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

As I said earlier, ICT is critical to providing effective social work services for vulnerable children and families. This question is very similar to one that was asked earlier.

The Deputy specifically focused on how important ICT is for the work of social workers. It is absolutely critical, as the current HIQA report and others have indicated. When the ICT system is rolled out, it will ensure a much better service for social workers in the 17 Tusla administrative areas. Each administrative area has put in place, to the best of its ability, supports to ensure the ICT system is as good as it can be in the context of where they are working.

One aspect of the national child care information system we would particularly welcome is that not only would it be more efficient and supportive of social workers in particular administrative areas, but there would be a way of connecting that across the board throughout the country in terms of finding information on particular children no matter where they are. As I indicated previously, the system has been piloted in Tusla's mid-west region. It intends to roll out the system nationally over the coming year, and I will continue to support it as a key priority.

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