Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 797: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the backlog of cases (details supplied) within the child protection area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22946/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge that the HSE's Child Welfare and Protection service is operating against a background of increasing service demand. This is reflected in a significant increase in the number of children in care.

The HSE has statutory responsibility under the Child Care Act, 1991, for the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. I have had discussions recently with the HSE National Director for Children and Family Services, Gordon Jeyes, in relation to the issue of demand and the arrangements within the HSE for the management of this demand. Mr Jeyes has recently completed a national review of the HSE's screening and assessment process in respect of reported concerns. He has confirmed that all unallocated cases are the subject of ongoing evaluation by social workers. In order to assist in the management of these cases an audit and alert system for child protection cases is being introduced by the HSE. This will include a regular reporting system that will extend from front line managers to the National Director.

The Government is continuing to support the HSE in terms of strengthening the response capacity of social workers. One of the principal commitments in the Implementation Plan prepared following the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is the recruitment of additional social work staff. The HSE has been given approval to recruit a further 60 social workers in 2011.

The issue of case management is a key priority in reforming our child welfare and protection services. I will be continuing a dialogue with the HSE to seek to make further improvements in this area as we move to the establishment of the new Children and Families Support Agency.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 798: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will support a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 3 regarding child protection. [22962/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I wish to thank the Deputy for bringing the matter to my attention. Under the Child Care Act 1991 the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a statutory responsibility to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. The Act requires the HSE to identify such children and to regard the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration.

In the specific situation raised by the Deputy, best practice is for the relevant employer to discuss with the HSE and An Garda Síochána, as the relevant statutory authorities, all available information and to come to a determination as to how best to manage the situation described. The immediate priority should be to ensure that no child is exposed to unnecessary risk. My Department has, in the interim, forwarded the details supplied to the HSE Children and Families Service in line with Children First.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 799: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a hotline for missing children is now operational; and the steps he will take to ensure this hotline is operational. [22985/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Under EU telecoms rules agreed in 2009 the 116000 number is reserved in all EU member states for a missing children hotline. I have expressed my commitment to establish this hotline in Ireland

It should be noted that in June 2011, ComReg, who have responsibility for allocation of this number in Ireland sought expressions of interest to run the hotline and no substantive responses were received. However I am aware of; and have met with, Irish NGO's who may be interested but their estimated costings vary significantly. My Department is working with the Department of Justice to seek to examine how best to proceed and I hope to have further details to announce shortly. It must be remembered that operational responsibility for missing children rests with an Garda Síochána.