Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
559. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of available facilities to ensure the follow-up required in cases of children at risk or reported to be at risk in various settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31538/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. Tusla provides a continuum of care supports and interventions for 'at risk' children and their families, including early intervention and prevention services, family support services and community based services, such as Meitheal.
The State only intervenes in family life in exceptional cases. However, if there is a child protection concern, Tusla can investigate and take the child into care if necessary. The immediate safety of the child is the first consideration. When necessary, an initial assessment will take place. This assessment identifies the risk and protective factors in each given situation so that informed decisions and recommendations can be made.
Based on the information available, the duty social worker, in conjunction with the team leader, gives the case a priority level of high, medium and low, depending on the risk identified in the information available. Following the initial assessment, the case remains with the duty team, who monitor risk, while awaiting its allocation to a social worker. The priority level may change where new information shows an increased or decreased risk to the child.
If a report to the social work department indicates immediate and serious risk, urgent action must be taken to protect the child and in this instance a child may be placed in care. The separation of children from their parents is only considered when all alternative means of protection have been exhausted.
In 2017, Tusla has been allocated Exchequer funding of €713 million to extend and improve the services it provides. This represents an increase of €37 million from 2016.
