A long way to go to truly protect our children

MINISTER Frances Fitzgerald states that the last 10 posts of the required 270 social work posts will be filled by the end of the year.

Whereas this is heartening news, how can we be sure that 270 is even near an adequate amount given that case over-loading is one of the causes of burn-out leading to frequent and/or long-term illness, or case workers seeking employment elsewhere?

The two previous governments should have ensured that those 270 posts were filled years ago, as there was no embargo on the recruitment of social workers. Furthermore, Ms Fitzgerald has found that the HSE had been placing young inexperienced social workers “on the frontline”, and the minister correctly declared this practice to be dangerous.