Social workers question workload

SOCIAL workers are to meet the Minister for Children later this month to address how new laws on the reporting of alleged child abuse will be covered in the face of increased workload.

One part of the plans revealed by Justice Minister Alan Shatter and Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald on Wednesday is that it would be a crime not to report any knowledge of the alleged abuse of children to the authorities.

Other proposals include increased vetting provision and the placing of the Children First guidelines on a statutory footing.