The number of child care social workers in the South-West Area Health Board has fallen by one third since August, leaving those still working engaged in a "fire-fighting" exercise, their union spokeswoman has said. Kitty Holland reports.
Ms Adrienne Byrne of IMPACT, said the reduction in social and child-care workers has come about because of an embargo on recruitment announced by the board two months ago.
In the Kildare/west Wicklow team for example the numbers have fallen from 21 to 14.
"The result is that social workers can only take on priority cases and vulnerable children can't access important services."
She said there had also been an embargo on the recruitment of Family Support Service workers who work alongside social workers with families in stress.
The board was not replacing workers who left, she continued, and the situation was exacerbated because a precarious employment environment was leading those on contracts to actively seek permanent employment with other boards.
"So people are leaving both because they may be planning to anyway and because they are nervous they may not have a job when their contracts expire."
One social worker employed by the board who did not wish to be named told The Irish Times the situation was "very difficult" for those remaining.
"Of course it's affecting children's care," she said.
"There are more and more children in residential centres and the community who should have a social worker, who don't have one because they aren't there.
"Care is being badly compromised."
Ms Byrne said it was adversely affecting staff who were increasingly overstretched and were further considering leaving the board area as a result.
A spokesman for the board acknowledged the difficulties facing child social workers in the south-west area.
"As a result of a number of staff members leaving the social work service the service is currently under strength.
"Filling these posts is a priority for the board and it will be working to return to the full complement as soon as possible," he said.
"In the meantime, the board will continue to prioritise the most urgent cases within the staff resources currently available."