Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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147. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children and young persons by county who have been assessed as requiring the intervention and support of a social worker but are still waiting to be allocated a social worker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38923/14]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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A report prepared by the Child and Family Agency – "Measuring the Pressure" - indicates that at the end of June 2014, the Agency was providing 19,766 children with a social work service. A total of 9,548 cases were awaiting allocation to a social worker and this figure is broken down by area in the table attached.

Approximately one third of these cases (3,240) were deemed to be high priority and this figure is also broken down by area in the table attached. These cases represent a mix of new referrals that need further assessment and social work input, as well as children known to the Agency who need a continuing social work service. I am assured by the Agency that emergency cases are dealt with immediately and that high priority cases are kept under review.

The data and analysis contained in "Measuring the Pressure" provides critical management information to assist the Agency in service planning and resource allocation.

Children awaiting allocation to a social worker by Region and Area including breakdown of High Priority cases by Region and Area