Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:65 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of social workers per county currently employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4058/97]
Written Answers. - Employment of Social Workers.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:66 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the ratio of social workers to population in each health board area. [4059/97]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 66 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. The eight regional health boards have been contacted and when the necessary detail is available and collated I shall be in touch with the Deputy.
Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:67 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of patients seen in each county by social workers in each of the years from 1990 to 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4060/97]
Limerick East): The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. As the Deputy is aware, social workers provide services to a variety of client groups who span more than one care programme at both hospital and community care level.
Many social workers are part of multi-disciplinary terms where their geographic base and, indeed, the source of patient referral is complex. Perhaps if the Deputy has a specific problem in mind she would consider contacting the relevant health board which would be in the best position to obtain the necessary information for her.