Sir, – I must differ from Fr Con McGillicuddy when he asks us to recall that "there was a lack of statutory specialised training in bygone years for childcare" (March 10th).
It was the practice of the Christian Brothers at Artane to receive organised visits from social science students from University College Dublin in the 1960s. Thus they certainly were aware of the specialised training in social work provided in UCD. I know because I attended one such visit.
In 1969 residential childcare centres and congregations from Ireland and Northern Ireland sent their staff, both religious and lay, to study on special residential childcare courses in London and I was pleased to be one of their lecturers for several years. In 1974 a new specialised course for residential childcare workers was opened under the auspices of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee at Cathal Brugha Street. I had the good fortune to provide lectures in sociology to them. Education for childcare workers has been available for the last 50 years.
If Fr McGillicuddy wishes to argue that there was no training for childcare workers in the 1940s and 1950s, I might be inclined to agree with him. However, common decency and humanity in the treatment of little children requires no specialised training; it emanates from love and compassion. – Yours, etc,
PAULINE CONROY,
Whitethorn Road,
Clonskeagh, Dublin 14.
A chara, – Might I endorse Fr McGillicudy’s comments? On a recent visit to southeast Asia, I saw at first hand some of the many schools, colleges, hospitals and other precious facilities provided and staffed over the years by Irish missionaries. Although now usually run by civil or other authorities, the valued works of our missionaries are much appreciated locally. It’s time that we did the same. – Is mise,
SEÁN O’CUINN,
Gleann na Smál,
An Charraig Dhubh,
Átha Cliath.