theirishtimes--2020-08-17--Covid-19 restrictions stopping mail service to Australia, New Zealand

Covid-19 travel restrictions and a reduction in international flights has resulted in Irish residents being unable to send or receive mail from Australia and New Zealand , An Post has said .
“ We , along with our fellow posts globally , have been wrestling with this issue since the start of the Covid crisis and hope soon to be able to restore services .
However , it is impossible to gauge when that might be , ” a spokesman for the company said .
An Post did not have figures for the number of people or the volume of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ given the level of the Irish population in Australia , for example , there is a healthy level of mail between the two countries including so called ‘ care parcels ’ from Ireland to family members in Australia ” .
Several other countries , including France , have resumed postal services to the State but with restrictions in place as a result of the “ complex global situation ” in which transport and logistics networks have been “ seriously impacted ” by the pandemic .
There is currently no parcel service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters , large envelopes and packets are still being accepted .
Sweden is another country where full postal service has not yet been restored .
Mail is currently being accepted for France but there are some restrictions relating to the size of items .
The French post office has told An Post that there are internal delays on all mail and it has limited the size of items to 32cm by 24cm by 24cm .
“ Social distancing is in effect and thus they can not guarantee the delivery of larger items until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An Post said .
For mail to and from Italy , the maximum item weight is 25kg , maximum length is 120cm and maximum of all three dimensions is 150cm .
Several countries , including Lithuania , Latvia , Belgium and Bulgaria are experiencing “ internal delays ” , resulting in a longer delivery time , An Post said .
However , postal services from various countries were being restored all the time .
South Africa , South Korea and Croatia were among a group of about 14 countries to which mail services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same sets of problems as our sister posts across the globe , ” the An Post spokesman said .
“ Each of us [ is ] dealing with a rapidly changing situation as routes come back on line or further Covid restrictions impact on our options .
”

Covid-19 travel restrictions and a reduction in international flights has resulted in Irish residents being unable to send or receive mail from Australia and New Zealand, An Post has said.
“We, along with our fellow posts globally, have been wrestling with this issue since the start of the Covid crisis and hope soon to be able to restore services. However, it is impossible to gauge when that might be,” a spokesman for the company said.
An Post did not have figures for the number of people or the volume of mail affected, but the spokesman added that "given the level of the Irish population in Australia, for example, there is a healthy level of mail between the two countries including so called 'care parcels' from Ireland to family members in Australia".
Several other countries, including France, have resumed postal services to the State but with restrictions in place as a result of the "complex global situation" in which transport and logistics networks have been "seriously impacted" by the pandemic.
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There is currently no parcel service from Ireland to the US, but letters, large envelopes and packets are still being accepted. Sweden is another country where full postal service has not yet been restored. Mail is currently being accepted for France but there are some restrictions relating to the size of items. The French post office has told An Post that there are internal delays on all mail and it has limited the size of items to 32cm by 24cm by 24cm.
“Social distancing is in effect and thus they cannot guarantee the delivery of larger items until these measures have been lifted,” An Post said.
For mail to and from Italy, the maximum item weight is 25kg, maximum length is 120cm and maximum of all three dimensions is 150cm.
Several countries, including Lithuania, Latvia, Belgium and Bulgaria are experiencing "internal delays", resulting in a longer delivery time, An Post said.
However, postal services from various countries were being restored all the time. South Africa, South Korea and Croatia were among a group of about 14 countries to which mail services were recently restored.
“We face the same sets of problems as our sister posts across the globe,” the An Post spokesman said. “Each of us [is] dealing with a rapidly changing situation as routes come back on line or further Covid restrictions impact on our options.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-17--Huge anger in private schools over exclusion from Covid-19 reopening fund

Fee-paying schools have warned the Department of Education that the health of students and staff is being jeopardised by their exclusion from a multimillion euro support package for reopening schools safely .
The 51 private secondary schools in the State will not automatically receive funding for safety measures such as hand sanitiser , cleaning , additional supervision and altering classrooms to comply with physical distancing rules .
A spokesman for the department confirmed that its €375 million Covid-19 response fund was being made available to all schools in the “ free education sector ” .
He said the fee-charging sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it can demonstrate difficulties in implementing necessary control measures outlined in the plan ” .
However , a number of school principals in the fee-paying sector , speaking on condition of anonymity , said there was huge anger over the move , which they said could compromise the health and safety of staff and students .
“ Our parents are taxpayers , our teachers are State-employees , why are they any less worthy of protection than others ?
” asked one principal .
Another said some schools in the fee-charging sector can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra teachers in the absence of State support .
“ We simply don ’ t have piles of spare cash lying around .
Many schools like ours just about get by .
We don ’ t get State funding for capital costs .
We get less funding per student and teacher than the free sector .
We ’ ve had to fundraise for every brick in this building .
” The Joint Managerial Body , which represents most private schools , said it was “ engaged in ongoing dialogue ” with officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private school , which declined to be identified , estimated that the cost of safely reopening to students would be about about €200,000 .
Another principal accused the department of deliberately targeting private schools .
“ Maybe they know that any time we ’ re in the media we get a kicking because there ’ s a perception that we all have lots of money.
” Separately , Minister for Education Norma Foley said significant progress was being made towards a full reopening of schools .
She said almost €160 million had issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minor works , employing support staff to assist with reopening , cleaning costs and the provision of personal protective equipment .
Hundreds of thousands of posters on handwashing , face coverings and other hygiene measures are being sent to schools next week , while induction training videos will be available for for school staff .

Fee-paying schools have warned the Department of Education that the health of students and staff is being jeopardised by their exclusion from a multimillion euro support package for reopening schools safely.
The 51 private secondary schools in the State will not automatically receive funding for safety measures such as hand sanitiser, cleaning, additional supervision and altering classrooms to comply with physical distancing rules.
A spokesman for the department confirmed that its €375 million Covid-19 response fund was being made available to all schools in the “free education sector”.
He said the fee-charging sector could submit an application seeking support “where it can demonstrate difficulties in implementing necessary control measures outlined in the plan”.
READ MORE
However, a number of school principals in the fee-paying sector, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was huge anger over the move, which they said could compromise the health and safety of staff and students.
“Our parents are taxpayers, our teachers are State-employees, why are they any less worthy of protection than others?” asked one principal.
Another said some schools in the fee-charging sector cannot afford to adapt classrooms and find extra teachers in the absence of State support.
“We simply don’t have piles of spare cash lying around. Many schools like ours just about get by. We don’t get State funding for capital costs. We get less funding per student and teacher than the free sector. We’ve had to fundraise for every brick in this building. ”
‘Media kicking’
The Joint Managerial Body, which represents most private schools, said it was “engaged in ongoing dialogue” with officials in the department on these matters.
One private school, which declined to be identified, estimated that the cost of safely reopening to students would be about about €200,000.
Another principal accused the department of deliberately targeting private schools.
“Maybe they know that any time we’re in the media we get a kicking because there’s a perception that we all have lots of money.”
Separately, Minister for Education Norma Foley said significant progress was being made towards a full reopening of schools.
She said almost €160 million had issued to schools in direct funding to cover minor works, employing support staff to assist with reopening, cleaning costs and the provision of personal protective equipment.
Hundreds of thousands of posters on handwashing, face coverings and other hygiene measures are being sent to schools next week, while induction training videos will be available for for school staff.


theirishtimes--2020-08-17--Concerns surface over intimidation on new Royal Canal cycle path

