Extra social support not seen as ‘priority’

THE HSE has failed to create a “comprehensive” nationwide out-of-hours social workers system for vulnerable children over the past two years because it did not consider it a priority.

Speaking at the latest HSE South regional health forum meeting yesterday, health service officials confirmed that despite the vital need for such a service the out-of-hours system was not introduced.

Interim assistant national director in the region Anna-Marie Lanigan said the possible creation of the system had been considered by officials at the start of 2008.