theirishtimes--2020-01-09--Push to create new sources of protein to feed growing world

The creation of new sources of protein is a global priority as world population moves closer to the 10 billion mark and food production comes under increased strain due to the effects of climate change and a decline of nature systems .
A new generation of protein-rich foods is set to emerge soon , and would mark a significant , and somewhat controversial , move away from dairy and beef products – which currently dominate Irish production .
If successful it is likely to also lead to a dramatic change in human diets , especially in the developed world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( UCC ) , working in partnership with Teagasc , pasta giant Barilla , brewer AB InBev , Glanbia Ireland and other international partners , expects to have a new range of vegan foods and ingredients on the market by 2025 .
The Smart Protein Project , the only one of its kind in the world , will use byproducts from beer , pasta and bread-making such as crusts , spent yeast and barley rootlets .
These will be combined with fungi to create single-cell proteins .
These microproteins , which are cheap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ natural resources , are to be mixed with other plant proteins derived mainly from fava beans , lentils , chickpeas and quinoa .
The vegan foods ultimately produced are expected to include alternative meats , seafoods , dairy products and infant formula – all items consumers indicated they lacked in purchasing options when surveyed by the project team .
In total the initiative involves more than 30 partners in 21 countries .
It will begin work this month with a budget of €9.6 million , of which €8.2 million is European Commission support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest comes from industry partners .
The team is being led and co-ordinated by food scientist Dr Emanuele Zannini based at UCC ’ s school of food and nutritional sciences .
“ The combination of plants , fungi and microprotein ingredients will allow us to develop an innovative , highly nutritious range of food and beverage products that will appeal to consumers , particularly meat eaters and flexitarians , in terms of structure , flavour , taste and price , ” he believes .
One of the team ’ s key challenges , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand the functionality , structure and biology of protein .
“ It ’ s basically a reverse engineering project .
To work backwards from what we have in terms of animal proteins , to look at the building bricks of those .
And then to rebuild using new bricks from plants and micro-organisms in yeasts , mushrooms and mushroom byproducts.
” At the same time researchers must ensure the proteins are cost effective , use local materials and do not compromise human gut microbiota ; “ what we now call the second brain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the research would be about new food science and how much about applying known science at industry scale , he says the ratio would be about 20:80 .
“ We have to take all our learning out of the lab and make sure it can be applied on an industrial scale .
That ’ s why it is so important to be working with major food industry companies as partners.
” The partners are also the source of raw materials .
Known for pasta-making , Barilla is an industrial baker .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bran .
Those will be used to create “ growth medium ” ( a nutritious liquid ) for the microprotein fermentation process , says Barilla food engineer , Ricardo Giancarlo .
“ And we will be doing the southern European market product tests for the new ingredients in our pastas , breads and sauces.
” AB InBev will provide spent yeast and malt rootlets that will be used , respectively , as a microprotein source and for texture .
On the plant side , crop trails in Ireland and Portugal will be managed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are the agronomy lead for the project .
No pressure , ” said Beotanics chief executive and founder Pat Fitzgerald .
“ We ’ ll be managing that in two different climates , ” Fitzgerald adds .
The commercial-scale tests will involve quinoa , lentil and fava beans in Ireland , and chickpeas , lentils , quinoa and fava beans in Portugal .
Beotanics , which employs about 100 workers in Ireland and Portugal and is in the midst of a €1 million expansion , was invited to join the project thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from new crops .
Those include yacon , wasabi , sweet potatoes and , more recently , yam and taro .
Outlining Teagasc ’ s role , Prof Catherine Stanton says she and colleague Prof Song Miao will be looking at the sensory acceptance ( taste , texture , smell ) and health benefits of the smart protein foods and ingredients , and comparing them to existing products .
“ For example , comparing a smart protein-based protein powder with an existing whey-based one to see that it ’ s as good as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all aspects .
From taste and structure to the nutrient bioavailability.
” Glanbia Ireland was somewhat tight-lipped about its role .
An emailed response said the project was an opportunity to access “ world class research ” that complements its gluten-free oat investments and ongoing research into premium grains and Andean quinoa .
Bord Bia declined to comment on what it would mean for Ireland ’ s food leadership position globally , especially in dairy and beef sectors .
In an emailed response , meat and livestock sector manager Joe Burke said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ milk has the joint-lowest carbon footprint across all of the member states , and that Ireland has the fifth lowest emissions per kilo when it comes to beef.
” Reaction in farming quarters was stronger .
General secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers ’ Association Eddie Punch wonders why the EU “ would put funding into an Irish research project when its outcome is to undermine the very livestock farming which utilises our abundant rain and capitalises on our ability to grow grass ” .
Punch adds : “ The notion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or other plant-based foods is a dubious one.
” He further suggested sluggish beef demand and current low prices ( about €3.45 per kilo as opposed to a viable €5 per kilo ) might partly be linked to “ anti-meat propaganda ” .
Off the record others in the farming sector were even more critical , with some asking if the project is part of a plot against beef and dairy .
It is hard to ignore the fact smart protein is about to land at a time when the high-volume farming required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protein products is increasingly in the spotlight .
While environmental criticisms , particularly as a consequence of the expanding national dairy herd ( currently at 1.6 million head ) are dominating discourse about the future of agriculture , a welfare issue is also being raised – the so-called “ calf tsunami ” whereby this year dairy cows will give birth to some 800,000 male calves that are of relatively little value .
Properly caring for so many young animals , most of which are removed from their mothers almost immediately after birth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and welfare organisations fear that could be exacerbated by falling commercial demand for the bull calves .
“ About 40 per cent of male dairy calves had been going to the beef industry , but prices have collapsed and demand is very low , ” said Teagasc senior animal welfare research officer Dr Laura Boyle .
Calf welfare is “ a huge issue for the dairy sector , its farmers and consumers ” , she adds .
The other outlet – live exports – is compromised too by saturation , logistic and welfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is the risk ferry companies will limit or refuse calf shipments because of consumer concerns .
Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chief executive Dr Andrew Kelly supports efforts to develop alternative proteins and highlights dairy sustainability concerns .
“ Is it sustainable to have this many male calves ?
No .
Are the levels of lameness and mastitis [ in the dairy herd ] acceptable ?
No .
Farmer welfare is that good ?
No .
And all of that is in a context where dairy profits are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018.
” Replying to suggestions smart proteins might seem anti-meat or dairy , Zannini says researching new ways to produce food from microbes and plants was “ not against anything ” .
Instead a key goal is to offer farmers “ an innovative , plant-forward , economically and environmentally sustainable business model that helps them diversify production systems ” .
No more , no less .

