Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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236. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which investigations into child abuse continue vigorously, in order to ensure the safety of children in the home or in institutional care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25506/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services. In cases where an allegation of abuse is made, the first consideration is the immediate safety of the child. The information contained in the referral is reviewed to determine whether an assessment is required. Where an assessment is deemed necessary, information is gathered to identify risk of harm to a child and the steps, if any, required to keep the child safe.

At the end of January 2023, the most recent period for which figures are available, there were 22,418 cases open to social work nationwide. This figure includes cases at all stages from referral and assessment, children listed on the CPNS and children in alternative care. 70% of these cases were allocated to a named social worker. Other cases received a service from dedicated duty teams or rotating social workers on a duty roster.

The placements of children in alternative care, both foster care and residential care, are subject to the Placement of Children in Care Regulations 1995 and the National Standards for Foster Care 2003 and the National Standards for Children's Residential Services 2018. Adherence to foster care standards is monitored by HIQA and inspection reports are published on HIQA's website. Adherence to residential care standards is monitored by both HIQA (in the case of Tusla operated centres) and Tusla (in the case of private and voluntary operated centres).

If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla website. If a child is at immediate risk or in danger, An Garda Síochána (AGS) should be alerted without delay.