Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. On his point on the ESRI review of the school completion programme, is there a date for publication of the review? To be fair, the participants in the scheme are quite anxious, as he knows, in terms of their vulnerability and sustainability into the future. Any organisation that has a review hanging over its head always thinks of the worst outcomes. It is important that we know when the ESRI will provide feedback to the Minister and how long it will take for him to mull over the review and bring clarity to the issue.

In regard to educational outcomes, the Minister mentioned the new inspectors. It is a duplication of work. If it was the only thing the new inspectors were required to do, why not put a new section in the regulations and ensure that existing inspectors carry out the work?

I go back to the point I have continuously raised about the people who currently carry out inspections in early childhood settings. As there is a requirement that public health nurses are involved, why, as promised by a predecessor of the Minister, would the Department not consider opening up the process to allow for applications from people with relevant early childhood care and education experience for inspector roles? Those roles have been advertised and filled, but unfortunately the process has been restricted to public health nurses. A change would help to target the problem.

We could tick backwards and forwards all day on the issue of social work. I accept that the Minister is trying to make progress in this regard, and it is difficult. The figures he read out are unbelievable. Of the 112 people who left in a particular year, only 20 involved retirements. That shows that a serious proportion are leaving for other reasons, primarily maternity leave. My information is that people are also leaving because of the pressure of their workload. It is high because there are not sufficient numbers of workers to deal with the caseload.

While I accept that the Minister cannot answer my question now, I again refer to hiring people for temporary positions. Does that need to go before a national committee? Can that not be considered for those going on maternity leave, who have to give six months' notice? I understand that cannot be done until a person goes on maternity leave.

Part of the reason people are leaving this area, apart from the fact that it is highly pressurised, is that there is no career development. Even if one wants to further one's career in this area, there is no senior social worker position for those who have five years' experience.