Beer byproducts are set to be part of the a new generation of protein foods and ingredients
The creation of new sources of protein is a global priority as world population moves closer to the 10 billion mark and food production comes under increased strain due to the effects of climate change and a decline of nature systems.
A new generation of protein-rich foods is set to emerge soon, and would mark a significant, and somewhat controversial, move away from dairy and beef products – which currently dominate Irish production.
If successful it is likely to also lead to a dramatic change in human diets, especially in the developed world.
A team based at University College Cork (UCC), working in partnership with Teagasc, pasta giant Barilla, brewer AB InBev, Glanbia Ireland and other international partners, expects to have a new range of vegan foods and ingredients on the market by 2025.
READ MORE
The Smart Protein Project, the only one of its kind in the world, will use byproducts from beer, pasta and bread-making such as crusts, spent yeast and barley rootlets. These will be combined with fungi to create single-cell proteins. These microproteins, which are cheap, easy to produce and need minimal natural resources, are to be mixed with other plant proteins derived mainly from fava beans, lentils, chickpeas and quinoa.
The vegan foods ultimately produced are expected to include alternative meats, seafoods, dairy products and infant formula – all items consumers indicated they lacked in purchasing options when surveyed by the project team.
In total the initiative involves more than 30 partners in 21 countries. It will begin work this month with a budget of €9.6 million, of which €8.2 million is European Commission support via Horizon 2020 research funding. The rest comes from industry partners.
Taste and price
The team is being led and co-ordinated by food scientist Dr Emanuele Zannini based at UCC's school of food and nutritional sciences. "The combination of plants, fungi and microprotein ingredients will allow us to develop an innovative, highly nutritious range of food and beverage products that will appeal to consumers, particularly meat eaters and flexitarians, in terms of structure, flavour, taste and price," he believes.
One of the team’s key challenges, he adds, will be to better understand the functionality, structure and biology of protein.
“It’s basically a reverse engineering project. To work backwards from what we have in terms of animal proteins, to look at the building bricks of those. And then to rebuild using new bricks from plants and micro-organisms in yeasts, mushrooms and mushroom byproducts.”
At the same time researchers must ensure the proteins are cost effective, use local materials and do not compromise human gut microbiota; “what we now call the second brain”, says Zannini.
Asked how much of the research would be about new food science and how much about applying known science at industry scale, he says the ratio would be about 20:80.
“We have to take all our learning out of the lab and make sure it can be applied on an industrial scale. That’s why it is so important to be working with major food industry companies as partners.”
Raw materials
The partners are also the source of raw materials. Known for pasta-making, Barilla is an industrial baker. Its inputs will include crusts and wheat bran. Those will be used to create "growth medium" (a nutritious liquid) for the microprotein fermentation process, says Barilla food engineer, Ricardo Giancarlo. "And we will be doing the southern European market product tests for the new ingredients in our pastas, breads and sauces."
AB InBev will provide spent yeast and malt rootlets that will be used, respectively, as a microprotein source and for texture.
On the plant side, crop trails in Ireland and Portugal will be managed by Kilkenny-based plant specialist Beotanics. "We are the agronomy lead for the project. No pressure," said Beotanics chief executive and founder Pat Fitzgerald.
“We’ll be managing that in two different climates,” Fitzgerald adds. The commercial-scale tests will involve quinoa, lentil and fava beans in Ireland, and chickpeas, lentils, quinoa and fava beans in Portugal.
Beotanics, which employs about 100 workers in Ireland and Portugal and is in the midst of a €1 million expansion, was invited to join the project thanks to its international experience in exploiting opportunities from new crops. Those include yacon, wasabi, sweet potatoes and, more recently, yam and taro.
Outlining Teagasc's role, Prof Catherine Stanton says she and colleague Prof Song Miao will be looking at the sensory acceptance (taste, texture, smell) and health benefits of the smart protein foods and ingredients, and comparing them to existing products.
“For example, comparing a smart protein-based protein powder with an existing whey-based one to see that it’s as good as, or better, than the original in all aspects. From taste and structure to the nutrient bioavailability.”
Mixed reaction
Glanbia Ireland was somewhat tight-lipped about its role. An emailed response said the project was an opportunity to access “world class research” that complements its gluten-free oat investments and ongoing research into premium grains and Andean quinoa.
Bord Bia declined to comment on what it would mean for Ireland's food leadership position globally, especially in dairy and beef sectors. In an emailed response, meat and livestock sector manager Joe Burke said: "EU Commission research suggests Irish milk has the joint-lowest carbon footprint across all of the member states, and that Ireland has the fifth lowest emissions per kilo when it comes to beef."
Reaction in farming quarters was stronger. General secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association Eddie Punch wonders why the EU "would put funding into an Irish research project when its outcome is to undermine the very livestock farming which utilises our abundant rain and capitalises on our ability to grow grass".
Punch adds: “The notion farmers could make money growing protein crops or other plant-based foods is a dubious one.”
He further suggested sluggish beef demand and current low prices (about €3.45 per kilo as opposed to a viable €5 per kilo) might partly be linked to “anti-meat propaganda”.
This year dairy cows will give birth to some 800,000 male calves that are of relatively little value
Off the record others in the farming sector were even more critical, with some asking if the project is part of a plot against beef and dairy. It is hard to ignore the fact smart protein is about to land at a time when the high-volume farming required to meet consumer demand for cheap animal protein products is increasingly in the spotlight.
While environmental criticisms, particularly as a consequence of the expanding national dairy herd (currently at 1.6 million head) are dominating discourse about the future of agriculture, a welfare issue is also being raised – the so-called “calf tsunami” whereby this year dairy cows will give birth to some 800,000 male calves that are of relatively little value.
Properly caring for so many young animals, most of which are removed from their mothers almost immediately after birth, is a challenge in itself. Farming and welfare organisations fear that could be exacerbated by falling commercial demand for the bull calves.
"About 40 per cent of male dairy calves had been going to the beef industry, but prices have collapsed and demand is very low," said Teagasc senior animal welfare research officer Dr Laura Boyle.
Calf welfare is “a huge issue for the dairy sector, its farmers and consumers”, she adds. The other outlet – live exports – is compromised too by saturation, logistic and welfare issues. Moreover, Boyle points out there is the risk ferry companies will limit or refuse calf shipments because of consumer concerns.
Male calves
Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chief executive Dr Andrew Kelly supports efforts to develop alternative proteins and highlights dairy sustainability concerns.
“Is it sustainable to have this many male calves? No. Are the levels of lameness and mastitis [in the dairy herd] acceptable? No. Farmer welfare is that good? No. And all of that is in a context where dairy profits are reported to be down 28 per cent in 2018.”
Replying to suggestions smart proteins might seem anti-meat or dairy, Zannini says researching new ways to produce food from microbes and plants was “not against anything”.
Instead a key goal is to offer farmers “an innovative, plant-forward, economically and environmentally sustainable business model that helps them diversify production systems”. No more, no less.


theirishtimes--2020-01-10--‘Being a contractor, time is money . . . you can become a bit oblivious to the risks’

When Robert Bradshaw slipped off a wall on a Co Cork building site in 2014 , it would be seven months before he made it home from hospital .
Even today , he says , it is a struggle to accept he will never walk again .
“ I was of the mindset that it will never happen to me , ” he says of the kind of workplace incident that everyone is warned about in a health and safety culture .
He avoided death but the consequences have been profound .
“ [ My family ] have been affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physical at the start but it became mental very quickly.
” Today , Mr Bradshaw ( 52 ) dedicates his time to giving talks on safety , travelling to building sites as the embodiment of what might happen when all the official warnings fail to get through .
He says his arrival in a wheelchair is a stark illustration before he even begins to tell his story but he is experienced enough to know that many building site workers – he was one of them – do not pay enough attention .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you are anxious to get back out on site and you can become a bit oblivious to the risks , ” he says .
“ You don ’ t get paid until the job is finished.
” Mr Bradshaw did not lack experience either .
For 30 years he had worked on sites as a welding and fabricating contractor without an accident .
He regularly worked at heights above the 2.5 metres that ultimately led to his paralysis .
He remembers falling and having no time to turn before hitting the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fracturing two vertebrae .
Emergency surgery was carried out to relieve the pressure and reduce swelling but it was quickly apparent he had no feeling below the waist .
He did not give up .
Doctors dispatched him to rehabilitation but as the months passed it became clear he would not leave his wheelchair .
“ Up to today that ’ s my story , ” he says .
“ I go around and do health and safety speeches on sites and the bigger companies bring me in to tell my story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to me .
I would say some do , some don ’ t. ” The HSA figures do not surprise him , he says .
When people are working at lower , still dangerous heights , they are more likely to be careless .
“ My message when I speak is : when you go out in the morning , for your wife and your kids the onus is on you to come home the same way , safe and sound .
”

When Robert Bradshaw slipped off a wall on a Co Cork building site in 2014, it would be seven months before he made it home from hospital. Even today, he says, it is a struggle to accept he will never walk again.
“I was of the mindset that it will never happen to me,” he says of the kind of workplace incident that everyone is warned about in a health and safety culture. He avoided death but the consequences have been profound.
“[My family] have been affected too by my accident. It was physical at the start but it became mental very quickly.”
Today, Mr Bradshaw (52) dedicates his time to giving talks on safety, travelling to building sites as the embodiment of what might happen when all the official warnings fail to get through.
READ MORE
He says his arrival in a wheelchair is a stark illustration before he even begins to tell his story but he is experienced enough to know that many building site workers – he was one of them – do not pay enough attention.
“Being a contractor, time is money and you are anxious to get back out on site and you can become a bit oblivious to the risks,” he says. “You don’t get paid until the job is finished.”
Fractured vertebrae
Mr Bradshaw did not lack experience either. For 30 years he had worked on sites as a welding and fabricating contractor without an accident. He regularly worked at heights above the 2.5 metres that ultimately led to his paralysis.
He remembers falling and having no time to turn before hitting the ground. He landed straight on his back, fracturing two vertebrae. Emergency surgery was carried out to relieve the pressure and reduce swelling but it was quickly apparent he had no feeling below the waist.
He did not give up. Doctors dispatched him to rehabilitation but as the months passed it became clear he would not leave his wheelchair.
“Up to today that’s my story,” he says. “I go around and do health and safety speeches on sites and the bigger companies bring me in to tell my story in the hope that people might listen to me. I would say some do, some don’t.”
The HSA figures do not surprise him, he says. When people are working at lower, still dangerous heights, they are more likely to be careless.
“My message when I speak is: when you go out in the morning, for your wife and your kids the onus is on you to come home the same way, safe and sound.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-10--About 1,000 school secretaries to strike on Friday

Some 1,000 school secretaries are to stage a one-day strike on Friday as part of a resumed campaign of industrial action over a controversial two-tier pay system .
The trade union Fórsa said the stoppage would be followed by a resumption of a work-to-rule by school secretaries which was suspended last October to facilitate discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission .
Minister for Education Joe McHugh on Thursday appealed to the union to defer the planned industrial action and to re-engage in talks .
The union said under the existing two-tier pay system most school secretaries earned just €12,500 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that forced them to sign on during the summer holidays and other school breaks .
The union said that while a minority of school secretaries were directly employed by the Department of Education and had public service employment status , the majority had their pay and conditions determined by school management boards .
Fórsa said it represented more than half of the estimated 2,000 school secretaries employed directly by their school ’ s board of management and paid from the school ’ s ancillary grant .
As part of the work-to-rule , school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public service systems and databases .
The union said they would also refuse to carry out the functions of public servants .
“ This is because they have repeatedly been refused public service pay and conditions over the last four decades.
” The Minister said : “ The Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are reflecting on the latest discussions .
But we are disappointed that the union is pushing ahead with industrial action which will impact on the day-to-day operation of schools , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs assistants .
“ I am appealing to Fórsa to reconsider their decision , to defer their action and to re-engage with the two departments at the Workplace Relations Commission .
We are fully open to further dialogue with Fórsa .
The only way this situation will be resolved is with the help of the Workplace Relations Commission.
” Talks aimed at resolving the issue commenced at the commission last October but ended unsuccessfully in December .
Fórsa head of education Andy Pike said the Department of Education had failed to bring forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the issue .
“ The offer to school secretaries was 1.5 per cent .
An offer we can only describe as insulting.
” Unions representing teachers are backing the Fórsa strike , however school classes are expected to operate as normal .

