Delays put children at significant risk: Hiqa

Vulnerable children in Kildare and West Wicklow were at “significant risk” due to insufficient resources and a backlog in assessing cases, according to a new Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) inspection report.

The Inspection of the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Service in Kildare/West Wicklow Local Health Area by Hiqa found that 721 referrals were awaiting an initial assessment. The majority of those cases were child welfare referrals.

A further 77 cases were awaiting more assessment, with the report stating: “Resources were not sufficient to deal with backlogs in assessments that had accrued over time.