Results 3,641-3,660 of 7,126 for speaker:Alan Farrell
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: I thank Professor Gilligan for that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: While I understand Ms Feeney’s course has only been in existence for a year, does she have an approximate cost for a student to do a placement in terms of travel and time?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: It would not be significantly different to commuting from one of the Dublin suburbs or surrounding counties.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: Yes, I understand that can be somewhat of a difference.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: What is the gender balance of students and professional social workers? What is the drop-out rate?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: What percentage?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: If students were to benefit from a grant or bursary to support them, particularly in relation to their placement, which is an absolute requirement, could the witnesses put a figure on that because I do not know it?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: I acknowledge that.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: A huge amount of money in the 1970s.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: That was a salary. That was a house.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: In the early 1970s, that is what a house in the suburbs of Dublin, or Beaumont to be precise, cost.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: In terms of being able to practice, solicitors, for instance, have work placement, and although they are still solicitors, they are not permitted to practice until they do their placement. From what I am gathering, the witnesses' qualification is structured slightly differently. The placement arrives and the award arrives thereafter. Is that right?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: From a practical perspective, perhaps that is something that the witnesses, as experts in the field, might consider, and compare their industry to another one. This is my perspective as a complete outsider, making an observation of the observation made that individuals in most work placements are paid, albeit a small amount. That would go a long way, particularly in relation to Ms Feeney's...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: The profession is currently in a self-fulfilling spiral. There are no placements because there are no social workers, and there are no social workers because there are no placements. That will continue until there is an intervention.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: I can understand that. It is also breeding an environment where only those with the financial support of their families are capable of fulfilling the role. That is all understood and accepted. I call Senator Clifford-Lee after whom we will wrap up.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: Perhaps I was incorrect, but I understood they completed their educational training and that the certificate to practise only came later.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: Then I am wrong. I thank the Senator for correcting me.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: Is the salary scale also a barrier? The delegates spoke about career progression. That means promotion and extra responsibilities, with a move up the scale.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: I do not think anybody here would disagree. The profession is essential, but the actions of both Houses of the Oireachtas and several Departments, including the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, are exerting more and more pressure on it every year. There has to be recognition of that fact. I would not wish anybody to think the committee does not acknowledge the critical work done,...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs: Recruitment and Retention of Social Workers: Discussion (Resumed) (10 Apr 2019)
Alan Farrell: On behalf of the joint committee, I also thank the delegates for their presentations and dealing with all of the questions thrown at them. It is appropriate to seek the views of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and ask for a submission before we put a report together.