Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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313. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 298 of 8 February 2017, if she will confirm whether risk assessments are being carried out for children living in hotel and bed and breakfast type accommodation for their health and well-being and not just mental health assessments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7845/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I understand from Tusla that all referrals meeting the threshold for social work assessment receive an initial assessment in line with standard operating procedures. The purpose of this initial assessment is to determine whether the matter of concern relates to a child protection matter or whether it is related to a child welfare concern and to what potential harm the child may be exposed. It should also consider the need for immediate intervention.

Referrals that do not meet this threshold are, if deemed appropriate, referred to early intervention services and are coordinated through a Meitheal process or are referred to an appropriate agency for support.

Children, where general health and wellbeing needs are raised, in the main have their needs met through early intervention. However, where a child’s needs are more complex a Meitheal process may be used to coordinate appropriate responses.