Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2018
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate childcare professionals remain available to provide an adequate support service for children at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38242/18]
View answerI am informed by Tusla that as of June 2018, the most recent figures available, there were 5,856 cases awaiting allocation of a social worker.
Tusla has confirmed that of these cases, 987 were categorised as high priority; 1,589 cases were low priority; and 3,280 were medium priority. The priority level assigned to the case is based on the resources required to address the case, rather than on risk to the child. I am informed that all urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.
I can assure the Deputy that addressing the needs of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is one of my key priorities. Significant additional pay provision has been provided by my Department to Tusla, since its establishment in 2014, for the recruitment of Senior Social Work Practitioners, social workers, social care workers and administrative staff.
Tusla is operating in a difficult recruitment environment. 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). I am advised by Tusla that their in-house recruitment function, Tusla Recruit, has 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.
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.