Safety concerns have emerged over the new €9 million Royal Canal cycle path in Dublin ’ s north inner city after cyclists and local residents reported intimidating and threatening behaviour along the route .
The recently opened 750m path runs from an existing path linking the Liffey quays to Sheriff Street , to Newcomen bridge at the North Strand .
Work will begin next year to extend the path along the canal to Ashtown .
John McElligot , who lives near the docklands end of the route , said he wrote to Dublin City Council and contacted gardaí after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and return to the road following an incident .
“ I was delighted with the new path , it ’ s a great way to avoid the awkward junction at the Five Lamps .
But on Sunday there was a group of teenage boys , on foot , spread right across the path , who weren ’ t giving way , and I thought , ‘ do I want to run the gauntlet of this ?
’ ” Mr McElligot ( 73 ) said a friend had a similar experience the day after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of teenagers , this time on bikes , were aggressive and would not let him pass .
“ I did have that in my head as I left the path .
Then I ended up in the thick of traffic , and one feels like such a loser .
This is a wonderful piece of infrastructure and it would be such a shame if this sort of behaviour took hold and we were denied its use.
” Kieran Ryan of the Dublin Cycling Campaign said it was important such problems were addressed quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escalate , potentially jeopardising the development of the rest of the canal greenway .
“ If this behaviour starts to bed in , people will be reluctant to use the greenway and if not enough people are using it , that in itself makes it less safe , ” he said .
“ The next section of the greenway , opposite Croke Park , is even more remote so if that behaviour starts to bed in , it will be a problem.
” Part of the difficulty was in the design of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A lot of residents in adjoining streets backing on to the greenway decided they would prefer if there weren ’ t gaps in the wall .
That means there is a vulnerability that if there is anti-social behaviour , you are in an enclosed space , with nowhere to exit .
“ The only immediate solution is regular Garda patrols to deter people from claiming it as their space.
” Mark Fay , of the Northwall Community Association , said the design of the new path was also causing problems for local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve had quad bikes and scramblers tearing in and out of it and horses using it , ” he said .
Mr Fay said that while fencing has been installed at the backs of some houses , most have been left “ completely exposed ” .
Even where fencing was present it was inadequate .
Gardaí had been informed of an incident where teenagers had climbed into a back garden of one house and confronted the homeowner , said Mr Fay .
“ Some of the electrical power boxes feeding the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unprotected back walls making it easy for anyone to access these houses.
” Mr Fay agreed that a policing plan should be put in place so people are not dissuaded from using the new path .
“ If people start avoiding it other elements will take over.
” The council has installed CCTV along the route that “ directly feeds to An Garda Síochána offices ” , it said .
“ Furthermore , Dublin City Council is engaging with the residents through the central area office and the community liaison garda assigned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealt with.
” A Garda spokeswoman said officers were conducting regular patrols of the area .

Safety concerns have emerged over the new €9 million Royal Canal cycle path in Dublin’s north inner city after cyclists and local residents reported intimidating and threatening behaviour along the route.
The recently opened 750m path runs from an existing path linking the Liffey quays to Sheriff Street, to Newcomen bridge at the North Strand. Work will begin next year to extend the path along the canal to Ashtown.
John McElligot, who lives near the docklands end of the route, said he wrote to Dublin City Council and contacted gardaí after he felt compelled to abandon the new path and return to the road following an incident.
“I was delighted with the new path, it’s a great way to avoid the awkward junction at the Five Lamps. But on Sunday there was a group of teenage boys, on foot, spread right across the path, who weren’t giving way, and I thought, ‘do I want to run the gauntlet of this?’ ”
READ MORE
Mr McElligot (73) said a friend had a similar experience the day after the path opened, when a group of teenagers, this time on bikes, were aggressive and would not let him pass.
“I did have that in my head as I left the path. Then I ended up in the thick of traffic, and one feels like such a loser. This is a wonderful piece of infrastructure and it would be such a shame if this sort of behaviour took hold and we were denied its use.”
Kieran Ryan of the Dublin Cycling Campaign said it was important such problems were addressed quickly so they do not take hold and escalate, potentially jeopardising the development of the rest of the canal greenway.
“If this behaviour starts to bed in, people will be reluctant to use the greenway and if not enough people are using it, that in itself makes it less safe,” he said. “The next section of the greenway, opposite Croke Park, is even more remote so if that behaviour starts to bed in, it will be a problem.”
Part of the difficulty was in the design of the new section, said Mr Ryan.
“A lot of residents in adjoining streets backing on to the greenway decided they would prefer if there weren’t gaps in the wall. That means there is a vulnerability that if there is anti-social behaviour, you are in an enclosed space, with nowhere to exit.
“The only immediate solution is regular Garda patrols to deter people from claiming it as their space.”
Mark Fay, of the Northwall Community Association, said the design of the new path was also causing problems for local residents.
“Since it opened we’ve had quad bikes and scramblers tearing in and out of it and horses using it,” he said.
‘Exposed’ housing
Mr Fay said that while fencing has been installed at the backs of some houses, most have been left “completely exposed”. Even where fencing was present it was inadequate. Gardaí had been informed of an incident where teenagers had climbed into a back garden of one house and confronted the homeowner, said Mr Fay.
“Some of the electrical power boxes feeding the street lights are positioned right up against the unprotected back walls making it easy for anyone to access these houses.”
Mr Fay agreed that a policing plan should be put in place so people are not dissuaded from using the new path. “If people start avoiding it other elements will take over.”
The council has installed CCTV along the route that "directly feeds to An Garda Síochána offices", it said. "Furthermore, Dublin City Council is engaging with the residents through the central area office and the community liaison garda assigned to ensure that all anti-social issues reported are dealt with."
A Garda spokeswoman said officers were conducting regular patrols of the area.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Schools have ‘no legal basis’ to force students to attend religion classes

Schools have no legal basis to compel students to attend religious instruction classes , according to a report to be published this week .
Atheist Ireland has sent a 21-page legal opinion to the Department of Education on the right to opt out of religious instruction under provisions contained in the Constitution .
The group has long maintained that children in many State-funded schools are either forced to attend religious instruction or face obstacles in exercising their right to opt out of these classes .
The legal opinion by barrister James Kane states that pupils have a right to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Constitution .
Mr Kane ’ s view is that schools are obliged to use their State funding to facilitate this right which encompasses , at the very least , the right to leave the classroom during religious instruction while remaining supervised .
The document states that there is “ decent legal argument ” that these pupils must be taught another subject .
The legal opinion also says that the State-approved religion course for Junior Cycle students was shaped with input from religious bodies who , in turn , designed guidelines for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith formation and development .
“ It is impossible in those circumstances to see any justification whatsoever for withholding the right of a student to opt out of such a course , ” it states .
“ Teaching Catholic instruction during the State religion syllabus , without offering a supervised opt out , represents an unlawful , systematic and stark attack on the right to not attend religious instruction in State-funded schools.
” Jane Donnelly of Atheist Ireland said the legal opinion will empower atheist and secular parents to exercise their right for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classes .
“ In the past , most Irish schools simply coerced children to attend these classes .
Since Atheist Ireland highlighted the right to not attend , many schools have instead put obstacles in the way of not attending , ” she said .
Ms Donnelly said in many cases Catholic schools say students can sit at the back of the religion class due to resource shortages , while Education and Training Board schools maintain that students must attend religion class if they are teaching about more than one faith .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have no legal standing .
You have the right to not attend religious instruction , whether it is about one religion or many religions , and your school must at a minimum supervise you and ideally give you another subject within their existing resources , ” she said .
“ This is a constitutional right .
It is not up to schools or even the Department of Education to decide how you exercise it .
Your child does not have to attend classes that you reasonably believe are inconsistent with your atheist or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Catholic schools , however , insist they are highly inclusive and seek to integrate students from all faith traditions and none .
They point to the Economic and Social Research Institute which has found an “ overwhelming majority of parents and students find their schools to be well-managed and welcoming ” .
The department has also said that under the Constitution and the Education Act of 1998 , parents have a right to have their children opt out of religion classes if they wish .
However , State-run secondary schools are refusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting the rights of students who opt out of religious instruction by offering them alternative tuition .
These schools say they do not have resources to provide alternative tuition .
Atheist Ireland said it will continue to assist parents to exercise their constitutional rights in Irish schools as part of its campaign for a secular education system .

Campaigners argue that children in State-funded schools face obstacles exercising their right to opt out of religious instruction. Photograph: iStock
Schools have no legal basis to compel students to attend religious instruction classes, according to a report to be published this week.
Atheist Ireland has sent a 21-page legal opinion to the Department of Education on the right to opt out of religious instruction under provisions contained in the Constitution.
The group has long maintained that children in many State-funded schools are either forced to attend religious instruction or face obstacles in exercising their right to opt out of these classes. The legal opinion by barrister James Kane states that pupils have a right to not attend religious instruction, under article 44.2.4 of the Constitution.
Mr Kane’s view is that schools are obliged to use their State funding to facilitate this right which encompasses, at the very least, the right to leave the classroom during religious instruction while remaining supervised. The document states that there is “decent legal argument” that these pupils must be taught another subject.
READ MORE
The legal opinion also says that the State-approved religion course for Junior Cycle students was shaped with input from religious bodies who, in turn, designed guidelines for the supplementation of this course with Catholic faith formation and development.
“It is impossible in those circumstances to see any justification whatsoever for withholding the right of a student to opt out of such a course,” it states.
“Teaching Catholic instruction during the State religion syllabus, without offering a supervised opt out, represents an unlawful, systematic and stark attack on the right to not attend religious instruction in State-funded schools.”
Jane Donnelly of Atheist Ireland said the legal opinion will empower atheist and secular parents to exercise their right for their children to not attend religious instruction classes.
“In the past, most Irish schools simply coerced children to attend these classes. Since Atheist Ireland highlighted the right to not attend, many schools have instead put obstacles in the way of not attending,” she said.
Ms Donnelly said in many cases Catholic schools say students can sit at the back of the religion class due to resource shortages, while Education and Training Board schools maintain that students must attend religion class if they are teaching about more than one faith.
“This legal opinion shows that these excuses have no legal standing. You have the right to not attend religious instruction, whether it is about one religion or many religions, and your school must at a minimum supervise you and ideally give you another subject within their existing resources,” she said.
“This is a constitutional right. It is not up to schools or even the Department of Education to decide how you exercise it. Your child does not have to attend classes that you reasonably believe are inconsistent with your atheist or humanist convictions.”
Principals in a number of Catholic schools, however, insist they are highly inclusive and seek to integrate students from all faith traditions and none.
They point to the Economic and Social Research Institute which has found an “overwhelming majority of parents and students find their schools to be well-managed and welcoming”.
The department has also said that under the Constitution and the Education Act of 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of religion classes if they wish. However, State-run secondary schools are refusing to implement a department directive aimed at protecting the rights of students who opt out of religious instruction by offering them alternative tuition. These schools say they do not have resources to provide alternative tuition.
Atheist Ireland said it will continue to assist parents to exercise their constitutional rights in Irish schools as part of its campaign for a secular education system.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Face mask rules pose ‘huge challenge’ for autistic pupils

