James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be clear around these figures, approximately one-third of 9,473 cases awaiting a dedicated social worker are deemed to be high priority. They comprise the following: a child subject to care proceedings, where there is an ongoing child protection concern; a child with non-approved foster carers; a child in care for less than six months; and a child in an non-stable placement. All these children have been in contact with and have been contacted by social workers and the duty social worker is always available. All emergencies are dealt with so there is never a case of any child who is at serious risk and who needs to be removed from a home being left in that home or situation. I want to assure people of that.

The legal fees are an issue that Deputy Troy's Government presided over and set.

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