theirishtimes--2020-01-27--Plenty of politicians’ promises, but what about these ideas to help consumers?

Election manifestos have been coming thick and fast over recent days , and politicians have been falling over themselves to make promises that they say will make Ireland a better place for us all .
Promises are great and all , but in this election – as in all elections – there are question marks over what can be delivered and what will be delivered .
With that in mind , Pricewatch put on its thinking cap and tried to come up with some ideas that might make the lives of consumers better without costing us all billions of euro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( CCPC ) , which came into being more than five years ago , has a role to play in protecting consumers and has had some successes , we can ’ t help but wonder if more could be done to fight the consumers ’ corner .
One of the most frequent complaints we get on this page about the consumer watchdog is that it can ’ t or won ’ t investigate and resolve complaints in an expeditious manner on behalf of individual consumers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help only to be told that there is nothing it can do .
Then they contact us .
The CCPC looks at big-picture things but will not help an individual out if they have been let down by a service provider or a retailer or a bloke who promised to make your garden look amazing only to turn it into a muddy wasteland .
In fact there is no organisation – either State or privately funded – that is dedicated to fighting your corner .
So let ’ s change that .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If The Irish Times or the Ray Darcy Show or Joe Duffy can contact a big retailer or mobile phone operator when they let people down or mess them around and make sure they make amends , why can ’ t a consumer body funded by the State ?
Can Pricewatch let you in on a little secret ?
The page is able to make businesses help people they have let down in minutes not because we are particularly brilliant but because big businesses hate being publicly identified as useless .
So let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to identify companies who let consumers down .
And let it out them every week .
It is simple to do .
You get the complaint , you call the alleged rogue trader and give them a chance to resolve the situation , and then you highlight what they have done – or not done – to improve the consumer ’ s lot .
You present both sides of the story , and let the public decide whether or not the business is one they can trust .
Our dream consumer body would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of consumers .
They could operate a bit like the food watchdog , a body which appears to have no problem shutting down shops and restaurants – even for a couple of hours – and then highlighting all the gross and sometimes minor ways such places have let their diners down .
Of course there is no point in going to all the effort to fix people ’ s problems if you can ’ t boast about it , so our new watchdog should have a monthly magazine filled with interesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ independent and exhaustive product reviews , stories of how companies have got it wrong and got it right .
In addition to the magazine , the new consumer organisation would also use the internet to reach out to people .
It would blog , tweet and use Facebook and Instagram to fix people ’ s problems and empower people .
One of the simplest things a new government could do to make the lives of all – or at least many – citizens of the State better would be to make public transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at play here , so how about if it started by making all off-peak public transport free and free at all times for children ?
Imagine if you could travel on buses and trains at no cost between the hours of 10am and 5pm between Monday and Friday and then all day at weekends .
Such a move would encourage more people to leave their cars at home if they were popping into town for a bit of a wander .
It would also incentivise some commuters who travel at peak times to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each day to save themselves a few bob – or in fact more than €1,000 a year .
This would have the added benefit of reducing the overcrowding on public transport without the need to introduce more services and more carriages on trains .
It could all be implemented a lot faster than Bus Connects or Metro North .
Oh , and while this probably doesn ’ t matter a jot to politicians , any moves in this direction would also be wildly popular and something that we would be talking about 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on the topic of transport , maybe the next minister for transport could introduced a system to allow all commuters pay their bus , train or tram fare by tapping their credit or debit card ?
The Leap card is pretty good but not everyone has one , and if we could get rid of the need to have the “ exact change ” when using public transport then more people could get on a bus on a whim , and our world would be a slightly better place .
We all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be free , but as a result of generations of governmental inaction and ineptitude and under-resourcing and simply not caring enough about it , sending children to school has ended up anything but free .
Nearly 55 years ago the then minister for education Donogh O ’ Malley announced that education for all the State ’ s children at no cost was to become a constitutional obligation .
That was brilliant .
It never really happened , and since then Irish parents have collectively spent more than €20 billion on educating their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vision of free schooling quickly got lost in the mists of time .
According to multiple surveys over many years , Irish parents are spending close to €1,000 per year on a child ’ s primary education , and around €1,500 on secondary education .
It really doesn ’ t have to be like this .
Irish schools – or most of them , at any rate – operate with a bizarre independence , and even though they are almost entirely funded by the taxpayer they are mostly controlled by boards of management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Education can encourage schools to make changes , but under the rules as they stand it has to stop short of imposing changes .
By ceding control of the schools to boards of management years back it meant the State did not have to deal with staffing issues – other than paying wages – or ongoing maintenance and the other fiddly ( but incredible important ) issues that our schools have to manage The children ’ s charity Barnardos has estimated that it would cost about €20 million to provide free books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While that may sound like a lot in the context of annual government spending , it is peanuts .
Various education ministers have wrung their hands about the issue , most recently Richard Bruton .
When he was in the hot seat a couple of years back he sent a so-called circular to all schools calling on authorities to adopt “ principles of cost-effective practice ” .
Among the measures schools were asked to introduce were generic uniforms ; mandatory book-rental schemes ; a ban on workbooks ; iron-on or sew-on crests ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items parents would have to buy for their children with indications of the likely costs at the best value stores .
Of course they could ignore his circular if they so chose and many did which means it has not made a whole lot of difference to the costs faced by parents .
Let ’ s pick just one thing .
If schoolbook rental schemes were mandatory across all schools , parents could save a fortune .
It is so simple .
At the beginning of the school year parents would pay a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child would get their text books for free .
At the end of the year if the books are returned unblemished , much of the fee would be returned .
It is cheap and easy , and would save parents hundreds of millions of euro over the next few years , However , it needs the State to step in and manage the scheme like it does in Northern Ireland .
The best thing is the savings would just keep coming for ever .
Earlier this month the outgoing Minister for Education Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first step towards providing free schoolbooks at primary level with a €1 million pilot project which will benefit more than 15,000 pupils in more than 100 disadvantaged primary schools .
Not a lot done , a lot more to do , then .
Oh , and again this probably won ’ t make much difference to any politicians seeking high office.Yet by taking some meaningful steps towards making education genuinely free , a future education minister would almost guarantee that his or her name would be remembered and would still be appearing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much the same way as O ’ Malley ’ s is .
There is a short stretch of O ’ Connell Street in Dublin that typifies all that is wrong with successive governments ’ approach to cycling .
On the Clery ’ s side of the country ’ s main thoroughfare – from Abbey Street to O ’ Connell Bridge – there is a cycle lane that is cut off from car traffic by a series of fluorescent plastic poles .
After about 30m the somewhat safe zone suddenly ends .
For around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to feel just a bit more secure .
For the rest of the time they have to compete for road with buses , cabs and cars .
It is tokenism at its worst , and by any measure it is simply absurd .
When it comes to cycling it is not the only thing that is absurd , mind you .
It has now taken more than six years for the powers that be to work out how to run a safe cycle lane down the north quays from Heuston Station to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a straight line .
There is no need to tie yourself up in knots over it ?
And there is certainly no need to draw up convoluted plans that try to reroute traffic through recently built apartment blocks .
Yes , they actually did that .
So , maybe the future powers that be could invest some money in sensible solutions that would make cycling safer and as a result more popular .
Here ’ s an idea for starters .
Rather than having cycling lanes that can be easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small bit of road given to bikes and the big bit of road given to cars with a concrete “ ardmadillo ” – a slightly elevated thing that stops cars weaving where they have no right to weave .
Pricewatch can ’ t imagine such a step would take too long or cost too much .
Oh , and when it comes to cycling there is some other simple things that could be done .
The Fianna Fáil/Green Party coalition that came before the two successive Fine Gael-led ones did not exactly cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managing the finances of the country .
And , yes , we are being kind here .
Yet one thing that administration did leave us with was the cycle-to-work tax incentive scheme .
It covers bicycles and accessories up to a maximum of €1,000 .
You probably know how it works .
Your employer buys the bike stuff and you pay for it , tax-free , over 12 months .
It effectively knocks about 40 per cent off the price .
But why not make it better ?
Why not incentivise more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax break .
And while we are on the topic of better , cheaper and more environmentally friendly commuting , can we please legalise e-scooters ?
Impose restrictions on them for sure and punish those who use them recklessly by confiscating their little machines forever , but for heaven ’ s sake do something more than commission reports that never see the light of day .
Over recent years shops that have served generations of Irish people have closed at a pace which only seems to be accelerating .
When they close people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they may not have visited those shops and spent money there even once in the last decade .
Many closures are as a result of the migration of much of our spending online , and there isn ’ t a whole lot the political class can do to stop that .
But if we want to protect indigenous retailers and keep small shops open in communities big and small across the country then we have to do more than wring our hands and express sadness when they close .
Maybe grants could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online presences of their own or modernise their stores ?
Maybe rates and ludicrous upward-only rent reviews could be challenged ?
Maybe we could take a leaf out of our continental cousins ’ retail playbook .
Some parts of the EU , including France , Germany and Luxembourg , restrict when shops can go into sale .
Strictly-imposed rules mean shops can only offer discounted stock for four weeks in January and four weeks during the summer .
The rules protect smaller retailers who struggle to compete with the internet and big multinational @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offer deep discounts almost year round if allowed to better lure people through their doors .
6 .
And there ’ s more .
.
.
a whole lot more Maybe the next government could look at ways to give parents more of a break when it comes to childcare costs that can easily top more than two grand a month for two young children ?
Maybe we could see more parks in urban spaces to improve the quality of life of people living in apartments around our towns and cities ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ city living – the like of which is common across Europe – which would reduce congestion on our roads , and maybe cut the endless commuting times many people have to endure five days a week .
It would also serve to lessen our reliance on cars , and go some small way towards reducing our carbon footprint .
Oh , and perhaps more could be done to tackling the motor insurance sector which has been getting away with making customers pay through the nose for years .

