Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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197. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate resources remain available to her Department to enable a rapid response to issues raised by children who are victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38240/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the appropriate body dealing with the protection and welfare of children. I am satisfied that the funding secured for Tusla in Budget 2018 has provided adequate resources to meet the demand for their child protection functions.

Tusla act immediately if there is an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by An Garda Siochana (AGS) or by Tusla, but both agencies work together in such cases. Tusla, when alerted to a child at immediate risk, for instance a young child left alone at home or abandoned, will contact AGS if the child needs to be removed from that situation. A plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm.

Cases of neglect or risk are managed in line with Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. If anybody becomes aware of a child at risk, they should contact Tusla immediately, or An Garda Síochána out of hours.

Depending on the experiences the child has had, some cases will require follow up services such as mental health, psychological or therapeutic services that come under the remit of the HSE.

Tusla at all times endeavour to make sure that the voice of the child is heard and their concerns and expressed wishes are taken into account. Children are allocated dedicated social workers, and are given opportunities to discuss their experiences and concerns with them. Where harm has occurred, it is the role of Tusla to identify the supports required and liaise with other agencies and organisations to put the supports in place.