Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has expressed serious concern at new figures which reveal a sharp decline in the number of Tusla social workers employed in the Wicklow area, despite a significant rise in the number of child protection and welfare concerns being referred to the Child and Family Agency.
Figures released to Deputy Brady show that the number of referrals made to Tusla rose from 69,712 in 2020 to 96,600 in 2024, an increase of 38.6%, yet during the same period, the number of social workers employed in these regions serving Wicklow has fallen dramatically.
“These figures are deeply worrying,” said Deputy Brady. “We’re seeing a staggering increase in the number of child protection and welfare concerns being reported, yet the number of social workers tasked with responding to these concerns has actually gone down.”
In 2020, there were 96.72 social workers employed in the Dublin South East/Wicklow area, and 114.52 in the Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow area, a total of 211.24 across both regions. However, by May 2025, these figures had dropped to 74.87 and 103.87 respectively, a combined total of just 178.74, representing a 15.4% decrease in social worker staffing across the areas.
“Let’s be absolutely clear,” Brady said, “this is unacceptable. At a time when the system is under more pressure than ever, the government is allowing frontline child protection services to wither due to staff shortages and a failure to retain skilled professionals.”
Brady said social workers in Wicklow are overburdened, understaffed and under-supported, creating serious risks for both workers and vulnerable children alike.
“Many of these social workers are dealing with impossible caseloads. They are burnt out, demoralised, and in many cases, leaving the profession altogether. This is not only a workforce issue, it’s a child protection issue.”
He also noted that retaining social workers is a growing challenge, with many choosing to leave due to poor working conditions, high stress levels, and a lack of adequate support from government.
“There is a direct correlation between chronic under-resourcing and the retention crisis,” he said. “The children who need support the most are the ones paying the price for government inaction.”
Deputy Brady has written to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, and Integration to demand urgent intervention and a commitment to properly staff social work teams across Wicklow.
“Child protection and welfare should be a top priority. This government claims to value children and families, but the figures tell a different story. You cannot cut costs to issues as vital as the safety and welfare of children in the county.”
He called for a fully funded workforce strategy to recruit, retain, and properly support social workers in Tusla.
“We need long-term planning and meaningful investment, not more spin or sticking-plaster solutions. Sinn Féin is committed to ensuring that Tusla has the resources, staff, and leadership it needs to protect children and support families.”
Figures released to Deputy Brady show that the number of referrals made to Tusla rose from 69,712 in 2020 to 96,600 in 2024, an increase of 38.6%, yet during the same period, the number of social workers employed in these regions serving Wicklow has fallen dramatically.
“These figures are deeply worrying,” said Deputy Brady. “We’re seeing a staggering increase in the number of child protection and welfare concerns being reported, yet the number of social workers tasked with responding to these concerns has actually gone down.”
In 2020, there were 96.72 social workers employed in the Dublin South East/Wicklow area, and 114.52 in the Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow area, a total of 211.24 across both regions. However, by May 2025, these figures had dropped to 74.87 and 103.87 respectively, a combined total of just 178.74, representing a 15.4% decrease in social worker staffing across the areas.
“Let’s be absolutely clear,” Brady said, “this is unacceptable. At a time when the system is under more pressure than ever, the government is allowing frontline child protection services to wither due to staff shortages and a failure to retain skilled professionals.”
Brady said social workers in Wicklow are overburdened, understaffed and under-supported, creating serious risks for both workers and vulnerable children alike.
“Many of these social workers are dealing with impossible caseloads. They are burnt out, demoralised, and in many cases, leaving the profession altogether. This is not only a workforce issue, it’s a child protection issue.”
He also noted that retaining social workers is a growing challenge, with many choosing to leave due to poor working conditions, high stress levels, and a lack of adequate support from government.
“There is a direct correlation between chronic under-resourcing and the retention crisis,” he said. “The children who need support the most are the ones paying the price for government inaction.”
Deputy Brady has written to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, and Integration to demand urgent intervention and a commitment to properly staff social work teams across Wicklow.
“Child protection and welfare should be a top priority. This government claims to value children and families, but the figures tell a different story. You cannot cut costs to issues as vital as the safety and welfare of children in the county.”
He called for a fully funded workforce strategy to recruit, retain, and properly support social workers in Tusla.
“We need long-term planning and meaningful investment, not more spin or sticking-plaster solutions. Sinn Féin is committed to ensuring that Tusla has the resources, staff, and leadership it needs to protect children and support families.”