Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of at risk children whose situations were brought to the attention of her Department in the past 12 months; the extent to which she was able to respond to their needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7394/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. I propose to reply in respect of children at risk who come to the attention of Tusla child protection services.

The most recent data available from Tusla covers the period up to and including November 2018. Referrals data is published on a provisional basis each month and validated figures are published quarterly. The monthly data from Tusla indicates that there were a total of 52,779 referrals to Child Protection and Welfare Services up to end of November 2018. This is almost 5,700 ahead of the comparable figures from 2017. This is an average of approximately 4,800 referrals per month.

There has been an increase in referrals in recent years. An increase of 9% in 2016, an increase of 13% in 2017 and it is expected that there will be a similar increase when the final figures for 2018 are compiled. This increase in referrals clearly shows the growing awareness and concern in society with respect to children’s wellbeing and safety.

All referrals to Tusla are screened in a timely manner. Where appropriate, the referral will be routed to family support services or, in the case of child protection and welfare concerns, to a social work service. It is important to stress that urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.