Children’s Safety's Being Compromised Due To “Inconsistencies” In Child Services, HIQA Report Finds

Monday, 27 June 2022 14:42

By Caoimhe Harney

Lengthy delays and a lack of resources were the main issues noted.

Children’s safety's being compromised due to staff shortages and poor management in child services, according to the health watchdog.

HIQA’s annual children’s services report found while children in high-priority cases were allocated a social worker quickly, there was an overall increase in the number of children on waiting lists.

It conducted 56 inspections throughout 2021 and found that while there were improvements in compliance against national standards and regulations across children’s services, there was further room for improvement in governance, management and resourcing services.

According to the report, many children continued to experience delays in accessing services, or a care placements which were suitable for their needs. A small number of children also experienced delays coming into care due to the lack of available suitable placements.

The “inconsistencies” in the State’s Children Services left many children experiencing delays in receiving the right service at the right time.

HIQA highlighted delays in Tusla’s social workers making contact with children who they had received information about.

Meanwhile some foster carers highlighted issues with social workers changing regularly, causing disruption for the child.

The report also noted some social workers are struggling with the workload, as many vacancies go unfilled.

Increased wait times for children on social protection or welfare services lists were also noted by HIQA.

More from National News

Three Motorists Fined During Naas School Run As Children Were Not Wearing Seatbelts

Each driver received three penalty points and a €120 fine for each unbelted child.
New €53m Falcon 6X Joins Irish Air Corps Fleet

The Falcon 6X replaces the Learjet 45 and is expected to be operational in early 2026.
Sixteen Kildare Residents Died From Drug Poisoning Over A Two-Year Period

Nationally, drug-related deaths fell slightly compared with 2021, but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, with most deaths occurring in private homes and many people found to be alone at the time.
Fatal Celbridge Crash: Driver Jailed After Leaving Scene Without Reporting Friend Inside Car

After crashing into a truck on the Dublin Road at Celbridge, 22-year-old Jake Kelly, of Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, fled the scene. Jake Kelly was driving so fast when he crashed into the back of a heavy goods truck that was stopped at some traffic lights that the truck was shoved forward by 1.4m.
Gardaí Search Five Premises In Kildare, Dublin And Tipperary As Part Of Housing Sector Probe

The searches took place at five premises on Friday, December 12th, and were conducted by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, with assistance from the Corporate Enforcement Authority.
80 Drug-Driving Cases Before Naas Court So Far This Year Amid Calls For Tougher Penalties

The figures come as 170 people have died on Irish roads so far in 2025, seven more than at the same point last year.
Electricity Bills To Increase Next Year As Households To Shoulder Majority Of Power Grid Overhaul

Domestic customers will cover 55 per cent of the cost, with businesses paying the remainder.
Bus Éireann Confirms January Expressway Fare Increase, Cites Insurance And Fuel Costs

The company is blaming increases in its cost base, including maintenance and insurance.