Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. While there has been a €38 million increase for 2016 and a Supplementary Estimate of €20 million for this year, by all accounts the three-card trick of Supplementary Estimates will not be available next year to the Government because of the pressures under the fiscal treaty. This should not be a once-off increase in funding to make it appear that Tusla's issues were being addressed. Is this a programme that will continue over the coming years? The €38 million represents less than a third of what Tusla claims it needs just to stand still and meet its statutory requirements.

It is startling that Tusla admits it is in default of its statutory obligations, with 8,800 children without an allocated social worker. Of those, 1,730 are classified as very high priority. There is a crisis that needs to be addressed. While what is proposed for 2016 is acceptable, what is the plan for 2017 and 2018?

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