Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have a personal experience of this. In my eyes social workers are amazing because not only are they the child's social worker, he or she also becomes the child's best friend. Children turn to them. It is exactly what the witness has said. It is not only about replacement: it is every aspect of the child's life. It is important that we hold on to staff. Reference was made to families turning in. I am aware of young children who went through eight social workers. That has an impact. Why are we losing this great resource? There are fantastic people in Tusla. Why are they walking away? Is it down to the workload? Is it the stress of the job? Ms Bond has said that it could affect up to 30 cases per social worker. Am I correct in saying that the social worker could be doing access with the children plus arranging all of the child's needs, including therapeutic? One placement could have four children being looked after by the social worker plus the other 29 cases.