Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the number of social worker vacancies for the protection of older people within the Health Service Executive. [10059/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Under the Employment Control Framework 2011-2014 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.

Social Workers who deal with elder abuse are known as Senior Case Workers for Elder Abuse. The HSE has advised that there are currently two Senior Case Worker vacancies in the local health office areas of Dun Laoghaire and Kildare/West Wicklow.