Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I am working very closely with the HSE and I am satisfied we have made very considerable progress on the issues the Deputy identifies as shortcomings in the child welfare and protection service. The information should be at hand in two weeks, and I am absolutely confident that we will have it to hand before Easter. The survey to which I referred will give us the further context mentioned by the Deputy, so that we will not be just presented with raw data and will be able to check these figures against matters such as the demographics of an area and the level of deprivation in an area. We can then develop strategies based on those figures, rather than leave them to collect dust on a shelf. They will provide the basis for the preparation of a proper strategy. I am confident we have made considerable progress in this area.

See this speech in context