to a social worker; the waiting time from referral to allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33439/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2314 and 2315 together.
The direct provision system is under the policy remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. I note that the information provided in the parliamentary questions referred to by the Deputy appears to be based on records held by services operated by that Department. These services however are not the only possible source of a referral of a concern about a child, and it should be noted that other possible sources include teachers, doctors, members of An Garda Síochána and employees of the HSE.
As this is an operational matter, I have asked Tusla if it is possible to provide the information requested and I will revert to the Deputy when the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your Parliamentary Questions (33438/18 and 33439/18) of the 19th of July 2018:
To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 10 July 2018, if the referrals made in 2016, 2017 and 2018 have resulted in a child being placed on the child protection notification system (33438/18);
To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 294 of 10 July 2018, if the referrals for 2018 resulted in children awaiting allocation to a social worker; the waiting time from referral to allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter (33439/18).
I have received the following information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in relation to referrals from Mosney Direct Provision Centre which resulted in a child being placed on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS).
Referrals received in 2016 resulted in 0 children being listed on the CPNS;
Referrals received in 2017 resulted in 0 children being listed on the CPNS;
Referrals received in 2018 resulted in 1 child being listed on the CPNS.
Tusla has also provided me with the following information in relation to referrals from from Mosney awaiting allocation to a social worker. In total, 22 referrals were received in 2018 as of 30/6/2018. Of these referrals, 10 are awaiting allocation of a social worker, 6 since March 2018, 3 since April 2018 and 1 since May 2018. These referrals relate to neglect and welfare concerns and are being managed by the Duty team.
The Child Protection Notification System (CPNS), in accordance with Children First: National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2011, is a national record of all children who are the subject of a child protection plan agreed at a child protection conference. The CPNS is accessible to named professional groups subject to strict protocols. Each referral received by Tusla is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team.
Approximately 60% of referrals to Tusla are of a child welfare concern with the remaining 40% related to child protection concerns. Tusla's policy is to refer child welfare referrals to relevant family and community support services. At any stage, if a determination is made that there is abuse, whether physical, emotional, sexual or neglect, from which there is an on-going risk of harm, the child protection pathway is followed. In a minority of cases this may lead to the child being placed on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS) or the child being received into care.
