Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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138. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding his Department's plan to recruit more social workers for Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2195/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Staffing vacancies arise for a variety of reasons, including retirements, career breaks, paid and unpaid leave (including maternity and other family related leave) and resignations. The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) has advised that there were 1,403.46 whole time equivalent social workers employed at the end of November 2014 and that they are currently recruiting an additional 193 social workers to meet existing vacancies. They have also advised that 155 social workers have already been recruited during 2014.

In addition to the above, there are currently 84 social workers on maternity leave and in order to address priority gaps in service resulting from maternity leave, a pilot Maternity Leave Cover scheme has been introduced whereby maternity related vacancies in each region can be filled by way of a temporary contracts. The Pilot Scheme involves the allocation of 100 posts between each region, 80 of which relate specifically to social workers.

The impact of vacancies on service provision is risk-assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure that social work team members are never allowed to fall below what is considered necessary to provide a safe service. Such risk-assessments take account of issues such as case loads and referral numbers. Where necessary, temporary staff are brought in immediately to cover vacancies until such vacancies are filled on a permanent basis.