IT rows delay child welfare system

Internal wrangling over the proposed IT system for recording and tracking of child welfare cases has been a major factor in its delayed introduction, new documents have shown.

Freedom of Information documents provided to the Irish Examiner reveal clashes between project management — including the HSE — and the Peer Review Group. They have been charged with providing independent oversight of the project, have been behind the delay in commencing the National Child Care Information System.

The system is to facilitate referral of cases, assessment, child protection, child welfare, family welfare conferences, and issues involving children in care.