Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is correct that the case in question is extremely sensitive and we must be very careful in what we say. A young life, unlived, was lost in appalling circumstances. It is a requirement under section 3 of the Child Care Act that the Child and Family Agency must intervene when it suspects a child is at risk. By virtue of this child's having been subject to a Garda rescue alert on 10 August, he was identified as being at risk. Last week the Minister confirmed to a committee of the House that a social worker had been allocated to the case. The Child and Family Agency is a new organisation and it is important that things are done correctly. We are aware of the pressures under which social workers operate because of depleted numbers. Given his responsibility for the new agency, is the Minister satisfied that the agency has discharged its responsibilities? Is he also satisfied that adequate supports were put in place to support the family and that appropriate measures were taken after the family came to the attention of the agency following the Garda alert?

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