HSE Staffing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2013

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Questions (220)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

220. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social work teams employed by the Health Service Executive nationally in each of the past three years; the number of social workers, social work team leaders, principal social workers, aftercare workers, access workers, child care workers, family support works and administration staff employed within these social work teams for the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11812/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Figures supplied by the HSE, from its census of employment in the public health and social care sector, indicate that the number of whole-time equivalent (WTE) social workers, social work team leaders, senior social workers, principal social workers, social care staff and family support workers within social work teams for the past three years was as follows:

Grade	31/05/2010	31/05/2011	31/05/2012	31/01/2013
Social Worker	634	866	868	990
Social Worker, Team Leader	181	214	219	264
Social Worker, Senior	68	72	67	83
Social Worker, Principal	68	75	61	88
Sub Total	951	1,227	1,215	1,425
Social Care Worker	681	741	723	811
Social Care Manager, Deputy	13	13	14	14
Social Care Manager	51	53	48	57
Social Care Leader	291	299	293	327
Sub Total	1,036	1,106	1,078	1,209
Family Support Worker	161	147	133	146

The census numbers reflect the outcome of a process of reclassification of social workers within the HSE into various care groups, including children and families, as part of the process of establishing the Child and Family Support Agency separate from the HSE.

My Department has requested additional information from the HSE with regard to the other staff groups identified and I will forward this information to the Deputy when it is received.