'Unmanageable caseloads' of social workers in Cork means children wait months for help

On Tuesday in its annual report, Hiqa noted that, nationally, "access to sufficient resources in terms of staffing and suitable placements for children presented a challenge to Tusla during 2021". File Photo: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Some social workers in Tusla Cork have unmanageable caseloads, with some new referrals of children in need of assistance not being dealt with "in a timely manner" and others waiting months for direct intervention.

The findings are contained in a new inspection report of Tusla Cork by the health watchdog Hiqa, which found that of the 12 standards it assessed in the area, it was compliant with just two.