Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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481. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of senior practitioner social workers employed by Tusla; the number planned to be appointed in 2018; the estimated extra cost to Tusla per senior practitioner appointed; the contractual obligations of senior practitioners in comparison to both social work team leaders and professionally qualified social workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53125/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Tusla has advised that it currently employs 67 Senior Practitioner Social Workers and by the end of 2018 Tusla expects to appoint 130 Senior Social Work Practitioners in 2018.

Information in relation to the estimated cost to Tusla per senior practitioner appointed is set out in the table below:

Tusla is working to ensure that its existing social workers operate in a supportive structure. Tusla recruitment is informed by its evaluation of management and staff skills mix with a view to service enhancement. Part of this evaluation includes looking at enhanced job roles, multi-disciplinary team-working, re-designing tasks and promoting greater efficiency to alleviate pressure. The introduction of Senior Social Worker Practitioner posts designated to Social Work teams around the country is an example of this and will further assist with retention by providing enhanced professional support to social work staff.

With regard to the contractual obligations of senior practitioners in comparison to social work team leaders and to professionally qualified social workers, Tusla has kindly provided job specifications for the three grades for the information of the Deputy.