Barnardos await HSE reponse to child care reports

Barnardos is calling on the HSE to respond to reports that social workers are having to ignore all but the worst child abuse cases due to understaffing.

It follows reports that there are hundreds of allegations of suspected child abuse and neglect which remain unassessed by social workers.

Barnardos have said early assessments of children at risk are essential to a functioning child welfare system.

The head of the Children's Charity Fergus Finlay has said significant progress is underway in child protection, but he is calling on the HSE to address concerns raised by social workers.

Earlier, the HSE said it was in the process of revising child protection procedures in line with the new Children First guidelines.