Vol. 464 No. 7
32 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place in health boards for dealing with administrative problems resulting from the high turnover of social workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8760/96]
, Limerick East): The exact nature of the administrative problems or in which social work service area they may arise, from the high turnover of social workers, is unclear from the Deputy's question. While some administrative problems may arise from time to time as a result of difficulties with the recruitment and retention of social workers, every effort is being made by health boards to fill posts without delay. Health boards are involved in an ongoing recruitment campaign which has the objective of having all social work posts filled as quickly as possible, whatever the origin of their post, be it newly created or vacant on foot of the promotion or departure of a previous postholder.
On 20 March 1996 I approved the report of the national validation body on the criteria governing the validation of non-national qualification in the field of social work and this should greatly assist health boards in the filling of social work posts in due course.
