Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

No, I do not need Mr. Ó Conaill to tell me that. I am trying to point out that 2009 was 15 years ago, but Tusla is telling me that it does support them. As a public representative, I have never heard from this Department about its issues regarding recruitment, etc. I have heard its chair on the radio saying that most positions are filled. Recently, there was quite an engaging argument between a presenter on one of the radio shows with the chair of Tusla, in which the chair denied that there were any issues and that all posts were being filled. They said Tusla did not have issues. Yet, the issues Tusla has are having a very serious impact on our most vulnerable in society.

I submitted a series of parliamentary questions before Christmas about Tusla’s budgeting arrangements. I have no difficulty with private agencies being employed where there is nobody else. I am not concerned about the money Tusla is spending on them, because it is very clear that there are 60 fewer social workers in Tusla now than there were in 2021, according to the figures from the Comptroller and Auditor General. What is the problem? Does Tusla do exit interviews?