Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an fhoireann ó Tusla. I welcome the team from Tusla. In his presentation, Mr. Jeyes referred to increased training for social workers. What is the training budget? It is vital training is an integral part of the process. Social work is a registered profession and, as a consequence, social workers are required to continually engage in professional training and development.

In light of staff shortages, what is Tusla doing to ensure social workers have access to appropriate training and can develop their skills in-house and externally?
Deputy Troy made reference to the fact that we had engagement with the Minister this morning in the Dáil Chamber. Can Mr. Jeyes confirm that it remains national policy to ensure that every child in care has an allocated social worker? The allocation of a social worker is an entitlement provided under the Child Care Act 1991. This morning the Minister, in response to this team of Deputies, talked about high priority items or must-get items, and low priority items - he left the matter hanging - which we can do without. I would like to know, definitively, that the policy I understood to be a national policy remains in situand there is a commitment by the services to adhere to same.
I understand the financial pressures but I hope they are not resulting in prioritisation of the allocation of social workers. The Minister referenced high-priority and low-priority items. Children in care, because they are in care, need a designated social worker. It is not the case that there will be some who are more deserving or more in need. They are all in need of a designated social worker, in my opinion. There is more than anecdotal evidence that some children in long-term foster care are not being assigned a social worker. I have also heard of foster families not being provided with a link worker. Has there been a change in national policy on this issue? I am accepting of budgetary challenges, and the chief executive gave voice to that himself.
I particularly welcome Mr. Eglington here today. I ask Mr. Jeyes to comment on the progress of the full roll-out and implementation of the national policy on leaving and aftercare. Specifically, I ask him to comment on whether aftercare has a ring-fenced budget and whether the resources available are adequate to ensure implementation of national policy.
Let us look at the statistics on social workers. Over the past eight to nine years the number of children in State care has increased by over 20% and the number of referrals to social work services has almost doubled. Despite what the Minister again said this morning on the floor of the Dáil Chamber, the reality is that the number of social workers dealing with child protection and welfare has remained largely static. It is all right to say "We have recruited X," but there are departures too. On examination of the figures, the real position is that the numbers have remained largely static over that period. We have been told there are 9,000 cases awaiting the allocation of a social worker, and that Tusla services, as the chief executive indicated in his address, are operating with only 70% of its ideal workforce numbers. How are Tusla social workers coping with the significant increase in their workloads? What assurances can Mr. Jeyes give the committee that children and their families are receiving an adequate service? It may be difficult for him to answer my questions, and I understand if he cannot. I am mindful of Tusla's statement yesterday on the report prepared by the Ombudsman for Children about an allegation of abuse at a school in County Kilkenny. Can the chief executive advise the committee how speedily Tusla will be in a position to address that issue? It is an historic issue but it has clear contemporary overtones. The limited commentary that is in the public domain does not satisfy one's concern about the matter. I would like to know, based on the report prepared by the former Ombudsman for Children, Ms Emily Logan, how quickly he would hope to address the issues concerned. Where does he believe the fault lay in cases that Ms Logan said were "not properly investigated"? Who had responsibility for it at the time? At whom is she pointing the finger of accusation?
My last couple of questions are on direct provision. If the chief executive cannot offer information on it this morning then I ask him to furnish us with it later. Like all Members here, I am very concerned about the circumstances for people who are in what are described as direct provision centres for asylum seekers. I am particularly concerned about children in these centres who have known, in their memory, no other reality than years of domicile in these particular circumstances. Can the chief executive advise us of the number of child protection teams in direct provision centres? What are Tusla's role and responsibilities towards children in such a setting?
Lastly, can Mr. Jeyes advise us on the requirement for all child care workers to be qualified at least to FETAC level 5 by September of next year? What will happen to people who are already employed in child care and have enrolled in FETAC courses but will not have completed the FETAC level 5 course by September of next year? Will there be a period of grace to allow them to complete their qualification and continue on their career path? I thank Mr. Jeyes for his attention.