Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2013
222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, on a regional basis, the number of aftercare workers employed by the Health Service Executive or otherwise, working with children who were leaving or who had left the care of the State in 2012; and the number of additional aftercare workers, if any, who will be recruited in 2013. [17931/13]
View answerThe HSE has advised me that during 2012 there were 45.2 dedicated aftercare workers employed by them.
|
Region |
HSE Dedicated workers (Wholetime Equivalents) |
|
Dublin North East |
16 |
|
Dublin Mid Leinster |
6.5 |
|
West |
17.7 |
|
South |
5 |
|
Total |
45.2 |
In addition, many social workers and social care workers in residential settings, while not dedicated aftercare workers, provide aftercare on a continuing basis, as part of their workload. The HSE also provides funding and has agreements in place with a number of bodies including Focus Ireland (in North Dublin, South Dublin and Waterford) and Clare Care, to provide aftercare services. Recent information from Focus Ireland indicates that its North Dublin Aftercare Services employ two full time aftercare workers while its South Dublin Aftercare Services employs four full time aftercare workers. The HSE advise that there may be limited recruitment during 2013.
