Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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37. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current number of cases where a social worker has not been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35330/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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An open case is one which is assessed as needing a dedicated (allocated) social work service. Of the total number of open cases at end July, some 20,118 had an allocated social worker and 7,209 were waiting to be allocated a social worker. A case refers to an individual child. There could be several cases opened when a family is referred. The number of cases waiting to be allocated a social worker is an issue that is being addressed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The priority or category of high, medium or low given to the case after a preliminary enquiry, is based on information received on the case. It is important to note that "high priority" should not simply be equated with risk. Social work duty teams keep high priority cases under review by regular checking to ascertain risk to the child, and where necessary will reprioritise the case.

I wish to assure the Deputy that Tusla deals immediately with emergency cases, including for instance, if a child has been abandoned or is in immediate physical danger or at immediate risk of sexual abuse.

It should be noted that those cases awaiting allocation are responded to by a duty team on a risk management basis. Where a child does not have an allocated social worker assigned to their case there is a system of oversight by social workers to ensure that any change in the child's circumstances is addressed.

The additional funding of €38 million which I have secured for Tusla in 2016 will provide increased resources to meet identified risks and service demands.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The 2016 gross funding allocation under Budget 2016 for the provision of services under Vote 40 includes an allocation of €676 million for Tusla, representing an increase of €38 million over the 2015 allocation. This includes €662.4 million in current expenditure and €13.6 million in capital expenditure. The additional resources are intended to alleviate service pressures in child welfare and protection services, in particular pressures being faced in the areas of unallocated cases, private residential and foster care and Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy. This level of provision addresses all of the key priorities identified by Tusla and considered to be achievable in 2016. Arising from Budget 2016 and in accordance with the Agency's establishing legislation, my Department will be issuing a detailed Performance Statement to inform the preparation of Tusla's Business Plan for 2016.

Earlier this year, I requested a national review of cases awaiting allocation of a social worker, which was carried out by Tusla. The findings from this report showed an inability of the service to undertake necessary assessments and deliver required interventions. It showed that a significant number of open cases that were waiting the allocation of a social worker might be diverted to other services and family supports, and this was not being assessed early enough. It also indicated that resources were being diverted from the care infrastructure of foster carer recruitment and family support. The review highlighted that administrative supports could help social workers to deliver assessments and interventions more efficiently.

Tusla is already implementing a national caseload management system which allows management to monitor caseloads in terms of both number and complexity. It is recognised that, from time to time, individual cases can occupy a disproportionate amount of resources. The caseload management system gives managers a clearer insight into the pressures on staff. My Department continues to monitor the number of cases that are reported as awaiting the allocation of a social worker. The additional staff coming on board and the caseload management system will make an improvement in these figures.

With legislation on Children First progressing and an Aftercare Bill to be published shortly, the funding I have secured for Tusla in Budget 2016 has provided a solid platform to consolidate its reforms and provide a targeted and efficient child welfare and protection service to the children and families of this country.