ISPCC says it was too harsh in its criticism

The ISPCC yesterday signalled a less aggressive approach in its criticisms of health boards and government departments - but …

The ISPCC yesterday signalled a less aggressive approach in its criticisms of health boards and government departments - but said it still wants to be an advocate on behalf of children. The organisation's acting director of services, Mr Paul Gilligan, was speaking after a meeting of its national executive.

The executive accepted the recommendations of the Deloitte and Touche consultancy report on its handling of money raised by collectors and by other fund raising efforts. A Sunday Business Post report last year that collectors had been short-changed on commission led to a Garda investigation which culminated in the arrest of a senior official of the organisation.

Yesterday, Mr Gilligan would not say what changes had been recommended by Deloitte & Touche, as there were still certain matters to be resolved.

Relations between the ISPCC, health boards and the Department of Health and Children have been strained for some time - with social workers in particular resentful of the strong criticisms made by its chief executive, Mr Cian O Tiarnaigh.

READ MORE

Mr Gilligan said that while the ISPCC saw the poor relationship as resulting from defensiveness on the part of the health boards and the Department of Health and Children, "I think they would feel we have been over-critical and somewhat personal in our criticisms.

"We have to look at that. Have we been too aggressive and a little personal in how we presented those messages? We are going to have to develop a healthier relationship with the State services.

"I have worked in health boards and people in health boards work extremely hard," he added. He wanted the ISPCC to be accepted by health boards and the Department as an advocate for children.

Yesterday's meeting also heard a report from a committee set up to hear the view of volunteers and former volunteers.

Last January some former volunteers were critical of what they saw as an autocratic style in the organisation and especially of an insistence - since dropped - that they each sell £300 worth of tickets.

Mr Gilligan said steps would be taken to ensure that this did not happen again and that volunteers would be given a greater say in decision-making.