Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2346. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of child protection cases reported to Tusla that have yet to be investigated or assigned a social worker; the length of time since the reporting of the cases by periods (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34534/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraData on the number of child protection and welfare cases awaiting allocation of a social worker by time band is not collated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in the format requested by the Deputy. The most recent data available to my Department was reported by Tusla for the end of the first quarter of 2018. However, data was only available for 4,185 of the 4,689 cases awaiting the allocation of a social worker.
It should be noted an unallocated case relates to a case about a child that requires a social work response, but has not yet been allocated to a social worker. These cases are monitored and may be further progressed by the duty team. This can include checks with relevant professionals, home visits and gathering additional information. It is important to stress that urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.
I am continuing to engage with the Tusla Board and Senior Management Team to monitor and review progress in reducing the number of unallocated cases and the waiting time for the allocation of a social worker to a case assessed as requiring a social work service.
Number of Cases Awaiting Allocation in Time Bands (March 2018)*
|
Area |
< 1 Week |
1-2 Weeks |
2-3 Weeks |
3-4 Weeks |
1-2 Months |
2-3 Months |
> 3 Months |
|
Total |
126 |
421 |
248 |
565 |
534 |
395 |
1,896 |
*Notes: 1) Cases of Retrospective Abuse not included; 2) Number awaiting in time bands is not available from Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan and Waterford/Wexford
