Child and Family Agency Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018

Friday, 7 September 2018

Questions (1164, 1170, 1171)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

1164. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of whole-time equivalent social work posts per Tusla region; the number of whole-time equivalent vacancies by region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36444/18]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

1170. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of unfilled vacant posts in Tusla by title; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36808/18]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

1171. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social care workers hired in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of social care workers who have left their positions in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36809/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1164, 1170 and 1171 together.

The latest information requested by the Deputies is not readily available. My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputies once I have been furnished with it.

The following deferred replies were received under Standing Order 42A

I refer to parliamentary question No. 36444/18 of, 7 September 2018, as advised in my response on 7 September, my officials requested the information Deputy Mitchell was seeking from Tusla as this was not readily available when responding to her question.

Tusla has since advised that there are currently a total of 1,442 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) Social Workers employed.

I am informed that the breakdown of Social Workers (Wit) by region is as follows:

Tusla CFA - Social Work WTE 31st July 2018	Social Work Reported July WTE
Child Resident Service	6.84
Corporate/Adoption	108.23
Dublin Mid Leinster	345.38
Dublin North East	301.51
South	341.54
West	338.61
Total	1442.11

Tusla has also advised that at 31/07/2018 there are 377 vacancies which are identified by region as follows:

Social Work Vacancies X Region	DML	DNE	South	West	Grand Total
Social Work Practitioner, Senior	14	12	9	5	40
Social Worker	78	101	56	46	281
Social Worker, Principal	14	8	1	4	27
Social Worker, Team Leader	11	12	3	3	29
Grand Total	117	133	69	58	377

I am advised by Tusla that 202 are temporary posts to cover leave such as Maternity Leave, Special Leave Without Payment, Sick Leave and Carers Leave. Furthermore, I understand Tusla has 179 agency Social Workers deployed to ensure continuity of front-line services.

With regard to parliamentary questions Nos. 36808/18 and 36809/18 of 7 September 2018, as advised in my response on 7 September, my officials requested the information being sought by Deputy Broughan from Tusla as this was not readily available when responding to his question.

Since establishment in 2014, and despite significant recruitment activity, Tusla has increased its total whole time equivalent (WTE) staff by 366 (as at 31 July, 2018). As you are aware, Tusla is operating in a difficult recruitment environment. Also, I am informed that from January 2018 to 31 July, 2018, Tusla recruited 276 (WTE) staff, across all disciplines, however, in that same period 166 staff left the organisation.

Tusla has advised me that there are currently 938 vacancies, of which 114 are temporary posts to cover leave such as Maternity Leave, Special Leave Without Pay, Sick Leave and Caters Leave. I am informed that all vacancies arc at various stages of the recruitment process. Tusla Recruit has also created panels for the majority of its grades and will continue with plans to provide panels for all grades and supplement panels in 2018/2019. At the same time, Tusla has employed 494 agency workers to ensure continuity of service Tusla has provided the following table which outlines the breakdown of these posts by staff category:

Admin	Education and Welfare Officers	Family Support	Management VIII+	Other Health Professionals	Other Support Staff including catering	Psychologists & Counsellors	Social Care	Social Work	Total
257	7	31	26	15	2	12	211	377	938

Tusla has also advised me that Social Care Workers who started and left their positions in 2016,2017 and as at 31/07/2018 are as follows:

Social Care Workers	2016	2017	As at 31/07/2018
Starters	55	70	60
Leavers (Incl. retirements)	70	76	36

Tusla’s 2018 Business Plan and Recruitment Plan 2018 identifies activities to improve retention and build on initiatives commenced in 2016 such as Continuous Professional Development Strategy and National Transfer Policy, which will facilitate staff wishing to relocate to another part of the country within Tusla’s services. A Retention Study was also carried out in 2017 and, arising out of the Study, a Retention Steering Group has been established to plan and implement an integrated approach to retention throughout the organisation. Tusla expects that these initiatives will assist with retention and increase the attractiveness of Tusla as an employer.

I also look forward to receiving Tusla’s Multi-annual Strategic Workforce Plan later this year which will indicate the future composition of Tusla’s workforce for the coming years, given the resources and skills available in the market.