Election manifestos have been coming thick and fast over recent days, and politicians have been falling over themselves to make promises that they say will make Ireland a better place for us all. Promises are great and all, but in this election – as in all elections – there are question marks over what can be delivered and what will be delivered.
With that in mind, Pricewatch put on its thinking cap and tried to come up with some ideas that might make the lives of consumers better without costing us all billions of euro that we don’t really have.
1. A consumer body with sharp teeth
While the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), which came into being more than five years ago, has a role to play in protecting consumers and has had some successes, we can’t help but wonder if more could be done to fight the consumers’ corner.
One of the most frequent complaints we get on this page about the consumer watchdog is that it can’t or won’t investigate and resolve complaints in an expeditious manner on behalf of individual consumers.
READ MORE
People ring the CCPC looking for help only to be told that there is nothing it can do. Then they contact us.
The CCPC looks at big-picture things but will not help an individual out if they have been let down by a service provider or a retailer or a bloke who promised to make your garden look amazing only to turn it into a muddy wasteland.
In fact there is no organisation – either State or privately funded – that is dedicated to fighting your corner.
So let's change that. And let's change it fast. If The Irish Times or the Ray Darcy Show or Joe Duffy can contact a big retailer or mobile phone operator when they let people down or mess them around and make sure they make amends, why can't a consumer body funded by the State?
Can Pricewatch let you in on a little secret? The page is able to make businesses help people they have let down in minutes not because we are particularly brilliant but because big businesses hate being publicly identified as useless. So let’s allow the new consumer watchdog to identify companies who let consumers down.
And let it out them every week. It is simple to do. You get the complaint, you call the alleged rogue trader and give them a chance to resolve the situation, and then you highlight what they have done – or not done – to improve the consumer’s lot. You present both sides of the story, and let the public decide whether or not the business is one they can trust.
Our dream consumer body would have people employed specifically to contact businesses on behalf of consumers. They could operate a bit like the food watchdog, a body which appears to have no problem shutting down shops and restaurants – even for a couple of hours – and then highlighting all the gross and sometimes minor ways such places have let their diners down.
Of course there is no point in going to all the effort to fix people’s problems if you can’t boast about it, so our new watchdog should have a monthly magazine filled with interesting features on how to save money, independent and exhaustive product reviews, stories of how companies have got it wrong and got it right.
In addition to the magazine, the new consumer organisation would also use the internet to reach out to people. It would blog, tweet and use Facebook and Instagram to fix people's problems and empower people.
2. Free at last
One of the simplest things a new government could do to make the lives of all – or at least many – citizens of the State better would be to make public transport free. Obviously there are financial constraints at play here, so how about if it started by making all off-peak public transport free and free at all times for children? Imagine if you could travel on buses and trains at no cost between the hours of 10am and 5pm between Monday and Friday and then all day at weekends.
Such a move would encourage more people to leave their cars at home if they were popping into town for a bit of a wander. It would also incentivise some commuters who travel at peak times to delay their journeys by a few minutes each day to save themselves a few bob – or in fact more than €1,000 a year. This would have the added benefit of reducing the overcrowding on public transport without the need to introduce more services and more carriages on trains.
It could all be implemented a lot faster than Bus Connects or Metro North. Oh, and while this probably doesn’t matter a jot to politicians, any moves in this direction would also be wildly popular and something that we would be talking about 50 years from now.
And while we are on the topic of transport, maybe the next minister for transport could introduced a system to allow all commuters pay their bus, train or tram fare by tapping their credit or debit card? The Leap card is pretty good but not everyone has one, and if we could get rid of the need to have the “exact change” when using public transport then more people could get on a bus on a whim, and our world would be a slightly better place.
3. Honour education promises made years ago
We all know that education in Ireland is supposed to be free, but as a result of generations of governmental inaction and ineptitude and under-resourcing and simply not caring enough about it, sending children to school has ended up anything but free.
Nearly 55 years ago the then minister for education Donogh O’Malley announced that education for all the State’s children at no cost was to become a constitutional obligation. That was brilliant. It never really happened, and since then Irish parents have collectively spent more than €20 billion on educating their young as O’Malley’s vision of free schooling quickly got lost in the mists of time.
According to multiple surveys over many years, Irish parents are spending close to €1,000 per year on a child’s primary education, and around €1,500 on secondary education. It really doesn’t have to be like this.
Irish schools – or most of them, at any rate – operate with a bizarre independence, and even though they are almost entirely funded by the taxpayer they are mostly controlled by boards of management who call the shots. The Department of Education can encourage schools to make changes, but under the rules as they stand it has to stop short of imposing changes.
By ceding control of the schools to boards of management years back it meant the State did not have to deal with staffing issues – other than paying wages – or ongoing maintenance and the other fiddly (but incredible important) issues that our schools have to manage
The children’s charity Barnardos has estimated that it would cost about €20 million to provide free books for all children in primary school. While that may sound like a lot in the context of annual government spending, it is peanuts.
Various education ministers have wrung their hands about the issue, most recently Richard Bruton. When he was in the hot seat a couple of years back he sent a so-called circular to all schools calling on authorities to adopt "principles of cost-effective practice". Among the measures schools were asked to introduce were generic uniforms; mandatory book-rental schemes; a ban on workbooks; iron-on or sew-on crests; and the provision of lists of all items parents would have to buy for their children with indications of the likely costs at the best value stores.
Of course they could ignore his circular if they so chose and many did which means it has not made a whole lot of difference to the costs faced by parents.
Let’s pick just one thing. If schoolbook rental schemes were mandatory across all schools, parents could save a fortune. It is so simple. At the beginning of the school year parents would pay a rental fee to the school and the child would get their text books for free. At the end of the year if the books are returned unblemished, much of the fee would be returned. It is cheap and easy, and would save parents hundreds of millions of euro over the next few years,
However, it needs the State to step in and manage the scheme like it does in Northern Ireland. The best thing is the savings would just keep coming for ever.
Earlier this month the outgoing Minister for Education Joe McHugh said his department had taken the first step towards providing free schoolbooks at primary level with a €1 million pilot project which will benefit more than 15,000 pupils in more than 100 disadvantaged primary schools.
Not a lot done, a lot more to do, then.
Oh, and again this probably won’t make much difference to any politicians seeking high office.Yet by taking some meaningful steps towards making education genuinely free, a future education minister would almost guarantee that his or her name would be remembered and would still be appearing in print for decades after they die in much the same way as O’Malley’s is.
4. On your bike
There is a short stretch of O'Connell Street in Dublin that typifies all that is wrong with successive governments' approach to cycling. On the Clery's side of the country's main thoroughfare – from Abbey Street to O'Connell Bridge – there is a cycle lane that is cut off from car traffic by a series of fluorescent plastic poles. After about 30m the somewhat safe zone suddenly ends.
For around four glorious seconds a city cyclist is allowed to feel just a bit more secure. For the rest of the time they have to compete for road with buses, cabs and cars. It is tokenism at its worst, and by any measure it is simply absurd.
When it comes to cycling it is not the only thing that is absurd, mind you. It has now taken more than six years for the powers that be to work out how to run a safe cycle lane down the north quays from Heuston Station to the East Link bridge. Lads, it’s a straight line. There is no need to tie yourself up in knots over it? And there is certainly no need to draw up convoluted plans that try to reroute traffic through recently built apartment blocks. Yes, they actually did that.
So, maybe the future powers that be could invest some money in sensible solutions that would make cycling safer and as a result more popular. Here’s an idea for starters. Rather than having cycling lanes that can be easily invaded by cars why not separate the small bit of road given to bikes and the big bit of road given to cars with a concrete “ardmadillo” – a slightly elevated thing that stops cars weaving where they have no right to weave. Pricewatch can’t imagine such a step would take too long or cost too much.
Oh, and when it comes to cycling there is some other simple things that could be done.
The Fianna Fáil/Green Party coalition that came before the two successive Fine Gael-led ones did not exactly cover itself in glory when it came to managing the finances of the country. And, yes, we are being kind here. Yet one thing that administration did leave us with was the cycle-to-work tax incentive scheme.
It covers bicycles and accessories up to a maximum of €1,000. You probably know how it works. Your employer buys the bike stuff and you pay for it, tax-free, over 12 months. It effectively knocks about 40 per cent off the price. But why not make it better? Why not incentivise more people to cycle by giving them twice the tax break.
And while we are on the topic of better, cheaper and more environmentally friendly commuting, can we please legalise e-scooters? Impose restrictions on them for sure and punish those who use them recklessly by confiscating their little machines forever, but for heaven’s sake do something more than commission reports that never see the light of day.
5. Save our shops
Over recent years shops that have served generations of Irish people have closed at a pace which only seems to be accelerating. When they close people mourn their passing despite the fact that they may not have visited those shops and spent money there even once in the last decade.
Many closures are as a result of the migration of much of our spending online, and there isn’t a whole lot the political class can do to stop that. But if we want to protect indigenous retailers and keep small shops open in communities big and small across the country then we have to do more than wring our hands and express sadness when they close.
Maybe grants could be made available to local retailers to develop online presences of their own or modernise their stores? Maybe rates and ludicrous upward-only rent reviews could be challenged?
Maybe we could take a leaf out of our continental cousins' retail playbook. Some parts of the EU, including France, Germany and Luxembourg, restrict when shops can go into sale. Strictly-imposed rules mean shops can only offer discounted stock for four weeks in January and four weeks during the summer. The rules protect smaller retailers who struggle to compete with the internet and big multinational fast-fashion chains that can buy in bulk and offer deep discounts almost year round if allowed to better lure people through their doors.
6. And there’s more . . . a whole lot more
Maybe the next government could look at ways to give parents more of a break when it comes to childcare costs that can easily top more than two grand a month for two young children?
Maybe we could see more parks in urban spaces to improve the quality of life of people living in apartments around our towns and cities? Such a move might encourage higher density city living – the like of which is common across Europe – which would reduce congestion on our roads, and maybe cut the endless commuting times many people have to endure five days a week. It would also serve to lessen our reliance on cars, and go some small way towards reducing our carbon footprint.
Oh, and perhaps more could be done to tackling the motor insurance sector which has been getting away with making customers pay through the nose for years.


