John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 43: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of social workers employed in the State health sector at the latest date for which figures are available; the categories of work they are involved in; and if she will provide the figures for the Dublin region of the Health Service Executive. [5358/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

According to the quarterly health service personnel census a total of 1,939 social workers in whole-time equivalence terms were employed in the health service at end-September 2004. The census does not contain information on employment levels in the health service on a county basis. However, the number of social workers in the Health Service Executive eastern area at end-September 2004 was 919 whole-time equivalents.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Responsibility for the employment information rests with the executive. My Department has requested the interim chief executive officer for the Health Service Executive to investigate the matter of work categorisation and to reply directly to the Deputy.