156 Children Waiting For Social Worker In Kildare/West Wicklow Region

There are more than 720 children, deemed 'high priority' child protection and welfare cases, who haven't been allocated a social worker.

That's according to the Child and Family Agency's latest figures.

A total of just under 5,000 children, referred to Tusla for child protection and welfare reasons, haven't been allocated a social worker.

Of those, 722 are deemed to be of 'high priority'.

They include 170 children in Dublin South Central and 156 in the Dublin South/Kildare/West Wicklow area.

There are also significant numbers in rural areas, such as Donegal, with 63.

Tusla says where there's an immediate risk, a child or young person receives an instant protective response.

It says where a child or young person is awaiting a dedicated social worker, they are supported and monitored until a one is allocated.