Results 3,161-3,180 of 7,126 for speaker:Alan Farrell
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: Are they engaged in any other work while they are doing that retrospective work?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: In response to Deputy Neville, Mr. Smyth referred to the approximately 500 agency staff employed by the agency and its total staff complement nationwide. He also stated that Tusla has the capacity to hire an additional 400 staff. If Tusla has that capacity, has it considered providing - or does it provide - additional supports by way of administrative staff to assist people, especially...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: My second question was around administrators but I think Mr. Smyth touched upon that. There was also a question about apprenticeships.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: Going back to the figures that have been provided, there are 1,500 social workers and Tusla is operating at approximately 50% capacity. It has 100 out at any given time at the moment. Based on its 65% retention of qualified social workers, of the 200 qualifying per annum, we are looking at 19 years to get to 100% based on today's requirements, whatever about what we might need in 20 years....
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: Is it reasonable to make that assessment?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: The pay grades and public sector pay agreements have been mentioned, as have allowances. If a person is burning out due to being overworked, are the pay grades sufficient to retain these individuals? This is not a criticism of the organisation, the State or the individual, it is a reflection of reality. As Deputy Neville has said, these people do extraordinary work, as I know from my...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: That would be welcome. In regard to foster care and adoption, how often in the first year is it appropriate for a social worker to visit a foster care or adoptive family?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: Unfortunately, that was not always the case.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: What is Tusla's view with regard to inter-agency co-operation in regard, primarily, to retrospective abuse and investigations, particularly its interaction with An Garda Síochána and, as mentioned earlier by Deputy Neville, the IT issues within that organisation? Although I have raised the IT issue with An Garda Síochána on many occasions, I have not seen a vast stride in...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: That is critical. One of the concerns I have in my capacity when I come across issues, as I do fairly regularly, unfortunately, is how long it takes for the investigation and the fact that there is no communication stream. It is not the fault of Tusla, which does its job when it gets sufficient evidence and presents it. It is totally understandable. In the intervening period, it is often...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: It is on an ongoing basis.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: I have a hypothetical question. If the organisation is investigating a retrospective case involving a sporting body, for example, but it comes via an individual who is not in that body, does the organisation have to wait for the completion of the investigation before the sporting body can be questioned as to the person's involvement?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: I have two more issues to raise before we finish. The witnesses mentioned earlier that €31 million is being expended on agency staff. How many staff are in that?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: My colleague was surprised that a percentage of that was retained by the companies involved. I thought he was around long enough not to be surprised by such matters but there we go. I thought 10% was a bit small but how and ever. There is the issue of the demographics of those 500 staff. The witness outlined that people within a certain age cohort cannot be retained because they do two...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: They might go there because it is probably a bit more flexible for them.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: Are there different pay grades?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: Under the circumstances I do not ever envisage a scenario where agency staff will not be used. The witnesses might tell me if that is not correct. The health service in question will always use agency staff.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Tusla (13 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: I thank the witnesses for responding to the members' questions so comprehensively and taking a considerable chunk of the morning to do so. The committee will meet the Minister, Deputy Zappone, to be briefed on the implications of Brexit for her area of responsibility at our next meeting. That will be in advance of the introduction of the Brexit related Bill to the House later this month.
- Public Accounts Committee: Imagine Communications Group (14 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: I only missed the bit in the time it took me to come here from my office. I thank Mr. Bolger and Mr. Kickham for coming. I have found much of the discussion very interesting. I worked in the industry well over 15 years ago, but it is still fascinating. I have one question, the answer to which perhaps even Mr Bolger might share. Which "G" will provide an alternative to fixed-line...
- Public Accounts Committee: Imagine Communications Group (14 Feb 2019)
Alan Farrell: It is, however, a provider of the service.