Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

24. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers in each region; the number of social worker vacancies in each region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8829/18]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tusla has advised that the breakdown of whole time equivalent Social Workers  by region as at 31 December, 2017 is as follows:

Tusla has advised that there are currently 282 vacancies for Social Workers.The numerical breakdown of these vacancies by region is as follows:

Recruitment and retention of social workers continues to be a challenge for Tusla however,  I understand that 75 of these 282 vacant posts are at an advance stage of the recruitment process and Tusla expects to fill them shortly.

Tusla is currently drafting its 3-Year multiannual strategic workforce plan and I expect that this will consider initiatives to address the on-going challenges of recruiting social workers.