The future quality of Social Services in Europe European Seminar held in Cork.

- Press Briefing 18/11/04

What common quality standards for Social Services should we have in Europe? That is the leading question of a Seminar on “Quality Standards for Social Services” that was held in Cork 17th to 20th November. The Seminar was hosted by Cork City Council and supported through funding by the European Commission. The Seminar took place in Jury's Hotel, Cork. The delegates to the Seminar were drawn from a variety of social service providers across the EU. Many of the delegates represent service providers in the accession states in Eastern Europe.

As part of the Seminar, delegates visited the Knocknaheeny Youth Centre in the North West of Cork City where they heard presentations from local service providers. At the Seminar, a number of speakers gave presentations about the quality standards that are used in social service provision in Ireland. Donal Guerin, Social Inclusion Officer of Cork City Council gave an insight into the role of social service providers in Irish Social Services. Stiofáin de Burca, Chief Executive Officer of the Mid Western Health Board, gave an introduction to the challenges surrounding the issue of quality in the delivery of health care services. The political implications of quality standards for social services in Ireland and in Europe was discussed by Sean Healy, Director of the Justice Commission of the Conference of the Religious in Ireland.  

During the Seminar, a number of other speakers addressed the question of how can the issue of quality standards in social services be set in more concrete terms. This issue is becoming increasingly important in an EU context as policy makers are advocating the development of a general market for the delivery of all services. In this situation, the quality standards for social services in Europe need to be secured on the EU wide level.  

The Seminar is part of a two year Project on “Quality and Accessibility of Social Services for Social Inclusion” lead by the European Federation for Diaconia – Eurodiaconia, which is based in Brussels. Cork City Council is a Project partner together with Riga City Council, a university department from Salzburg, Austria and several independent social service provider organisations at the local, national and European level.  

Delegates from Seminar on Quality and Accessability of Social Services for Social Inclusion visit Knocknaheeny Youth Centre

Press Briefing Cork
18/11/2004

donal_guerin@corkcity.ie

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