Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of the Deputy's concern in this regard in light of other exchanges we have had. Perhaps we can tease this out a little more.

The latest figures available from the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, are for 2014. They indicate that there were 435 children under new supervision orders throughout 2014 and that there were 413 children subject to a supervision order on 31 December 2014. These figures relate to the number of children and not the number of applications that may have been made and granted. Consequently, there may be several orders in respect of the same child over a period. Figures reported by the Courts Service are not counted on a like-for-like basis and are not directly comparable. However, I understand from cases reported as part of the child care law reporting project, conducted by Dr. Carol Coulter, that about 70% of applications for supervision orders were granted and a further 16% were adjourned by the end of 2014. The number of supervision orders that were granted in place of a care order is not available.

Each child welfare and protection referral received by Tusla is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team. All referrals are screened by a social worker to see if the child needs a social work service. If required, a social worker works with the parent or parents to support them in providing safe care for their child. In some instances, Tusla may apply to the District Court for a supervision order to underpin the ongoing social work role within the family. These orders can be particularly helpful when dealing with adolescents living at home who may be at risk due to their behaviour. Such an order allows the young person and their family to benefit from a structured engagement with social workers. In many cases, where a child is being discharged from care a supervision order may be granted as part of the child's care plan to facilitate reunification with the family.

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