The compulsory wearing of face coverings in secondary schools will make going back to education a major challenge for many young people with autism , a survey has found .
Almost half the respondents to a poll of almost 1,200 parents by the autism charity AsIAm said their children did not understand social distancing , while almost 40 per cent of children could not wear face coverings due to sensory problems .
Under new rules , secondary school students must wear a face covering where physical distancing of 2m is not possible .
While autism is included in the criteria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops and elsewhere , there is no such exclusion in the rules for schools .
Overall , a total of one in 65 children in Irish schools have a diagnosis of autism .
The majority of these students attend mainstream schools , while significant numbers attend special classes within these schools , or attend special schools .
These children typically thrive on structure and routine .
However , the loss of this , together with school-based support , has had a significant impact .
Most parents say their children have experienced a greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
A majority are also anxious about the return to school and almost half reported not receiving support from their school during the lockdown .
Just over three-quarters of families feel their child will need additional support in settling back into school .
However , less than half believe they will receive it .
Adam Harris , AsIAm ’ s chief executive , said schools and families were worried about the lack of clarity around how students with additional needs would be effectively supported this year .
“ Students may become more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confused or distressed by aspects of the new normal such as social distancing and face coverings , ” he said .
Mr Harris said autistic children typically leave the classroom at certain times of the day to access one-to-one teaching or to integrate from their special class into a mainstream class .
However , it is unclear how or if these options will be available in each school this year due to rules that limit the mixing of students .
“ We must ensure that the rights of autistic students to be integrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
Samantha Holman has been preparing her son for the return to school for weeks now – but is getting more worried as the date looms nearer .
Simon ( 16 ) has a diagnosis of autism and also suffers from high levels of anxiety .
Sensory issues mean that he finds it very difficult to wear a face mask for any extended period of time .
“ He does want to wear it ; he understands the reason for it is about protecting other people .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He can ’ t concentrated on anything else or communicate ...
It ’ s like having a insect bite that ’ s very itchy , ” she says .
Ms Holman is also worried about how Simon will cope with rules around physical distancing and limited access to supports .
If these were normal times , he would switch between his mainstream class and a smaller special class during the day .
But it is unclear if he will be able to do this under new rules aimed at limiting the mixing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the one-size-fits-all rules around the return to school do not take enough account of the needs of more vulnerable pupils .
“ The Government policy is all around getting all children back into school building by the start of September .
It ’ s not focusing on what ’ s best for children educationally , ” she says .
“ This will heighten the level of anxiety among children with additional needs and make it much more difficult to support them .
”

The compulsory wearing of face coverings in secondary schools will make going back to education a major challenge for many young people with autism, a survey has found.
Almost half the respondents to a poll of almost 1,200 parents by the autism charity AsIAm said their children did not understand social distancing, while almost 40 per cent of children could not wear face coverings due to sensory problems.
Under new rules, secondary school students must wear a face covering where physical distancing of 2m is not possible. While autism is included in the criteria of exception for wearing face coverings in shops and elsewhere, there is no such exclusion in the rules for schools.
Overall, a total of one in 65 children in Irish schools have a diagnosis of autism. The majority of these students attend mainstream schools, while significant numbers attend special classes within these schools, or attend special schools.
READ MORE
These children typically thrive on structure and routine. However, the loss of this, together with school-based support, has had a significant impact.
Most parents say their children have experienced a greater number of overloads and meltdowns during the crisis. A majority are also anxious about the return to school and almost half reported not receiving support from their school during the lockdown.
Additional support
Just over three-quarters of families feel their child will need additional support in settling back into school. However, less than half believe they will receive it.
Adam Harris, AsIAm's chief executive, said schools and families were worried about the lack of clarity around how students with additional needs would be effectively supported this year.
“Students may become more overwhelmed, experience increased anxiety or be confused or distressed by aspects of the new normal such as social distancing and face coverings,” he said.
Mr Harris said autistic children typically leave the classroom at certain times of the day to access one-to-one teaching or to integrate from their special class into a mainstream class.
However, it is unclear how or if these options will be available in each school this year due to rules that limit the mixing of students.
“We must ensure that the rights of autistic students to be integrated and included are upheld at all costs,” he said.
CASE STUDY: ‘IT’S LIKE HAVING AN INSECT BITE’
Samantha Holman has been preparing her son for the return to school for weeks now – but is getting more worried as the date looms nearer.
Simon (16) has a diagnosis of autism and also suffers from high levels of anxiety. Sensory issues mean that he finds it very difficult to wear a face mask for any extended period of time.
“He does want to wear it; he understands the reason for it is about protecting other people. But it causes real sensory difficulties for him. He can’t concentrate on anything else or communicate ... It’s like having a insect bite that’s very itchy,” she says.
Ms Holman is also worried about how Simon will cope with rules around physical distancing and limited access to supports. If these were normal times, he would switch between his mainstream class and a smaller special class during the day.
But it is unclear if he will be able to do this under new rules aimed at limiting the mixing of students between different groups.
She feels the one-size-fits-all rules around the return to school do not take enough account of the needs of more vulnerable pupils.
“The Government policy is all around getting all children back into school building by the start of September. It’s not focusing on what’s best for children educationally,” she says. “This will heighten the level of anxiety among children with additional needs and make it much more difficult to support them.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Legal action over delayed compensation scheme for people injured in Troubles

A woman who was seriously injured in a bombing 48 years ago is to begin legal action against the Northern government today over delays to a compensation scheme for victims of the Troubles .
Jennifer McNern is taking a judicial review against the Executive Office at Belfast High Court over its failure to implement the legislation to create the scheme .
The provision for an annual payment to people who suffered physical or mental injury “ through no fault of their own ” was introduced by the North ’ s Secretary of State in January , and should have opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scheme remains stalled amid disputes over eligibility and whether the British government or the Northern Executive should pay for it .
Meanwhile , more than 500 people who sustained serious physical and psychological injuries continue to wait for the payments which , depending on the severity of their injuries , will be worth between £2,000 and £10,000 annually .
Ms McNern was 21 when she lost both legs in the bombing of the Abercorn restaurant in central Belfast in 1972 .
Her sister Rosaleen , who was about to be married , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as her right arm and an eye .
Two people , both young women , were killed in the explosion , which was widely blamed on the IRA .
About 70 were injured .
Ms McNern , who as part of the WAVE Injured Group has been a longstanding campaigner for a pension for victims and survivors of the Troubles , said she was “ sad and angry ” that she had had to take legal action and felt they were being treated with “ contempt ” .
“ All we ever wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dignity and not be left as part of the forgotten legacy of the Troubles , ” said Ms McNern .
“ When the legislation was passed at Westminster we thought we had achieved that , but the refusal by the Executive Office to implement the legislation is devastating.
” The North ’ s former Secretary of State , Lord Peter Hain , who is supporting Ms McNern ’ s action , said that she “ should have to go to court to get Executive ministers to do what the law demands is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an end to this political intransigence and the scheme implemented without further delay.
” The UK government on Friday published guidance on eligibility for the scheme , which repeated that those who suffered injury by their own hand while carrying out a paramilitary attack will not be entitled to a payment .
Claimants will also be excluded where there is evidence of continuing paramilitary involvement , as is anyone who has served a prison sentence of more than 30 months , though this can be waived depending on individual circumstances .
The North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Arlene Foster , said it was “ another small step along the road to innocent victims receiving a pension which they rightly deserve ” .
However , Sinn Féin argues the rules could be used to block people from a republican background from qualifying , with the party ’ s MLA Gerry Kelly describing the eligibility criteria as “ exclusionary , discriminatory and unacceptable ” .
Sinn Féin has refused to nominate the Department of Justice to administer the scheme , which is necessary to allow it to begin operation .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loggerheads with the UK government over who should pay for the scheme , with each insisting that it is the other ’ s responsibility .