theirishtimes--2020-01-27--Mental Health Commission has ‘serious concerns’ over delays in opening service

A scheme to replace the almost 150-year-old wards of court system has been delayed again due to lack of funding .
The Decision Support Service ( DSS ) , which was committed to by Government in 2015 and has had a chair since 2017 , has yet to begin operating .
The Mental Health Commission ( MHC ) says the repeated failure to open the service puts Ireland in breach of international human rights obligations , raises safe-guarding issues and denies thousands of vulnerable adults a say in basic aspects of their lives .
The planned opening of the DSS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would open this year .
However , minutes of meetings of the MHC , under whose auspices it exists , reveal it will not now open this year and there is no opening date in sight .
The minutes from September and October 2019 reveal the frustration and disappointment among commission members at continued underfunding by the Department of Justice .
The DSS was established under the 2015 Assisted Decision Making Act , to support vulnerable adults – including those with intellectual disabilities , those with acquired brain injury and older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions including , for example , how to spend their money or whether to get married .
Currently such adults may become subject to the Victorian-era system where they are made a “ ward of court ” , often at the instigation of family or carers .
Decisions are made on their behalf by the High Court or a court-appointed committee until or unless they make a successful case to exit the system .
More than 3,000 adults in Ireland are wards under the 1871 Lunacy Regulation Act with the number of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase ” , according to the commission .
The situation is considered by many an infringement of these adults ’ human rights , particularly since Ireland ratified the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018 .
A spokesman for the department said : “ Every effort is being made by the department to ensure implementation of the DSS can progress based on the funding allocated , and is fully committed to working with the DSS in this regard.
” In 2018 , the MHC sought €10.3 million from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was allocated €3.5 million .
In 2019 , it sought €9.1 million but was allocated €3.5 million .
This “ is not enough to commence the DSS in 2020 ” , the commission said over the weekend .
The September 2019 minutes of the MHC meeting record its “ serious concern ” about the continued delay in opening the service .
“ It was agreed that without a fully funded and time bound plan the commission can not commit to a specific date for delivery of the service.
” In October 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allocation .
It was noted that on the basis of funding and a number of other external matters that have not been progressed the DSS will not now be operational by Q4 2020 .
It was agreed the commission could not commit to a new implementation date ” .
In a statement , commission chairman John Saunders said : “ It is our view that full commencement of the 2015 Act – including the launch of the DSS – will bring tremendous benefits to all adults who have difficulties with their decision-making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them.
” Over 200,000 adults could benefit , according to department figures .
“ Further delay may lead to disenchantment and a developing narrative that ‘ this is never going to happen ’ .
It also means that informal , unregulated arrangements will continue , and it is within this grey area that safeguarding concerns can arise , ” said Mr Saunders .

A scheme to replace the wards of court system has been delayed again due to lack of funding. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni/Collins
A scheme to replace the almost 150-year-old wards of court system has been delayed again due to lack of funding.
The Decision Support Service (DSS), which was committed to by Government in 2015 and has had a chair since 2017, has yet to begin operating.
The Mental Health Commission (MHC) says the repeated failure to open the service puts Ireland in breach of international human rights obligations, raises safe-guarding issues and denies thousands of vulnerable adults a say in basic aspects of their lives.
The planned opening of the DSS in 2018 was delayed with an expectation that it would open this year. However, minutes of meetings of the MHC, under whose auspices it exists, reveal it will not now open this year and there is no opening date in sight.
READ MORE
Frustration
The minutes from September and October 2019 reveal the frustration and disappointment among commission members at continued underfunding by the Department of Justice.
The DSS was established under the 2015 Assisted Decision Making Act, to support vulnerable adults – including those with intellectual disabilities, those with acquired brain injury and older people with impaired capacity – to make decisions including, for example, how to spend their money or whether to get married.
Currently such adults may become subject to the Victorian-era system where they are made a "ward of court", often at the instigation of family or carers. Decisions are made on their behalf by the High Court or a court-appointed committee until or unless they make a successful case to exit the system.
More than 3,000 adults in Ireland are wards under the 1871 Lunacy Regulation Act with the number of new wards “appearing to be on the increase”, according to the commission.
The situation is considered by many an infringement of these adults’ human rights, particularly since Ireland ratified the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018.
A spokesman for the department said: “Every effort is being made by the department to ensure implementation of the DSS can progress based on the funding allocated, and is fully committed to working with the DSS in this regard.”
In 2018, the MHC sought €10.3 million from the department to establish the DSS, but was allocated €3.5 million. In 2019, it sought €9.1 million but was allocated €3.5 million. This “is not enough to commence the DSS in 2020”, the commission said over the weekend.
Funding
The September 2019 minutes of the MHC meeting record its “serious concern” about the continued delay in opening the service. “It was agreed that without a fully funded and time bound plan the commission cannot commit to a specific date for delivery of the service.”
In October 2019, “members expressed their general disappointment with the allocation. It was noted that on the basis of funding and a number of other external matters that have not been progressed the DSS will not now be operational by Q4 2020. It was agreed the commission could not commit to a new implementation date”.
In a statement, commission chairman John Saunders said: "It is our view that full commencement of the 2015 Act – including the launch of the DSS – will bring tremendous benefits to all adults who have difficulties with their decision-making capacity, and those who care for them." Over 200,000 adults could benefit, according to department figures.
“Further delay may lead to disenchantment and a developing narrative that ‘this is never going to happen’. It also means that informal, unregulated arrangements will continue, and it is within this grey area that safeguarding concerns can arise,” said Mr Saunders.


theirishtimes--2020-01-27--‘It’s something you don’t want to hear. You always think it happens in other places’

