Just a fraction of the 10,533 reported cases of child abuse received by the Health Service Executive (HSE) over the course of a year were confirmed, a new report revealed yesterday.There was a rise in reports of alleged abuse including sexual, physical and emotional abuse during the course of 2007 but just 1,978 were confirmed and 371 were cleared as non abuse.
The report of the HSE's child protection services for 2007, officially released yesterday, revealed it received another 12,715 reports of welfare concerns about children during the year.
The report revealed the gap between reported allegations and confirmed cases:
- Physical abuse 2,152 -- 389 confirmed.
- Sexual abuse 2,306 -- 293 confirmed.
- Emotional abuse 1,981 -- 52 confirmed.
- Neglect 4,414 -- 864 confirmed.
The HSE said it had a 10.5pc increase in reports to the service in 2007 and a 24pc rise over the last three years.
"The increase in referrals to the system, in a period of economic prosperity, does not reflect an increase in disadvantage or deprivation.
"Rather it indicates a raised awareness of child welfare in Irish society, a heightened profile of the services in the community and an increase in confidence in the services being provided for children and families," it said.
Hugh Kane, assistant national director of the HSE's children and family services said he acknowledged the report highlighted the "need for greater equity in the social work system" but that "tremendous child protection work is being done by social workers around the country on a daily basis".
Replying to criticism by Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter that more than 8,000 of the children did not undergo an initial assessment after concerns about them were raised he insisted that all reports "are screened by childcare professionals".
Variations
The report revealed the areas with the highest staffing levels were Dublin south west, Dublin west and Dublin north central. They also have high populations and large sections of deprivation. The lowest staffing levels are in west Cork which has a low child population .
The HSE conceded that the report showed there were "some variations" in matching resources to needs across the country.
"The HSE is committed to matching the allocation of social workers to the areas what there is the most need. Social workers are not affected by the Government's recruitment moratorium. Recruitment of social workers continues."
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