Jennifer McNern is taking a judicial review against the Executive Office at Belfast High Court over its failure to implement the legislation to create a compensation scheme for people injured during the Troubles. File photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire.
A woman who was seriously injured in a bombing 48 years ago is to begin legal action against the Northern government today over delays to a compensation scheme for victims of the Troubles.
Jennifer McNern is taking a judicial review against the Executive Office at Belfast High Court over its failure to implement the legislation to create the scheme.
The provision for an annual payment to people who suffered physical or mental injury “through no fault of their own” was introduced by the North’s Secretary of State in January, and should have opened for applications on May 29th.
But the scheme remains stalled amid disputes over eligibility and whether the British government or the Northern Executive should pay for it.
READ MORE
Meanwhile, more than 500 people who sustained serious physical and psychological injuries continue to wait for the payments which, depending on the severity of their injuries, will be worth between £2,000 and £10,000 annually.
Ms McNern was 21 when she lost both legs in the bombing of the Abercorn restaurant in central Belfast in 1972. Her sister Rosaleen, who was about to be married, also lost her legs, as well as her right arm and an eye.
Two people, both young women, were killed in the explosion, which was widely blamed on the IRA. About 70 were injured.
‘Contempt’
Ms McNern, who as part of the WAVE Injured Group has been a longstanding campaigner for a pension for victims and survivors of the Troubles, said she was "sad and angry" that she had had to take legal action and felt they were being treated with "contempt".
“All we ever wanted was to be treated with respect and dignity and not be left as part of the forgotten legacy of the Troubles,” said Ms McNern.
“When the legislation was passed at Westminster we thought we had achieved that, but the refusal by the Executive Office to implement the legislation is devastating.”
The North's former Secretary of State, Lord Peter Hain, who is supporting Ms McNern's action, said that she "should have to go to court to get Executive ministers to do what the law demands is a disgrace.
“There needs to be an end to this political intransigence and the scheme implemented without further delay.”
The UK government on Friday published guidance on eligibility for the scheme, which repeated that those who suffered injury by their own hand while carrying out a paramilitary attack will not be entitled to a payment.
Claimants will also be excluded where there is evidence of continuing paramilitary involvement, as is anyone who has served a prison sentence of more than 30 months, though this can be waived depending on individual circumstances.
Small step
The North's first minister, the DUP leader Arlene Foster, said it was "another small step along the road to innocent victims receiving a pension which they rightly deserve".
However, Sinn Féin argues the rules could be used to block people from a republican background from qualifying, with the party's MLA Gerry Kelly describing the eligibility criteria as "exclusionary, discriminatory and unacceptable".
Sinn Féin has refused to nominate the Department of Justice to administer the scheme, which is necessary to allow it to begin operation.
Meanwhile, North’s Executive remains at loggerheads with the UK government over who should pay for the scheme, with each insisting that it is the other’s responsibility.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--‘No harm in taking the road less travelled’

What course did you study and where ?
I work four days a week with Grant Thornton ’ s Dublin office at City Quay , with classes on the other day through Chartered Accountants House on Pearse Street .
I am coming to the end of my first-year of the two-year Accounting Technicians Ireland apprenticeship .
Why did you choose a Further Education course ?
I have a science degree , but in the run-up to my Leaving Cert , I was advised to try for medicine because I could get the points .
It wasn ’ t for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teaching course I undertook gave me a good understanding of our education system .
The Accounting Technicians apprenticeship has been hugely beneficial .
It is an excellent alternative to more traditional academic routes and I get exposure to lots of different areas of accounting .
What has been the highlight for you ?
Learning while gaining industry experience is my perfect combination .
University had shown me how too much theory can ultimately be counter-productive .
Working , earning and learning has been great , there is no end of support , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are lots of employees with similar backgrounds .
There is always someone to share experiences with .
What was the biggest challenge ?
I went to full-time third-level education at 17 .
As someone who benefitted from the Leaving Cert , I am not sure we have done enough to cater for every type of student .
Many can get a real culture shock moving from second-level to third-level .
What would you advise someone thinking of a Further Education course ?
There is no harm in taking the road less travelled – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to do .
It is hard to know in your mid-twenties , let alone at 17 .
Perhaps a more balanced education system with enhanced practical and vocational elements would help .
Career guidance needs to improve , also , I feel .
What is the next step for you ?
My aim is to study further and become a fully-qualified accountant when I complete the second year of my apprenticeship .

Diarmuid O’Connor: “Take the time to find what you want to do.” Photograph: Fintan Clarke Photography.
What course did you study and where?
I work four days a week with Grant Thornton's Dublin office at City Quay, with classes on the other day through Chartered Accountants House on Pearse Street. I am coming to the end of my first-year of the two-year Accounting Technicians Ireland apprenticeship.
Why did you choose a Further Education course?
I have a science degree, but in the run-up to my Leaving Cert, I was advised to try for medicine because I could get the points. It wasn’t for me. Neither was teaching, though a teaching course I undertook gave me a good understanding of our education system. The Accounting Technicians apprenticeship has been hugely beneficial. It is an excellent alternative to more traditional academic routes and I get exposure to lots of different areas of accounting.
READ MORE
What has been the highlight for you?
Learning while gaining industry experience is my perfect combination. University had shown me how too much theory can ultimately be counter-productive. Working, earning and learning has been great, there is no end of support, and at a company like Grant Thornton there are lots of employees with similar backgrounds. There is always someone to share experiences with.
What was the biggest challenge?
I went to full-time third-level education at 17. As someone who benefitted from the Leaving Cert, I am not sure we have done enough to cater for every type of student. Many can get a real culture shock moving from second-level to third-level.
What would you advise someone thinking of a Further Education course?
There is no harm in taking the road less travelled – take the time to find what you want to do. It is hard to know in your mid-twenties, let alone at 17. Perhaps a more balanced education system with enhanced practical and vocational elements would help. Career guidance needs to improve, also, I feel.
What is the next step for you?
My aim is to study further and become a fully-qualified accountant when I complete the second year of my apprenticeship.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--‘Anyone running a business should do it’

What course did you study and where ?
I studied online for the Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma .
Why did you choose a Further Education course ?
I am a numbers person – they ’ re in my DNA – the subjects appealed to me and had practical applications for the north Dublin-based taxi business I ran for 35 years .
My children were getting older and I wanted a new challenge , but couldn ’ t commit to being in class .
What has been the highlight for you ?
There were many lightbulb moments in terms of learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which we could all swap stories , were wonderful .
I remain in awe of my fellow students , most were working full-time and raising young children .
In my case , I bought two desks for the attic , a new computer , and my Junior Cert daughter and I became study buddies .
What was the biggest challenge ?
It was so long since I had written anything longer than a parent ’ s note for a teacher , I couldn ’ t see how I would manage to remember enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you advise someone thinking of a Further Education course ?
The Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma is suited to anyone who wants to pursue a career in accounting , not only those who are starting off in life .
Anyone running a business should do it .
A lot of small and medium business owners are completely focused on running the company and don ’ t really have an understanding of accounts .
What is the next step for you ?
I am now an accounting technician with Clontarf firm Howlin , O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once a client .
I also undertake independent consulting , advising on accounting software and moving from one accounts package to another .
My qualification gives me confidence and credibility .
Instinctively , I was an accounting professional in my business life , but now have the tools of the trade .

Jo Collins: ‘The Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma is suited to anyone who wants to pursue a career in accountancy, not only those who are starting off in life.’ Photograph: Fintan Clarke Photography
What course did you study and where?
I studied online for the Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma.
Why did you choose a Further Education course?
I am a numbers person – they're in my DNA – the subjects appealed to me and had practical applications for the north Dublin-based taxi business I ran for 35 years. My children were getting older and I wanted a new challenge, but couldn't commit to being in class.
What has been the highlight for you?
There were many lightbulb moments in terms of learning, but the student forums, at which we could all swap stories, were wonderful. I remain in awe of my fellow students, most were working full-time and raising young children. In my case, I bought two desks for the attic, a new computer, and my Junior Cert daughter and I became study buddies.
What was the biggest challenge?
It was so long since I had written anything longer than a parent's note for a teacher, I couldn't see how I would manage to remember enough to pass an exam.
READ MORE
What would you advise someone thinking of a Further Education course?
The Accounting Technicians Ireland Diploma is suited to anyone who wants to pursue a career in accounting, not only those who are starting off in life. Anyone running a business should do it. A lot of small and medium business owners are completely focused on running the company and don't really have an understanding of accounts.
What is the next step for you?
I am now an accounting technician with Clontarf firm Howlin, O'Rourke and Co, where I was once a client. I also undertake independent consulting, advising on accounting software and moving from one accounts package to another. My qualification gives me confidence and credibility. Instinctively, I was an accounting professional in my business life, but now have the tools of the trade.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--An A-Z guide for going back to school

