Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made in addressing the inadequate number of social workers in the health service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6981/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Under the employment control framework for the health sector, social workers are among the grades specifically exempted from the general moratorium on recruitment and promotions. This means that vacancies arising in the exempted grades, including social worker posts, may continue to be filled. The framework also provides for an increase in the number of social workers posts within the overall approved employment ceiling, in line with Government policy, in order to meet the requirements of integrated care delivery and primary care needs particularly in respect of children at risk, the elderly and those with disabilities.

The Implementation Plan for the recommendations of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was accepted by Government and published in July 2009. The Government has announced the provision of €15 million in 2010 for the implementation of recommendations contained in the report, including the recruitment of a significant number of additional social workers. A further key action of the Implementation Plan which is currently being implemented is the conversion of temporary social work posts to permanent posts to address issues of continuity of care and staff retention within the child welfare and protection services.