The tragic deaths of three young children on Friday night left the community in Newcastle , west Co Dublin , struggling to find words to describe what had happened .
Siblings Conor McGinley ( 9 ) , Darragh ( 7 ) and Carla ( 3 ) were discovered dead inside their home after 7pm in Parsons Court estate , near the village of Rathcoole .
Emergency services were called to the house after a taxi driver found the children ’ s mother , Deirdre Morley , on a road near the home in a disorientated state and brought her home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ground outside the home and an ambulance was called .
A note was found at the house warning people not to go upstairs but to call 999 instead .
The children ’ s father , Andrew McGinley , a manager at a catering and facilities management company in south Dublin , returned home from work at about the same time .
The Garda said that ambulance personnel and responding gardaí discovered the bodies of the three children in the house , two upstairs and one downstairs .
It is believed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then suffocated .
Ms Morley , who is in her 40s , was brought to Tallaght Hospital where she received medical attention .
She worked as a paediatric nurse at Crumlin children ’ s hospital in Dublin but was on stress-related leave in recent months .
A spokesman for the hospital said that it would not be making any comment .
Mr McGinley released a photograph of himself with his three children over the weekend asking that it be used in any reporting of the case .
He was being supported by family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tragedy that struck his family .
The Garda appointed a family liaison officer to him and his extended family .
Over the weekend , Fr Kevin Doherty , co-parish priest at St Finian ’ s Church , near the family home , spoke about grief leaving “ its calling card ” with the community .
He said “ its calling card is one of darkness and loss and disillusionment ” .
“ We really can ’ t put words on it , ” the priest said after addressing his congregation at 10am Mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families attended the service .
“ The darkness is so dark .
It ’ s unspeakable .
Grief , heartbreak , loss – it affects and touches every body in this community and I saw all the parents here .
We had a Communion preparation Mass today and the parents coming – you could see the grief in their hearts as well.
” Darragh McGinley was due to make his First Holy Communion in the coming months .
He and his older brother attended the local Gaelscoil , Scoil Chrónáin , in Rathcoole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The family were relatively recent arrivals to the Parsons Court estate .
They previously lived in nearby Saggart and had only moved into the estate in the last year and a half or so , though the children were well known by locals because they played with other children on the estate .
A father-of-four who said his children played with the McGinley children in a local playground told The Irish Times : “ They were just normal , little kids…they were out there playing and they were happy.
” The man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his family , said the community was “ shocked ” .
“ It ’ s something you don ’ t want to hear .
You always think it happens in other places .
You don ’ t think it ’ s going to happen on your doorstep , ” he said .
A book of condolences was opened at the local church for the McGinley children and a growing number of flowers were left at the home over the course of the weekend , after the first floral tributes were left at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One woman , who was pushing a buggy and carrying a large bunch of white and pink flowers to leave at the house , said : “ I didn ’ t know the family but when I heard what happened , I just thought it was the right thing to do .
“ I have been living in the area for two years and it is just horrific .
Nobody can believe what has happened.
” Local councillor Emer Higgins said the community in Newcastle and surrounding areas was “ heartbroken ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; we have really tight-knit communities right across Newcastle , Rathcoole and Saggart .
We are all just heartbroken , ” she said .
“ The community came together this morning to pray for the family and my own thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is grieving with them .
I think in times like this it ’ s really good for a community to come together.
” Another local councillor , Francis Timmons , said there was “ a sense of absolute numbness and sadness ” around Newcastle in the wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is just horrendous .
People don ’ t know what to say or do , or how to act , ” he said .
“ You don ’ t expect anything like that to happen on your own street .
It is such a lovely part of Newcastle .
You have to think of the families and how they are affected .
”

The scene outside the house in Newcastle, Co Dublin, where the three McGinley children were found last Friday. Photograph: Stephen Colllins/Collins Photos
The tragic deaths of three young children on Friday night left the community in Newcastle, west Co Dublin, struggling to find words to describe what had happened.
Siblings Conor McGinley (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) were discovered dead inside their home after 7pm in Parsons Court estate, near the village of Rathcoole.
Emergency services were called to the house after a taxi driver found the children's mother, Deirdre Morley, on a road near the home in a disorientated state and brought her home.
She is said to have collapsed on the ground outside the home and an ambulance was called. A note was found at the house warning people not to go upstairs but to call 999 instead.
READ MORE
The children’s father, Andrew McGinley, a manager at a catering and facilities management company in south Dublin, returned home from work at about the same time.
The Garda said that ambulance personnel and responding gardaí discovered the bodies of the three children in the house, two upstairs and one downstairs.
It is believed the children were either sedated or poisoned and then suffocated.
Ms Morley, who is in her 40s, was brought to Tallaght Hospital where she received medical attention.
Stress-related leave
She worked as a paediatric nurse at Crumlin children's hospital in Dublin but was on stress-related leave in recent months.
A spokesman for the hospital said that it would not be making any comment.
Mr McGinley released a photograph of himself with his three children over the weekend asking that it be used in any reporting of the case.
He was being supported by family and friends over the weekend following the tragedy that struck his family. The Garda appointed a family liaison officer to him and his extended family.
Andrew McGinley with his children Conor (aged 9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) McGinley. Photograph supplied by Mr McGinley through An Garda Síochána
Over the weekend, Fr Kevin Doherty, co-parish priest at St Finian's Church, near the family home, spoke about grief leaving "its calling card" with the community. He said "its calling card is one of darkness and loss and disillusionment".
“We really can’t put words on it,” the priest said after addressing his congregation at 10am Mass in Newcastle on Sunday. Many young families attended the service.
“The darkness is so dark. It’s unspeakable. Grief, heartbreak, loss – it affects and touches every body in this community and I saw all the parents here. We had a Communion preparation Mass today and the parents coming – you could see the grief in their hearts as well.”
Recent arrivals
Darragh McGinley was due to make his First Holy Communion in the coming months. He and his older brother attended the local Gaelscoil, Scoil Chrónáin, in Rathcoole, while Carla attended a local pre-school.
The family were relatively recent arrivals to the Parsons Court estate. They previously lived in nearby Saggart and had only moved into the estate in the last year and a half or so, though the children were well known by locals because they played with other children on the estate.
A father-of-four who said his children played with the McGinley children in a local playground told The Irish Times: “They were just normal, little kids…they were out there playing and they were happy.”
The man, who lives close to Parsons Court with his family, said the community was “shocked”.
“It’s something you don’t want to hear. You always think it happens in other places. You don’t think it’s going to happen on your doorstep,” he said.
Floral tributes
A book of condolences was opened at the local church for the McGinley children and a growing number of flowers were left at the home over the course of the weekend, after the first floral tributes were left at the scene early on Saturday morning.
One woman, who was pushing a buggy and carrying a large bunch of white and pink flowers to leave at the house, said: “I didn’t know the family but when I heard what happened, I just thought it was the right thing to do.
“I have been living in the area for two years and it is just horrific. Nobody can believe what has happened.”
Local councillor Emer Higgins said the community in Newcastle and surrounding areas was "heartbroken".
“This is just an unthinkable tragedy; we have really tight-knit communities right across Newcastle, Rathcoole and Saggart. We are all just heartbroken,” she said.
“The community came together this morning to pray for the family and my own thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is grieving with them. I think in times like this it’s really good for a community to come together.”
‘Numbness and sadness’
Another local councillor, Francis Timmons, said there was “a sense of absolute numbness and sadness” around Newcastle in the wake of the deaths of the children.
“It is just horrendous. People don’t know what to say or do, or how to act,” he said.
“You don’t expect anything like that to happen on your own street. It is such a lovely part of Newcastle. You have to think of the families and how they are affected.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-27--No obvious signs of injury on remains of McGinley children

Gardaí believe the three McGinley children found dead in their Dublin home had been deceased for some time before they were discovered last Friday night .
Conor ( 9 ) , Darragh ( 7 ) and Carla ( 3 ) had earlier on Friday attended school and creche and had returned to their home at Parson ’ s Court , Newcastle , Co Dublin , that afternoon .
The children died later in the afternoon .
Their mother , nurse Deirdre Morley , left the house on Friday evening .
A taxi driver saw Ms Morley on the street in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at about 7.30pm and took her home as he was concerned for her safety , such was her condition .
However , by the time they arrived at the house Ms Morley was in a state of collapse and the driver called the emergency services .
As gardaí and paramedics were arriving Ms Morley ’ s husband and the children ’ s father , Andrew McGinley , also arrived at the house with another man .
Those present went into the property where a note was found containing instructions not to go inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going into the house , Mr McGinley and gardaí found the three children dead , two of them upstairs and one downstairs .
Gardaí believe the children were given a substance that either sedated or poisoned them and were then suffocated .
There were no obvious signs of injury on their remains .
Ms Morley ’ s condition was critical by the time she was taken from outside her home to Tallaght Hospital and , while she remained gravely ill in hospital over the weekend , she was expected to survive .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lady ’ s Children ’ s Hospital , Crumlin , where she worked as a nurse .
Ms Morley and Mr McGinley had lived in the general area for many years before moving into the house , which they own , on Parson ’ s Court .
After the children were found dead at their home at about 7.45pm on Friday , the semi-detached property was secured overnight and guarded as a crime scene .
The bodies of the three victims were left in situ overnight .
Early on Saturday a preliminary examination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene by Assistant State Pathologist Margot Bolster .
The remains were then removed to the City Morgue in Marino for a full postmortem .
Gardaí were awaiting the results of toxicology tests on the bodies of the children which were expected to inform the cause-of-death findings .

