The Gazette 1980

GAZETTE

DECEMBER1980

67. Ronan Smith, 77a Marlborough Road, Donnybrook, Dublin. 68. John Spencer, 19 Coislinne, Gorey, Wexford. 69. John C. Walsh, 6 Fortwilliam, Mount Merrion Ave., Black- rock, Co. Dublin. 70. Thomas J. Walsh, Learga, 27 Ballineaspaig Lawn, Bishops- town, Cork. 71. Mary R. Woods, Gayfield, Clonminch, Tullamore, Co. BOOK REVIEW The Irish Social Services by John Curry (Institute of Public Administration, Dublin, 1980) Paperback, £9.90. The social services dealt with in this book are those provided to improve the individual's welfare as distinct from other public services which have the good of the community as a whole as their objective. They are income maintenance, health, education, housing and welfare or personal social services. They are the services that affect us all at some time or other in the course of our lives and some indeed have continuous dependance on one or more of them. They account for about half of all public expenditure. The book is stated to be based on lectures given to first year students attending the Diploma in Administration Science course at the Institute of Public Administration where the author is a lecturer. It is an attempt at providing in one book an overview of the social services in Ireland. This the author does quite successfully with an introduction on the socio-demographic, economic and policy factors which influence social services in Ireland. A chapter on each of the services and concluding with an inter- esting comparison with the corresponding services in other EEC countires. For each service there is a brief note of the historical background, its development particularly in recent times, the scope and coverage of the service, the financing and administration of it. Statistical material is plentiful but is not used in such a way as to mar the enjoyment of reading. The book is clearly the result of extensive and careful reading. The historical material in the book is interesting. In dealing with the health services it recalls the controversy on the proposed mother and child scheme in 195 1 which was opposed by the medical profession on the grounds that it represented a dangerous advance towards complete state control of medicine, and by the Catholic Hierarchy on the grounds that it was contrary to Catholic social teaching. The Cabinet abandoned the scheme and Dr. Noel Browne resigned as Minister for Health. Although the book does not recall it those who were interested in health legislation at the time will know that the offending situation sprung from Section 21 of the Health Act, 1947, which states "A health authority shall . . . make arrangements for safeguarding the health of women in respect of motherhood and for their education in that respect". Of course a book of 289 pages had its limitations. Each of the services dealt with already commands its own extensive literature. However, the reader who wants to learn more will find good guidance in the book. It is not in any way a critical review of the services with which it deals.

An area in which the author does allow himself some comment is on the question of abuse in unemployment assistance. Not everyone will agree with his apparently ready acceptance of the "official" assessment of the extent of such abuse. It is a book which is highly informative and can be read with pleasure, but tinged with the regret which is expressed in the preface that the text can so quickly become outdated because of developments that affect the services. Let us hope that a means can be found of keeping it up to date. Whilst it is not a legal text book it is one that should be given a place in the reading of law students and practitioners. Because of the already crowded curriculum law students can now finish their studies with little opportunity for acquaintance with the social service that can so intimately affect the lives and affairs of those who will be their clients. Busy practitioners have even less opportunity. This book can be of enormous assistance to them. Walter MacEvilly Solicitors Golfing Society Results of recent outing to Heath Golf Club. Captain's Prize & Golfing Society Challenge Cup 1, Alan Woods (9) 38 Pts.; 2, Tom Shaw (5) 37 Pts. St. Patrick's Plate 1, Andy Smyth (8) 37 Pts. on last hole; 2, Tom O' O'Grady (12) 34 Pts. Veteran's Cup 1, Philip Meagher (14) 33 Pts.; 2, John Bolger (14) 30 Pts. on 2nd nine. 13 & Over 1, John McKnight (16) 32 Pts.; 2, James Cahill (20) 31 Pts. First Nine Frank Gleeson (24) 19 Pts. Over 30 Miles 1, Declan Fallon (12) 33 Pts.; 2, Pat O'Doherty (17) 30 Pts. SOLICITOR'S GOLFING SOCIETY OFFICERS 1980/81 President: President I.L.S.S. Captain: Patrick Treacy Hon-Treasurer: Paul W. Keogh Hon-Secretary: John R. Lynch. Committee: Henry N. Robinson, Gerard N. Doyle, David Bell. 205 Second Nine Don McAuliffe (11) 18 Pts. on last six.