Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

The Minister is now telling me that what was in place at the end of last year was ten more than were in place at the start of the year. Although in opposition in 2009 the Minister claimed it was a mockery not to implement the recommendations of the Ryan report, she failed to have those 60 social workers by the end of last year. In addition, 71 social workers are retiring under the HSE retirement programme. The Minister is now saying that it will be up to the HSE national director of children and family services, Gordon Jeyes, to decide which of those should be replaced.

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