The scene at Parson’s Court, Newcastle, where the three children were found. Photograph: Stephen Collins/Collins
Gardaí believe the three McGinley children found dead in their Dublin home had been deceased for some time before they were discovered last Friday night.
Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) had earlier on Friday attended school and creche and had returned to their home at Parson's Court, Newcastle, Co Dublin, that afternoon.
The children died later in the afternoon.
Their mother, nurse Deirdre Morley, left the house on Friday evening.
READ MORE
A taxi driver saw Ms Morley on the street in the Newcastle area in a disorientated state at about 7.30pm and took her home as he was concerned for her safety, such was her condition.
However, by the time they arrived at the house Ms Morley was in a state of collapse and the driver called the emergency services.
As gardaí and paramedics were arriving Ms Morley’s husband and the children’s father, Andrew McGinley, also arrived at the house with another man.
Those present went into the property where a note was found containing instructions not to go inside but to call 999 instead.
After going into the house, Mr McGinley and gardaí found the three children dead, two of them upstairs and one downstairs.
Substance
Gardaí believe the children were given a substance that either sedated or poisoned them and were then suffocated. There were no obvious signs of injury on their remains.
Ms Morley's condition was critical by the time she was taken from outside her home to Tallaght Hospital and, while she remained gravely ill in hospital over the weekend, she was expected to survive.
She had been on stress-related leave from Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, where she worked as a nurse.
Ms Morley and Mr McGinley had lived in the general area for many years before moving into the house, which they own, on Parson’s Court.
After the children were found dead at their home at about 7.45pm on Friday, the semi-detached property was secured overnight and guarded as a crime scene.
The bodies of the three victims were left in situ overnight. Early on Saturday a preliminary examination of the bodies was carried out at the scene by Assistant State Pathologist Margot Bolster. The remains were then removed to the City Morgue in Marino for a full postmortem.
Gardaí were awaiting the results of toxicology tests on the bodies of the children which were expected to inform the cause-of-death findings.


theirishtimes--2020-01-28--Plans to evacuate Irish citizens from China virus epicentre under way

Preparations are under way to evacuate Irish citizens trapped in the Chinese region at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak .
As the death toll in China reached 82 , the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was exploring options , “ including commercial options ” , for assisting Irish citizens to leave Hubei province , “ if required ” .
However , the offer poses a dilemma for those in the stricken city as their Chinese partners would be left behind and anyone leaving would face another period under quarantine once they got out of the affected area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish citizens in Hubei province regarding their intentions , ” a spokeswoman told The Irish Times .
It is estimated there are eight Irish citizens in the affected region , which has been in effective lockdown since the Chinese authorities imposed severe transport restrictions in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus .
On Monday , the mayor of Wuhan , in Hubei , acknowledged criticism of his handling of the crisis , and offered to resign .
There is growing anger among residents that they were not informed earlier about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is thought to have begun in December .
The number of confirmed cases has reached almost 3,000 , with 400 of these critical .
The number of suspected cases now stands at more than 5,700 , but experts believe thousands more could eventually be infected .
Stocks markets tumbled worldwide yesterday following concerns about the possible economic impact of the coronavirus .
Members of the Chinese community in Ireland have expressed concern about the presence here of a tour party from the region of the country where the coronavirus originated .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on travel there , came to Britain and then travelled on to Ireland on the ferry from Holyhead at the weekend .
Chinese social media posts show a woman member of the group posing at various landmarks , including Trinity College in Dublin and the Titanic Centre in Belfast .
“ We are the only tour from Wubei that can travel in UK .
That ’ s not easy , ” the woman posted on Weibo , a social media site .
She also posted a picture from the Holyhead ferry , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poker .
While there is no evidence the group posed any health threat , its presence in Ireland prompted criticism on Chinese social media .
One poster warned the community in Ireland , and in particularly Chinese restaurants , to “ be aware ” of their presence .
“ We have experienced Sars , but people in the Irish Government haven ’ t .
.
.
personal and household hygiene is so important , ” a member of the Chinese community in Ireland who expressed concern about the visit told The Irish Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , [ but ] I doubt the hospital capacity.
” Medical suppliers are reporting a big jump in demand for surgical masks in response to the coronavirus outbreak in China , with some Dublin stores saying they have run out of stocks .
Demand has been particularly high among the Chinese community , especially from those who travelled home to mark the Chinese New Year at the weekend .
The Department of Health said its National Public Health Emergency Team met on Monday to review the ongoing preparedness of the Irish health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that occur in Ireland .
A statement gave no details of the group ’ s deliberations but pointed out that no confirmed cases had occurred here .
Waterford Institute of Technology said one of its students was in self-isolation after travelling from Wuhan at the weekend .
The man is not ill and has agreed not to attend college as a precaution .

Medical workers in protective gear talk with a woman suspected of being ill with the coronavirus at a health station in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, on Monday. Photograph: Chinatopix via AP
Preparations are under way to evacuate Irish citizens trapped in the Chinese region at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.
As the death toll in China reached 82, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was exploring options, "including commercial options", for assisting Irish citizens to leave Hubei province, "if required".
However, the offer poses a dilemma for those in the stricken city as their Chinese partners would be left behind and anyone leaving would face another period under quarantine once they got out of the affected area.
“The Embassy is in contact with Irish citizens in Hubei province regarding their intentions,” a spokeswoman told The Irish Times.
READ MORE
It is estimated there are eight Irish citizens in the affected region, which has been in effective lockdown since the Chinese authorities imposed severe transport restrictions in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus.
On Monday, the mayor of Wuhan, in Hubei, acknowledged criticism of his handling of the crisis, and offered to resign. There is growing anger among residents that they were not informed earlier about the risk posed by the outbreak, which is thought to have begun in December.
The number of confirmed cases has reached almost 3,000, with 400 of these critical. The number of suspected cases now stands at more than 5,700, but experts believe thousands more could eventually be infected.
Stocks markets tumbled worldwide yesterday following concerns about the possible economic impact of the coronavirus.
Concern
Members of the Chinese community in Ireland have expressed concern about the presence here of a tour party from the region of the country where the coronavirus originated.
The group left China before restrictions were imposed on travel there, came to Britain and then travelled on to Ireland on the ferry from Holyhead at the weekend.
Chinese social media posts show a woman member of the group posing at various landmarks, including Trinity College in Dublin and the Titanic Centre in Belfast.
“We are the only tour from Wubei that can travel in UK. That’s not easy,” the woman posted on Weibo, a social media site. She also posted a picture from the Holyhead ferry, on which members of her group had played poker.
While there is no evidence the group posed any health threat, its presence in Ireland prompted criticism on Chinese social media. One poster warned the community in Ireland, and in particularly Chinese restaurants, to “be aware” of their presence.
"We have experienced Sars, but people in the Irish Government haven't . . . personal and household hygiene is so important," a member of the Chinese community in Ireland who expressed concern about the visit told The Irish Times. "They think the Ireland is safe, [but] I doubt the hospital capacity."
Surgical masks
Medical suppliers are reporting a big jump in demand for surgical masks in response to the coronavirus outbreak in China, with some Dublin stores saying they have run out of stocks.
Demand has been particularly high among the Chinese community, especially from those who travelled home to mark the Chinese New Year at the weekend.
The Department of Health said its National Public Health Emergency Team met on Monday to review the ongoing preparedness of the Irish health system for any cases of the virus that occur in Ireland. A statement gave no details of the group's deliberations but pointed out that no confirmed cases had occurred here.
Waterford Institute of Technology said one of its students was in self-isolation after travelling from Wuhan at the weekend. The man is not ill and has agreed not to attend college as a precaution.


theirishtimes--2020-01-28--My son still has no idea what course he wants. Should he still apply to the CAO?

My son sits the Leaving Cert in June but has no idea what he wants to do .
Is there any point making a CAO application – or should he take a year out to consider his options ?
College is only one of a wide range of options open to your son , but by no means the only one .
My greatest concern for him would be that he feels marginalised in any way from his friends or peer group through not having any specific course aspirations at this stage in sixth year .
Thousands , if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leavers apply for and start college courses each year , for no reason other than to follow their friends .
Many of them drop out shortly after they engage with their course , as they lack the motivation necessary to progress successfully , even to the end of first year .
So , the first piece of advice I would give you as a parent is to affirm your son ’ s doubts and assure him that he needs have no further anxiety over his lack of college aspirations .
The world and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in six months ’ time , when he has finished the Leaving Cert .
Therefore , wasting time and piling on further stress at this stage is counterproductive .
This is not to say that he will not get to a point in August next when he will decide that seeking and accepting a college place in the coming academic year fits in well with his career aspirations .
It is for that reason that I would advise him to register with the CAO before the February 1st closing date deadline for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an insurance payment , which gives him the right up to July 1st next , to list any restricted application courses now before February 1st , and any non-restricted application courses , which he may add now or in May or June next .
If at that stage college has become a serious option for him , he can simply add a list of non-restricted course choices to his CAO application , which will put him in the exact same situation as any other applicant .
While focusing on his studies over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reflect on the wide range of alternate options such as further education and apprenticeships .
The career journey of life has many twists and turns and attending third-level college following the Leaving Cert is but one of them .
As a society we would hugely reduce mental health issues affecting young people if we took a more balanced approach to the options open to school-leavers .

