Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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808. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in care; the number who do not have an allocated social worker; the number that have either an annual or bi annual review of their care plan; the length of time children have to wait for a referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32646/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Statutory responsibility for the delivery of child welfare and protection services rests with the Child and Family Agency, which is the appropriate body to receive all reports of concerns relating to a child. The HSE had statutory responsibility for this service until the Agency was established on 1 January 2014. Reports of concerns (referrals) relate to a child's welfare or where there are concern of child abuse (i.e. physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect).

Under the Child Care Regulations 1995, each child is required to have an allocated social whose statutory duties include-

- the preparation and review of the care plan,

- finding appropriate placements for and in consultation with the child,

- consideration of the wishes of the child and family including contact with parent(s), siblings and extended family,

- addressing education placement and health needs of the child,

- visits to placements to ensure that it is meeting the child’s needs,

- meeting with child,

- working with child, their family, carer(s) and other significant persons and professionals with a view to planning the child’s future, and

- keeping a record /medical assessment.

The Agency compiles monthly performance reports which include statistics in relation to children in care. These reports are published on the Agencies website (). The latest information from the Agency shows in April 2014, that of the 6,492 children in care, 93% or 6023 children had an allocated social worker. This is a slight improvement to April 2013 when 92% of the 6,421 children in care had an allocated social worker (5,932).

Where a child does not have an allocated social worker, their case is managed by the social work department, usually by a duty social worker. Unallocated cases are often cases where a child has just come into care and is awaiting allocation of a social worker or where a child is in a very stable fostering placement, provided perhaps, by a relative. Maternity leave, sick leave and movement of staff within the service can result in a case being unallocated for a short period of time. Cases that are unallocated are closely monitored, supported and managed by the duty social work team under the supervision of the principal social worker. Cases are subject to ongoing review and where appropriate, the level and nature of the support being provided will change, depending on the needs of the child.

Under the Child Care Regulations 1995, each child is also required to have an up-to-date Care Plan, whereby the Agency is required to prepare a plan which specifies:

- the aims and objectives of the placement;

- the support to be offered to the child,

- the supports to be offered to the centre or foster parents as appropriate and the parents of the child by the health board;

- arrangements for access to the child by a parent or other named person;

- arrangements for review of the plan.

The plan should be prepared either before the child is placed, or as soon as practicable after placement and based on consultation with the child and his or her family. Care plans are reviewed in accordance with the Regulations. While the Agency has advised that data is not collected regarding annual or biannual review plans, the Agency does publish information in relation to up to date care plans. The Agency had advised that 90% of the 6,492 children in care in April 2014 (5,868) had an up to date written care plan. This is an improvement on April 2013 when 88% of children in care had an up to date plan.

Child Protection

In 2013, the HSE received 19,390 referrals (reports) of child abuse and this figure can be further broken down by abuse category:

Of the 19,390 referrals, 12,262 (63%) received a preliminary enquiry that took place within 24 hours of receipt of the referral. It should be noted that this figure represents a percentage of all referrals received and that there may be multiple referrals for individual children. Of the 19,390 referrals received in 2013, 18,743 (97%) preliminary enquiries were held in line with the national guidance Children First.Of the 18,743 preliminary enquiries held during 2013 nationally, 11,543 (62%) required an initial assessment following the preliminary enquiry. Nationally 2,031 (18%) of the initial assessments required following a preliminary enquiry (11,543) were completed within 21 days of receipt of the referral of child abuse.

Child Welfare

In 2013, the HSE received 22,119 referrals (reports) of a child welfare concern.Of these, 57% (12,661) received a response within 24 hours of receipt of referral (reports) in the form of a preliminary enquiry. As above, there may be multiple referrals for individual children. In total, 93% of child welfare referrals were subject to a preliminary enquiry (20,516). Where appropriate, an initial assessment in undertaken and 16% of these (9,465) were completed within 21 days of receipt of referral. Nationally 1,561 (16%) of the initial assessments required following a preliminary enquiry (9,465) were completed within 21 days of the receipt of the referral.