Madam, - A report entitled "Judge says social worker caseloads 'impossibly large'" (The Irish Times, July 11th) quotes Judge Conal Gibbons, who sits in the Dublin Metropolitan Court, as follows:"I accept that social workers in the HSE do a difficult job, and people do not become social workers to make money - they are caring people".
It is about time that one of the judiciary acknowledged the crucial and often thankless job that social workers undertake for society in the protection and welfare of children. This role is not always without some personal risk, be it psychological or, on occasions, physical.
This is particularly true when, as Judge Gibbons correctly points out, resources are not available adequately to protect children in an increasingly complex and multi-racial society.
For many social workers what is often most hurtful is the criticism and lack of empathy we receive from other professionals. Our profession is often viewed in a negative light without any grasp of the difficulties of protecting children within the context of the law and yet helping to deliver the ultimate goal which is the best interest of the child.
One hopes that Judge Gibbons's wise and welcome comments will prompt not just society at large but other professional bodies to recognise the central role played in the protection of our children by our beleaguered profession. - Yours, etc,
SEÁN WHELAN, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.