College is only one of a wide range of options, but by no means the only one. Photograph: iStock
My son sits the Leaving Cert in June but has no idea what he wants to do. Is there any point making a CAO application – or should he take a year out to consider his options?
College is only one of a wide range of options open to your son, but by no means the only one. My greatest concern for him would be that he feels marginalised in any way from his friends or peer group through not having any specific course aspirations at this stage in sixth year.
Thousands, if not tens of thousands, of young school leavers apply for and start college courses each year, for no reason other than to follow their friends. Many of them drop out shortly after they engage with their course, as they lack the motivation necessary to progress successfully, even to the end of first year.
So, the first piece of advice I would give you as a parent is to affirm your son’s doubts and assure him that he needs have no further anxiety over his lack of college aspirations.
READ MORE
The world and his career options may look very different in six months’ time, when he has finished the Leaving Cert. Therefore, wasting time and piling on further stress at this stage is counterproductive.
Aspirations
This is not to say that he will not get to a point in August next when he will decide that seeking and accepting a college place in the coming academic year fits in well with his career aspirations. It is for that reason that I would advise him to register with the CAO before the February 1st closing date deadline for the €45 application fee.
Consider it as an insurance payment, which gives him the right up to July 1st next, to list any restricted application courses now before February 1st, and any non-restricted application courses, which he may add now or in May or June next.
If at that stage college has become a serious option for him, he can simply add a list of non-restricted course choices to his CAO application, which will put him in the exact same situation as any other applicant.
Alternate options
While focusing on his studies over the coming months, I would advise him to reflect on the wide range of alternate options such as further education and apprenticeships.
The career journey of life has many twists and turns and attending third-level college following the Leaving Cert is but one of them. As a society we would hugely reduce mental health issues affecting young people if we took a more balanced approach to the options open to school-leavers.


theirishtimes--2020-01-28--All you need to know about new school admission laws

So , why the shake-up in school admissions laws ?
There have been long-standing concerns over how difficult it can be for some sections of the community to get a school place .
The Minister for Education , Joe McHugh , says new laws around admission will ensure greater transparency , equity and consistency in school enrolment generally .
From next week , every school will have three months to draft a new school admission policy to make sure it meets the requirements of the Education ( Admissions to School Act ) .
This will involve consulting patrons , staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new rules .
These new policies must be published by September 1st of this year at the latest and they will apply for admissions for the 2021/2022 school year .
I put my baby ’ s name down on the waiting list for our secondary school .
Will my child still get a place ?
The new legislation will place a ban on these kinds of long-term waiting lists .
However , a five-year period is being given to schools to allow current waiting lists to expire .
This , says the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ honour commitments they have already made to parents ” .
Some young children currently on waiting lists , however , will lose out .
Those down on waiting lists to start in the years leading up to the 2026/2027 are safe ; waiting lists beyond this date will have to be scrapped .
Oversubscribed schools may , however , keep waiting lists for the year prior to admission to give parents a sense of how many other children are ahead of their child in the queue for places .
So , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when , exactly , will I be able to apply for a school place for my child ?
Schools may run their admission processes from October 1st onwards in the year prior to enrolment .
The department says the advantage of having a clear starting date is that parents will know with certainty that schools will not start accepting applications before this key date .
Once this date arrives , they must then be alert to the possibility of the school ( s ) in which they are interested commencing their admission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in admissions under the new laws ?
Schools will be required by law to accept all applicants where they have spare places .
If they are oversubscribed , schools may use selection criteria such as whether a child has a sibling in the school , went to a certain feeder school , lives in a certain catchment area , etc .
These policies must be published and clearly stated .
There will also be limits on the proportion of places that may be set aside for children of past pupils ( see below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of minority religions ( see below ) .
The new legislation obliges schools to set out the manner and sequence in which selection criteria will be applied in the case of oversubscription .
Schools must also set out requirements for schools to make offers and for applicants to accept offers and arrangements where offers may be withdrawn .
I ’ m a past pupil of the school where I want to send my child .
Will they still get priority ?
At present schools can – in theory – set aside as many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past pupils .
( Anecdotally , this “ old school tie ” provision is used extensively by many prestigious schools . )
Under new rules which come into force for admissions for the 2021/2022 school year , no more than 25 per cent of school places may be set aside for children or grandchildren of past pupils .
This figure was settled on by political parties when the legislation was being debated in the Oireachtas .
The school where I want to send my child conducts interviews as part of the admissions process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new legislation will prohibit interviews , consideration of a student ’ s academic ability , skills or aptitude , consideration of a parent ’ s occupation , financial status , academic ability , skills or aptitude as a consideration for the offer of a place .
An interview may be taken into account , however , for admission to the residential element of a boarding school .
Will I need to pay a fee as part of admissions ?
Some schools have been doing this in recent years , but it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibits the charging of fees for an application for admission to a school , or for continued enrolment .
In addition , no charge may be made for instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part .
Voluntary contributions may be sought from parents , but only on the basis that a child ’ s place in a school is not dependent on making a contribution .
I have a child who has special educational needs .
Do I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs when applying ?
No .
Schools will not be permitted to ask about a child ’ s academic ability or aptitude .
Some parents , however , may wish to bring this up in any case to ensure they are satisfied the school has the experience of assisting children with special needs .
My child has been assessed as requiring a special class – but my local school doesn ’ t have one .
Will this new legislation change anything ?
Under provisions that came into force in late 2018 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – after a process of consultation with the National Council for Special Education , the board of management and the patron of a school – to compel a school to open a special class .
This happened in Dublin 15 last year and may happen again in south Dublin this year .
The school where I want to send my child is Catholic , though my child is not baptised .
Will they be put at the back of the queue ?
No .
Under a section of the legislation that came into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not discriminate in favour of children on the basis of religion .
All applicants must be treated equally regardless of their religion .
There is an exception for minority religions , who may continue to discriminate in favour of children of their own faith if they are oversubscribed .
This move , the department has said , is to protect the ethos of these schools .
My child will be going to a Catholic school , but he doesn ’ t practise the religion .
What are the rules around religion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children are entitled to opt out of religion ( or , in fact , anything contrary to the conscience of a parent ) .
This still applies .
The only change it that schools will be obliged to provide details of arrangements in place for children who opt out of religious instruction .

So, why the shake-up in school admissions laws?
There have been long-standing concerns over how difficult it can be for some sections of the community to get a school place.
The Minister for Education, Joe McHugh, says new laws around admission will ensure greater transparency, equity and consistency in school enrolment generally.
From next week, every school will have three months to draft a new school admission policy to make sure it meets the requirements of the Education (Admissions to School Act). This will involve consulting patrons, staff and parents of current pupils on the new rules.
READ MORE
These new policies must be published by September 1st of this year at the latest and they will apply for admissions for the 2021/2022 school year.
Waiting lists
I put my baby's name down on the waiting list for our secondary school. Will my child still get a place?
The new legislation will place a ban on these kinds of long-term waiting lists. However, a five-year period is being given to schools to allow current waiting lists to expire.
This, says the Department of Education, will allow schools to “honour commitments they have already made to parents”.
Some young children currently on waiting lists, however, will lose out. Those down on waiting lists to start in the years leading up to the 2026/2027 are safe; waiting lists beyond this date will have to be scrapped.
Oversubscribed schools may, however, keep waiting lists for the year prior to admission to give parents a sense of how many other children are ahead of their child in the queue for places.
So, if waiting lists are due to be banned, when, exactly, will I be able to apply for a school place for my child?
Schools may run their admission processes from October 1st onwards in the year prior to enrolment.
The department says the advantage of having a clear starting date is that parents will know with certainty that schools will not start accepting applications before this key date.
Once this date arrives, they must then be alert to the possibility of the school(s) in which they are interested commencing their admission process.
Priority
So, who gets priority in admissions under the new laws?
Schools will be required by law to accept all applicants where they have spare places.
If they are oversubscribed, schools may use selection criteria such as whether a child has a sibling in the school, went to a certain feeder school, lives in a certain catchment area, etc. These policies must be published and clearly stated.
There will also be limits on the proportion of places that may be set aside for children of past pupils (see below for more details) and for children of minority religions (see below).
What rules apply over accepting a school place?
The new legislation obliges schools to set out the manner and sequence in which selection criteria will be applied in the case of oversubscription.
Schools must also set out requirements for schools to make offers and for applicants to accept offers and arrangements where offers may be withdrawn.
Past pupils
I’m a past pupil of the school where I want to send my child. Will they still get priority?
At present schools can – in theory – set aside as many places as they want or children of past pupils. (Anecdotally, this “old school tie” provision is used extensively by many prestigious schools .)
Under new rules which come into force for admissions for the 2021/2022 school year, no more than 25 per cent of school places may be set aside for children or grandchildren of past pupils.
This figure was settled on by political parties when the legislation was being debated in the Oireachtas.
The school where I want to send my child conducts interviews as part of the admissions process. Will this continue?
No. The new legislation will prohibit interviews, consideration of a student’s academic ability, skills or aptitude, consideration of a parent’s occupation, financial status, academic ability, skills or aptitude as a consideration for the offer of a place.
An interview may be taken into account, however, for admission to the residential element of a boarding school.
Will I need to pay a fee as part of admissions?
Some schools have been doing this in recent years, but it will now be banned. The new legislation prohibits the charging of fees for an application for admission to a school, or for continued enrolment.
(Exceptions are included in relation to fee-charging secondary schools, the boarding element in boarding schools and admission to post leaving or further education courses run by secondary schools.)
In addition, no charge may be made for instruction in any subject of the school curriculum or for recreation or other activities where all pupils are expected to take part.
Voluntary contributions may be sought from parents, but only on the basis that a child’s place in a school is not dependent on making a contribution.
Special needs
I have a child who has special educational needs. Do I need to tell the school about their needs when applying?
No. Schools will not be permitted to ask about a child’s academic ability or aptitude. Some parents, however, may wish to bring this up in any case to ensure they are satisfied the school has the experience of assisting children with special needs.
My child has been assessed as requiring a special class – but my local school doesn't have one. Will this new legislation change anything?
Under provisions that came into force in late 2018, the Minister for Education now has the power – after a process of consultation with the National Council for Special Education, the board of management and the patron of a school – to compel a school to open a special class. This happened in Dublin 15 last year and may happen again in south Dublin this year.
Religion
The primary school where I want to send my child is Catholic, though my child is not baptised. Will they be put at the back of the queue?
No. Under a section of the legislation that came into force in late 2018, Catholic primary schools cannot discriminate in favour of children on the basis of religion. All applicants must be treated equally regardless of their religion.
There is an exception for minority religions, who may continue to discriminate in favour of children of their own faith if they are oversubscribed. This move, the department has said, is to protect the ethos of these schools.
These rules only apply to primary schools; secondary schools may continue to discriminate on religious grounds. (The explanation for these double standards, according to policy-makers, is that in the past 90 per cent of primary schools are Catholic; but there is greater diversity and choice at second level).
My child will be going to a Catholic school, but he doesn't practise the religion. What are the rules around attending religious events?
Under separate legislation, all children are entitled to opt out of religion (or, in fact, anything that is contrary to the conscience of a parent).
This still applies. The only change it that schools will be obliged to provide details of arrangements in place for children who opt out of religious instruction.
Many schools distingush between "religious education" - which they define as learning about religion, and "instruction", such as faith formation in a specific religion.


