Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of cases in each of the past ten years where social workers were required to investigate allegations of children being at risk and where such investigations subsequently proved groundless; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20707/08]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the regulations and criteria set down that require a social worker to investigate allegations of children being at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20708/08]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if all allegations of children being at possible risk are investigated by social workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20709/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 225, inclusive, together.

Under the Child Care Act, 1991 the Health Service Executive (HSE) has the responsibility of promoting the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. Social workers have the major responsibility in HSE child protection duties under this Act and conduct assessments under this legislative basis. These responsibilities are carried out through locally based community care teams. The thrust of the 1991 Child Care Act promotes the welfare of children within their own families where possible, with the welfare of the child being regarded as the first and paramount principle. The social work service in the HSE actively supports children being cared for in their own family environment through its family support programmes. There are, however, a number of vulnerable families who despite intensive family support input have long-standing and/or acute difficulties which require a different intervention. Health Service staff are then engaged in assessing the risk to children's welfare, and whether or not they can safely remain in the care of their families. Partnership with the Garda Síochána as outlined in Children First — National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children is an essential element of this work.

The introduction of Children First — National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children was intended as an aid to professionals to recognise and respond effectively to children who are vulnerable to abuse and neglect in various forms, arising from their dependency and vulnerability.

In relation to the Deputy's question on whether all allegations of children are investigated by social workers, I have asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE to arrange to have this information issued directly to the Deputy. In relation to the statistics sought by the Deputy, from 1998 to 2005 the Department of Health and Children collated information from the HSE's Child Care Interim Dataset. From 2005 the HSE has the responsibility for the collation of this information. Extracts from the Analysis of Child Care Interim Dataset Reports from the years 1998 to 2004, which are relevant to the Deputy's questions, are being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible. In relation to data from 2005 to date my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this information issued directly to the Deputy.