Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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49. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children reported to his Department as being at risk or under threat of becoming at risk depending on individual circumstances; the action proposed or taken in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25910/23]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which Tusla attempts to monitor all situations in all circumstances brought to its attention where children are thought to be at risk; the action taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25909/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 91 together.

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the number of children reported to his Department as being at risk or under threat of becoming at risk depending on individual circumstances; the action proposed or taken in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

In January 2023, Tusla received 7,546 child protection and welfare referrals. Tusla acts urgently on notification of an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by An Garda Síochána or by Tusla, but in the main both agencies work together in such cases.

Tusla has an out of hours emergency number for An Garda Síochána which provides advice based on the circumstances and can identify whether a child is listed on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS), this is a Tusla owned secure database, which lists children who are considered to be at ongoing risk of significant harm.

There is a 24/7 'out of hours' social work team available in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Cork and on call social workers in other areas throughout the country. Tusla has a network of emergency foster care placements for children in need of emergency care out of hours.

Gardaí have specific powers under Section 12 of the 1991 Child Care Act to remove a child from a situation of danger, and under Section 13 of that same act, to deliver that child into the custody of Tusla. Tusla will carry out an assessment to determine the child's needs. This may in some cases include applying for an Emergency Care Order. In all cases, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm. Where a child is already in care, Tusla will make a determination as to whether the child is safe in their placement or if they need to be moved.

My officials are in regular contact with Tusla in relation to all aspects of its work. Tusla submits monthly and quarterly performance reports which are reviewed by the Department. Tusla submits 'Need to Know' notifications to this Department. The purpose of a Need to Know notification is to alert myself and my officials to serious incidents and to provide information on what action is being taken.

Tusla’s governing legislation, the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 sets out the key elements of the Minister’s Performance Framework (S.41) to provide

Tusla with policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters for the preparation of its Corporate Plan.

A Performance Framework for Tusla is developed every three years. 2023 is the final year of the three-year planning cycle of the current Performance Framework. I will deliver my next Performance framework to Tusla by September this year. This will inform Tusla’s Corporate plan to be delivered in December 2023.

Tusla receives funding from a number of budget subheads within my Department as well as from the Department of Education. For 2023, Tusla has a budget allocation of €1.020 billion.