The union said under the existing two-tier pay system most school secretaries earned just €12,500 a year. File photograph: The Irish Times
Some 1,000 school secretaries are to stage a one-day strike on Friday as part of a resumed campaign of industrial action over a controversial two-tier pay system.
The trade union Fórsa said the stoppage would be followed by a resumption of a work-to-rule by school secretaries which was suspended last October to facilitate discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh on Thursday appealed to the union to defer the planned industrial action and to re-engage in talks.
The union said under the existing two-tier pay system most school secretaries earned just €12,500 a year, with irregular, short-term contracts that forced them to sign on during the summer holidays and other school breaks.
READ MORE
The union said that while a minority of school secretaries were directly employed by the Department of Education and had public service employment status, the majority had their pay and conditions determined by school management boards.
Fórsa said it represented more than half of the estimated 2,000 school secretaries employed directly by their school’s board of management and paid from the school’s ancillary grant.
As part of the work-to-rule, school secretaries are expected to withdraw from work on public service systems and databases.
The union said they would also refuse to carry out the functions of public servants.
“This is because they have repeatedly been refused public service pay and conditions over the last four decades.”
Ministerial response
The Minister said: "The Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are reflecting on the latest discussions. But we are disappointed that the union is pushing ahead with industrial action which will impact on the day-to-day operation of schools, including potentially the pay of teachers and special needs assistants.
“I am appealing to Fórsa to reconsider their decision, to defer their action and to re-engage with the two departments at the Workplace Relations Commission. We are fully open to further dialogue with Fórsa. The only way this situation will be resolved is with the help of the Workplace Relations Commission.”
Talks aimed at resolving the issue commenced at the commission last October but ended unsuccessfully in December.
Fórsa head of education Andy Pike said the Department of Education had failed to bring forward any proposals on pay capable of resolving the issue.
“The offer to school secretaries was 1.5 per cent. An offer we can only describe as insulting.”
Unions representing teachers are backing the Fórsa strike, however school classes are expected to operate as normal.


theirishtimes--2020-01-10--Building site deaths more than doubled last year

Deaths on construction sites will continue to increase unless smaller employers stop “ cutting corners ” , the Health and Safety Authority ( HSA ) has said .
The body that investigates workplace incidents has revealed the number of fatalities on building sites more than doubled last year with falls from heights the leading cause .
“ While the message seems to have got through to big construction firms who have improved standards around worker safety , what we are seeing is self-employed and smaller building companies not realising their duty and responsibility to staff , and cutting corners when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said HSA chief executive Dr Sharon McGuinness .
Publishing provisional data for 2019 on Friday , Dr McGuinness predicted incidents and deaths would continue to rise until there was a change of mindset .
“ Most deaths are preventable .
Generally , incidents occur when safety shortcuts are taken .
But the mentality of placing people ’ s lives in peril in the race to finish a job – or save money – needs to stop .
Lives depend on it.
” Figures for the year show there were 46 workplace deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase on 2018 ( 39 ) and the end of a downward trend since 2015 .
Co Wexford recorded seven deaths , the highest per county .
While agriculture continues to be the most dangerous environment , construction has recorded the largest increase – 12 deaths compared to five the previous year .
Construction numbers last spiked at 11 in 2015 when falls from heights were again the main cause .
Since 2008 there has been an average of nine deaths per year in the industry .
Last July , the Construction Industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to promote site safety – said it believed the sector was on course to record its safest ever year with just two fatalities at that point .
However , a sudden increase in incidents followed – the HSA said 75 per cent of deaths occurred in the second half of the year .
A further 940 “ non-fatal incidents and dangerous occurrences ” were reported to the authority by the sector .
The rate of construction fatalities had increased “ considerably ” from 3.5 per 100,000 employed to about 8.2 per 100,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGuinness said working at height would be the focus of its safety campaign during 2020 .
Despite the worrying trend in construction , agriculture remains the most dangerous working environment with 18 deaths , despite ongoing campaigning in the farming sector in particular .
Almost three quarters of these involved people aged 60 and over , reflecting the older generation in the sector .
Dr McGuinness appealed to them to “ recognise their limitations as they age ” .
“ Farmers think it ’ ll never happen to them but sadly as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few seconds for a serious injury or death to occur .
”

Figures for the year show there were 46 workplace deaths of all kinds, an 18% increase on 2018 (39) and the end of a downward trend since 2015. Photograph: iStock
Deaths on construction sites will continue to increase unless smaller employers stop “cutting corners”, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has said.
The body that investigates workplace incidents has revealed the number of fatalities on building sites more than doubled last year with falls from heights the leading cause.
“While the message seems to have got through to big construction firms who have improved standards around worker safety, what we are seeing is self-employed and smaller building companies not realising their duty and responsibility to staff, and cutting corners when it comes to health and safety,” said HSA chief executive Dr Sharon McGuinness.
Publishing provisional data for 2019 on Friday, Dr McGuinness predicted incidents and deaths would continue to rise until there was a change of mindset.
READ MORE
“Most deaths are preventable. Generally, incidents occur when safety shortcuts are taken. But the mentality of placing people’s lives in peril in the race to finish a job – or save money – needs to stop. Lives depend on it.”
Figures for the year show there were 46 workplace deaths of all kinds, an 18 per increase on 2018 (39) and the end of a downward trend since 2015. Co Wexford recorded seven deaths, the highest per county.
While agriculture continues to be the most dangerous environment, construction has recorded the largest increase – 12 deaths compared to five the previous year.
Construction numbers last spiked at 11 in 2015 when falls from heights were again the main cause. Since 2008 there has been an average of nine deaths per year in the industry.
Safety campaign
Last July, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) – which works to promote site safety – said it believed the sector was on course to record its safest ever year with just two fatalities at that point. However, a sudden increase in incidents followed – the HSA said 75 per cent of deaths occurred in the second half of the year.
A further 940 “non-fatal incidents and dangerous occurrences” were reported to the authority by the sector.
The rate of construction fatalities had increased “considerably” from 3.5 per 100,000 employed to about 8.2 per 100,000.
Criticising small employers in particular, Dr McGuinness said working at height would be the focus of its safety campaign during 2020.
Despite the worrying trend in construction, agriculture remains the most dangerous working environment with 18 deaths, despite ongoing campaigning in the farming sector in particular.
Almost three quarters of these involved people aged 60 and over, reflecting the older generation in the sector. Dr McGuinness appealed to them to “recognise their limitations as they age”.
“Farmers think it’ll never happen to them but sadly as we have seen, all it takes is a few seconds for a serious injury or death to occur.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--Policies to tackle loneliness ‘lack proper evidence’, experts warn

