The Times of London's letters to the editor today make a strong case for early intervention to assist very young children who are suffering from parental neglect and abuse.Focus on poor parenting to prevent social ills -Times Online

Quote:

"The fate of these children can be improved through a whole range of early interventions,from birth onwards.And in schools,resources can be added to existing staff to attend to their particular needs."

"If,instead of throwing money at prisons,probation and social work departments..."

According to an RTE Nightline expose,Irish social workers are so overloaded with cases of child abuse and neglect that they miss many important cases. The public would be better advised to report suspected cases to the Garda Siochana.

The Irish government's penny pinching approach towards abused children today will guarantee a steady supply of future prisoners for the new prison to replace Mountjoy in a decade or so,each prisoner costing the state around €100,000 a year. Where is the saving in that?