Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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236. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the long waiting times that still exist for Tusla to furnish section 20 reports requested by the District Courts in County Donegal despite assurances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19469/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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As this is an operational matter, I have written to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and requested that they contact the Deputy directly.

As I noted previously, under section 20 of the Child Care Act 1991, a Court, may of its own volition or on the application of any person, adjourn proceedings and direct the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, to report on the safety, care, health or welfare of a child involved in the proceedings. The subsequent report will advise and give reasons should an application for a care or supervision order be recommended, and an indication of what other services the child may need. Section 20 requests go to the local areas and are allocated according to the principles of caseload management.