Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Child Welfare Services.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

91 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the severe shortage of social workers and the implications of this for child welfare services, he will outline the steps which he and the Higher Education Authority are taking to address this problem. [9233/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The report of the national social work qualifications board of July 2000 provides baseline information on social work posts in Ireland, based on a survey of the position as at 1 September 1999. The survey concluded there were not enough qualified social workers available to fill available posts and that an increase in the number of graduates from professional social work courses would be required in order to meet future demand. The report outlined how any increase in training places is intrinsically linked to practice placement opportunities. Quality practice placements are at the core of social work training and constitute 50% of course time. The report noted a crisis in supply of practice placements due to a lack of formalised structures and resources.

On foot of this report, my officials are engaged in detailed discussions with the Higher Education Authority, the Department of Health and Children and the national social work qualifications board in regard to training places for social workers. The Department of Health and Children is putting arrangements in place to ensure an adequate supply of quality practice placements. A considerable expansion in provision has been agreed, with an additional 35 places being provided in the current academic year to bring the total number of places available to 137. Further expansion is planned for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 academic years. The national social work qualifications board is currently undertaking a follow up survey on the position pertaining as at 1 September 2001.