Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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815. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the policy of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in appointing a male social worker even though the child has asked for a female social worker; the number of times this has occurred in the past three years, if available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20714/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla has advised that it does not collate data on situations where a request has been made for a social worker of a particular gender. There is no policy which applies in this situation as each individual case is decided on its own merits. Social workers are allocated according to the presented needs of children and concerns for their safety and wellbeing. Allocation is not based on gender unless there are clear and specific circumstances that would warrant such a decision and any such decision would be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the relevant manager. It is important to note that all social workers in Tusla are members of a registered profession and are capable of dealing with all child protection and welfare matters irrespective of gender.

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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816. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the procedures used by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, where achieving best evidence, ABE, guidelines are available on the alleged abuse; the stage at which Tusla would decide to view the ABE guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20715/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I believe the Deputy is referring to "Achieving Best Evidence" where it relates to child sex abuse and interviews of children. This practice is more prevalent in the United Kingdom, rather than in this jurisdiction. I understand that Tusla, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, is currently implementing processes for specialised joint-interview techniques for children, where an allegation of sexual abuse has been made. There is a training plan in place for specialist interviewers within Tusla, and this is expected to significantly expand the availability of such interviewers.

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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817. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the role of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in the completion of a standard reporting form, SRF, by a general practitioner who is presented with a mother and child expressing concerns of abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20720/16]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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818. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grounds for non-completion of a standard reporting form, SRF, by a general practitioner who is presented with a mother and child expressing concerns of abuse; the consequences, if any; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20721/16]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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819. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of standard reporting forms completed in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 by general practitioners; the number which were acted upon or investigated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20723/16]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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820. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grounds for completion of a standard reporting form, SRF, by a general practitioner who is presented with a mother and child expressing concerns of abuse; the procedures to be followed in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20724/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 817 to 820, inclusive, together.

Children First (2011) includes guidance and a standard reporting form for notifying Tusla, the Child and Family Agency of situations where abuse is suspected, i.e. emotional, physical or sexual abuse or neglect. General Practitioners (GPs) are in a good position to identify indicators of abuse, and they are one of a number of professionals who might be expected to make referrals to Tusla. Children First states that where someone has reasonable grounds for suspecting a child is being, or has been, abused, they are expected to immediately inform Tusla in accordance with the standard reporting procedure, unless doing so might endanger the child.

A report, which is described as a "referral" when it is received by Tusla, can be made verbally over the telephone, in person or, preferably in the case of professionals, using the standard reporting form. Tusla does not have a role in the supply of information from the person making the referral prior to receiving it. A referral is then assessed by Tusla through a process of screening, preliminary enquiry, and, if appropriate, an initial assessment. Approximately half of all referrals will not proceed beyond the initial assessment stage, although they may be referred to family support services or other State agencies when appropriate.

Tusla does not capture data on the source of referrals in the manner requested by the Deputy. Child Welfare and Protection services received 41,599 referrals in 2013, 43,630 referrals in 2014, and provisional figures for 2015 show that there were 43,596 referrals. The most recent breakdown on the source of referrals available was published in Tusla's Review of Adequacy 2014. Referrals from General Practitioners accounted for 1,276 in 2014 and 1,064 in 2013.

Where a referral meets the threshold for a social work service, it is then referred to as an open case and a social worker is allocated to work with the child and their family. Should the situation warrant it, Tusla may consider applying for an order under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, and this may involve a supervision or a care order. In some open cases, a voluntary care arrangement may be considered. Only a minority of children involved in open cases will need to be received into care.

At present, there are no consequences under the Children First guidelines for not reporting a reasonable concern about a child. This does not exclude the possibility of complaint being made to the relevant professional body in a particular case. The Children First Act 2015 puts elements of the Children First Guidelines (2011) on a statutory footing. Amongst other things, the commencement of the relevant sections of the Act will provide for mandatory reporting of child abuse using defined thresholds by key professionals, including GPs. Preparations by the Department and Tusla for the full implementation of the Children First Act 2015 are underway.