Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

484. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which the investigative structures within his Department are deemed adequate to meet current and future requirements as evaluated by reference to the time taken to respond to individual cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56254/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As you are aware, statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

As Minister, I am precluded from intervening in individual cases as there is an obligation by law that Tusla is independent in the performance of it's functions.

If I, or my Department are made aware of a potential risk to a child, these concerns are immediately brought to the attention of Tusla. Once a referral is received by Tusla, the referral is screened and any necessary assessments are carried out by the Agency. Any matter that requires investigation, is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

485. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he has sufficient resources available to his Department to meet the anticipated demands of children at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56255/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The critical importance of children in care and children in need of child welfare and protection services being allocated a social worker are acknowledged by myself as Minister and the Department.

My Department will issue as part of its Performance Framework for 2024-2026 to Tusla by the end of September 2023 a list of priorities for Tusla including the retention of social workers. This includes a number of actions for Tusla to improve the recruitment and retention of social workers, including engagement with Higher Education Institutions, focused recruitment on areas with highest and complex needs, monitoring recruitment activities and continuing to reduce the reliance on agency staffing, and various measures around enhancing Tusla as an employer of choice. My Department looks forward to further engagement on this issue as part of the Corporate Plan to reflect the policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters contained in the Minister’s framework, which will include the priority on addressing the retention of social workers.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

486. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department have access to the necessary information to address the needs of children of homeless families; whether any particular referrals or recommendations are received in his Department from the relevant local authorities where there is a risk of children becoming homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56256/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is a matter for my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

487. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average time taken to investigate cases of children at risk of the various forms of abuse; the degree to which a systemic response is in place to deal with such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56257/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.