Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 47: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of additional social workers that were to be employed in 2011 under the Ryan Report Implementation Plan that have been employed to date; the number of additional positions that are currently in the process of being filled; the number of additional social workers that will be in place by the end of 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26125/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Ryan report implementation plan committed to the recruitment of an additional 270 social workers. Some 200 of these new posts were in place by the end of 2010, in addition to the backfilling of other vacancies which occurred.

An additional 60 social workers are due to be recruited by the HSE in 2011. These posts are at various stages in the recruitment process. Last week, in reviewing its overall approach to recruitment, the HSE prioritised some key development posts and decided to process the recruitment of these staff with a view to their taking up employment before the end of the year. I am pleased to advise the House that the 60 additional social workers have all been prioritised and included in this category of staff to be recruited by year end. This means that the HSE will be in a position to finalise recruitment of the additional social workers between now and the end of the year.

The House will be aware that in addition to the recruitment of an additional 270 social workers, the Ryan report implementation plan also contained commitments to place Children First guidelines on a statutory basis. My Department is finalising legislation to this effect and I am confident that the ongoing recruitment will provide a very sound basis for supporting Children First on a statutory footing. The additional social workers will be targeted at priority areas of the service having regard to the overall assessment of workloads by the national director, Mr. Gordon Jeyes, and his team and to support the change programme for children's services which is underway within the HSE and is being managed by its national director. This change agenda seeks to deliver the best outcomes for children and families through achieving a service delivery model that will address a multi-agency approach to managing the child welfare and protection system; a nationwide consistency of approach in practice; the implementation of Children First guidelines and children welfare protection services generally; the use of standardised definitions, criteria and thresholds for reporting and referrals, including the prioritisation of cases, which varied before; the launch last week of a child welfare and protection handbook for HSE staff and the commencement of training courses for staff, including joint training with the Garda; greater reliance on real-time data on social work referrals and alternative care collated through HSE performance management indicators; the ongoing development of the national child care information system; improved resource allocation responsive to changing needs; and clearer management and budget accountability.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

This reform agenda will lead to a new child and family support agency, which will provide the dedicated focus on child protection. The implementation of these reforms will allow for the best possible services to be delivered within the resources available.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister for her reply. We all know the importance of increasing the number of social workers to ensure some of the past weaknesses in the care system are addressed. Following on from the Ryan report, as the Minister pointed out, a commitment was made and additional funding provided to hire 260 additional social worker posts. In her reply, the Minister stated these positions were prioritised last week. Does that mean that up until last week these positions were not prioritised? How many positions remain to be filled out of the 60 for the remainder of the year? Was the public sector recruitment embargo applied to those positions up until last week? Was the Minister waiting for clearance from the Government before she could proceed with them?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No, they are at various stages in the HSE recruitment processes. As the Deputy knows, the commitment is to have these social workers in place by the year's end. Other recruitments have been going on too. Up to 168 additional social workers new to the HSE were recruited up to the beginning of September 2011.

This process is being managed by Gordon Jeyes, national director for children and family services. The reason I outlined the change programme in place is because he is managing the best allocation of various posts, given the situation in which he finds himself. The appointments were always a priority and the process was ongoing in the HSE. Some have had contracts issued, posts have been accepted awaiting clearance and others are at various other stages of the recruitment process. It must be noted social workers have been excluded from the public service recruitment embargo.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

How many of the additional 60 posts for 2011 have been appointed to date? My question specifically asked for numbers and the stages they were at in the recruitment process. It is important the Dáil is given an update as to the exact numbers at each stage.

The Minister stated 168 additional social workers have been recruited. Up to 260 were supposed to be recruited, 200 last year and 60 this year. Have only 168 social workers been appointed so far? In an earlier reply I received from the Minister, I was informed 200 had been hired last year? Have we in fact fallen back in this regard?

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No, the 200 figure remains for 2010. At the beginning of 2011, 168 additional social workers new to the HSE had been recruited. The 200 figure stands, but the other figure relates to people who are new to the HSE. The plan is for all social workers to be in place - the 200, the 60 and the backfilling of places - by the end of this year.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have not received an answer to a key part of my question. How many of the 60 have been employed this year?

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The time for this question has expired.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I understand, but I asked the Minister a specific question.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Perhaps the Deputy will get the information.