There are concerns a multi-million dollar funding boost for Child, Youth and Family is not enough to solve its problems.
The department is getting a $12 million cash injection to help it cope with a higher than expected demand for services, along with an increase to baseline funding from July.
The union which represents many Child Youth and Family staff says the extra money will not be enough and the department needs long term funding stability.
Public Service Association secretary Richard Wagstaff says the department has a high staff turnover and social workers are under considerable stress as they struggle with heavy case-loads.
Wagstaff says the PSA also wants some of the extra funding spent on improved training.
National's Social Services spokeswoman Katherine Rich is describing the funding boost as a piecemeal attempt to alleviate public concern raised by high profile cases.
Minister for Social Services Steve Maharey says he does not know whether the expected demand is being accurately predicted.
But he says if people report problems more often then funding increases may be needed in future.
Latest Breakfast Video
-
te-karere-121111-fri - te-karere-121111-fri (0:22:30)
-
Marae Investigates - Series 2012, Episode 13
-
Marae Investigates - Series 2011, Episode 15 (0:29:10)
