Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

The Deputy knows the current financial position as well as I do. Like all Departments, mine will be part of the current expenditure review. A special management audit, led by a leading UK child protection expert, has commenced with a view to ensuring we will have in place appropriate systems to manage the need for a rapid response. We are examining the sorts of thresholds that should apply in cases coming before the service. There is considerable demand and resources are an issue. The director is actively working on this. We must have consistency of response around the country and must know accurately the demand in different areas. We are beginning to get figures on this but I must state that some of these figures are unclear with regard to definition. Some areas with fewer social workers have longer waiting lists than others. There is much inconsistency and we need to put in place this part of the change agenda. Then, we can match resources and use them, including social work resources, more effectively.

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