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Health Service Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Ceisteanna (506, 507, 508, 509)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

581 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of individual social workers, not WTE, currently in place in the State; the same figure for end 2009, 2010 and 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21860/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

582 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social worker posts still vacant as a result of the early retirement scheme; if she will commit to filling all of these posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21861/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

583 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number social workers of all types who availed of the early retirement scheme; if she will commit to filling all of these posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21862/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

584 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of additional social worker positions she plans to fill this year; the timetable for filling these posts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21863/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 581 to 584, inclusive, together.

The HSE compiles a monthly census of employment in the public health and social care sector. The latest data available are in respect of March, 2012. These show that the total number of social workers employed in the HSE and in directly funded agencies was 2,627. The number of individuals employed in social worker grades at end 2009, 2010 and 2011 was 2,418, 2,674 and 2,674 respectively. It is important to note that these figures apply to all social workers employed by the HSE, and indeed by a range of other public and publicly funded bodies, to fulfil a range of roles, some of which fall outside the child welfare and protection services. For example, social workers are employed in hospitals to assist patients and families with the social aspects of their illness, in the mental health services, in primary care and in relation to older people. It is also important to note that these figures represent the number of individuals employed and not the whole time equivalent figure, which provides a more accurate and meaningful representation of the quantum of services provided.

The latest information from the HSE indicates that 31 social work staff availed of the early retirement scheme. The HSE is actively reviewing the impact of recent retirements at national and regional level. The National Director of Children and Families Services, Gordon Jeyes, will apply his discretion over the course of the year to the filling of vacancies, having regard to identified need and subject to services being delivered within available resources. The HSE has in place an agreed Service Plan for 2012 and this includes the recruitment of 10 additional social workers as part of the establishment of a multi-disciplinary team for children in care and detention.

I am very much aware of the financial and service challenges facing the HSE in 2012. The challenges are such as to require acceleration of the reform programme across child and family services, leading to the establishment of a new and dedicated Children and Family Support Agency, to which the Government is fully committed. The Government has made additional budgeting provision of €19m for child welfare and protection services compared to the funding made available last year. This compares to a reduction of €14m which was made in the HSE's 2011 National Service Plan which was approved in December 2010. The additional funding made available for 2012 provides further impetus to the comprehensive reform of service delivery which is under way and which is aimed at generating the best possible outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

My Department will be working very closely with the HSE throughout the year to ensure that the priorities set out in the HSE National Service Plan are implemented where they relate to children and family services. We have set an ambitious programme of work, one which is designed to significantly strengthen the policy, legislative and practice framework. Our shared goal is the delivery of appropriate, effective and consistent services, notwithstanding the very challenging and demanding circumstances in which these services are delivered.

Question No. 585 answered with Question No. 579.

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