Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The reality, which the Minister of State accepted, is that there are over 5,000 children involved. The reply to a parliamentary question tabled in the Dáil indicated that more than 5,000 children who have been brought to the attention of child welfare and protection services have not been allocated social workers. That is totally unacceptable. These are children who are at some level of risk. The State is acting in loco parentisin respect of many of these children. It has a duty and responsibility. Have we not learned anything from the past about the protection, welfare and responsibility of the State when it is acting in loco parentisin respect of these children? They are children who are vulnerable, some of whom have come through horrific circumstances, yet they do not have social workers. I met a woman who had her young child in court in north County Dublin last week. She has a very young child yet there was no social worker. She has difficulty with language because she is non-European, although she is an Irish citizen. These people are vulnerable and need assistance. The State will be sued. Legal action will be taken against the State in the future in respect of its failure to provide social workers for children for whom it acts in loco parentis. The State has a constitutional obligation to protect and care for such children.

The Minister of State referred to own named social workers. Social workers build relationships with children and children build relationships with social workers. Children confide to them very sensitive, hurtful and personal experiences. They need the continuity and consistency of an allocated social worker to advocate for them. I rest my case. It is an unsatisfactory response. It is not the Minister of State's response but it is absolutely unsatisfactory. It is something this House and the Dáil will have to come together on to exert more pressure because they have to be found. These are vulnerable children. The Minister of State knows that more than anyone and I know he is committed to supporting them. It is an unsatisfactory response and it is disappointing to say that. It warrants a constant review; we should know every two weeks. I will ask some of my colleagues in Leinster House to table parliamentary questions next week. It is critical and crucial. It is important and the situation is not acceptable.