Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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372. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 1244 of 18 September 2013, the reason referrals to the youth advocacy programme are so low in County Kerry; the steps that will be taken to ensure the relevant State agencies are encouraged to use the service more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43456/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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When a young person becomes known to the HSE, the needs of the young person and their family are assessed in order to identify the most appropriate services which may assist them. Direct services are provided through the HSE Social Work and Family Support Department, or where necessary, a referral may be made to another service, such as the Youth Advocacy Programme.

The Youth Advocacy Programme has been available in Kerry since May 2011 and in that time there have been 12 referrals at a cost of €75,000. The Youth Advocacy Programme is one of a number of programmes available within the Kerry region to support young people and their families. Other services include the Springboard programme, the Neighbourhood Youth Project, and 14 Family Resource Centres. The HSE also works in tandem with, and supports, two counselling services for children.

The HSE has advised that as of October 1st, 2013, there were no unallocated child protection cases in Kerry. However as new cases come to the attention of the HSE the needs of children, young people and their families will be assessed and, based on this needs assessment, they will continue to be referred to the most appropriate service taking into account the services which are available and the outcomes of previously referred cases.