Managers at Tusla outnumber counsellors by almost four to one

The number of senior managers working for the Child and Family Agency outnumbers its counselling and psychology staff by almost four to one.

Figures contained in Tusla’s Annual Report 2014 show that while the agency employs 79 managers at grade 8 and upwards, it has just 21 psychology and counselling staff. The figure does not reflect the number of psychologists or counsellors available to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service which comes under the Department of Health’s remit.

Tusla’s annual financial statement, attached to the annual report, shows chairwoman Norah Gibbons was paid board member fees of €20,520 in 2014. The report says the fees are in accordance with the code of practice for the governance of state bodies. Ms Gibbons’ fee was the highest of nine board members. Two board members, Noel Kelly and Sylda Langford, waived their fees.