An A-Z guide for going back to school

Every year for as long as Pricewatch can remember , we have devoted at least one page each summer to back-to-school issues .
This summer , parents and schoolchildren are facing a return like no other with huge logistical obstacles still to be overcome , and uncertainty and fear everywhere .
While Covid-19 has dominated almost all the back-to-school stories in recent weeks , that does not mean many of the old concerns and issues about high costs and odd policies have gone away as our A to Z illustrates .
Absence : If there was ever proof needed of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heart grow fonder , it can be found in the hearts and minds of children across the country who would – in the normal course of events – be dreading the very thought of returning to school next week .
But today there ’ s little of the seasonal despair as children , deprived of their schools and their friends since the middle of March , are quite literally counting the days until they can go back and fervently hoping that nothing will derail the tentative plans to reopen schools at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For many years now , the starting gun for the back-to-school season has been started by the children ’ s charity with the publication of surveys outlining the costs associated with Ireland ’ s supposedly free education system .
Each year it outlines how hard pressed parents can expect to be and highlight ways the burden could be eased .
Generally speaking the charity ’ s ideas fall on deaf ears in the corridors of power and the costs stay the same or increase slightly .
And so it is again this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the annual survey shifted towards attitudes to returning to school in time of Covid – with as many as one in five parents reluctant to send their kids back at all – the charity also shines a spotlight on costs and have found that back-to-school costs for this year are on average €330-€365 for primary school students and €735 for post-primary students .
Overall costs at primary level are slightly down on last year while costs at post-primary level remain unchanged .
Crests : We understand – sort of – the desire of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but are unconvinced those crests need to be artfully embroidered onto jumpers , coats and tracksuits .
It would make more sense to make crests available via patches that could be sewn or ironed on to clothes .
The effect would be the same but the cost to parents would fall dramatically .
If there are 800,000 children heading back to school this month and just 10 per cent of them moved from crested jumpers to generic ones , the collective savings for parents would be almost €3 million .
And that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you need to chauffeur your kids to school ?
If you live within 1-2km of the school gates , you and them could probably benefit from the daily walk .
And if you live 5km or so , perhaps you could cycle ?
Not only would it be better for you , it would be better for everyone .
When our roads are clear of school-bound traffic , it all flows like a dream .
It might require more organisation and you might have to get out of bed a bit earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ?
Specially now when buses have become such fraught places .
E-books : We still don ’ t know if e-readers and tablets are in the best interests of children .
While they are interactive and light and have been adopted by many schools , they come at a cost .
Parents won ’ t have much change out of €700 , in some instances .
There are also serious question marks as to their educational merit .
A report published last year by the consulting firm McKinsey on the performance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an analysis of data gathered as part of Pisa ( Programme for International Student Assessment ) found that adding one teacher computer per classroom had more than 10 times the impact on improving educational performance than adding a student computer to that same classroom .
Giving students access to e-books , tablets , computers and laptops inside the classroom was associated with significantly lower educational performance in the review .
But there are conflicting views .
Free for all : While the run-up to the start of the school year is very different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , that costs remain the same .
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 , the costs can be horrendous .
More than half a century ago the then minister for education Donogh O ’ Malley announced that free education for all the State ’ s children was to become a constitutional obligation .
Since then , Irish parents have spent more than €20 billion on educating their young , as O ’ Malley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got lost in the mists of time .
And parents have picked up the tab .
Parents of children in second level can expect to spend in excess of €200 with uniforms and clothes and school trips costing the same again .
At primary school level extracurricular activities will be the biggest spend at about €180 with uniforms and clothing costing about €150 with books costing marginally less .
Gaeilge : Undoubtedly the most controversial of the core subjects studied by Irish children .
For the sake of full disclosure , Pricewatch had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject in the 1970s and 1980s and has spent decades questioning the wisdom of forcing students to understand the módh coinníollach or the tuiseal ginideach before allowing them go to university to study English .
But , for the sake of balance , we have to point out that there are many , many people who were enriched by learning the mother tongue and continue to be enriched by it through adulthood .
We are also aware that the curriculum and the standard of teaching of the subject have improved greatly in recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obsessed with homework despite the fact that , by any measure , it is a cruel punishment of questionable educational merit .
Take Finland .
It might be cold and dark and depressed but it has one of the best education systems in the world .
And can homework take the credit ?
No .
Finnish secondary school students do less than 30 minutes ’ homework a day – and many do none at all .
So maybe Ireland should stop blighting its children ’ s lives by making them do ridiculous amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing , or inside playing , or reading books .
They will have plenty of time to be chained to a desk and a laptop when they get older .
Inter Cert : If you still call it this , you are revealing a whole lot about your age like when you recall your grades using only letters .
Jumpers : Wait a minute , where ’ s me jumper but , more importantly , why does it cost so much ?
As we have said earlier , a jumper with a bespoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while a generic one can be bought for less than a tenner .
If just 30,000 – fewer than one-third – of school-age children have to buy such a jumper , the collective savings of a switch to generic jumpers each year would be just under €1 million .
Kit : Along with the uniforms and the books and all the extracurricular activities , parents will also have to stump up for sports gear for children and it doesn ’ t matter what sport a child plays , none of the stuff they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be worth keeping an eye on the middle aisles in the German discounters in the days ahead and this year there will always be Decathlon – at least for those within striking distance of Dublin .
Leaving : This is a year like no other and students who were due to do the Leaving Certificate experienced more stress and upheaval than most .
There was the will it happen , won ’ t it happen palaver of the early stages of the crisis .
Then the poor kids were told they would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and early August .
Then they were told the exams would not happen and they would have to register to receive calculated or predicted grades or wait until the winter to sit exams which would mean they would not be able to apply for third-level places until next year .
On the plus side , the class of 2020 will be spared all the sitting the Leaving unprepared or in a state of undress nightmares that have afflicted the rest of us for the guts of 100 years .
Masks : The days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to communicate with classmates undetected by your teachers are gone , at least for now and at least in secondary schools .
Under guidance from the Department of Education , students and primary and post-primary teachers will have to wear face coverings in class when a physical distance of 2m can not be maintained .
The face coverings worn will have to be reusable and washed daily , says the guidance .
Nerves : Back-to-school time tends to be a nervous time for students but the nervousness this year will be almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus persist .
There has been some slight good news in recent days with a report from the European Centre for Disease Control ( ECDC ) suggesting that reopening of schools in many EU countries has not led to significant increases in community transmission of Covid-19 .
Child-to-child transmission of the disease in schools is uncommon and schools are unlikely to be more effective environments for propagating the virus than other work or leisure settings with similar densities of people , the report states .
Mind you , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The country reopened its schools in late May and , within days , infections were reported at a Jerusalem high school , which quickly mushroomed into the largest outbreak in a single school in Israel , possibly the world .
The virus spread to students ’ homes and other schools and neighbourhoods .
The nerves , then , are entirely understandable .
Overweight : Not the kids , the bags .
The weight of the books is a real issue for Irish children .
A study published a couple of years ago found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children ’ s bags weigh so much that the kids struggle to walk to school with the things on their backs .
While we have sympathy for the children , we have as much sympathy for the parents who , more often than not , end up carrying the damn things .
Points : On one level , the points system we have for allocating college places is cruel and heartless .
And on another it is impartial and entirely egalitarian .
We are conflicted on this one , to be honest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in control of Irish schools ?
The Department of Education right , because it pays the bills ?
Wrong answer .
The reality is most of our schools operate like mini-fiefdoms and even though they are almost entirely funded by the tax payer , boards of management call the shots .
This may ( may ?
?
? )
sound daft but by ceding control of the schools to boards of management generations ago , it meant the Department of Education did not have to deal with staffing issues – other than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other fiddly ( but incredible important ) issues that schools have to manage .
We ’ d like to describe that as a win win but it is more of a win , lose , lose .
The Department of Education wins while the parents and the schools lose .
Rental schemes : They are brilliant .
But by no means universal .
If schoolbook rental schemes were mandatory , parents could save a fortune and the system is simple .
At the beginning of the school year , parents pay a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child gets their textbooks free .
At the end of the year , if the books are returned unblemished , much of the fee can be returned .
It is cheap and simple and would save parents hundreds of millions of euro over the next few years if the State stepped in and managed the scheme like they do in Northern Ireland .
And the savings would just keep coming for ever .
Despite the fact that such schemes make so much sense , many primary-school parents do not have access to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of children in secondary school have no access .
Stress : Say what you like about the summer months but they take much of the hassle out of the typical day .
For two or three months , the requirement to get children dressed , washed , fed and sent out the door with homework , a packed lunch , a recorder , a hurl and gym gear is suspended .
Teachers : When the lockdown happened , many parents , including Pricewatch , assumed that homeschooling would be a breeze .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drew up plans to teach our children Chinese and astrophysics along with all the core subjects while ensuring they did 90 minutes of professional athlete standard exercises every morning , it was .
Then we realised just how hard teaching is and how valuable our teachers are and how much we need them .
Luckily they were there – in a virtual sense – and did all they could to make the lives of our little people better .
They should all get a raise .
Uniforms : They always seem pricey but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aldi and Lidl sell generic polo shirts and white shirts for about €2 for a two-pack while school-going trousers and skirts cost much the same with pinafores costing about €8 and shoes selling for much the same .
Marks & Spencer also sells good value uniforms as do Dunnes and Tesco .
Sadly , these cheap uniforms are not available to many kids as there are still schools that insist on children coming to school in crested uniforms bought in specialist shops .
These uniforms tend to be considerably more expensive than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advocates say the quality of the clothes bought through such channels is higher and that may well be the case but it is hard to argue in favour of spending €40 on a green jumper when a similarly green jumper is selling elsewhere for €4 .
Voluntary contributions : In the normal world , the word “ voluntary ” is defined as something which is “ done , made , brought about , undertaken of one ’ s own accord or by free choice ” .
In the world of the Irish school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many schools continue to put huge pressure on parents to pay up , with constant reminders sent via their children .
Some even go as far as to identify , in front of their classmates , the children of parents who have not paid the contribution .
In many cases , the blame rests with the State .
For too long it has deprived too many schools of the money they need to operate , leaving them with no option but to raise money from other sources .
Workbooks : These have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are used once and discarded .
They are a waste of money , costing at least €10 a pop and are very bad for the environment .
If the past few months of remote learning have taught us nothing else , they have taught us that children do not need workbooks to learn .
X : No , we still can ’ t think of anything meaningful that starts with the letter x and we refuse to shoe-horn something ridiculous like Xerox just to fill the gap , sorry !
Yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it does look like schools will be reopening starting next week and everyone – children , parents and society at large – will have to welcome that .
Zeds : It won ’ t be long before bedtimes return to normal and the grand stretches in the evening that we love so much will be replaced by nights drawing in and then children will go to bed earlier .
But they will also have to get up earlier and so will you .