Loneliness is “ significantly higher ” among the sick , the poor and unmarried , according to experts in Ireland who have joined up with international peers to warn about the impact of isolation on people ’ s health .
In a letter to the Lancet medical journal , academics , researchers and public health officials from Ireland , the US , UK , New Zealand and the Netherlands criticise the lack of meaningful studies into loneliness .
Strategies to deal with it are based on “ poorly constructed trials ” and a mixture of measures of what actually constitutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jointly-signed letter which came about after an international conference of experts in Belfast .
Governments , charities and community groups are therefore running schemes to target the lonely “ often with inadequate empirical evidence ” , they wrote .
“ Globally , there are growing concerns about rates and consequences of loneliness , especially among older adults , ” the letter added , noting the UK had recently appointed the world ’ s first government minister for loneliness .
“ Demographic shifts suggest that the numbers experiencing loneliness are likely to increase , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signatories , Prof Roger O ’ Sullivan from the all-island Institute of Public Health , said the letter was a response to a growing discussion around loneliness both in Ireland and globally .
“ Loneliness is like hunger , thirst and pain , ” he told The Irish Times .
“ When you feel it , it is your body telling you that you need to take action.
” Mr O ’ Sullivan said more research was needed in Ireland to better understand how loneliness - which , he said leads to chronic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different people .
“ A lot of interventions are focused on older people but that is because a lot of the research is on older people , ” he said .
“ And it ’ s not the just the stereotype of someone who lives up the long lane .
It is a very personal experience .
Take a married couple , for example - one of them may be lonely and one of them may be not .
That is the complexity and personal nature of it.
” The condition also impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widows and widowers , the LGBT community , migrants and carers , he added .
One-third of older Irish adults say they feel lonely some of the time , with seven per cent saying they are often lonely , according to Trinity College Dublin report published in October , which found “ worrying ” levels of isolation among over-50s .
Prof O ’ Sullivan said while depression was the most strongly associated illness with loneliness , it was also associated with “ a range of other poor health - such as stress , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s , diabetes , cancers , strokes , poor cognition and early death.
” It was difficult to calculate the financial cost to the State of not dealing effectively with loneliness , he said , but pointed to research by the London School of Economics which put it as £6,000 ( €7,000 ) per lonely person over a decade .
“ Investment in the appropriate interventions and support to loneliness would clearly give a return on investment , ” he added .
“ This is an issue that will keep on bubbling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is an increasing focus , an increasing stigma , and it is important to actually address the root cause , support people to make healthy choices around loneliness .
It has to be addressed.
” Asked for recent research on loneliness , the Department of Health provided an unpublished abstract of a study from last May which showed the condition was “ significantly higher for those in poorer health , who lived alone , were materially deprived and those never or formerly married.
” Loneliness in Ireland was also more associated with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , community activities and social engagement , the study of over-55s found .
The Health Service Executive said it did not have “ any specific reports ” dealing with loneliness .

Governments, charities and community groups are running schemes to target the lonely ‘often with inadequate empirical evidence’, public health experts have written in a letter to the Lancet medical journal.
Loneliness is “significantly higher” among the sick, the poor and unmarried, according to experts in Ireland who have joined up with international peers to warn about the impact of isolation on people’s health.
In a letter to the Lancet medical journal, academics, researchers and public health officials from Ireland, the US, UK, New Zealand and the Netherlands criticise the lack of meaningful studies into loneliness.
Strategies to deal with it are based on “poorly constructed trials” and a mixture of measures of what actually constitutes the condition, they wrote in a jointly-signed letter which came about after an international conference of experts in Belfast.
Governments, charities and community groups are therefore running schemes to target the lonely “often with inadequate empirical evidence”, they wrote.
READ MORE
“Globally, there are growing concerns about rates and consequences of loneliness, especially among older adults,” the letter added, noting the UK had recently appointed the world’s first government minister for loneliness.
“Demographic shifts suggest that the numbers experiencing loneliness are likely to increase,” they added.
One of the signatories, Prof Roger O’Sullivan from the all-island Institute of Public Health, said the letter was a response to a growing discussion around loneliness both in Ireland and globally.
“Loneliness is like hunger, thirst and pain,” he told The Irish Times.
“When you feel it, it is your body telling you that you need to take action.”
Mr O’Sullivan said more research was needed in Ireland to better understand how loneliness - which, he said leads to chronic illness and even early death - affected different people.
“A lot of interventions are focused on older people but that is because a lot of the research is on older people,” he said.
“Loneliness impacts people across the life cycle.
“And it’s not the just the stereotype of someone who lives up the long lane. It is a very personal experience. Take a married couple, for example - one of them may be lonely and one of them may be not. That is the complexity and personal nature of it.”
The condition also impacts differently in groups of people, like widows and widowers, the LGBT community, migrants and carers, he added.
One-third of older Irish adults say they feel lonely some of the time, with seven per cent saying they are often lonely, according to Trinity College Dublin report published in October, which found “worrying” levels of isolation among over-50s.
Prof O’Sullivan said while depression was the most strongly associated illness with loneliness, it was also associated with “a range of other poor health - such as stress, poor sleep, non-communicable diseases like Parkinson’s, diabetes, cancers, strokes, poor cognition and early death.”
It was difficult to calculate the financial cost to the State of not dealing effectively with loneliness, he said, but pointed to research by the London School of Economics which put it as £6,000 (€7,000) per lonely person over a decade.
“Investment in the appropriate interventions and support to loneliness would clearly give a return on investment,” he added.
“This is an issue that will keep on bubbling, it will not go away. There is an increasing focus, an increasing stigma, and it is important to actually address the root cause, support people to make healthy choices around loneliness. It has to be addressed.”
Asked for recent research on loneliness, the Department of Health provided an unpublished abstract of a study from last May which showed the condition was “significantly higher for those in poorer health, who lived alone, were materially deprived and those never or formerly married.”
Loneliness in Ireland was also more associated with difficulties in accessing transport, social services, community activities and social engagement, the study of over-55s found.
The Health Service Executive said it did not have “any specific reports” dealing with loneliness.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--What cup keeps coffee warmest? Primary Science Fair tackles big questions

Some of the most intriguing topics for scientific investigation are pursued by the youngest attendees at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition : Which cup keeps my teacher ’ s coffee warmer for longer ?
Which fruit is the best battery source ?
What are the best natural ways to beat bad breath ?
The researchers involved are all in primary school , and hundreds of them participate in the Primary Science Fair , which coincides with the BTYSTE .
Its purpose is to foster an interest in science in a non-competitive environment .
The coffee investigation was pursued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School outside Westport , Co Mayo , who left home at 5.15am on Thursday with their teacher Laura Dillon to travel by bus to Dublin ’ s RDS and display their research .
The idea emerged from observing Ms Dillon ’ s obvious love of coffee in the course of their day , Katelyn Moran explained .
They decided to broaden the study to evaluate all drinks containers being brought into the classroom and rate sustainability in the interests of avoiding plastic and single-use cups because “ 366 plastic coffee cups are disposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
Her classmate Oisín Wallace said they believed a “ cool-looking flask ” would perform best , but an unglamorous soup flask was the winner , reducing from 97 to 47 degrees over six hours .
“ Ms Dillon ’ s cup came in third place in terms of heat efficiency.
” Pupils from Brannoxtown Community National School in Co Kildare assessed an array of spices ( including cinnamon , ginger and cumin ) and natural juices ( tomato and lemon ) in countering bad breath .
With the help of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bacterial cultures from saliva in Petri dishes , and then evaluate the impact of their alternative mouthwashes , said Melissa Griffin .
Tomato was the outright winner , said sixth class pupil Zaharia Caldararu .
“ It ’ s pretty good .
Cinnamon was not bad.
” They believed the acid in tomatoes makes it work best against bacteria causing bad breath .
While the work was interesting , and it was exciting seeing the cultures grow , he said he was looking forward to working on technology and robotics when he goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ smelly grass ” project conducted by sixth class pupils at Timoleague National School , Co Cork , was to identify which fertilisers worked best in garden and in a farm setting .
Success was measured in the density/sweetness of resulting grass , according to Katie Sweeney .
Classmate Amy Deasy said horse manure did best in a garden setting , while organic tomato feed did the business on the farm .
They converted the grass to dry matter before assessing its quality with a small digital device .
They decided to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Sarah Murphy .
They were conscious farmers were getting a bad time , when the reality was they were doing their best to keep carbon emissions down and to ensure fertilisers they use did not run off land into waterways , she added .

The brief in the “smelly grass” project conducted by sixth class pupils at Timoleague National School, Co Cork, was to identify which fertilisers worked best in garden and in a farm setting. Photograph: Timoleague National School/Facebook
Some of the most intriguing topics for scientific investigation are pursued by the youngest attendees at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition: Which cup keeps my teacher’s coffee warmer for longer? Which fruit is the best battery source? What are the best natural ways to beat bad breath?
The researchers involved are all in primary school, and hundreds of them participate in the Primary Science Fair, which coincides with the BTYSTE. Its purpose is to foster an interest in science in a non-competitive environment.
The coffee investigation was pursued by fifth class pupils from Knockrooskey National School outside Westport, Co Mayo, who left home at 5.15am on Thursday with their teacher Laura Dillon to travel by bus to Dublin's RDS and display their research. The idea emerged from observing Ms Dillon's obvious love of coffee in the course of their day, Katelyn Moran explained.
They decided to broaden the study to evaluate all drinks containers being brought into the classroom and rate sustainability in the interests of avoiding plastic and single-use cups because "366 plastic coffee cups are disposed of every minute in Ireland, " she added.
READ MORE
Her classmate Oisín Wallace said they believed a “cool-looking flask” would perform best, but an unglamorous soup flask was the winner, reducing from 97 to 47 degrees over six hours. “Ms Dillon’s cup came in third place in terms of heat efficiency.”
Pupils from Brannoxtown Community National School in Co Kildare assessed an array of spices (including cinnamon, ginger and cumin) and natural juices (tomato and lemon) in countering bad breath. With the help of Teagasc, they learned how to grow bacterial cultures from saliva in Petri dishes, and then evaluate the impact of their alternative mouthwashes, said Melissa Griffin.
Tomato was the outright winner, said sixth class pupil Zaharia Caldararu. “It’s pretty good. Cinnamon was not bad.” They believed the acid in tomatoes makes it work best against bacteria causing bad breath.
While the work was interesting, and it was exciting seeing the cultures grow, he said he was looking forward to working on technology and robotics when he goes to secondary school.
The brief in the “smelly grass” project conducted by sixth class pupils at Timoleague National School, Co Cork, was to identify which fertilisers worked best in garden and in a farm setting. Success was measured in the density/sweetness of resulting grass, according to Katie Sweeney.
Classmate Amy Deasy said horse manure did best in a garden setting, while organic tomato feed did the business on the farm. They converted the grass to dry matter before assessing its quality with a small digital device.
They decided to do the project to assist farmers, said Sarah Murphy. They were conscious farmers were getting a bad time, when the reality was they were doing their best to keep carbon emissions down and to ensure fertilisers they use did not run off land into waterways, she added.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--Beef farmers give guarded welcome to talks with retailers

