Let the moaners try to do my job

AS a member of one of the most maligned sectors in Irish society today, may I say that after five years at university (one degree, one masters degree), 14 years on-the-job experience, I earn €33.23 per hour before tax, PRSI and other deductions.

I don’t get paid for overtime. I get hours in lieu but don’t always get to take them. I work with an extremely dedicated and hardworking multidisciplinary team who put heart and soul into their work.

I spend the most part of every week dealing with people who have serious illness, terminal diagnoses, family problems, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, drug problems and other very serious issues.

I enjoy my job and I am happy with my salary, but I am sick to the back teeth with Ibec, ISME, Mary Harney and every Tom, Dick and Harry journalist telling us we are overpaid and underworked. I would love to see the moaners and begrudgers spend just one week doing the jobs we do.

The health service is largely propped up at the moment by its workers’ goodwill toward their suffering fellow human beings.

However this goodwill and morale in general is being eroded by the constant criticism of people who I suspect earn quite a good deal more than I do and don’t seem to contribute anything of real value to society.

Catherine Richardson

B SocSc, M SocSc, NQSW (National Qualification in Social Work)

Carraignafoy

Cobh

Co Cork