Vol. 476 No. 7
19 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Health the number of additional child care social worker posts approved by his Department in 1995 and 1996; the number which will be approved in 1997; the plans, if any, he has for the development of further in-service training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8076/97]
(Limerick East): Since 1993 over 300 additional social worker posts have been approved for child care services. Approximately 70 additional social worker posts were approved for 1995 and 1996. In addition to these posts, significant numbers of other additional posts, such as child care workers and family support workers, were created to improve the delivery of child care services. The number of child care social worker posts to be approved in 1997 is still under discussion with the health boards. The further development of in-service and multi-disciplinary training is also the subject of on-going discussion between my Department and the health boards.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
