Government must do more for vulnerable children says Crowe

Dublin South West representative Seán Crowe TD has called on the current Government to fulfil its recent promise to children by ensuring that sufficient number of social workers are in place.

Crowe was commenting on recent figures from the Child and Family Agency that show a huge shortfall in social services for vulnerable children. Latest figures released say that 3150 urgent review cases have no social worker assigned to them.

Deputy Seán Crowe said

“Just a short while ago and at the time of the Children’s Referendum Sinn Fein said that legislative changes if they were to have any practical or meaningful impact must be followed by resources from Government to protect and support vulnerable children. The recent figures from the Child and Family Agency showing a major shortfall in the numbers of social workers for vulnerable children represent a real and consistent failure on the part of Government to fulfil its publicly stated commitment.

“I am calling on the Children’s Agency to now lead a concerted effort to ensure that the new Minister for Children James Reilly and his Cabinet colleagues put this right and provide resources to put in place sufficient social workers.

“We owe it to these vulnerable children but also to the electorate who voted overwhelmingly in the Referendum for a new and more enlightened approach

“It is unacceptable that 3150 urgent cases involving serious allegations including families struggling mental health, children going hungry and allegations of sexual and violent abuse have no social worker assigned. This is happening right now and has to end.

“Resources and supports need to be found for these most vulnerable children.”