Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
469. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she has any concerns that the new Revised Case Allocation Framework being operated by Tusla permits non-social workers to undertake assessments on children for which they are not qualified to undertake and which previously were undertaken by qualified and registered social workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35958/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra470. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will confirm whether the role of Domestic Violence Liaison Officers within Tusla can be undertaken by someone who is not a qualified and registered social worker. [35959/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.
Tusla is operating in the EU context where increasing integration of child protection systems is identified as a key goal. Part of this is the growing use of multidisciplinary teams of professions which recognises the knowledge and skills a wide range of professions can contribute to different response pathways. Like other European agencies, Tusla is experiencing significant difficulties in recruiting and retaining social work practitioners and Tusla areas currently has a significant number of social work vacancies.
Reflecting an ongoing changing environment and social work vacancies, Tusla has moved to a multi-disciplinary way of working with children now allocated to social workers and other professional grades where necessary and appropriate to ensure they have the support of a key worker. All children continue to be overseen by social work management. It is important to note that while cases can be allocated to other professionals, these cases are still overseen by Social Work Management. This has resulted in a risk management approach being adopted leading to areas prioritising social work resources to children where their knowledge and skill is most required and then maximising the knowledge and skill of other professions where they can competently respond to children needs.
Tusla is currently developing a Resource Allocation Framework which sets out a consistent approach to the allocation of cases all of which remain under the governance of social work management. It is an initial step to support a nationally consistent and competency-based approach to allocation and will be subject to review and enhancement over time. The framework will ensure all professional staff are supported within their level of competency while continuing to have social work management oversight in their work ensuring effective case management.
Measures to reduce caseload pressure in Tusla have focused on recruitment of social work and social care staff at home and abroad and increased training places for social work and social care staff. With Tusla support, training places for social workers have almost doubled in the past 5 years and by the end of 2025, 340 placements in Tusla with further expansion planned. A social work apprenticeship programme has been introduced with 34 apprenticeships starting in 2024, 71 in 2025 and places expected to rise to 100 in 2026. A similar approach is planned for social care. Tusla continues to provide retention supports and management and teamwork training for workers so that caseloads are managed effectively and equitably. Tusla has also provided additional resources for more local supports including community and voluntary programmes to help assess and support cases more effectively.
