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What is the problem with the Children's Referendum?

Gloomtastic! · 2012-08-23 06:41:16

Another year, another government and still no wording for the Children's Referendum. I don't really understand why they want it changed but: What is the problem? Is it going to start costing the state more money if it's amended? In whose interest is it for the current wording to remain unchanged?

Comments

#182 01-03-2015 03:55PM
gizmo555

Closed Accounts Posts: 2,878 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2008

Posts: 2794
gizmo555 wrote: »

Thanks again to the Sunday Business Post for keeping the spotlight on this issue. They publish figures today (02/02/14) showing that in 2013 Barnardos was paid more than €3.2m by the state for guardian ad litem services, and one named individual was paid in excess of €317k.

This, to reiterate, is a "profession" which is completely unregulated and requires no specific qualifications. I was stunned to read in today's SBP report that you don't even have to be Garda vetted!

The report also states that the HSE spent €10.8m in total on GAL services in 2012.

Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Children, has been huffing and puffing about this situation for three years, but to date has done sweet f.a. to deal with it.

Another year passed, and nothing has changed, except the extraordinary increase in the amount of money being spent on this. The Sunday Business Post today (01/03/2015) reports in relation to costs paid by the state for Guardian ad Litem services that in 2014:
Barnardos was paid €3.023m

Overall spending increased from €10.8m in 2012, to €11.9m in 2013, to €16m last year

One named individual was paid €299k

So, spending has increased by over 48% on this area in just two years and there is still no qualification required to be a GAL, nor is their any disciplinary or standard of service oversight.

Amazingly, the hourly rate paid has increased from €110 in 2011, to €125 in 2014, a 13.6% increase. Has anyone else in the public sector received this kind of (or indeed any) pay rise in the last three years?

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