Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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34. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in Tusla who have an allocated social worker; the number who do not have an allocated social worker, indicating the length of time without an allocated social worker; the categories of the unallocated cases such as priority, high risk, low risk and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15023/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I have placed a high priority on addressing the number of children who are without an allocated social worker. I secured additional funding for this purpose in 2017, and Tusla is now in the second year of a 3-year plan to ensure the allocation of a social worker to all children and young people who need one.

The number of children with an allocated social worker at the end of 2016 was 19,621. At the end of 2016, the number of children awaiting allocation to a social worker was 5,413, which represents a reduction of 19% (1,305) from the figure of 6,718 at the end of 2015.

Of the 5,413 children awaiting allocation to a social worker at the end of 2016, their priority levels are as follows:

Information on the length of time a child has been awaiting allocation to a social worker is available in respect of the high priority cases. Of the 801 high priority cases awaiting allocation, 307 are waiting less than a month, 210 are waiting one to three months and 284 are waiting in excess of three months.

Cases to be allocated to a social worker include children who have already received services from Tusla whose social worker is no longer available to them, as well as children waiting to be allocated for the first time. All unallocated cases are assessed and prioritised according to risk. The Deputy should note that all urgent and emergency cases notified to Tusla are dealt with immediately. Urgent and emergency cases could involve cases of abandonment, allegations of physical and sexual abuse, parental ill health and the need to find an immediate placement, or threat to the safety or life of a child by a third party.

It is a continuing priority of Tusla to address the problem of unallocated cases in 2017. A key challenge to achieve this objective will be the recruitment of sufficient social workers, and other professional and supporting staff. Tusla is engaged in a major recruitment drive for social workers, social care workers and business support staff for this purpose.

My Department will continue to closely monitor progress in this regard. I attach a high priority to tackling this matter and I will continue to engage directly with the Tusla Board and senior management team, over the course of the year, to review progress.