Farmer representative groups have given a guarded welcome to their first face-to-face meeting with the country ’ s major retailers at a resumed hearing of the Beef Taskforce in Dublin on Thursday .
However , they insisted that progress still needed to be made in the near future on prices paid to farmers to prevent a return to further protests and blockades which took place outside the premises of beef processors and distributors before Christmas .
Farming organisations including the Irish Farmers ’ Association gave a positive reaction to indications by the main supermarket groups of flexibility around the requirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from cattle under 30 months .
It followed day-long talks at the Department of Agriculture which was attended by representatives of all the main supermarket groups – Tesco , Dunnes Stores , SuperValu , Lidl and Aldi .
At the same time , the farming bodies claimed the focus needed to return to prices paid to farmers by the beef processors who were represented at the meeting by Meat Industry Ireland .
IFA president , Joe Healy , said he informed the supermarket groups that the unsustainable discounting of top quality beef was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop .
Mr Healy said prices paid to beef farmers were unsustainable and could not continue at their current loss-making levels for farmers .
“ Retailers and factories , who work together , must pass back higher market returns with a significant and immediate price rise to farmers , ” Mr Healy said .
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers ’ Association said the major retailers had given no coherent indication that the requirement by supermarket groups for cattle to be under 30 months of age was as rigid as beef processors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is understood that Tesco was the only retail group that insisted on the 30-month requirement .
The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers ’ Association , Pat McCormack , said it had been a useful meeting as most supermarkets had indicated they would be happy to accept animals up to 36 months instead of the perceived norm of 30 months .
Mr McCormack said the gap in prices paid to beef farmers in Ireland and Britain “ needs to be closed out with immediate effect ” .
Maicre na Feirme president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailers as “ an important step ” as there was an acknowledgement by all parties that their primary concern was the quality of Irish beef .
However , Mr Duffy maintained the key issue was the lack of movement on prices paid to beef farmers at a time when many farmers were making important decisions about their future .
“ If the retailer wants to supply that top quality beef , farmers need to be paid for it , ” Mr Duffy said .
Enda Fingleton , a representative of the grassroots Beef @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information at the meeting which they could use to formulate a plan for achieving better prices for farmers .
“ We can ’ t say we got a price increase but the industry spoke about green shoots and it ’ s time to see the green shoots – putting money in farmer ’ s pockets , ” Mr Fingleton said .
He claimed farmer groups and retailers shared a lot of “ common ground ” on other issues including the promotion of Irish beef in export markets .
Mr Fingleton added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not put farmers out of business before we can get those things up and running.
” MII and supermarket representatives left the meeting without commenting .
Retailers indicated at the meeting they would co-operate fully with an independent review of market and customer requirements to be carried out by consultants , Grant Thornton , hired by the Beef Taskforce .
It will include an examination of bonus criteria paid out for cattle of a certain age by beef processors which farmers claim unnecessarily lowers the price paid for older animals .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has deferred planned elections across the country following a major dispute within the organisation over governance rules and transparency .
A meeting of 250 members in Lackagh , Co Galway on Wednesday to elect local representatives was abandoned amid angry scenes after a leading figure in the movement , Eoin Donnelly was not allowed be put forward as a candidate .
Beef Plan spokesman , Dermot O ’ Brien , said what happened in Galway was “ undesirable ” and “ very disappointing ” .
Mr O ’ Brien expressed hope that an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 26th would allow for the return of greater unity within the organisation .
“ We need to sort this out before it becomes a national embarrassment , ” he added .

IFA president, Joe Healy, said he informed the supermarket groups that the unsustainable discounting of top quality beef was a race to the bottom that had to stop. File photograph: Dara Mac Donaill / The Irish Times
Farmer representative groups have given a guarded welcome to their first face-to-face meeting with the country’s major retailers at a resumed hearing of the Beef Taskforce in Dublin on Thursday.
However, they insisted that progress still needed to be made in the near future on prices paid to farmers to prevent a return to further protests and blockades which took place outside the premises of beef processors and distributors before Christmas.
Farming organisations including the Irish Farmers’ Association gave a positive reaction to indications by the main supermarket groups of flexibility around the requirement that all beef supplied to retailers come from cattle under 30 months.
It followed day-long talks at the Department of Agriculture which was attended by representatives of all the main supermarket groups – Tesco, Dunnes Stores, SuperValu, Lidl and Aldi.
READ MORE
At the same time, the farming bodies claimed the focus needed to return to prices paid to farmers by the beef processors who were represented at the meeting by Meat Industry Ireland.
Discounting
IFA president, Joe Healy, said he informed the supermarket groups that the unsustainable discounting of top quality beef was a race to the bottom that had to stop.
Mr Healy said prices paid to beef farmers were unsustainable and could not continue at their current loss-making levels for farmers.
“Retailers and factories, who work together, must pass back higher market returns with a significant and immediate price rise to farmers,” Mr Healy said.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers’ Association said the major retailers had given no coherent indication that the requirement by supermarket groups for cattle to be under 30 months of age was as rigid as beef processors had led them to believe.
It is understood that Tesco was the only retail group that insisted on the 30-month requirement.
The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association, Pat McCormack, said it had been a useful meeting as most supermarkets had indicated they would be happy to accept animals up to 36 months instead of the perceived norm of 30 months.
Mr McCormack said the gap in prices paid to beef farmers in Ireland and Britain “needs to be closed out with immediate effect”.
Maicre na Feirme president, Thomas Duffy, described the meeting with retailers as “an important step” as there was an acknowledgement by all parties that their primary concern was the quality of Irish beef.
However, Mr Duffy maintained the key issue was the lack of movement on prices paid to beef farmers at a time when many farmers were making important decisions about their future.
“If the retailer wants to supply that top quality beef, farmers need to be paid for it,” Mr Duffy said.
Green shoots
Enda Fingleton, a representative of the grassroots Beef Plan movement, said retailers had supplied information at the meeting which they could use to formulate a plan for achieving better prices for farmers.
“We can’t say we got a price increase but the industry spoke about green shoots and it’s time to see the green shoots – putting money in farmer’s pockets,” Mr Fingleton said.
He claimed farmer groups and retailers shared a lot of “common ground” on other issues including the promotion of Irish beef in export markets.
Mr Fingleton added: “I just hope the price issue does not put farmers out of business before we can get those things up and running.”
MII and supermarket representatives left the meeting without commenting.
Retailers indicated at the meeting they would co-operate fully with an independent review of market and customer requirements to be carried out by consultants, Grant Thornton, hired by the Beef Taskforce. It will include an examination of bonus criteria paid out for cattle of a certain age by beef processors which farmers claim unnecessarily lowers the price paid for older animals.
Meanwhile, Beef Plan has confirmed its national committee has deferred planned elections across the country following a major dispute within the organisation over governance rules and transparency.
A meeting of 250 members in Lackagh, Co Galway on Wednesday to elect local representatives was abandoned amid angry scenes after a leading figure in the movement, Eoin Donnelly was not allowed be put forward as a candidate.
Beef Plan spokesman, Dermot O’Brien, said what happened in Galway was “undesirable” and “very disappointing”.
Mr O’Brien expressed hope that an extraordinary general meeting of Beef Plan on January 26th would allow for the return of greater unity within the organisation.
“We need to sort this out before it becomes a national embarrassment,” he added.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--RTÉ will ‘inevitably’ face more age discrimination cases

