Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her position and that of the Health Service Executive in relation to recruitment of the 60 extra social workers for 2011; and if she will clarify the reason no offers have yet to be made [35275/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In line with the Programme for Government I am committed to delivering on the Ryan Report Implementation Plan which committed to the recruitment of an additional 270 social workers. 200 of these new posts were in place by the end of 2010. The HSE National Service Plan includes financial provision for the recruitment of a further 60 social workers this year. I have been assured by the HSE that it plans to have these additional staff in place by the end of the year and, in this context, I expect that the HSE will take the necessary steps to meet this commitment within the stated timescale. My Department will continue to closely monitor the position with regard to the recruitment of the additional personnel.