Ms Catherine Bond:

Yes, it is quite broad. It provides an opportunity for both the link social worker and the foster carer to identify the supports required for the placement, but it does not always happen because of the demands on social workers. On the flip side, it leaves foster carers feeling very vulnerable and volatile. If they are dealing with a child with very complex behaviours and needs and contending with that in their family unit all day, every day, without the associated supports, it can be very challenging. In turn, it can contribute to placement breakdowns.

In terms of the areas with more acute problems, we are aware from meetings with the local area manager in the Carlow-Kilkenny area that there is a severe shortage of social workers in that geographical area. While the local team are making a great effort to ensure that services are delivered, they are spread very thinly because the number of social workers is not being recruited in some of those areas. Laois-Offaly is another area where new social workers had been recruited, but because others left, there is a shortage again.