theirishtimes--2020-01-28--Catholic schools are marked by a spirit of hospitality to all

Having recently been gifted with the new title of “ grandmother ” , “ granny ” or “ nana ” ( though I still can ’ t decide what I want to be called ) the arrival this week of Catholic Schools Week 2020 has taken on a new twist .
I ’ ve been reflecting on the educational continuum which began with my first reluctant steps over the threshold of St Louis Primary School , Rathmines , back in the 1960s , continued in the next generation when our daughters embarked on similar journeys in the 1990s , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our grand-daughter makes her way over the wall to the local primary school .
Notwithstanding the global tumult of the modern world ’ s crises , conflicts and challenges , Catholic schools - with a renewed ensemble of energies , both lay and religious - continue evangelically to engage the grandeur and grimness of our earth with the Easter confidence of Christian faith .
The theme of Catholic Schools Week 2020 , “ Catholic Schools : Living in Harmony with God ’ s Creation , ” speaks directly to some of the deepest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the focus on the celebration of the interconnectedness of creation and the responsibility of everyone to address climate change in even the smallest ways .
The scope of engagement is broad , grounded in our relationship with God , but radiating outwards to encompass school , neighbourhood , extended family , immigrants , emigrants , the “ muchness and manyness ” of Joyce ’ s vision , and Planet Blue herself .
The glory of God , said Saint Irenaeus , is a human being who is utterly alive .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an invitation to flourish and to experience the world through the lens of a faith perspective .
This is not static or “ top down ” , but provides young people with a framework of meaning in the story of Jesus Christ who , by walking alongside us , provides the most potent role-model possible in an era of confusion and mixed messages .
That faith journey is further strengthened and enriched by prayer , ritual , music , liturgy , and the sacraments .
When Pope Francis tells us that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flesh , summons us to a revolution in tenderness ” , he is exhorting us to live in harmonious empathy , patience , and forbearance even with those who may vex and frustrate .
This is precisely the message of tolerance of and kindness towards the other which the final day of Catholic Schools Week seeks to encourage staff , students , and parents to reflect upon .
Students themselves are always quick to acknowledge behaviours which hurt and to identify how reciprocity can be restored .
They strive to participate in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catholicity means “ openness , broadmindedness or liberality , universality , and general inclusiveness , ” and the Catholic school is characterised by a spirit of hospitality towards members of other traditions and of no espoused tradition at all .
This is neither tokenism nor is it motivated by a desire to convert .
It arises from a desire to engage with , and learn from , the other .
Dialogue and student input are encouraged and emphasised so that young people can explore difficult things and difficult times as well as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening and disclosing the immense inherent giftedness of the students in their care , Catholic schools hope that those talents will eventually challenge and change the future under the sign of service to others , well beyond a singular preoccupation with only self and personal CV .
While Catholic schools have long been associated with the highest standards of teaching and learning and enabling students to realise their intellectual potential , the focus is always on the education of the whole person and the naming of their myriad gifts .
Schools eagerly enable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the whole spectrum of human talent - dramatic , athletic , aesthetic , musical , scientific - so that today ’ s pupils may become tomorrow ’ s pastors .
The intellectual exhilaration of serious study isn ’ t only an important practical pursuit for the purposes of later livelihood , but also a summons to solidarity with the least of our species .
Hence the call of Catholic Schools Week to live in harmony with our neighbours and to put community before the interests of individualism .
The impulse to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come see and go tell , is very strongly sensed by students , and all schools across the sector are engaged in building a social awareness which leads to action at home and abroad .
I remember how delighted students in my own school were when a visiting sister shared with them Pope Francis ’ s address at World Youth Day , when he told the young people that God did not want “ couch potatoes ” .
Instead he challenged them to “ get off the couch and put on your walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up – and make your mark on the world ” .
They internalised this , and repeated it as a mantra .
The primary schoolchild who wrote in her diary – more than 50 years ago – such words and phrases as “ John , Paul , George , and Ringo forever ” or “ was friends with Audrey .
A good day ” , looks forward now to dropping and collecting her granddaughter at the busy school-gates from the chatty lollipop lady .
Much has changed in the long meantime , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes bring .
Much more remains , and we are rightly grateful .
Patricia Bourden is acting CEO of the Catholic School Partnership

Having recently been gifted with the new title of “grandmother”, “granny” or “nana” (though I still can’t decide what I want to be called) the arrival this week of Catholic Schools Week 2020 has taken on a new twist.
I’ve been reflecting on the educational continuum which began with my first reluctant steps over the threshold of St Louis Primary School, Rathmines, back in the 1960s, continued in the next generation when our daughters embarked on similar journeys in the 1990s, and will hopefully begin all over again when our grand-daughter makes her way over the wall to the local primary school.
Notwithstanding the global tumult of the modern world’s crises, conflicts and challenges, Catholic schools - with a renewed ensemble of energies, both lay and religious - continue evangelically to engage the grandeur and grimness of our earth with the Easter confidence of Christian faith.
The theme of Catholic Schools Week 2020, “Catholic Schools: Living in Harmony with God’s Creation,” speaks directly to some of the deepest concerns of old and young alike, with the focus on the celebration of the interconnectedness of creation and the responsibility of everyone to address climate change in even the smallest ways.
READ MORE
Catholic education is an invitation to flourish and to experience the world through the lens of a faith perspective
The scope of engagement is broad, grounded in our relationship with God, but radiating outwards to encompass school, neighbourhood, extended family, immigrants, emigrants, the “muchness and manyness” of Joyce’s vision, and Planet Blue herself.
The glory of God, said Saint Irenaeus, is a human being who is utterly alive. At the heart of its endeavour, Catholic education is an invitation to flourish and to experience the world through the lens of a faith perspective.
This is not static or "top down", but provides young people with a framework of meaning in the story of Jesus Christ who, by walking alongside us, provides the most potent role-model possible in an era of confusion and mixed messages. That faith journey is further strengthened and enriched by prayer, ritual, music, liturgy, and the sacraments.
When Pope Francis tells us that "the son of God, by becoming flesh, summons us to a revolution in tenderness", he is exhorting us to live in harmonious empathy, patience, and forbearance even with those who may vex and frustrate.
This is precisely the message of tolerance of and kindness towards the other which the final day of Catholic Schools Week seeks to encourage staff, students, and parents to reflect upon.
Students themselves are always quick to acknowledge behaviours which hurt and to identify how reciprocity can be restored. They strive to participate in the adventure of discernment.
The etymology of catholicity means “openness, broadmindedness or liberality, universality, and general inclusiveness,” and the Catholic school is characterised by a spirit of hospitality towards members of other traditions and of no espoused tradition at all. This is neither tokenism nor is it motivated by a desire to convert. It arises from a desire to engage with, and learn from, the other. Dialogue and student input are encouraged and emphasised so that young people can explore difficult things and difficult times as well as the moments of joy and celebration.
The impulse to make the world a better place, to come see and go tell, is very strongly sensed by students
By opening and disclosing the immense inherent giftedness of the students in their care, Catholic schools hope that those talents will eventually challenge and change the future under the sign of service to others, well beyond a singular preoccupation with only self and personal CV.
While Catholic schools have long been associated with the highest standards of teaching and learning and enabling students to realise their intellectual potential, the focus is always on the education of the whole person and the naming of their myriad gifts. Schools eagerly enable all students to showcase interests and accomplishments across the whole spectrum of human talent - dramatic, athletic, aesthetic, musical, scientific - so that today’s pupils may become tomorrow’s pastors.
The intellectual exhilaration of serious study isn’t only an important practical pursuit for the purposes of later livelihood, but also a summons to solidarity with the least of our species. Hence the call of Catholic Schools Week to live in harmony with our neighbours and to put community before the interests of individualism.
The impulse to make the world a better place, to come see and go tell, is very strongly sensed by students, and all schools across the sector are engaged in building a social awareness which leads to action at home and abroad. I remember how delighted students in my own school were when a visiting sister shared with them Pope Francis’s address at World Youth Day, when he told the young people that God did not want “couch potatoes”. Instead he challenged them to “get off the couch and put on your walking shoes – better, your boots laced up – and make your mark on the world”. They internalised this, and repeated it as a mantra.
The primary schoolchild who wrote in her diary – more than 50 years ago – such words and phrases as “John, Paul, George, and Ringo forever” or “was friends with Audrey. A good day”, looks forward now to dropping and collecting her granddaughter at the busy school-gates from the chatty lollipop lady.
Much has changed in the long meantime, and we give thanks for the growth that changes bring. Much more remains, and we are rightly grateful.
Patricia Bourden is acting CEO of the Catholic School Partnership


theirishtimes--2020-01-27--McGinley deaths: ‘I will always remember your three happy faces’

