Number of Tusla social workers employed in Wicklow falls sharply

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

There has been a sharp decline in the number of Tusla social workers employed in the Wicklow area.

Figures released to Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady show the number of referrals made to the Child and Family Agency rose from 69,712 in 2020 to 96,600 in 2024, an increase of 38.6pc.

However, during the same period, the number of social workers employed in the regions serving Wicklow has fallen significantly.

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 15.4pc decrease in social worker staffing across the areas.

Deputy Brady has expressed concern at the figures, saying the drop is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.

“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.”

Brady said social workers in Wicklow don’t have the proper resources, which is creating risks for both workers and vulnerable children.

“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 the challenge in retaining social workers, 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.

He called for a fully funded workforce strategy to properly support social workers in Tusla.