Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

For example, inexperienced social workers on the front line are often asked to undertake complex work without the kinds of supervision and support that are required. This situation cannot be turned around overnight. I am impressed by the new management system that the new director has put in place. The number of managers has been reduced, a more national approach is being taken to the collection of data and clearer risk assessments. This last was called for by the child death report. Other agencies, in particular child, family and mental health services, need to be involved in supporting the efforts of social workers.

One can parse and analyse any period of two or three months, but the overall trend in the recruitment of social workers is upward. That demands are also increasing is without question. Mr. Jeyes will continue to analyse the precise number of social workers that he wishes to see in place to deal effectively and diligently with these complex cases.

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