Child and Family Agency
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-19
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Ruairí Ó Murchú (SF), Louth

We all welcome initiatives in relation to workforce planning, although the easy refrain is that this should have happened earlier. The reason I am bringing this up with the Minister is the fact that Gerry Hone from Tusla spoke about unfilled positions. At the moment, there are 1,728 social workers. If we take in agency staff, the number is 1,754 but that is 300 short in terms of being able to deliver the work they do, which is phenomenal. As I understand it, there are 1,422 social care workers in the system but again, Tusla says that is 100 short of requirements. Foster carers do absolutely unreal work and we need to support them but if we are 500 people short, then we do not have the capacity in relation to delivering from a care point of view. We know the work Tusla is meant to do, involving everything from early intervention, supports for families and referrals to other organisations right through to looking after the most vulnerable who need to be in the State's care. We need a plan and I seek details, in a written response if necessary, on how this is going to be done and the numbers being included in the plan.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-19