Child and Family Agency
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-23
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Norma Foley (FF), Kerry

Yes. I will ask Tusla to make available to the Deputy a more specific breakdown on the different types of staff. I want to mention the training places for social workers because these have proven to be impactful. The number of training places has doubled over the past five years. At the end of 2025, there were 340 placements in Tusla, with further expansion planned. A social work apprenticeship has been introduced, with 34 apprenticeships starting in 2024 and 71 in 2025. The plans envisage that in 2026, we will have 100 or more apprentices in those training places.
A similar approach is planned for social care. Tusla continues to provide retention supports and management teamwork training for workers in order that caseloads are managed effectively and equitably. Tusla has also provided additional resources for more supports, including community and voluntary programmes to help assess and support cases more effectively.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-23/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:54:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-23