Seanad debates

Thursday, 8 May 2003

National Standards for Foster Care: Statements.

 

There is a difficulty in finding and retaining social workers who suffer from burn-out in the same way as primary and secondary school teachers. Dealing with children all the time is very demanding which is the reason we should establish and fund more places at third level. I stand to be corrected but my research for this debate indicates that places are available only at UCD, Trinity College and UCC. NUIG is seeking to establish a school and it might be an idea to introduce places at educational institutions like the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland which are medically or health care based. That would help to bring a larger number into the service. The Department of Health and Children has gone to great lengths to bring in social workers from outside the jurisdiction, particularly South Africa. South Africans have been working in the Midland Health Board. Recruitment of this sort is welcome and appreciated.

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