Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I have explained that with 31 retiring, given there is no moratorium in regard to the social work posts, the director of child and family services, Mr. Gordon Jeyes, has the discretion to assess, as he must, where those vacancies have occurred, to examine the need and to make appropriate decisions, based on the information he has, in regard to social work generally. He will make those decisions. The situation is that 51 of the 62 additional posts recommended by the Ryan report are in place and there are 31 retirements. The director of child and family services has the authority to analyse what posts need to be replaced and what is the order of priority, given the resources he is managing and the challenging financial situation he faces.

See this speech in context