asked the Minister for Health the number of (a) qualified and (b) unqualified social workers employed by each health board.

The particulars requested are contained in a tabular statement which I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:

NOTE: Each of the holders of the above posts is suitably qualified, possessing a University Degree or Diploma in Social Science.

Eighteen of them possess a postgraduate qualification.

No unqualified persons are employed in these posts.