It is “ inevitable ” RTÉ will face more discrimination cases on grounds of age following the ruling it must pay a former television producer €100,000 for forcing her to retire at 65 , the National Union of Journalists ( NUJ ) has said .
The State broadcaster was ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to pay the compensation to Anne Roper , an executive television producer , who was obliged to retire in July 2018 despite requests to continue working for RTÉ for a further 18 months .
RTÉ said it would appeal the ruling to the Labour Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary Séamus Dooley as “ disappointing ” .
Mr Dooley said RTÉ had “ unintentionally pushed the nuclear button ” with the case .
“ The combination of this case and the Valerie Cox case means there are a number of people in RTÉ who are no doubt looking from the sidelines to see what is going to happen next , but it is impossible to calculate how many there are , ” he said .
In March 2018 , RTÉ was ordered to pay €50,000 to Ms Cox who had worked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retirement .
The WRC found she had been discriminated against on age grounds when her contract was not renewed after she turned 65 .
Mr Dooley said : “ I think it ’ s inevitable that there will be others .
Anyone coming up to retirement in RTÉ who wants to continue working will be watching this case .
The appeal adds to the unsettlement and uncertainty in RTÉ.
” The current age of eligibility for the State pension is 66 , but this is set to increase to 67 from 2021 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland ’ s largest trade union , said it would initiate a campaign in the coming weeks against the proposed age increases .
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission previously warned the use of compulsory retirement ages could be a form of discrimination .
They are permitted by law , but only if they can be “ objectively justified ” .
Three employment lawyers who spoke to The Irish Times on Thursday said there had been very significant increases in the numbers of such cases presenting .
Richard Grogan of Richard Grogan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years ago , the claims you were getting in on age discrimination were solely younger people saying they weren ’ t considered for a job or promotion .
“ It ’ s completely changed .
In the last two or three years there has been a quadrupling of cases nearly year-on-year that are coming through .
The number of queries that come in is extremely high .
“ People are being forced to retire and are not able to get the State pension .
This is putting a large number of lower paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Patrick Walshe , partner and employment law solicitor with law firm Philip Lee , said there was “ an overwhelming movement whereby retirement ages are fast becoming a thing of the past ” .
“ Employment lawyers are seeing more and more challenges to retirement ages , ” he said .
“ My instinct is that we are going to see an incremental whittling away of retirement ages in the coming years , particularly as people live longer.
” Hayes Solicitors head of employment law Breda O ’ Malley said it has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that employers have had to change their approach .
“ We ’ re coming into a point where retirement ages aren ’ t in vogue at all , ” she said .
“ I ’ m practising in the area 25 years and I would have had no queries in relation to the area of retirement for the first 20 years , whereas now there is one every other month , which tells you there has been a very significant increase.
” Ms Roper filed her complaint to the WRC in January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her on grounds of age .
The producer had gone from a salary of €100,000 to a pension of €12,000 as a result , which the commission said had a “ significant ” financial impact .
RTÉ had argued it was necessary for Ms Roper to retire at 65 “ to ensure intergenerational fairness and to facilitate the promotion of younger producers ” .

RTÉ was ordered to pay the compensation to Anne Roper, an executive television producer, who was obliged to retire in July 2018 despite requests to continue working for RTÉ for a further 18 months. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
It is "inevitable" RTÉ will face more discrimination cases on grounds of age following the ruling it must pay a former television producer €100,000 for forcing her to retire at 65, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has said.
The State broadcaster was ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to pay the compensation to Anne Roper, an executive television producer, who was obliged to retire in July 2018 despite requests to continue working for RTÉ for a further 18 months.
RTÉ said it would appeal the ruling to the Labour Court, a move described by NUJ Irish secretary Séamus Dooley as “disappointing”. Mr Dooley said RTÉ had “unintentionally pushed the nuclear button” with the case.
"The combination of this case and the Valerie Cox case means there are a number of people in RTÉ who are no doubt looking from the sidelines to see what is going to happen next, but it is impossible to calculate how many there are," he said.
READ MORE
Uncertainty
In March 2018, RTÉ was ordered to pay €50,000 to Ms Cox who had worked at the station for 21 years before her retirement. The WRC found she had been discriminated against on age grounds when her contract was not renewed after she turned 65.
Mr Dooley said: “I think it’s inevitable that there will be others. Anyone coming up to retirement in RTÉ who wants to continue working will be watching this case. The appeal adds to the unsettlement and uncertainty in RTÉ.”
The current age of eligibility for the State pension is 66, but this is set to increase to 67 from 2021 and to 68 from 2028. Siptu, Ireland’s largest trade union, said it would initiate a campaign in the coming weeks against the proposed age increases.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission previously warned the use of compulsory retirement ages could be a form of discrimination. They are permitted by law, but only if they can be “objectively justified”.
Three employment lawyers who spoke to The Irish Times on Thursday said there had been very significant increases in the numbers of such cases presenting.
Richard Grogan of Richard Grogan & Associates Solicitors said: “Five years ago, the claims you were getting in on age discrimination were solely younger people saying they weren’t considered for a job or promotion.
“It’s completely changed. In the last two or three years there has been a quadrupling of cases nearly year-on-year that are coming through. The number of queries that come in is extremely high.
“People are being forced to retire and are not able to get the State pension. This is putting a large number of lower paid individuals in a very bad financial situation.”
Challenges
Patrick Walshe, partner and employment law solicitor with law firm Philip Lee, said there was “an overwhelming movement whereby retirement ages are fast becoming a thing of the past”.
“Employment lawyers are seeing more and more challenges to retirement ages,” he said. “My instinct is that we are going to see an incremental whittling away of retirement ages in the coming years, particularly as people live longer.”
Hayes Solicitors head of employment law Breda O’Malley said it has become a “very common issue” and that employers have had to change their approach. “We’re coming into a point where retirement ages aren’t in vogue at all,” she said.
“I’m practising in the area 25 years and I would have had no queries in relation to the area of retirement for the first 20 years, whereas now there is one every other month, which tells you there has been a very significant increase.”
Ms Roper filed her complaint to the WRC in January 2019 claiming the broadcaster had discriminated against her on grounds of age.
The producer had gone from a salary of €100,000 to a pension of €12,000 as a result, which the commission said had a “significant” financial impact.
RTÉ had argued it was necessary for Ms Roper to retire at 65 “to ensure intergenerational fairness and to facilitate the promotion of younger producers”.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--Explainer: Breaking the deadlock over an Irish Language Act

Fourteen years after the signing of the St Andrews Agreement in which the British government agreed to introduce an Irish Language Act ( ILA ) the issues surrounding this proposed piece of legislation continue to divide opinion .
The purpose of the promised act was to provide legislative protection for the language in Northern Ireland .
It would be similar to legislation in Wales and Scotland and would bring with it measures such as the right to use Irish in the courts and the right to access public services in Irish .
At its core , the act would provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Irish language · the right to use Irish in court So why the controversy ?
Political unionism for many years has had an uncomfortable relationship with Irish and its speakers .
The idea of an Irish Language Act is controversial is because language is at the heart of culture and identity .
As if to underline the point , senior Orangeman Rev Mervyn Gibson reiterated the Orange Order ’ s opposition to a standalone act this week saying it would be unacceptable to his organisation ’ s members .
He was quoted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an act would be used to “ further the Irish identity in a way that puts it above the British identity ” .
Some of the arguments against the act also include claims that Irish would become a compulsory subject taught in all schools ; it would dilute the North ’ s ‘ Britishness ’ ; it would see Irish lifted above all other languages ( such as English and Polish ) while health , education and other public services are in need of greater funding ; that Irish has been ‘ weaponised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that quotas would be introduced for Irish speakers in the civil service which would discriminate against people from a unionist background .
While such generalisations and critiques are undoubtedly promoted in some political quarters , language campaigners say they are also largely inaccurate .
Crucially , people who are not speakers of Irish or who do not wish to engage with it would not have to use or learn Irish .
Costed proposals from Conradh na Gaeilge show an act would cost £2 million ( €2.35 million ) per annum with a once-off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €10.58 million ) .
This is a mere drop in the ocean when compared with the £15 billion ( €17.63 billion ) it is estimated would be required to build a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland .
To those who say the language has been politicised , supporters of the act argue that it is the denial of rights and the exclusion of the Irish language community that has made it a political issue .
They add that the best way of countering this is by embedding it in state legislation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the language is not dependent on the will of any single politician , party or community .
There are no calls for mandatory quotas in the Civil Service as campaigners say a goal of 10 per cent of civil service workers with an ability to speak Irish is aspirational and reflects the 10.65 per cent who reported some knowledge of Irish in the 2011 census .
Many see the refusal to agree to an act as a failure by political unionism to accept the concept of parity of esteem which is seen as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two communities .
The demand for legislation is not confined to one party .
It is supported by Sinn Féin , the SDLP , the Alliance Party , the Green Party and People Before Profit .
Members of An Dream Dearg , a non-party group recognisable by their distinct red T-shirts , have been at the forefront of the campaign and has brought thousands onto the streets while presenting a youthful and energetic image of the modern Irish speaker .
For them and many others in the wider Irish speaking community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Language Act is the only way to ensure the language and those who choose to use it are protected and respected .

