Government urged to address lack of social workers
There have been calls to urgently lift the public sector hiring freeze so more social workers can be recruited.
The calls come from Fianna Fáil who have held a meeting with frontline staff to discuss the pressure that is being piled on them.
The Irish Association of Social Workers have said there is a dire lack of man-power, back up services and resources.
Fianna Fáil's Spokesperson on Children Robert Troy wants urgent action.
"I'm calling on the children's minister to prioritise the recruitment of additional social workers because there is a chronic lack of staff currently in this sector," he said.
"As a result of that there are a number of children being left in extremely vulnerable situations."
