Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I draw attention to the publication yesterday of the independent review on child neglect cases in Roscommon, Waterford and south Dublin and express my concern at some of the findings. It was reported children were left without a social worker despite reports of neglect. Some 96 cases were reviewed involving more than 300 children. I find it alarming that only 45 out of the 96 cases were deemed to have adequate safeguards in place. Further intervention was found to be required in 29 cases and 17 required immediate action.

It is extremely worrying that the report found official reports compiled by social workers were not sufficiently evidence based and concerns expressed by teachers and communications with parents were not taken into consideration. I hope recommendations for better safeguards for children and greater interdepartmental communication and dialogue with the Judiciary on legal interventions to protect these children will be taken into consideration.

I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to come before the House. This is a very serious issue. At a time when we are all concerned about children and child protection the Minister should come here to answer questions on the HSE response to the findings and why the report was published yesterday despite being completed in April 2012.