Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and I welcome her response. However, from talking to some Tusla staff members in Dublin I am concerned that they have a problem with holding on to staff because the workload is so heavy. I would like to know what is Tusla's level of staff retention. I do not remember the exact figure, the Minister said some 100 were recruited in the year to date. Are these positions temporary or permanent and how many are senior personnel within the organisation?

Reference was made to children who are high, medium and low risk. I hope the 1,300 children who are in the high-risk category are getting full attention. However, medium to low-risk children are potentially high risk for future because of the current position regarding recruitment by Tusla. Some 25% of referrals have yet to be allocated a social worker across many of the areas and approximately 50% in Dublin. This is a huge concern and I am sure the Minister understands the problem. I know she is meeting representatives from Tusla but perhaps the Minister could clarify if this could be expedited so a full workforce could be recruited to use up the €6 million?

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