Child and Family Agency Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019

Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Ceisteanna (677)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

677. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 6 December 2018, if a response regarding the number of complaints and-or referrals to Tusla made by sports bodies (details supplied) from 2014 to date has been received; the number of complaints and-or referrals made regarding sports bodies and-or persons working for the sports bodies from 2014 to date; the number of active investigations outstanding and-or ongoing concerning the sports bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6627/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I apologise for the delay in responding to the Deputy. I have received clarification from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, on this matter. Tusla has advised that information in relation to specific sporting bodies is not gathered routinely and referral data relating to individual bodies is not collated. The focus of data collected at referral is the child at the centre of the concern.

Tusla does capture information on the general category of referrers and this is published in its annual review of adequacy report. The majority of referrals come from An Garda Síochána, followed by HSE/Tusla, schools and voluntary organisations.

Tusla's social workers are available to provide advice and consultation to referrers, and to receive information relating to a child welfare or protection matter. Tusla is committed to responding to all service users when they provide information on such matters.