Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

Some 51 out of 62 have been recruited and are in their posts. In other words, 51 of the 62 posts recommended by the Ryan report have been filled . I can confirm that there have not been 45 retirements but 31, and some of those retired in January. It is clear that the recruitment has gone ahead and, while a small number are still to be recruited, the commitment to 262 additional social workers, which was what the Ryan report recommended, has been met. The Deputy should acknowledge this.

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