Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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401. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 in respect of the welfare of the children. [48263/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has submitted a Children First Referral Form to the HSE Social Work Dept on behalf of the Deputy. The HSE has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of children, under the Child Care Act, 1991.

The Deputy is advised that in cases where there is concern for the welfare and protection of a child, a report should be made at the earliest opportunity to the HSE and/or An Garda Síochána as set out in Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. It is in the best interests of the child, his or her family and the person reporting the concern that reports are made through the proper channels, to ensure timely reporting of the concern and the appropriate confidentiality for all involved.

The aim of the Children First National Guidance is to direct the identification, investigation, assessment, reporting, treatment and management of child welfare and safety concerns. It sets out a number of key messages relating to the duty to protect children. Among these are that the safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility, that children will have safer lives where everyone is attentive to their wellbeing and that people who work with children across a range of areas understand their responsibility for safe practice and the reporting of concerns.