Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

179. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of instances detailed to her Department in which it was alleged that children were neglected or abused over a period of time without adequate intervention from State agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25859/18]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

186. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of reports notified to her Department relating to children at risk in each of the past two years; the degree to which it has been possible to arrange adequate and early follow-up in all cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25866/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 186 together.

My Department is not routinely informed of the neglect or abuse of children, and where such reports are made this information is passed immediately to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla is the statutory body responsible for supporting and promoting the development, welfare and protection of children, and for providing or arranging for the provision of appropriate interventions, where these are needed. There is a requirement in the Child and Family Agency Act that Tusla is independent in the performance of its function, and reports of children at risk of neglect of abuse should be appropriately directed to Tusla.

Tusla publishes performance and activity data annually. The most recent date for which validated data is available is Q3 2017. Data is subject to verification before publication.

An open case is one which is assessed as needing a dedicated (allocated) social work service; cases awaiting allocation include new referrals, cases already in progress and children in care.

Referrals received, open cases and unallocated cases per quarter