Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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211. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children awaiting allocation to a social worker in each Tusla local office area by the priority status of the case and the average waiting time in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26135/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Information about unallocated cases is published monthly on the Tusla website. There has been a 46% (4,458) reduction in cases awaiting allocation to a social worker since Tusla was established. All cases are screened at point of referral and any case requiring immediate follow up receives same and all other unallocated cases are reviewed by a Team Leader on an on-going basis.

Using the most recent data available (March 2018), I can inform the Deputy that there were a total of 4,689 cases awaiting allocation of a social worker. From this group, 734 were High Priority, 2,971 were Medium Priority and 984 were Low Priority.

Tusla does not publish data on average time waiting by area. However, data on the number of cases awaiting allocation by time band is collated. Using this most recent data available (March 2018), 126 cases were waiting less than 1 week, 421 cases were waiting 1-2 weeks, 248 cases were waiting for 2-3 weeks, 565 cases were waiting 3-4 weeks, 534 cases were waiting 1-2 months, 395 cases were waiting 2-3 months, and 1,896 cases were waiting for more than three months.

The information is provided in the following two tables.

Addressing the number of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is one of my key priorities. I secured funds in Budget 2018 which will allow Tusla to carry out the third year of a 3 year plan to provide for the allocation of a dedicated social worker to all children who need one. Tusla are also funded to recruit family support workers, social care staff and administrative staff to work alongside social workers in supporting vulnerable children and families.

An unallocated case relates to a case about a child that is deemed to need a social work assessment, but has not yet been allocated to a social worker. All urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team. The majority of unallocated cases are new referrals. However, they may also include children living with their families who had an allocated social worker, or to a child in care, where there is now a social work vacancy.

I am informed by Tusla that a case awaiting allocation may be listed as 'active on duty'. Tusla indicate that this may include checking with professionals who see the child regularly, or visiting the child and family at home, getting additional information about the child's situation and, in some instances where a child is in care, organising a Care Plan Review and visiting the child.

I, and my officials, will continue to engage directly with the Tusla Board and Senior Management Team to monitor and review progress in reducing the number of unallocated cases and the waiting time for the allocation of a social worker to a case assessed as requiring a social work service.

Number of Cases Awaiting Allocation (March 2018)

Number of Cases Awaiting Allocation in Time Bands (March 2018)

*Notes

1) Cases of Retrospective Abuse not included

2) Data for Waterford/Wexford is partial

3) Number awaiting in time bands is not available from Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan and Waterford/Wexford

I can also inform the Deputy that Tusla has developed a fully computerised National Child Care Information Systemto deal with all current referrals. Roll out of this system is due to be completed in mid July. One of the long term benefits of this new system will be the provision of accurate activity recording, facilitating improved service planning and performance monitoring.