Costed proposals from Conradh na Gaeilge show an act would cost £2 million (€2.35 million) per annum with a once-off initial set-up cost of £9 million (€10.58 million).
Fourteen years after the signing of the St Andrews Agreement in which the British government agreed to introduce an Irish Language Act (ILA) the issues surrounding this proposed piece of legislation continue to divide opinion.
The purpose of the promised act was to provide legislative protection for the language in Northern Ireland. It would be similar to legislation in Wales and Scotland and would bring with it measures such as the right to use Irish in the courts and the right to access public services in Irish.
At its core, the act would provide for:
· official status for the Irish language
READ MORE
· bilingual signage on main roads and shared spaces
· a language commissioner
· public services to the Irish language community
· the right to use Irish in court
So why the controversy? Political unionism for many years has had an uncomfortable relationship with Irish and its speakers. The idea of an Irish Language Act is controversial is because language is at the heart of culture and identity.
As if to underline the point, senior Orangeman Rev Mervyn Gibson reiterated the Orange Order's opposition to a standalone act this week saying it would be unacceptable to his organisation's members.
He was quoted by the BBC as saying he was concerned an act would be used to “further the Irish identity in a way that puts it above the British identity”.
Some of the arguments against the act also include claims that Irish would become a compulsory subject taught in all schools; it would dilute the North’s ‘Britishness’; it would see Irish lifted above all other languages (such as English and Polish) while health, education and other public services are in need of greater funding; that Irish has been ‘weaponised’ and ‘politicised’, and that quotas would be introduced for Irish speakers in the civil service which would discriminate against people from a unionist background.
While such generalisations and critiques are undoubtedly promoted in some political quarters, language campaigners say they are also largely inaccurate.
Crucially, people who are not speakers of Irish or who do not wish to engage with it would not have to use or learn Irish.
Costed proposals from Conradh na Gaeilge show an act would cost £2 million (€2.35 million) per annum with a once-off initial set-up cost of £9 million (€10.58 million). This is a mere drop in the ocean when compared with the £15 billion (€17.63 billion) it is estimated would be required to build a bridge between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
To those who say the language has been politicised, supporters of the act argue that it is the denial of rights and the exclusion of the Irish language community that has made it a political issue.
They add that the best way of countering this is by embedding it in state legislation, something which would ensure the status of the language is not dependent on the will of any single politician, party or community.
There are no calls for mandatory quotas in the Civil Service as campaigners say a goal of 10 per cent of civil service workers with an ability to speak Irish is aspirational and reflects the 10.65 per cent who reported some knowledge of Irish in the 2011 census.
Many see the refusal to agree to an act as a failure by political unionism to accept the concept of parity of esteem which is seen as a basic condition of any new relationship between the two communities.
The demand for legislation is not confined to one party. It is supported by Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party, the Green Party and People Before Profit.
Members of An Dream Dearg, a non-party group recognisable by their distinct red T-shirts, have been at the forefront of the campaign and have brought thousands onto the streets while presenting a youthful and energetic image of the modern Irish speaker.
For them and many others in the wider community, the introduction of a stand-alone Irish Language Act is the only way to ensure the language and those who choose to use it are protected and respected.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--Man arrested over social media video showing gun being fired

A man gardaí suspect was in a threatening video , armed with a gun , that was shared on social media has been arrested for questioning .
The man in the video fired a shotgun and detectives now believe they have identified him and the location where the footage was recorded .
Gardaí said they arrested a man on Wednesday in Co Kerry and that he had since been charged and released pending a future court appearance .
The suspect , who is in his 20s , was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm .
It is believed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Gardaí became aware of a video on social media which showed a man firing a shot from what is believed to be a shotgun , ” a Garda statement said .
“ An investigation was carried out by gardaí in Killarney and a man in his 20s was arrested yesterday .
The suspected firearm was also seized and will now be sent for examination.
” After being questioned at Killarney Garda station under Section 30 Offences Against the State Act and was due to appear before the courts at a later date @

Gardaí said they arrested a man on Wednesday in Co Kerry and that he had since been charged and released pending a future court appearance. File photograph: Frank Miller
A man gardaí suspect was in a threatening video, armed with a gun, that was shared on social media has been arrested for questioning.
The man in the video fired a shotgun and detectives now believe they have identified him and the location where the footage was recorded.
Gardaí said they arrested a man on Wednesday in Co Kerry and that he had since been charged and released pending a future court appearance.
The suspect, who is in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm. It is believed the video was recorded in Co Kerry.
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“Gardaí became aware of a video on social media which showed a man firing a shot from what is believed to be a shotgun,” a Garda statement said.
"An investigation was carried out by gardaí in Killarney and a man in his 20s was arrested yesterday. The suspected firearm was also seized and will now be sent for examination."
After being questioned at Killarney Garda station under Section 30 Offences Against the State Act and was due to appear before the courts at a later date.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--Young scientists explore eco-anxiety and how to deal with it

The stethoscope , an essential medical device to assess breathing and heartbeat , was developed in the 19th century and has changed remarkably little since .
Oisín O ’ Sullivan , a fifth-year student from Desmond College in Newcastle West , Co Limerick , who has always been fascinated by medicine and technology , has produced an enhancement which he believes significantly improves its functionality .
The product of 18 months ’ intensive work , his iScope was on show at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in the RDS , Dublin .
It is an enhanced digital stethoscope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generating transmittable digital recordings .
There are some versions available using digital devices to simply amplify sound , he said , but his device adds much more .
It records sounds , removes background noise , allows the signal to be sent to another location via an app and it generates a distinctive image .
The standard stethoscope is always limited to the expertise of the user , O ’ Sullivan said , whereas the iScope enables quicker diagnosis and a second opinion to be obtained if necessary .
It was developed after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its effectiveness is illustrated , he suggested , in comparing heartbeat sounds before and after a stent operation to remove blockages in blood vessels near the heart .
“ It ’ s also very useful if doctors or paramedics are unsure .
They can send recordings on for a second opinion.
” Another device with immense potential in a social setting is a wristband to help students with autism alert their teacher in a discreet way when they feel overwhelmed .
It has been developed by Hugh Murtagh from Coláiste Mhuire in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I know how hard it is to concentrate when I feel overwhelmed in the classroom , ” said Murtagh , explaining that once the student presses the button in a small minicomputer known as a Raspberry Pi , the teacher is alerted via email .
They can then find a way to help the student with autism to become calm , by for instance asking them to deliver something to another classroom .
The device was tested successfully with the help of Murtagh ’ s computer science teacher Eva Acton before Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too large , so he was going “ to make it more wearable and discreet ” .
This year ’ s BTYSTE is notable not only for the number of projects on climate change , but for those specifically on eco-anxiety and the impact that worrying about the fate of the planet has on mental wellbeing .
Una Rainsford and Rachel Murtagh of Coláiste Choilm in Ballinchollig , Co Cork , compared attitudes between younger and older people and were surprised by the findings .
Their survey of 440 people showed all age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older people believe they can do something about it .
Those aged under 19 did not believe their actions could make a difference with more than 40 per cent saying , “ I do my part to help the climate but I don ’ t think it has any impact ” .
Half of those aged over 19 believe their efforts can make a difference , while they were most concerned about the impact of climate-related extreme weather .
“ Younger people were more worried about their future , ” Murtagh explained .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by measuring associated stress levels , including “ how the body reacts , rather the mind , and to compare the response in males and females ” , Rainsford added .
Transition-year students Aoife Walsh , Meadhbh Hurley and Rachel Henderson of Kinsale Community College , Co Cork , evaluated climate education messages targeted at young people , and the extent to which they contributed to “ loss of control or eco-anxiety ” .
Having surveyed more than 300 people , they went back to them to see how they had responded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ translated into climate action .
Not only were personal messages far more effective in prompting action , they reduced anxiety by 75 per cent .

