Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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254. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide a breakdown by county of the number of supervision orders applied for in the courts by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, since it was established in January 2014. [15298/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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A supervision order, granted by the District Court under section 19 of the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, gives Tusla the authority to visit and monitor the health and welfare of the child. It also allows the Court to give directions as to the care of the child to the parent/s or guardian(s) at the time of the making of the order or at any other time while the order is in place. Under the Act, it is limited to a period of 12 months or less, but may be renewed. A supervision order is sought where Tusla believes that, while further action is required, it is not necessary to apply to the Court for a care order.

I have asked Tusla for information on the number of applications made. I will revert to the Deputy when the reply has been received. Tusla has informed me that during 2014, there were 435 children subject to a new supervision order, and on the 31st December 2014 there were 413 children who were subject to a supervision order. The following table has broken down these two figures by Tusla administrative region and area level for your information: