Jan O'Sullivan
Ceist:305 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical social workers employed by each of the health boards. [16335/98]
Vol. 493 No. 3
305 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of medical social workers employed by each of the health boards. [16335/98]
The most recent information available is the Health Service Personnel Census taken at 31 December, 1996. Information in respect of 1997 is being compiled by my Department.
The information available is that there are seven medical social workers employed by the Eastern Health Board.
However, this statistic does not provide the full picture. The grade of medical social worker is employed mainly by voluntary hospitals such as St. James's, Beaumont, St. Vincent's and the children's hospitals at Crumlin and Temple Street. Health boards, however, employ social workers of various grades — basic grade, professionally qualified, psychiatric, senior, team leader — to provide social work services including a commitment to the hospitals they operate.
The total number of medical social workers employed by voluntary hospitals or agencies is 86.3 wholetime equivalents.
The total number of social workers employed by health boards, all grades including the seven medical social workers employed by the Eastern Health Board is as follows:
Health Board |
WTE (excluding those on career break) |
Eastern Health Board |
416.27 |
Midland Health Board |
48.00 |
Mid-Western Health Board |
58.00 |
North-Eastern Health Board |
54.00 |
North-Western Health Board |
47.45 |
South-Eastern Health Board |
76.30 |
Southern Health Board |
106.50 |
Western Health Board |
72.00 |
Total |
878.52 |
307 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the programme on establishing a code of safety for indoor concerts; the progress, if any, to date on implementing it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15858/98]
The code of practice for safety at indoor concerts is being finalised by the working group established for this purpose. I expect to publish it shortly.