More than 550 children in State care are waiting for a social worker to be assigned to them.

A further 700 people are waiting to be allocated one after suffering abuse in the past.

According to Tusla's latest figures, just over 5,000 children who are living in the community are awaiting to be allocated a social worker - 622 of whom are deemed 'high priority' cases.

Another 565 children who are currently in state care haven't been allocated one.

Suzanne Connolly, the chief executive of Barnardos, says the statistics are a big concern.

"In terms of children in care, by not having an allocated social worker, Tusla not fulfilling their statutory responsibilities, we know that Tusla has a problem with recruiting and retaining social workers - so it's essential that they address that."

A further 689 people who suffered abuse in the past are waiting to be allocated a social worker.

Anne Rabbitte is Fianna Fáil's spokesperson for children.

"I'm very disappointed - these are adults that actually have come forward and I can't imagine what it has taken for somebody to come forward to say that 'when I was younger, that I was abused'".

Tusla's figures show 881 people who suffered abuse in the past have been allocated a social worker.