The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) is concerned about the ongoing lack of clarity in relation to the “Pay and Numbers Strategy” and the recruitment of Social Workers within the HSE. The HSE announced a recruitment embargo in October 2023. The embargo was subsequently lifted on the 15th of July 2024 following an announcement from the CEO of the HSE. During the embargo period of 8 months the HSE embarked on a pay and numbers analysis and subsequent strategy. The strategy stated that the employment ceiling in the HSE would be capped at the December 2023 numbers. The net result is that previously funded positions that were not filled in December 2023 were abolished. It would be helpful to have clarity for the various Health and Social Care professionals on the breakdown of the figures mentioned in the National Service Plan (Pg 24) “+3,728 WTE health and social care professionals (HSCPs) and +3,462 WTE patient and client care staff”.
The abolition of Social Work roles prevents access to services and interventions at an early stage leaving vulnerable individuals on waiting lists to access services and receive support. The impact this is having on service provision for the most vulnerable in our society is difficult to measure- the IASW seeks clarity from the HSE on the actual number of Social Work posts remaining vacant and those lost, if any, due to the revised pay and numbers strategy.
The IASW stands in solidarity with its Health and Social Care Professional Colleagues on this matter and seek an urgent resolution to ensure the safety and timely restoration of services for the most vulnerable in our society.
The IASW urgently seek the HSE to revisit the Pay and Numbers Strategy and to revise the loss of invaluable Social Work posts.
