Concern at child care jobs pledge

SOCIAL WORKERS have expressed concern that a Government pledge to ensure all children in care will have access to a dedicated social worker may not result in the creation of new posts.

Last month Minister for Children Barry Andrews said 270 social work posts would be filled as part of a series of measures to strengthen child protection. This followed a recommendation in the Ryan report to ensure that children in the care system were offered sufficient levels of care and protection.

Research shows that as many as one-third of children in the care system in parts of the State do not have access to a dedicated social worker. The Irish Association of Social Workers has said that while it welcomed the move to fill gaps in social work ranks, it had “serious questions” about the commitments given.

The group’s spokesman, Declan Coogan, said there have been previous commitments that social work posts were exempt from the public service embargo, yet some social work managers reported difficulties in advertising and filling vacant social work posts.

“There are also problems in extending the posts of social workers in temporary contracts and in filling posts that have already been vacant before the announcement,” Mr Coogan said.

He said many social workers were concerned that the filling of 270 social work posts may not mean the creation of additional social work posts, raising questions about the real time implications of such commitments.

Mr Coogan said that, overall, social workers welcomed the impression that Mr Andrews was listening to its members.

“Social workers are very much aware that if Irish society is to learn anything from the Ryan Report into child abuse it is that adequate resources must be allocated urgently to ensure that children in care and children living at home but who need family supports receive the care and protection to which they are entitled.”

Mr Andrews has insisted he will take personal responsibility for implementing the Government’s plan to strengthen the child protection system.