Number of unidentified child protection files rises to 1200

The number of previously unidentified child protection files in the Laois/Offaly area has risen to at least 1,200.
Gordon Jeyes, the Chief Executive of Tusla, told a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children yesterday that Tusla has noted that there were “at least 1,200 files, the status of which was unclear”.
The number has risen from the 700 files cited in a Tusla statement last week. All 1,200 files are expected to be assessed by today.
Mr Jeyes said a newly-appointed principal social welfare worker initially raised concerns about a number of files the status of which was unclear. The issue was subsequently brought to the attention of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and HIQA.
Tusla also identified 822 unacknowledged Garda referrals. Mr Jeyes sait it was “unclear whether this represents 'a failure to acknowledge’ ....or whether these files remained unassessed”. This question was currently being addressed with the assistance of An Garda Síochána.
Mr Jeyes said a team of senior social workers was brought in to review the situation, ascertain the extent and nature of the problem, and to take immediate action where required.
An investigation is being conducted, independent of the local management, by Tusla’s Director of Quality Assurance. Existing management and reporting processes will also be closely scrutinised as part of this review, he said.
“The safety of children is the priority for Tusla. It is important that Tusla as an organisation has the integrity to stand over its commitment to prioritise children.

'I am determined that Tusla will be an open, accountable and reforming organisation with staff who are strong in their commitment to children and courageous in identifying and addressing practice where failures have been identified.
Too many children were failed in the past as a result of institutions who did not acknowledge and address failings.”