Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response, but I imagine she would agree with me that the fact almost 4,700 children are waiting on the allocation of a social worker is unacceptable.

I recognise that the Minister secured extra funding in the budget to deal with staff shortages but I do not believe funding is the issue. We had an €11 million underspend in Tusla when it came to staff and costs. This is purely down to the fact that Tusla cannot hire or retain these important staff. Will the Minister outline what sort of discussions she has had with Tusla on this issue and whether a new approach is needed by Tusla to retain and hire additional social workers?

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