Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach appears to have misunderstood the context. They are not two or three cases that I have come across. They were examined by the national review panel, which was set up by the Government to provide information for Tusla, the HSE and the Health Information and Quality Authority on the failures that were happening in cases involving children.

The Department and the Minister are aware of this. I have raised the matter of unallocated cases on numerous occasions with the Minister. The point made that Tusla is a new organisation does not wash any more as the agency has been there for over five years now. The current predicted net increase of approximately 62 social workers falls short of the target set for the end of last year. Recruitment efforts to try to bring in anything near the adequate numbers of social workers are falling way short. The matter is not being given adequate emphasis or priority by this Government.

We have a scandalous history in this State when it comes to protecting children in the care of the State. Now we have the resources, we should deal with this. Will the Taoiseach commit to increasing the number of social workers that will be taken on and, at a minimum, doubling the number for what is currently projected for recruitment? Will he ensure no stone is left unturned with the current resources so children at very serious risk, including those who end up in very tragic circumstances, will not be left to face those challenges alone?

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