SIXTY ADDITIONAL posts for social workers were at various stages in the recruitment process as part of the Ryan report implementation plan, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald told the Dáil.

Ms Fitzgerald said the plan had committed to recruiting 270 social workers, and some 200 had been put in place by the end of last year.

The plan, she added, had also contained commitments to place “children first” guidelines on a statutory basis. “My department is finalising legislation to this effect and I am confident that the ongoing recruitment will provide a very sound basis for supporting ‘children first’ on a statutory basis,” she said.

Ms Fitzgerald said additional social workers would be targeted at priority areas of the service.

Fianna Fáil spokesman on children Charlie McConalogue asked if the public sector recruitment embargo applied to the positions up to last week. Replying it had not, the Minister said they were at various stages in the HSE recruitment processes.

Other recruitment had been going on too, she said, adding that up to 168 additional social workers were recruited up to the beginning of this month.

“The appointments were always a priority and the process was ongoing in the HSE,” Ms Fitzgerald added.

“Some have had contracts issued, posts have been accepted awaiting clearance, and others are at various other stages in the recruitment process.”

Replying to Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF), she said social work, child protection and fostering services were under pressure.

Ms Fitzgerald said that her department, like others, would be part of the current expenditure review.