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

For clarity, it is not 400 extra social workers that will be provided but 400 additional staff, the bulk of whom will be social workers. One of the problems experienced is that social workers, because they did not have any administrative support, spent a lot of their time typing up reports that others could be typing while they are engaging with the families with whom they need and want to engage. Tusla continues to respond to family support needs, either directly or through commissioned services that can provide support to parents and children who find themselves in this difficult situation. Tusla is aware that children in emergency accommodation who are being moved are at risk and this is pertinent to its monitoring of the situation. I hear Deputy O'Sullivan loud and clear. I am concerned, as is Government, but I am particularly concerned given the impact on children. I want the best outcomes for our children. Having put in place all these additional services and additional funding and the Child and Family Agency, which has also received additional funding, it would be counter-productive not to have this problem addressed in as speedy a manner as possible. The Government is very much occupied by this issue.

See this speech in context