Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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285. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons who are employed under the aegis of her Department through agencies in the public sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23927/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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286. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the persons employed in her Department through agencies, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23940/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 286 together.

As the Deputy has not stipulated the period of time for which this information is required, I have taken 2017 as the year in question and I can confirm that the number of persons employed in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs through external recruitment agencies in 2017 is 'Nil'.

With regard to the four agencies under the aegis of my Department, the Adoption Authority of Ireland has advised that the number of persons employed by external recruitment agencies in their organisation in 2017 is 'Nil', while the Oberstown Children Detention Campus currently have 6 staff employed through external recruitment agencies.

The detailed information was not readily available from Tusla, and I've asked that they might correspond with you directly in this matter.

The Office of the Ombudsman for Children is independent in its function and reports to the Oireachtas on matters within its remit, as required by the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002.

I have forwarded the question to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and asked that they might correspond with you directly in this matter.