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

I state categorically that they are far improved and continue to improve.

The inspection of the Cork child protection services was carried out by HIQA in October 2014. Overall, the report noted the good quality of the service provided to children and families when they had an allocated social worker. Two areas of significant risk were found and were addressed immediately. An action plan to address the remaining findings has been put in place.

Where a child does not have an allocated social worker assigned to his or her case there is a system of oversight by social workers to ensure that any change in the child's circumstances is addressed. It is important to note that high priority should not simply be equated with risk. For instance, children in care for less than six months who do not have an allocated social worker but who are in stable placements are included in this category. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has informed HIQA that all children identified during the inspection as having complex and acute needs were assigned a social worker at that time.

I am happy to say that there has been downward trend in the numbers waiting to be allocated a social worker. At a national level Tusla reports show an almost 50% reduction of high priority cases awaiting allocation for less than three months in 2014. This has been achieved at the current level of resources and staffing. To improve this further, the agency is carrying out a review of cases waiting for the allocation of a social worker to determine the level of resources required. I am aware that Tusla is pressing to fill its social work vacancies which will improve the effectiveness of the services being provided. Tusla has informed me that at the end of February 2015, there were 159.75 whole time equivalent social workers and 15 agency social workers, giving a total of 174.75 social workers in the Cork area. This represents approximately 50% of all social workers in the south region. It is one of my key priorities to ensure their workforce development plan addresses both current and future service needs for our most vulnerable children.

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