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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.
Second Nine
Don McAuliffe (11) 18 Pts. on last six.
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