Every year for as long as Pricewatch can remember, we have devoted at least one page each summer to back-to-school issues. This summer, parents and schoolchildren are facing a return like no other with huge logistical obstacles still to be overcome, and uncertainty and fear everywhere. While Covid-19 has dominated almost all the back-to-school stories in recent weeks, that does not mean many of the old concerns and issues about high costs and odd policies have gone away as our A to Z illustrates.
Absence: If there was ever proof needed of the cliché that absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder, it can be found in the hearts and minds of children across the country who would – in the normal course of events – be dreading the very thought of returning to school next week. But today there's little of the seasonal despair as children, deprived of their schools and their friends since the middle of March, are quite literally counting the days until they can go back and fervently hoping that nothing will derail the tentative plans to reopen schools at the end of the month.
Memories of the first day at school at St Olaf’s NS, Balally Drive, Dundrum, Dublin 16. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Barnardos: For many years now, the starting gun for the back-to-school season has been started by the children's charity with the publication of surveys outlining the costs associated with Ireland's supposedly free education system. Each year it outlines how hard pressed parents can expect to be and highlight ways the burden could be eased. Generally speaking the charity's ideas fall on deaf ears in the corridors of power and the costs stay the same or increase slightly. And so it is again this year. While some of the focus of the annual survey shifted towards attitudes to returning to school in time of Covid – with as many as one in five parents reluctant to send their kids back at all – the charity also shines a spotlight on costs and have found that back-to-school costs for this year are on average €330-€365 for primary school students and €735 for post-primary students. Overall costs at primary level are slightly down on last year while costs at post-primary level remain unchanged.
Crests: We understand – sort of – the desire of some schools to have their own crests but are unconvinced those crests need to be artfully embroidered onto jumpers, coats and tracksuits. It would make more sense to make crests available via patches that could be sewn or ironed on to clothes. The effect would be the same but the cost to parents would fall dramatically. If there are 800,000 children heading back to school this month and just 10 per cent of them moved from crested jumpers to generic ones, the collective savings for parents would be almost €3 million. And that is only on jumpers.
READ MORE
Driving: Do you need to chauffeur your kids to school? If you live within 1-2km of the school gates, you and them could probably benefit from the daily walk. And if you live 5km or so, perhaps you could cycle? Not only would it be better for you, it would be better for everyone. When our roads are clear of school-bound traffic, it all flows like a dream. It might require more organisation and you might have to get out of bed a bit earlier, but wouldn't it be worth it? Specially now when buses have become such fraught places.
There are serious question marks over the educational merit of e-books and tablets. Photograph: iStock
E-books: We still don't know if e-readers and tablets are in the best interests of children. While they are interactive and light and have been adopted by many schools, they come at a cost. Parents won't have much change out of €700, in some instances. There are also serious question marks as to their educational merit. A report published last year by the consulting firm McKinsey on the performance of 15-year-old students across Europe and based on an analysis of data gathered as part of Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment) found that adding one teacher computer per classroom had more than 10 times the impact on improving educational performance than adding a student computer to that same classroom. Giving students access to e-books, tablets, computers and laptops inside the classroom was associated with significantly lower educational performance in the review. But there are conflicting views.
Free for all: While the run-up to the start of the school year is very different in 2020, it is clear, then, that costs remain the same. 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, the costs can be horrendous. More than half a century ago the then minister for education Donogh O'Malley announced that free education for all the State's children was to become a constitutional obligation. Since then, Irish parents have 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. And parents have picked up the tab. Parents of children in second level can expect to spend in excess of €200 with uniforms and clothes and school trips costing the same again. At primary school level extracurricular activities will be the biggest spend at about €180 with uniforms and clothing costing about €150 with books costing marginally less.
Gaeilge: Undoubtedly the most controversial of the core subjects studied by Irish children. For the sake of full disclosure, Pricewatch had a long and difficult relationship with the subject in the 1970s and 1980s and has spent decades questioning the wisdom of forcing students to understand the módh coinníollach or the tuiseal ginideach before allowing them go to university to study English. But, for the sake of balance, we have to point out that there are many, many people who were enriched by learning the mother tongue and continue to be enriched by it through adulthood. We are also aware that the curriculum and the standard of teaching of the subject have improved greatly in recent decades.
Homework: Irish schools are obsessed with homework despite the fact that, by any measure, it is a cruel punishment of questionable educational merit. Take Finland. It might be cold and dark and depressed but it has one of the best education systems in the world. And can homework take the credit? No. Finnish secondary school students do less than 30 minutes' homework a day – and many do none at all. So maybe Ireland should stop blighting its children's lives by making them do ridiculous amounts of homework when they should be outside playing, or inside playing, or reading books. They will have plenty of time to be chained to a desk and a laptop when they get older.
Inter Cert: If you still call it this, you are revealing a whole lot about your age like when you recall your grades using only letters.
Jumpers: Wait a minute, where's me jumper but, more importantly, why does it cost so much? As we have said earlier, a jumper with a bespoke crest can cost as much as €40 while a generic one can be bought for less than a tenner. If just 30,000 – fewer than one-third – of school-age children have to buy such a jumper, the collective savings of a switch to generic jumpers each year would be just under €1 million.
Kit: Along with the uniforms and the books and all the extracurricular activities, parents will also have to stump up for sports gear for children and it doesn't matter what sport a child plays, none of the stuff they will need comes cheap. It will be worth keeping an eye on the middle aisles in the German discounters in the days ahead and this year there will always be Decathlon – at least for those within striking distance of Dublin.
The class of 2020 have been spared all the sitting the Leaving Cert unprepared or in a state of undress nightmares that have afflicted the rest of us for the guts of 100 years.
Leaving: This is a year like no other and students who were due to do the Leaving Certificate experienced more stress and upheaval than most. There was the will it happen, won't it happen palaver of the early stages of the crisis. Then the poor kids were told they would have to sit the exams in late July and early August. Then they were told the exams would not happen and they would have to register to receive calculated or predicted grades or wait until the winter to sit exams which would mean they would not be able to apply for third-level places until next year. On the plus side, the class of 2020 will be spared all the sitting the Leaving unprepared or in a state of undress nightmares that have afflicted the rest of us for the guts of 100 years.
Masks: The days of having to learn ventriloquy if you wanted to communicate with classmates undetected by your teachers are gone, at least for now and at least in secondary schools. Under guidance from the Department of Education, students and primary and post-primary teachers will have to wear face coverings in class when a physical distance of 2m cannot be maintained. The face coverings worn will have to be reusable and washed daily, says the guidance.
Nerves: Back-to-school time tends to be a nervous time for students but the nervousness this year will be almost universal as fears about the impact on the spread of the virus persist. There has been some slight good news in recent days with a report from the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) suggesting that reopening of schools in many EU countries has not led to significant increases in community transmission of Covid-19. Child-to-child transmission of the disease in schools is uncommon and schools are unlikely to be more effective environments for propagating the virus than other work or leisure settings with similar densities of people, the report states. Mind you, the experience in Israel is a concern. The country reopened its schools in late May and, within days, infections were reported at a Jerusalem high school, which quickly mushroomed into the largest outbreak in a single school in Israel, possibly the world. The virus spread to students' homes and other schools and neighbourhoods. The nerves, then, are entirely understandable.
A study found that almost one in three primary school children’s bags weigh so much that the kids struggle to walk to school with the things on their backs. Photograph: iStock
Overweight: Not the kids, the bags. The weight of the books is a real issue for Irish children. A study published a couple of years ago found that almost one in three primary school children's bags weigh so much that the kids struggle to walk to school with the things on their backs. While we have sympathy for the children, we have as much sympathy for the parents who, more often than not, end up carrying the damn things.
Points: On one level, the points system we have for allocating college places is cruel and heartless. And on another it is impartial and entirely egalitarian. We are conflicted on this one, to be honest.
Quality control: Who do you think is in control of Irish schools? The Department of Education right, because it pays the bills? Wrong answer. The reality is most of our schools operate like mini-fiefdoms and even though they are almost entirely funded by the tax payer, boards of management call the shots. This may (may???) sound daft but by ceding control of the schools to boards of management generations ago, it meant the Department of Education did not have to deal with staffing issues – other than paying wages – or ongoing maintenance and the other fiddly (but incredible important) issues that schools have to manage. We'd like to describe that as a win win but it is more of a win, lose, lose. The Department of Education wins while the parents and the schools lose.
Rental schemes: They are brilliant. But by no means universal. If schoolbook rental schemes were mandatory, parents could save a fortune and the system is simple. At the beginning of the school year, parents pay a rental fee to the school and the child gets their textbooks free. At the end of the year, if the books are returned unblemished, much of the fee can be returned. It is cheap and simple and would save parents hundreds of millions of euro over the next few years if the State stepped in and managed the scheme like they do in Northern Ireland. And the savings would just keep coming for ever. Despite the fact that such schemes make so much sense, many primary-school parents do not have access to a book rental scheme and even more parents of children in secondary school have no access.
Stress: Say what you like about the summer months but they take much of the hassle out of the typical day. For two or three months, the requirement to get children dressed, washed, fed and sent out the door with homework, a packed lunch, a recorder, a hurl and gym gear is suspended.
Teachers: When the lockdown happened, many parents, including Pricewatch, assumed that homeschooling would be a breeze. And for the first 20 minutes as we drew up plans to teach our children Chinese and astrophysics along with all the core subjects while ensuring they did 90 minutes of professional athlete standard exercises every morning, it was. Then we realised just how hard teaching is and how valuable our teachers are and how much we need them. Luckily they were there – in a virtual sense – and did all they could to make the lives of our little people better. They should all get a raise.
Back-to-school costs for this year are on average €330-€365 for primary school students and €735 for post-primary students.
Uniforms: They always seem pricey but there are ways to save money. Aldi and Lidl sell generic polo shirts and white shirts for about €2 for a two-pack while school-going trousers and skirts cost much the same with pinafores costing about €8 and shoes selling for much the same. Marks & Spencer also sells good value uniforms as do Dunnes and Tesco. Sadly, these cheap uniforms are not available to many kids as there are still schools that insist on children coming to school in crested uniforms bought in specialist shops. These uniforms tend to be considerably more expensive than the generic options bought in mainstream retailers. Advocates say the quality of the clothes bought through such channels is higher and that may well be the case but it is hard to argue in favour of spending €40 on a green jumper when a similarly green jumper is selling elsewhere for €4.
Voluntary contributions: In the normal world, the word "voluntary" is defined as something which is "done, made, brought about, undertaken of one's own accord or by free choice". In the world of the Irish school, it means something quite different and many schools continue to put huge pressure on parents to pay up, with constant reminders sent via their children. Some even go as far as to identify, in front of their classmates, the children of parents who have not paid the contribution. In many cases, the blame rests with the State. For too long it has deprived too many schools of the money they need to operate, leaving them with no option but to raise money from other sources.
Workbooks: These have been described as the work of the devil. They are used once and discarded. They are a waste of money, costing at least €10 a pop and are very bad for the environment. If the past few months of remote learning have taught us nothing else, they have taught us that children do not need workbooks to learn.
X: No, we still can't think of anything meaningful that starts with the letter x and we refuse to shoe-horn something ridiculous like Xerox just to fill the gap, sorry!
Yes!: At the time of writing, it does look like schools will be reopening starting next week and everyone – children, parents and society at large – will have to welcome that.
Zeds: It won't be long before bedtimes return to normal and the grand stretches in the evening that we love so much will be replaced by nights drawing in and then children will go to bed earlier. But they will also have to get up earlier and so will you.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Man (60s) arrested following ‘sudden death’ of woman in Belfast

