I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 to 110, inclusive, together.
The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) was established in January 2014. Tusla has advised that there were 3453 whole time equivalent staff employed as at 31 December 2014. Of these, 1396 were social workers.
Tusla has further advised that at 31 October 2015 there are 343 posts under recruitment and of these 239 relate to social worker posts. The following table shows a breakdown by geographical area of the current posts being recruited .
REGION/AREA
|
SOCIAL WORKER
|
OTHER
|
TOTAL
|
Dublin Mid Leinster
|
80
|
18
|
98
|
Dublin North East
|
72
|
8
|
80
|
South
|
34
|
9
|
43
|
West
|
53
|
7
|
60
|
Residential
|
|
39
|
39
|
Educational Welfare
|
|
7
|
7
|
Early Years
|
|
3
|
3
|
Domestic
|
|
8
|
8
|
Corporate
|
|
5
|
5
|
OVERALL TOTAL
|
239
|
104
|
343
|
The cost for every additional ten social workers is estimated at €0.4000m per annum. This includes both pay and non pay costs.