'It's taking 12 weeks to fill a social worker post - that's too long'

Head of Child and Family Agency Gordon Jeyes says there are over 100 social worker vacancies, but not because people are not coming forward.

MORE THAN 100 social worker posts are yet to be filled, according to the Head of Child and Family Agency, Gordon Jeyes.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Jeyes said they were in the process of filling the posts, but said: “It takes up to 12 weeks to fill a social worker vacancy, that’s simply too long.”

He said that each person has to go through Garda vetting which takes time and they also have to be professionally registered. “We need to speed it up” he said, adding that they also need to lobby to streamline the service.

Applicants

Jeyes added that it “is not a question of people” stating that people are coming forward to fill the vacancies.

Speaking about filling the staffing gaps with a graduate placement scheme, he said he agreed with the proposal, saying it is a chance for students to “rehearse their role” and ensure they become a “solid backbone” of the service.

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