Irish Association of Social Workers

Intent: IASW asked for robust adult safeguarding legislation after the Brandon case. The Government failed to act. We asked for legislation after the Emily case. The government failed to act. We are asking for the Government to act now, in the wake of the Grace case

Methods: Email

Intent: The development of a new National Drugs Strategy provides an opportunity for a coherent and comprehensive response to preventing and reducing alcohol harm in Ireland. This opportunity should not be missed. We look forward to hearing from you, particularly in response to our request for a meeting.

Methods: Email

Intent: We strongly call for immediate restoration of the prioritisation of housing for young people leaving care by Dublin City Council.

Methods: Email

Intent: IASW joins with all those calling on the Minister for Education to establish an urgent review of the guidelines on use of seclusion and restraint, to ensure that they are fit for purpose and provide truly child-centred safeguards.

Methods: Email

Intent: For the government to provide an immediate emergency fund delivered through the existing Community Welfare Officers delivering funds for additional heat (through fuel cards or targeted government energy credits), small home heating appliances where necessary to provide adequate heat in a room and to provide kettles for hot drinks and vouchers or money for the purchase of additional appropriate thermal clothing

Methods: Email

Intent: The IASW urgently seek the HSE to revisit the Pay and Numbers Strategy and to revise the loss of invaluable Social Work posts

Methods: Email

Intent: We would urge consideration of the urgent and important proposals to help bridge the gap to ensure the Bill’s ultimate passage into law and commencement after the election. Furthermore, we urge the government to give immediate consideration to extend the regulatory powers of the Mental Health Commission with immediate effect. This is possible under the existing Mental Health Act.

Methods: Letter

Intent: Our collective of social workers working in Progressing Disability Services, would greatly appreciate the opportunity to have a follow up meeting with you regarding these areas. We can update you on developments in our teams and regions in the past year as well as highlight continuing areas of need and discuss solutions.

Methods: Email

Intent: IASW calls on all parties to this dispute to work together, using all available mechanisms, to resolve this dispute, so that the vital services provided by NAS can be restored without delay.

Methods: Email

Intent: • The urgent enactment and implementation of The Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023, which would establish the best interests of the child to be of paramount consideration and introduce a duty to cooperate between relevant bodies including Tusla, HSE, Government Departments, and An Garda Síochána. This would ensure that state agencies such as the HSE would be legally obligated to work with Tusla to ensure that children in care are provided with much needed services in a more timely way. ::The establishment of an interdepartmental working group to urgently address the needs of children in care, many of whom are being repeatedly failed by state agencies to provide them with safe and consistent care as well as access to vital services identified to meet their individual needs. This group would address the underlying issues, including current deficiencies in interdepartmental and interagency cooperation and other factors like the recruitment and retention of staff and foster carers

Methods: Email