Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister of State confirm that the HSE has a statutory obligation under the Child Care Act 1991 to publish an annual report relating to child welfare services? Will he also confirm that the HSE is in breach of this in that it took until the end of February 2008 to produce a report for 2005? The Minister of State does not have a report for 2006 or 2007.

Am I right in understanding that the Department has absolutely no idea how many children were reported to the HSE during 2006 or 2007 as being at risk? The Minister of State does not know the average waiting times before children at risk are assessed. He does not know how many children are at risk at present because they are on a waiting list. He does not know how many children are being abused having been reported as being at risk six or 12 months ago.

Will the Minister of State also confirm that in reply to a Dáil question which I tabled on 31 January 2008 seeking this information I was promised a response from the HSE containing the information? It has been incapable of producing this in four months. Will he also confirm that in a reply in early April he informed me he would have in his Department the quarterly figures? He still does not have them. Will the Minister of State explain in what way he suggests his Department can function in the absence of any detailed information of any nature whatsoever which is up-to-date and current concerning the manner in which our child protection services are working?

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