Mr. Joe McCarthy:

There is the long-standing issue of recruitment and retention, not just in Tusla. Some 15 years ago the position was the same. I was sent to Chicago once by the then Southern Health Board to recruit social workers. Therefore, this is not something new. Around that time, in certain areas, it granted two-year bursaries to students to take a master's degree course. They then stayed on in Tusla for a year. Interestingly, a lot of those who received that support remained in Tusla. If one invests in and encourages a student and there is a welcoming and manageable environment, people will stay. Exit interviews have been mentioned. I am not aware that such interviews are carried out routinely, but the reasons the majority leave are known. The social workers in situwho would love to continue working in the area of child protection and family welfare could indicate very clearly what needs to be done.