Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
503. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the transition year programme administered by Tusla for the purposes of encouraging young persons to consider a career in the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59139/22]
View answer504. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on Tusla’s social care and social work graduate campaigns. [59140/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together.
I welcome all Tulsa’s HR initiatives designed to attract staff to work with the Agency. The need to increase the numbers employed in specific grades employed by Tusla is an ongoing concern for the Agency and my Department.
While my Department does not have a national remit with regard to education, policies, regulations or workforce planning governing social workers’ and social care workers' employment in Ireland, it has actively engaged with Tusla and other stakeholders with regard to addressing issues relating to their supply, recruitment and retention.
In this context, Tusla commenced its annual high-profile Social Work graduate and targeted Social Care Worker graduate campaigns earlier this year. I understand Tusla committed to offering a position to every successful social work student who graduated this year and provided significant supports to graduates during their CORU registration process. I am also informed that planning and engagement with the higher education institutions for 2023 is at an advanced stage.
Additionally, I am aware that Tusla is piloting a Transition Year programme for the 22/23 academic year with a small number of schools across the country. One of the primary aims of this programme is to encourage students to consider a career with Tusla. This is an opportune time to promote Tusla as an Employer of Choice with transition year students as they prepare to make crucial decisions regarding their future careers. I understand that the Tusla Transition Year programme includes information about some of the core front-line professions within the Agency - such as social care and social work- and information about how to pursue careers in these areas is provided.
I welcome and support Tusla’s proactive approach with these initiatives that form part of Tusla's ongoing efforts to address current difficulties in recruitment and retention. These initiatives also complement Tusla’s recently launched People Strategy 2022-2024 with its focus on improving the working experience and retention of all staff and creating a place that future staff will want to join to build their careers while supporting the mission of Tusla to develop and deliver great child focussed services.
