Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I would have liked to have had the relevant detail before me. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb the information, particularly when it is in statistical format such as that presented.

Much has been made of the employment of new social workers. This is always very welcome but there is continuing confusion as to the number of social workers actually working in the system. I was trying to establish the real picture on sick leave, sabbaticals and secondment to other Departments. Has the Minister a breakdown for these three elements alone or has she just a single figure applying to three of the four HSE areas?

When one considers the report of the child death review group, one notes there is a case to be made for further social worker posts, despite the economic difficulties we all face today. Has the Minister any projection for the number of social workers that will be needed once the Children First guidelines are placed on a statutory footing and once the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill is passed? Will we have difficulty coping with all the additional needs I and others believe will arise on the basis of current numbers? The current position is not sustainable. Can the Minister give us further news on the creation of new social worker posts? This was a key requirement according to the recommendations of the Ryan report.

I have listened very carefully to the exchanges between the Minister and my colleague spokesman on children, Deputy Charlie McConalogue, and have noted there are two very different views on the number recruited over the past 12 months. This does not help us to understand the full facts. We need a full complement based on established need. I want assurances on projected need.

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