Written answers

Thursday, 1 February 2018

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Child and Family Agency Services

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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303. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeframe for the implementation of a secure, encrypted, online submission facility for Tusla referrals in view of the fact that at present all Tusla referral forms must be printed off and completed manually by the referrer in order to be submitted. [5225/18]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that Tusla’s online portal for the receipt of mandated reports is live. Mandated reporters can go online, via the Tusla website, register, and are then in a position to submit reports directly to Tusla via the portal.  I have been assured that data protection issues have been fully addressed, and that Tusla have consulted with the Data Protection Commissioner in relation to fully protecting this sensitive information. 

The portal is an efficient and accessible way of ensuring that reports of child abuse can be generated as efficiently as possible, including all the relevant information, and can be sent without delay to Tusla.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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304. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some counties do not have access to an automated case management system and are instead relying on spreadsheets and manual records for the co-ordination and provision of Tusla services in their areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5226/18]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Investment in ICT infrastructure is essential as part of the provision of high quality and safe services to vulnerable children and families, and to support both social workers and other staff in their work. 

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the capital allocation for Tusla this year includes full provision for completion of the roll out of the National Child Care Information System (NCCIS) to all 17 Tusla areas. Tusla has advised that it is on target to complete the roll out of the NCCIS by in mid 2018. At present, the system is live in 8 Tusla areas.

The NCCIS will operate as the central national database supporting the provision of child welfare and protection services and it is a key priority for Tusla.

Access to the NCCIS system will ensure that every social work department has a user-friendly technology solution to record the case history of every child, who is the subject of a child protection or welfare concern, from the point of initial referral to case closure. The system will also have the capacity to facilitate the integration and sharing of information on child protection and welfare cases between Tusla areas where appropriate.  Individuals using the system will be required to have authorised access to ensure access security, data security and client privacy.

Photo of Clare DalyClare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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305. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeframe for the implementation of a recommendation by a company (details supplied) concerning the maintenance of all data in regard to a case opened by Tusla in one digital format in view of the fact that the current system of maintaining separate digital and manual case files could lead to the information in the separate files falling out of sync, with implications for the provision of care. [5227/18]

Photo of Katherine ZapponeKatherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has advised that the National Child Care Information System (NCCIS) will be rolled out to all Tusla areas by mid-2018. The NCCIS will operate as the central national database supporting the provision of child welfare and protection services. The system will eliminate the reliance on manual records and spreadsheets.

Access to the NCCIS system will ensure that every social work department has a user-friendly technology solution to record the case history of every child, who is the subject of a child protection or welfare concern, from the point of initial referral to case closure. The system will also have the capacity to facilitate the integration and sharing of information on child protection and welfare cases between Tusla areas where appropriate.

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