Sporadically they arrived at the empty church , mothers and their children , to sign the book of condolences for the young McGinley siblings .
Many of them did not want to talk about why they were there , not in front of the youngsters .
Too difficult .
In the book just inside the door of the St Finian ’ s Church on Monday afternoon some of the messages were in children ’ s handwriting .
Testament to how the community in Newcastle had rallied , there were well over 20 pages packed with messages of condolence since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With all my heart I hope you find peace , ” wrote one entry from a neighbour and occasional child minder .
“ I will always remember your three happy faces.
” The children – Conor ( 9 ) , Darragh ( 7 ) and Carla ( 3 ) – were repeatedly remembered as “ little angels ” and the number of entries signed off by families as opposed to individuals stood out .
“ Rest easy baby girl you were always our angel , ” one person wrote of the late Carla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sparkle in the room ” .
Outside , the sombre setting of a grey church against headstones and icy drizzle was broken by the high pitch of young children playing in the adjacent schoolyard .
A tearful woman who knew Andrew McGinley , the children ’ s father , said she hoped he was strong enough to deal with what had happened .
“ I know the place is special , ” she said of the community and its instant response .
“ There is a lot of care ; there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered .
Especially from what I read [ in the book ] in there.
” At the small Parsons Court estate where the family had lived there was a sense of some kind of normality returning – piles of flowers remained stacked outside the family home but the Garda tape was gone and children hung about next to the green .
At the church as people came to sign the book of condolence a question hung in the air .
Could the community ever really recover from something like this ?
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Life goes on , ” said another woman plaintively .
Like everyone on Monday , she did not wish to give her name .
She pondered the mood of the town over the last few days : “ It was total sadness ... dark ” , she said , and went inside .
A neighbour of the McGinleys said people were still wandering around dazed .
“ I was just saying to my wife , it ’ s so odd to be getting up and going to work.
” The ripples of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Damien , from Co Carlow , knew he would be passing the area and decided to sign it .
He has three young children .
“ It ’ s no big thing to just come off the road , ” he said .

A message attached to a bouquet left at the house where the three McGinley children’s bodies were found in Newcastle, Co Dublin, last Friday. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin
Sporadically they arrived at the empty church, mothers and their children, to sign the book of condolences for the young McGinley siblings.
Many of them did not want to talk about why they were there, not in front of the youngsters. Too difficult.
In the book just inside the door of the St Finian’s Church on Monday afternoon some of the messages were in children’s handwriting.
Testament to how the community in Newcastle had rallied, there were well over 20 pages packed with messages of condolence since the book opened over the weekend.
READ MORE
“With all my heart I hope you find peace,” wrote one entry from a neighbour and occasional child minder. “I will always remember your three happy faces.”
The children – Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3) – were repeatedly remembered as "little angels" and the number of entries signed off by families as opposed to individuals stood out.
Andrew McGinley with his children, Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3). Photograph supplied by Mr McGinley through the Garda
‘The sparkle’
“Rest easy baby girl you were always our angel,” one person wrote of the late Carla. Another spoke of her as “the sparkle in the room”.
Outside, the sombre setting of a grey church against headstones and icy drizzle was broken by the high pitch of young children playing in the adjacent schoolyard.
A tearful woman who knew Andrew McGinley, the children’s father, said she hoped he was strong enough to deal with what had happened.
“I know the place is special,” she said of the community and its instant response. “There is a lot of care; there is a lot of love and support being offered. Especially from what I read [in the book] in there.”
At the small Parsons Court estate where the family had lived there was a sense of some kind of normality returning – piles of flowers remained stacked outside the family home but the Garda tape was gone and children hung about next to the green.
Recover
At the church as people came to sign the book of condolence a question hung in the air. Could the community ever really recover from something like this?
“You have to, don’t you? Life goes on,” said another woman plaintively. Like everyone on Monday, she did not wish to give her name. She pondered the mood of the town over the last few days: “It was total sadness... dark”, she said, and went inside.
A neighbour of the McGinleys said people were still wandering around dazed. “I was just saying to my wife, it’s so odd to be getting up and going to work.”
The ripples of the tragedy reached farther afield too. Damien, from Co Carlow, knew he would be passing the area and decided to sign it. He has three young children.
“It’s no big thing to just come off the road,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-27--Opposition parties criticise under-funding of national maternity strategy

Opposition parties have criticised Government under-funding of the national maternity strategy , in the wake of the resignation of patient advocate Mark Molloy from the board of the Health Service Executive .
Mr Molloy resigned over the “ tokenistic ” treatment of patient representatives and the failure of the Government to provide promised funding for the strategy , The Irish Times reported on Monday .
Mr Molloy said he felt “ let down ” by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris over the under-funding of the strategy , whose funding was suppose to be ringfenced .
Prominent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ so sorry ” that Mr Molloy had resigned .
She said it seemed to be “ another example of patient advocates not being listened to ” .
Another cervical cancer campaigner , Stephen Teap , said Mr Molloy ’ s resignation was a “ big loss ” and pointed to the need for a properly structured campaign for patient representatives .
Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly said he was “ gravely concerned ” about the state of the country ’ s maternity services following a “ complete failure ” by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not a single extra cent was invested in maternity services in 2019 .
This is despite clear commitments in the strategy to recruit 500 additional midwives , standardise governance procedures and ensure a safe and quality standard of care for mothers and babies .
“ It ’ s nearly four years now since the Taoiseach launched the strategy amid much fanfare .
It has become apparent that this was more about the media opportunity and less about making a real difference to standards and outcomes in the country ’ s 19 maternity units.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mr Molloy had confirmed his resignation to its chairman , Ciaran Devane , on January 7th .
Mr Devane had thanked Mr Molloy for his “ dedication , hard work and insightful input ” on the board , according to a spokeswoman .
Mr Molloy told The Irish Times he felt he could no longer be part of board decisions that were serving to erode the integrity of the work he and his wife Róisín Molloy were doing on behalf of patients .
The Molloys ’ son , also Mark , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died unnecessarily as a result of failings at Portlaoise hospital , and they have campaigned since for greater accountability and patient representation in the health service .

Opposition parties have criticised Government under-funding of the national maternity strategy, in the wake of the resignation of patient advocate Mark Molloy from the board of the Health Service Executive.
Mr Molloy resigned over the “tokenistic” treatment of patient representatives and the failure of the Government to provide promised funding for the strategy, The Irish Times reported on Monday.
Mr Molloy said he felt "let down" by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris over the under-funding of the strategy, whose funding was suppose to be ringfenced.
Prominent patient advocate Vicky Phelan said she was "so sorry" that Mr Molloy had resigned. She said it seemed to be "another example of patient advocates not being listened to".
READ MORE
Big loss
Another cervical cancer campaigner, Stephen Teap, said Mr Molloy's resignation was a "big loss" and pointed to the need for a properly structured campaign for patient representatives.
Fianna Fáil health spokesman Stephen Donnelly said he was "gravely concerned" about the state of the country's maternity services following a "complete failure" by the Government to implement the strategy.
“Not a single extra cent was invested in maternity services in 2019. This is despite clear commitments in the strategy to recruit 500 additional midwives, standardise governance procedures and ensure a safe and quality standard of care for mothers and babies.
“It’s nearly four years now since the Taoiseach launched the strategy amid much fanfare. It has become apparent that this was more about the media opportunity and less about making a real difference to standards and outcomes in the country’s 19 maternity units.”
Resignation
In a statement, the HSE said Mr Molloy had confirmed his resignation to its chairman, Ciaran Devane, on January 7th. Mr Devane had thanked Mr Molloy for his "dedication, hard work and insightful input" on the board, according to a spokeswoman.
Mr Molloy told The Irish Times he felt he could no longer be part of board decisions that were serving to erode the integrity of the work he and his wife Róisín Molloy were doing on behalf of patients.
The Molloys’ son, also Mark, was one of a number of babies who died unnecessarily as a result of failings at Portlaoise hospital, and they have campaigned since for greater accountability and patient representation in the health service.