Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015
129. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the type of self-care, such as counselling, which is available for staff working in front-line positions in her Department, in particular, staff dealing with homelessness; the number of staff who availed of this service in 2014 and in 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41566/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) provides an internal Employee Assistance Programme to Civil Service staff. Centralised within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the CSEAS operates as an interdepartmental shared service on a regionalised basis. The service is a work-based professional service which is designed to assist employees manage and resolve work-related and personal difficulties which, if left unattended, may adversely affect attendance, work performance and quality of life.
The Department’s Staff Development Unit provides a wide range of learning and development supports for staff including areas such as self-care. As part of these supports, the Department provides stress awareness training which aims to equip staff to identify signs of stress and introduces attendees to methods of dealing with their stress. In 2014, 651 staff and managers completed this in-house delivered course and, in 2015, a further 329 people attended this course.
In addition, Staff Development Unit provides Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training aimed as a support to the Department’s front-line staff. The main objective for attendees is to gain the skills and confidence necessary to handle crisis situations with minimum anxiety and maximum security. 683 staff attended this course in 2014, followed by a further 278 attendees in 2015.
These interventions are available to all front-line staff, including those dealing with people who are homeless.
