Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1163. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number and percentage of children in care with an allocated social worker by county in tabular form. [13029/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I must advise the Deputy that data is reported by Tusla on the basis of Tusla administrative area, and not by county. The table below lays out the number of children in care with an allocated social worker.

Table: Number and percentage of children in care with allocated social worker

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1164. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number and percentage of children in residential special care with an allocated social worker by county in tabular form. [13030/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I must advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency collates data for the purposes of reporting by Tusla administrative area, rather than by county.

The table below lays out the number of children in residential special care, who have an allocated social worker, by Tusla administrative area.

Children in Special Care with allocated social worker, by Tusla administrative area

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1165. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number and percentage of children that are in general residential care with an allocated social worker by county in tabular form. [13031/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I can advise the Deputy that data is reported by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency by administrative area and not by county. The most recent date for which data is available is December 2018, which is laid out in the table below.

Table: Number and percentage of children in general residential care with an allocated social worker, by Tusla administrative area.

Tusla aims to ensure that all children in residential care have an allocated social worker. The social worker is responsible for the preparation and review of the child's statutory care plan which outlines the goals for the child while in care and is prepared in consultation with the child. The care plan sets out the details needed in their placement plan for living, education, socialising, visiting family and other important issues for the child. Regulations set out the minimum visiting requirements by the social worker, to meet directly with the child and establish that they are safe, well cared for an consulted about their care. The social worker also keeps in contact with the child's parent, ensures access arrangements are appropriate and safe and that the parent is, in keeping with the individual circumstances of the case, is kept informed of their child's progress.

Whilst every effort is made that all children in residential care are allocated a social worker, there are a very small number of instances (currently 10) where this is not possible due to a change in social worker or where there are temporary difficulties in filling the social work post. However, it is important to note that the allocation of social workers for children in residential care is a priority and such cases are re-prioritised for allocation as soon as possible and is a short-term issue. Social workers on the duty team will take on specific aspects of the role, for instance visiting the child or reviewing the care plan.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1166. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number and percentage of children in relative foster care with an allocated social worker by county in tabular form. [13032/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I can advise the Deputy that data is reported by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency by administrative area and not by county. The most recent date for which data is available is December 2018, which is laid out in the table below.

Number and percentage of children in relative foster care with an allocated social worker, by Tusla administrative area.

Whilst a case may be unallocated, this does not necessarily mean that a child is not being seen by a social worker. The relative foster carers, for example, may also have an allocated link social worker. There may also be another Tusla professional meeting with the child in placement such as an access worker or a social care worker/leader. Areas have systems in place, where a social worker has not been allocated to a child, whereby the child still receives a safeguarding visit to ensure his or her needs are being met.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1167. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number and percentage of children that have a written care plan by county in tabular form. [13033/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I can advise the Deputy that data is reported by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency on the basis of administrative area, and not by county.

I have written to Tusla to request the information to which the Deputy refers. A further response will issue when I have had a reply.