A man in his 60s has been arrested following the “ sudden death ” of a woman in south Belfast @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland ( PSNI ) has said .
Detectives from the PSNI ’ s serious @ @ @ @ @ in Windermere Road , in the Four Winds area of Belfast City .
Police said @ @ @ @ @ Sunday evening .
One man in his 60s has been arrested and is currently assisting @ @ @ @ @ A PSNI spokesman said there were no further details at this stage .

Detectives from the PSNI’s serious crime branch attended a house in Windermere Road in Belfast. Photograph: Paul Mcerlane/EPA
A man in his 60s has been arrested following the "sudden death" of a woman in south Belfast, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said.
Detectives from the PSNI’s serious crime branch attended a house in Windermere Road, in the Four Winds area of Belfast City.
Police said that the woman died on Sunday evening.
One man in his 60s has been arrested and is currently assisting police with their enquiries.
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A PSNI spokesman said there were no further details at this stage.


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--NPHET to discuss effect of rise in Covid-19 cases on re-opening of schools

The implications of the increased incidence of Covid-19 on the planned re-opening of schools is among the issues that will be looked at when the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) meets on Monday , the acting Chief Medical Officer has said .
On Saturday there were 200 new cases of Covid-19 reported , the highest number diagnosed in a single day since the beginning of May .
On Sunday a further 66 cases were reported .
Dr Ronan Glynn said it was to be welcomed that Sunday ’ s figure was lower than Saturday ’ s , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,100 new cases had been reported , and NPHET was particularly focused on the trend over time .
“ Our incidence is now running at 23 [ cases ] per hundred thousand of population , ” he said , which was “ a very significant escalation.
” NPHET will hold a formal meeting on Monday where it will review the available data and consider whether to make any additional recommendations to Government .
Earlier on Sunday the Taoiseach Micheál Martin , Tánaiste Leo Varadkar , Green Party leader Eamon Ryan , health minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discuss the recent spike in cases .
A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 is to be held on Tuesday .
Dr Glynn said the priority was to suppress the disease , to ensure that the resumed provision of healthcare services can continue , and to ensure that community transmission is kept as low as possible so schools can re-open in two weeks ’ time .
Asked when interviewed on the 6pm RTÉ TV news if schools might not re-open as scheduled , he said that clearly that topic would be part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The data would be examined , and any recommendations made to Government would be based on evidence and aimed at ensuring that as many people as possible could be kept as safe as possible “ from the virus that is still out there.
” Asked if there might be local lockdowns , he said that there had been new cases of Covid right across the country over the past fortnight .
Clearly there were issues in the Midlands , “ but we are seeing a dispersion of cases in ever county and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we need to consider what needs to be done in that context.
” Asked about the images that were published on social media on Saturday of people dancing and drinking in the Berlin D2 on Dame Lane in Dublin , and not observing the social distancing rules , Dr Glynn said it was not a surprise that people might become complacent but what had occurred on Saturday afternoon had been “ reckless ” .
“ It simply can not be tolerated , ” he said .
Such behaviour put at risk the work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into suppressing the virus .
It was not tolerable that exhausted healthcare workers had to “ wake up this morning and see images like that .
”

