Tony Gregory
Question:44 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health the number of social worker posts in each health board area that are currently unfilled. [13656/95]
Written Answers. - Unfilled Social Worker Posts.
Limerick East): The number of social worker posts in each health board area that are currently unfilled are set out in the following table:
|
Health Board |
Vacant Posts |
|
Eastern |
12 |
|
Midland |
9 |
|
Mid-Western |
15 |
|
North-Eastern |
1 |
|
North-Western |
1 |
|
South-Eastern |
8 |
|
Southern |
6 |
|
Western |
7 |
|
Total |
59 |
The number of social worker posts that are currently unfilled must be viewed in the light of the fact that approval of the creation of 70 social work posts was given to the health boards in the Child Care Action Plan which was launched as recently as 10 July. Health boards are involved in an ongoing recruitment campaign which has the objective of having all posts filled as quickly as possible. While some difficulties with recruitment have been experienced, every effort is being made by the health boards to fill posts without delay. Apart from the current intensive recruitment campaign, a number of other steps have been taken to address the increasing demand for social workers. These include the establishment earlier this year of the National Validation Body for Social Work Training and Education and the approval by the Higher Education Authority of 20 additional university places in Social Science from October 1995.