Social workers go on strike over funding

Up to 1,000 Northern Ireland social workers have gone on strike today in a dispute over funding and staffing levels in family and childcare services.

Northern Ireland's Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) has authorised the action as part of its campaign to get the necessary funding for Health and Social Services Trusts to implement properly the provisions of the Children (NI) Order.

NIPSA, which is the biggest public service union in Northern Ireland, represents the majority of qualified social workers.

NIPSA Deputy General Secretary John Corey said today’s strike was part of a campaign to draw attention to the crisis which is facing the service.

He said social workers were at “breaking point” in trying to provide child protection and family support services but without the resources that are necessary to do so.

He said the four health boards said it would take some £33 million to rectify the situation. However they only received £16.8 million from the Department of Health.

Sinn Féin health spokeswoman Sue Ramsey said she supported the regional strike action.

“I support the action by NIPSA in calling for greater resources. In particular the demand for better conditions and action on staffing levels. Social Workers play an important and valuable role especially in providing services for children. In many ways they have been treated as the Cinderella services for far too long,” she said.

She added it was the Executive’s responsibility to make sure there was enough money in the health budget to meet the pressing demands on the department’s budget.

NIPSA has also organised a rally at Stormont at lunchtime tomorrow in order to highlight the issue.

(AMcE)