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Minister Fitzgerald confirms HSE to recruit 57 social workers to fill current vacancies

Number of social worker employed in Child & Family Services has increased under this government

Frances Fitzgerald TD., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has today confirmed that the HSE is recruiting 57 social workers to fill recent vacancies across all care groups, including those as a result of retirements. A significant number of these will be recruited to Child & Family Services so as maintain the momentum established by this Government in increasing the number of social works employed in Child & Family Services.

Minster Fitzgerald was speaking today at a meeting of the Select Sub-Committee on Children & Youth Affairs to discuss the 2012 Estimates.

Minister Fitzgerald today confirmed that the current total number of social workers employed in Child & Family Services is 1,197. This figure includes 258 of the 263 additional posts recruited to date in line with the recommendations of the Ryan Report

However, in recent months a number of vacancies have arisen, primarily as a result of 31 retirements but also due to other reasons, including career breaks and extended leave.

If all current vacancies are filled, the increase in the number of Child and Family social workers employed under this government would be over 60. HSE National Director Gordon Jeyes has been given the authority to fill key vacancies. The HSE is currently recruiting 57 social workers to fill recent vacancies across all care groups.

Minister Fitzgerald today reported to TD’s at the select sub-committee that: “the 2012 budget allocation for HSE Child and Family Services includes a €21 million increase on last year’s provision, demonstrating our commitment to enhanced service delivery, a commitment also evident from the action of the HSE to recruit 57 social workers to fill recent vacancies, including retirements. This comes on top of the 63 social workers recruited in recent months in the most recent phase of recruitment as recommended by the Ryan Report.

The Minister also today announced that the HSE has received funding to recruit an additional 10 social workers in 2012 as part of the establishment of a specialised, multi-disciplinary team for children in high–support and special care and in detention.

The Minister concluded by stating: “The numbers employed in social work are in constant flux and a snapshot at any time may not accurately represent what’s really going. But the overall trend is clear. Under this government the number of social workers employed in Child & Family Services is increasing. This government is delivering."

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