Calls for out-of-hours service 10 years ago

THE need for an out-of-hours child protection service was highlighted in the south east 10 years ago in a child care report.

Drawn up by the then South Eastern Health Board, the report said: “The lack of an out-of-hours emergency service at nights, weekends and public holidays leads to difficulties for individuals and agencies who wish to make crisis referrals to the board’s child care services.”

Currently Dublin city is the only part of the country to have an out-of-hours service despite health boards repeatedly highlighting the need for such a service in other parts of the country.