James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The figures mentioned by the Deputy are accurate. There are 3,000 cases which are considered high priority. It is important to note that each of these cases has been reviewed by a social worker and have been triaged. They await the allocation of a full-time social worker. We have issues with recruitment. The issue is not a lack of funding, but rather difficulties in filling some posts. Social work care is not unlike many other aspects of the health service with which the Deputy will be familiar. There are sometimes difficulties in getting doctors to work in particular hospitals or geographic locations. The same can be said of social workers. Some areas are very difficult and the work has an impact on people. That is why there is continuous staff turnover. The funding is in place. The recruitment process is ongoing and has been successful insofar as to date more than 100 social workers have been recruited and are in place. In my reply I referred to a figure of 90 but I understand more than 100 recruitments are currently in process. The matter is being dealt with aggressively.

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