Oisín O’Sullivan, Desmond College, Limerick, with his iScope at the Cook Medical stand at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Photograph: Andres Poveda
The stethoscope, an essential medical device to assess breathing and heartbeat, was developed in the 19th century and has changed remarkably little since.
Oisín O'Sullivan, a fifth-year student from Desmond College in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, who has always been fascinated by medicine and technology, has produced an enhancement which he believes significantly improves its functionality.
The product of 18 months’ intensive work, his iScope was on show at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in the RDS, Dublin. It is an enhanced digital stethoscope, facilitating connection to the internet and generating transmittable digital recordings.
There are some versions available using digital devices to simply amplify sound, he said, but his device adds much more. It records sounds, removes background noise, allows the signal to be sent to another location via an app and it generates a distinctive image.
READ MORE
The standard stethoscope is always limited to the expertise of the user, O’Sullivan said, whereas the iScope enables quicker diagnosis and a second opinion to be obtained if necessary. It was developed after extensive discussion with doctors including local GPs.
Its effectiveness is illustrated, he suggested, in comparing heartbeat sounds before and after a stent operation to remove blockages in blood vessels near the heart. “It’s also very useful if doctors or paramedics are unsure. They can send recordings on for a second opinion.”
Autism aid
Another device with immense potential in a social setting is a wristband to help students with autism alert their teacher in a discreet way when they feel overwhelmed. It has been developed by Hugh Murtagh from Coláiste Mhuire in Co Westmeath.
“I have autism. I know how hard it is to concentrate when I feel overwhelmed in the classroom,” said Murtagh, explaining that once the student presses the button in a small minicomputer known as a Raspberry Pi, the teacher is alerted via email. They can then find a way to help the student with autism to become calm, by for instance asking them to deliver something to another classroom.
The device was tested successfully with the help of Murtagh's computer science teacher Eva Acton before Christmas. Murtagh said his first prototype was too large, so he was going "to make it more wearable and discreet".
This year’s BTYSTE is notable not only for the number of projects on climate change, but for those specifically on eco-anxiety and the impact that worrying about the fate of the planet has on mental wellbeing.
Una Rainsford (left) and Rachel Murtagh from Colaiste Choilm in Cork with their project ‘Is Climate Chane Affecting Mental Health’ . Photograph: Laura Hutton
Una Rainsford and Rachel Murtagh of Coláiste Choilm in Ballinchollig, Co Cork, compared attitudes between younger and older people and were surprised by the findings. Their survey of 440 people showed all age groups are anxious about climate disruption but older people believe they can do something about it.
Those aged under 19 did not believe their actions could make a difference with more than 40 per cent saying, “I do my part to help the climate but I don’t think it has any impact”.
Half of those aged over 19 believe their efforts can make a difference, while they were most concerned about the impact of climate-related extreme weather. “Younger people were more worried about their future,” Murtagh explained.
They would like to continue their research by measuring associated stress levels, including “how the body reacts, rather the mind, and to compare the response in males and females”, Rainsford added.
Transition-year students Aoife Walsh, Meadhbh Hurley and Rachel Henderson of Kinsale Community College, Co Cork, evaluated climate education messages targeted at young people, and the extent to which they contributed to "loss of control or eco-anxiety".
Having surveyed more than 300 people, they went back to them to see how they had responded to the messaging, notably if it had translated into climate action. Not only were personal messages far more effective in prompting action, they reduced anxiety by 75 per cent.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--Flu deaths rise to 28 but worst of outbreak may be over

The number of flu deaths this winter has risen to 28 , but the worst of the current outbreak may be over , according to the Health Service Executive .
Partly as a consequence , HSE officials are hopeful hospital overcrowding may also have peaked following this week ’ s record trolley numbers .
Flu levels fell last week for the first time since the outbreak began at the end of November but are still very high , the HSE said in its weekly briefing on Thursday .
And while the flu season began earlier than usual this winter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials say .
In addition , the season may be up to three weeks shorter than usual , unless there is a significant increase in cases of influenza B coming from North America - virtually all cases up to last week involved the A strain of the virus .
The decline in cases is most marked among children , thus easing the pressure on children ’ s hospitals , but cases involving over-75s increased again last week .
Flu accounted for 662 admissions last week , and a total of 2,038 this winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put into intensive care , 60 per cent were aged 65 or over .
This age group also accounted for 80 per cent of the 28 deaths .
HSE assistant national director Dr Kevin Kelleher described as “ perturbing ” the fact that 79 outbreaks have been recorded so far this winter out of a total of 90 .
Despite an increase in the number of healthcare staff getting the flu vaccine in recent years , the uptake rate was still not high enough to prevent many outbreaks , he said .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they were encouraged by how quickly trolley numbers have fallen since the records set earlier in the week .
“ Activity is now at the higher end of normal rather than anything exceptional .
We wouldn ’ t have expected to see that drop , ” said HSE chief operations officer Anne O ’ Connor .
“ We hope the worst is over but we can ’ t be say this for sure , ” she added .
Scheduled activity such as elective surgery is still curtailed at most hospitals due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to resume normal service will be made at a local level , officials said .

The number of flu deaths this winter has risen to 28, but the worst of the current outbreak may be over, according to the Health Service Executive.
Partly as a consequence, HSE officials are hopeful hospital overcrowding may also have peaked following this week’s record trolley numbers.
Flu levels fell last week for the first time since the outbreak began at the end of November but are still very high, the HSE said in its weekly briefing on Thursday. And while the flu season began earlier than usual this winter, it may also be finishing earlier, officials say.
In addition, the season may be up to three weeks shorter than usual, unless there is a significant increase in cases of influenza B coming from North America - virtually all cases up to last week involved the A strain of the virus.
READ MORE
The decline in cases is most marked among children, thus easing the pressure on children’s hospitals, but cases involving over-75s increased again last week.
Flu accounted for 662 admissions last week, and a total of 2,038 this winter to date. Of the 72 patients put into intensive care, 60 per cent were aged 65 or over. This age group also accounted for 80 per cent of the 28 deaths.
HSE assistant national director Dr Kevin Kelleher described as "perturbing" the fact that 79 outbreaks have been recorded so far this winter out of a total of 90. Despite an increase in the number of healthcare staff getting the flu vaccine in recent years, the uptake rate was still not high enough to prevent many outbreaks, he said.
Despite this week’s problems, officials said they were encouraged by how quickly trolley numbers have fallen since the records set earlier in the week. “Activity is now at the higher end of normal rather than anything exceptional. We wouldn’t have expected to see that drop,” said HSE chief operations officer Anne O’Connor.
“We hope the worst is over but we can’t be say this for sure,” she added.
Scheduled activity such as elective surgery is still curtailed at most hospitals due to the emergency department overcrowding, and decisions to resume normal service will be made at a local level, officials said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-09--‘First step’ towards free books for primary school children

The Government has taken the first step towards providing free school books for children at primary level with a €1 million pilot project which will benefit more than 15,000 pupils .
Under this pilot project , more than 100 disadvantaged primary schools will receive additional funding to provide free school books from next September .
Minister for Education Joe McHugh said the move was a “ statement of intent ” and that he wants to expand the system further in future budgets .
“ This is a statement of intent .
I want to grow this .
I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a start , it ’ s €1 million , and over 100-plus schools which have been identified will benefit , ” he said .
Barnardos , the children ’ s charity , has estimated that it would cost about €20 million to provide free books for all children in primary school .
Mr McHugh said the new investment follows a commitment in Budget 2020 to introduce an extra support to reduce costs for families and school communities .
The funding builds on an existing €17 million book grant which is paid to primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schemes .
In the 100 participating schools , school-book funding per pupil will increase to €85 .
Mr McHugh said he decided to focus the funding on Deis schools , in both urban and rural locations , which cater for high concentrations of students from disadvantaged areas .
Barnardos welcomed the move as the “ first step ” towards providing free primary school education for all pupils .
“ While the funding falls far short of providing school books for all children , which would cost €20 million , we welcome the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first to benefit from this new initiative , ” said Suzanne Connolly , Barnardos chief executive .
“ However , it is important to bear in mind that many children attending non-Deis schools may also experience disadvantage , therefore future allocations of funding must recognise this reality.
” The move has drawn criticism from some Opposition parties , with Labour saying the additional funding does not go far enough .
The Labour spokesman on education , Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin , said : “ The Government had an opportunity last October to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools , but instead went down the route of a pilot scheme to be rolled out next September .
“ This last-minute announcement today , with talk of an election just around the corner , simply does not go far enough and will still leave hundreds of schools wanting – and without access to – free books .
”

Minister for Education Joe McHugh with pupils of St Malachy’s NS, Finglas (from left) Timur Sevcenko (8), Kian Franzoni (9) and Ella Groves (9), for the announcement of pilot project. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA
The Government has taken the first step towards providing free school books for children at primary level with a €1 million pilot project which will benefit more than 15,000 pupils.
Under this pilot project, more than 100 disadvantaged primary schools will receive additional funding to provide free school books from next September.
Minister for Education Joe McHugh said the move was a “statement of intent” and that he wants to expand the system further in future budgets.
“This is a statement of intent. I want to grow this. I want to build on it. It’s a start, it’s €1 million, and over 100-plus schools which have been identified will benefit,” he said.
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Barnardos, the children’s charity, has estimated that it would cost about €20 million to provide free books for all children in primary school.
Mr McHugh said the new investment follows a commitment in Budget 2020 to introduce an extra support to reduce costs for families and school communities.
The funding builds on an existing €17 million book grant which is paid to primary schools to provide assistance for book rental schemes.
In the 100 participating schools, school-book funding per pupil will increase to €85.
Mr McHugh said he decided to focus the funding on Deis schools, in both urban and rural locations, which cater for high concentrations of students from disadvantaged areas.
Barnardos welcomed the move as the “first step” towards providing free primary school education for all pupils.
"While the funding falls far short of providing school books for all children, which would cost €20 million, we welcome the fact that children in Deis schools will be the first to benefit from this new initiative," said Suzanne Connolly, Barnardos chief executive.
“However, it is important to bear in mind that many children attending non-Deis schools may also experience disadvantage, therefore future allocations of funding must recognise this reality.”
Criticism
The move has drawn criticism from some Opposition parties, with Labour saying the additional funding does not go far enough.
The Labour spokesman on education, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, said: “The Government had an opportunity last October to make free books a reality for all schools, but instead went down the route of a pilot scheme to be rolled out next September.
“This last-minute announcement today, with talk of an election just around the corner, simply does not go far enough and will still leave hundreds of schools wanting – and without access to – free books.”