Family and Community Services Minister Pru Goward has refused to appear before a parliamentary inquiry into whether she misled the NSW Parliament over the number of child protection workers in her department.

Ms Goward was invited to appear before the select committee on ministerial propriety by Shooters and Fishers Party MP Robert Borsak, the chairman of the committee.

Pru Goward: Won't front a parliamentary inquiry. Credit:Wolter Peeters

The minister consistently maintained in Parliament that her department had around 2000 caseworkers, when in fact more than 200 of those positions were unfilled, saving the department up to $25 million a year.

Mr Borsak said he was disappointed to receive a letter on Monday saying Ms Goward would not attend the inquiry. He encouraged her to come to "clarify her position".