Regarding the overall issue of child protection, a sum in the region of €70 million in additional revenue funding has been made available to the Eastern Regional Health Authority since 1997 for the development of child care and family support services. The eastern region has experienced difficulties in recruiting social work staff in recent years. Due to recruitment and retention initiatives, the area health boards are reporting much lower levels of vacancies. They continue to make every effort to fill vacancies from existing panels and continuing recruitment campaigns.