Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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199. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate childcare professionals remain available to provide an adequate support service for children at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38242/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am informed by Tusla that as of June 2018, the most recent figures available, there were 5,856 cases awaiting allocation of a social worker.

Tusla has confirmed that of these cases, 987 were categorised as high priority; 1,589 cases were low priority; and 3,280 were medium priority. The priority level assigned to the case is based on the resources required to address the case, rather than on risk to the child. I am informed that all urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.

I can assure the Deputy that addressing the needs of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is one of my key priorities. Significant additional pay provision has been provided by my Department to Tusla, since its establishment in 2014, for the recruitment of Senior Social Work Practitioners, social workers, social care workers and administrative staff.

Tusla is operating in a difficult recruitment environment. Since establishment in 2014, and despite significant recruitment activity, Tusla has increased its total whole time equivalent (WTE) staff by 366 (as at 31 July, 2018). I am advised by Tusla that their in-house recruitment function, Tusla Recruit,has created panels for the majority of its grades and will continue with plans to provide panels for all grades and supplement panels in 2018/2019.

I also look forward to receiving Tusla’s Multi-annual Strategic Workforce Plan later this year which will indicate the future composition of Tusla’s workforce for the coming years, given the resources and skills available in the market.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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200. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which caseworkers are assigned as required to children deemed to be at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38243/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am informed by Tusla that as of June 2018, the most recent figures available, there were 5,856 cases awaiting allocation of a social worker. 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.

Of these cases, 987 were categorised as high priority; 1,589 cases were low priority; and 3,280 cases were medium priority. The priority level assigned to the case is based on the need for intervention in the case, rather than on risk to the child. All urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.

I am also 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.

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.

Addressing the number of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is one of my key priorities. I secured funding in Budget 2018 which will allow Tusla to carry out the final 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.

I am continuing to engage with the Tusla Board and Senior Management Team to monitor and review progress in reducing the number of unallocated cases.