Asked if schools might not re-open as scheduled, Dr Ronan Glynn said that clearly that topic would be part of Nphet’s considerations on Monday
The implications of the increased incidence of Covid-19 on the planned re-opening of schools is among the issues that will be looked at when the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) meets on Monday, the acting Chief Medical Officer has said.
On Saturday there were 200 new cases of Covid-19 reported, the highest number diagnosed in a single day since the beginning of May. On Sunday a further 66 cases were reported.
Dr Ronan Glynn said it was to be welcomed that Sunday's figure was lower than Saturday's, but over the past fourteen days almost 1,100 new cases had been reported, and NPHET was particularly focused on the trend over time.
“Our incidence is now running at 23 [cases] per hundred thousand of population,” he said, which was “a very significant escalation.”
READ MORE
NPHET will hold a formal meeting on Monday where it will review the available data and consider whether to make any additional recommendations to Government.
Earlier on Sunday the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, health minister Stephen Donnelly and Dr Glynn met to discuss the recent spike in cases.
A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 is to be held on Tuesday.
Dr Glynn said the priority was to suppress the disease, to ensure that the resumed provision of healthcare services can continue, and to ensure that community transmission is kept as low as possible so schools can re-open in two weeks’ time.
Asked when interviewed on the 6pm RTÉ TV news if schools might not re-open as scheduled, he said that clearly that topic would be part of Nphet’s considerations on Monday.
The data would be examined, and any recommendations made to Government would be based on evidence and aimed at ensuring that as many people as possible could be kept as safe as possible “from the virus that is still out there.”
Asked if there might be local lockdowns, he said that there had been new cases of Covid right across the country over the past fortnight.
Clearly there were issues in the Midlands, “but we are seeing a dispersion of cases in ever county and every region in the country. So we need to consider what needs to be done in that context.”
Asked about the images that were published on social media on Saturday of people dancing and drinking in the Berlin D2 on Dame Lane in Dublin, and not observing the social distancing rules, Dr Glynn said it was not a surprise that people might become complacent but what had occurred on Saturday afternoon had been “reckless”.
“It simply cannot be tolerated,” he said. Such behaviour put at risk the work that the majority of people had put into suppressing the virus.
It was not tolerable that exhausted healthcare workers had to “wake up this morning and see images like that.”


theirishtimes--2020-08-16--Mixed views about conviction of Aaron Brady in his old New York stomping ground

Woodlawn Heights is at the most northerly point of New York City ; an odd-shaped jumble of streets bordered by a park and the Bronx river , and just a stroll away from Yonkers .
Through its centre runs Katonah Avenue ; the nexus of nightlife and most of the locale ’ s businesses .
Against a backdrop of both the US and Irish flags , a mural just off the main avenue reads : “ Welcome to Woodlawn.
” This is a tight-knit community with a high concentration of Irish people ; a smattering of pubs , and shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Chef brown sauce can be found – unlike most of the rest of the city – in abundance .
But it is now inextricably linked to a bitter and stormy night across the Atlantic in January 2013 , when Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead during a robbery at the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan , Co Louth .
His killer , Crossmaglen man Aaron Brady , was on Wednesday convicted of capital murder after having also been found guilty of involvement in the robbery two days before .
Brady ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months after the murder and it was here , in this little enclave , that his inability to keep quiet about his role in the killing ultimately became his own undoing at trial .
Brady was deported by Homeland Security for overstaying his visa in 2017 , leaving behind a wife and baby .
Now , depending on who you talk to , he ’ s either a “ clown , ” an innocent man , or someone who should hang for his crime .
Key testimony for the prosecution in his trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former barman at what was once known as the Coachman ’ s Inn , of the three times he heard Brady confess to the murder .
Fellow prosecution witness Molly Staunton also told the court of hearing Brady talk about his guilt of having murdered the garda .
As a result , up and down this nine-block avenue , Brady ’ s profile grew .
But for all his perceived notoriety and bluster , getting people to talk about him is a challenge .
The advice of some of the bar staff who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply do not want to .
One pub owner , a local of over 40 years , had never heard of the man ; a patron at another bar said he only heard of Brady on a visit home to Ireland .
On Friday night , the pavements outside the pubs of Katonah Avenue , which Brady frequented before his arrest , were bustling as New York creaked back to life amid looser restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic .
Irish-American Dennis O ’ Connor , enjoying a sunset drink outside the Just One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time following his arrest in 2017 .
But he said he followed snippets and updates about the trial every few days as it unfolded , and over the past week would check the news to see the outcome .
“ That ’ s what I heard ; that he was a bit of a clown , ” he said of Brady ’ s foolhardiness in blurting out what he had done to people in the area .
“ After he got arrested , people would say ‘ oh , was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit of a buzz around it .
And then people would say that he seemed like he was a bit of a fool.
” But then there are those for whom Wednesday ’ s conviction was a miscarriage of justice .
Outside Behan ’ s Public House , when asked about the case , one patron simply said : “ Aaron Brady is innocent.
” “ He knows ; he ’ s clued in , ” said another .
When pressed on this , the conversation was swiftly shut down by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there would be no comment .
It ’ s that kind of atmosphere that makes it easier to understand why so many of the other people alleged to have been privy to Brady ’ s confessions never testified .
They are , it has been reported , ” terrified ” .
Reached by telephone on Thursday , Daniel Cahill declined to be interviewed .
Up at The Avenue bar , however , Brady is again referred to as a “ clown ” by one patron who says he had “ the displeasure of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago .
He insists that Brady is not emblematic of the neighbourhood .
“ Put it this way ; we ’ re all happy with the verdict , ” he said .
“ We ’ re all good people here .
Nobody was supporting this animal here .
”

Woodlawn Heights is at the most northerly point of New York City; an odd-shaped jumble of streets bordered by a park and the Bronx river, and just a stroll away from Yonkers. Through its centre runs Katonah Avenue; the nexus of nightlife and most of the locale's businesses.
Against a backdrop of both the US and Irish flags, a mural just off the main avenue reads: “Welcome to Woodlawn.” This is a tight-knit community with a high concentration of Irish people; a smattering of pubs, and shops and delis where Tayto crisps and bottles of Chef brown sauce can be found – unlike most of the rest of the city – in abundance.
But it is now inextricably linked to a bitter and stormy night across the Atlantic in January 2013, when Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead during a robbery at the Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth. His killer, Crossmaglen man Aaron Brady, was on Wednesday convicted of capital murder after having also been found guilty of involvement in the robbery two days before.
After he got arrested, people would say 'oh, was that the garda guy'...there was a little bit of a buzz around it. And then people would say that he seemed like he was a bit of a fool
Brady ended up settling in New York just three months after the murder and it was here, in this little enclave, that his inability to keep quiet about his role in the killing ultimately became his own undoing at trial. Brady was deported by Homeland Security for overstaying his visa in 2017, leaving behind a wife and baby.
READ MORE
Now, depending on who you talk to, he’s either a “clown,” an innocent man, or someone who should hang for his crime.
Key testimony for the prosecution in his trial was provided by Daniel Cahill, a former barman at what was once known as the Coachman's Inn, of the three times he heard Brady confess to the murder. Fellow prosecution witness Molly Staunton also told the court of hearing Brady talk about his guilt of having murdered the garda.
As a result, up and down this nine-block avenue, Brady's profile grew. But for all his perceived notoriety and bluster, getting people to talk about him is a challenge. The advice of some of the bar staff who work along this street is that people simply do not want to. One pub owner, a local of over 40 years, had never heard of the man; a patron at another bar said he only heard of Brady on a visit home to Ireland.
On Friday night, the pavements outside the pubs of Katonah Avenue, which Brady frequented before his arrest, were bustling as New York creaked back to life amid looser restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Irish-American Dennis O’Connor, enjoying a sunset drink outside the Just One Tavern, only heard of Brady for the first time following his arrest in 2017. But he said he followed snippets and updates about the trial every few days as it unfolded, and over the past week would check the news to see the outcome.
So many of the other people alleged to have been privy to Brady's confessions never testified. They are, it has been reported, "terrified"
“That’s what I heard; that he was a bit of a clown,” he said of Brady’s foolhardiness in blurting out what he had done to people in the area. “After he got arrested, people would say ‘oh, was that the garda guy’...there was a little bit of a buzz around it. And then people would say that he seemed like he was a bit of a fool.”
But then there are those for whom Wednesday’s conviction was a miscarriage of justice. Outside Behan’s Public House, when asked about the case, one patron simply said: “Aaron Brady is innocent.”
“He knows; he’s clued in,” said another. When pressed on this, the conversation was swiftly shut down by a third man, who sternly said there would be no comment.
It’s that kind of atmosphere that makes it easier to understand why so many of the other people alleged to have been privy to Brady’s confessions never testified. They are, it has been reported, ”terrified”.
Reached by telephone on Thursday, Daniel Cahill declined to be interviewed.
Up at The Avenue bar, however, Brady is again referred to as a “clown” by one patron who says he had “the displeasure of sharing a taxi with him” once years ago.
He insists that Brady is not emblematic of the neighbourhood.
“Put it this way; we’re all happy with the verdict,” he said. “We’re all good people here. Nobody was supporting this animal here.”