Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is regrettable that during the period of five years the agency has not been able to meet its whole-time equivalent professional workforce targets. It has to deliver on the strategic workforce plan until the end of next year. I have raised the problem of the recruitment and retention of social workers previously with the Minister. In the budget the Minister received another 4% increase for the Department. Approximately half, or €814 million, I think represents a €29 million increase in Tusla's budget. Some of the ambition was to reduce the number of unallocated cases to address cost pressures in residential care provision and so on. The Minister mentioned the pressures on the workforce. For example, in July 802 high priority cases, 2,813 medium priority cases and 1,818 low priority cases were awaiting allocation. The pressures the workforce is operating under because of those waiting lists are immense. What targets does the Minister have to ensure the strategic plan will be achieved?

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