Mr. Pat Smyth:

There are a number of factors to it. We have done a lot of work in terms of trying to understand from people why they leave. One of our most recent studies, based on 13 exit interviews in a particularly high-need area in Dublin, indicated a mix of work-life balance and people getting promotions into other jobs. People come into a very high-need area, become quite skilled and then move on to another area. There are a number of pieces. There are about 215 social workers trained in the universities every year. We have recruited around 150 so we are getting a very high percentage of that new intake. However, we are in competition with the HSE and the voluntary agencies. The HSE is in a continual space for staff in disability services, elderly services and hospitals. They have quite a high need as well. Since our staff have come through the child protection and welfare side, they are seen as quite experienced and it is a fast upskilling so they are in demand in other areas. A lot of young graduates also travel after a number of years. We have discovered that staff will work for a period of up to two years and then leave because they can draw their contributions back down at that stage. It is like a ready-made savings scheme. Our total head count is around 3,900 as of the end of April.