AGSI: Lack of social work cover ‘unfair’

THE Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) has said the lack of proper social worker cover in Cork city was “grossly unfair and damaging to vulnerable young people”.

Sergeant Willie Gleeson, an AGSI national executive member, said his colleagues in the city were at a loss to understand why the HSE would provide social worker cover for a limited period over Bank Holiday weekends, but none at all on ordinary weekends.

“On Bank Holiday weekends they [the HSE] send us emergency numbers which can be used between 10am and 4pm. If you’re lucky you might get an answer, otherwise it is an answering machine.