Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

No, they are at various stages in the HSE recruitment processes. As the Deputy knows, the commitment is to have these social workers in place by the year's end. Other recruitments have been going on too. Up to 168 additional social workers new to the HSE were recruited up to the beginning of September 2011.

This process is being managed by Gordon Jeyes, national director for children and family services. The reason I outlined the change programme in place is because he is managing the best allocation of various posts, given the situation in which he finds himself. The appointments were always a priority and the process was ongoing in the HSE. Some have had contracts issued, posts have been accepted awaiting clearance and others are at various other stages of the recruitment process. It must be noted social workers have been excluded from the public service recruitment embargo.

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