theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Young woman tells High Court judge of anorexia relapse

A young woman with a long history of anorexia nervosa who was re-admitted to hospital in a severely malnourished state is to remain there pending a further High Court order .
In an email to High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly , the woman , a ward of court aged in her twenties , said this was “ my worst relapse in 10 years battling the illness ” .
When her case was reviewed by the judge this week , Sarah McKechnie , for the HSE , said the medical view is , as a result of her illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains impaired to the extent she does not understand the consequences of her illness and she should remain in wardship .
The judge heard Aileen Curry , a solicitor who , on behalf of Patricia Hickey , general solicitor for wards of court , visited the woman early last week to ascertain her views , had said the woman had disputed the benefits of wardship .
The woman later last week sent the judge an email which he read to the court .
In that , the woman described herself as in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical health had declined and she was again in hospital in an effort to have that stabilised , she said .
She was not seeking to “ negotiate ” or “ make pleas ” but rather to acknowledge the necessity for her current care plan .
She hoped , when reviewing her case , the court would consider there were “ precipitating factors ” that assisted and crystallised her relapse .
Irrespective of all that has gone before , she is not a “ treatment-resistant anorexic ” and has “ every intention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Leahy BL , for the general solicitor , said the woman did not wish to return to the family home or the community care team that had been dealing with her .
Her treating doctor believed she may need to be transferred elsewhere .
Her doctor had said the woman had a particular view as to the circumstances that crystallised her relapse and there were particular family circumstances .
In his ruling , the judge said the woman was previously admitted to hospital and improved to the extent she could be discharged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for her illness .
For whatever reason , and he was not adjudicating why , that seemed not to have worked out and she was readmitted to hospital for acute medical care in a severely malnourished state with difficulties including abnormal liver function and had a critically ill health status .
She has been compliant with the hospital treatment , has expressed “ a sense of relief ” to be there and has spoken more openly about a difficult home environment .
While she had expressed stress over the one-to-one supervision , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns she may be interfering with her nutritional intake , that level of supervision was necessary .
He said multi-disciplinary meetings aimed at ensuring progress is made have been held and contact made with a UK unit which might have a bed in April at the earliest .
Her doctors considered she should remain in hospital and he was satisfied to continue the orders for that and the relevant treatment orders with the matter to return in four weeks .
The woman ’ s email showed she had some insight into the seriousness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She had “ very strong views ” as to what is to happen when she recovers , which hopefully she would , from this “ very serious illness with a mortality rate of 20 per cent ” .
She was agreeable to staying in hospital and did not want to go to the UK unless absolutely necessary .
A UK placement may be necessary but that issue would be decided later , he said .
He directed the woman be told in general about the contents of the medical reports and told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been listened to by the court .

The woman’s treating doctor believed she may need to be transferred elsewhere. Photograph: Alan Betson
A young woman with a long history of anorexia nervosa who was re-admitted to hospital in a severely malnourished state is to remain there pending a further High Court order.
In an email to High Court president Mr Justice Peter Kelly, the woman, a ward of court aged in her twenties, said this was “my worst relapse in 10 years battling the illness”.
When her case was reviewed by the judge this week, Sarah McKechnie, for the HSE, said the medical view is, as a result of her illness, the woman’s cognitive ability remains impaired to the extent she does not understand the consequences of her illness and she should remain in wardship.
The judge heard Aileen Curry, a solicitor who, on behalf of Patricia Hickey, general solicitor for wards of court, visited the woman early last week to ascertain her views, had said the woman had disputed the benefits of wardship.
READ MORE
The woman later last week sent the judge an email which he read to the court.
In that, the woman described herself as in a “very difficult” position. Her medical health had declined and she was again in hospital in an effort to have that stabilised, she said.
She was not seeking to “negotiate” or “make pleas” but rather to acknowledge the necessity for her current care plan.
She hoped, when reviewing her case, the court would consider there were “precipitating factors” that assisted and crystallised her relapse. Irrespective of all that has gone before, she is not a “treatment-resistant anorexic” and has “every intention to get well”, she added.
David Leahy BL, for the general solicitor, said the woman did not wish to return to the family home or the community care team that had been dealing with her.
Her treating doctor believed she may need to be transferred elsewhere. Her doctor had said the woman had a particular view as to the circumstances that crystallised her relapse and there were particular family circumstances.
In his ruling, the judge said the woman was previously admitted to hospital and improved to the extent she could be discharged home and to receive community health care for her illness.
For whatever reason, and he was not adjudicating why, that seemed not to have worked out and she was readmitted to hospital for acute medical care in a severely malnourished state with difficulties including abnormal liver function and had a critically ill health status.
She has been compliant with the hospital treatment, has expressed “a sense of relief” to be there and has spoken more openly about a difficult home environment.
While she had expressed stress over the one-to-one supervision, the judge was satisfied, for reasons including concerns she may be interfering with her nutritional intake, that level of supervision was necessary.
He said multi-disciplinary meetings aimed at ensuring progress is made have been held and contact made with a UK unit which might have a bed in April at the earliest.
Her doctors considered she should remain in hospital and he was satisfied to continue the orders for that and the relevant treatment orders with the matter to return in four weeks.
The woman’s email showed she had some insight into the seriousness of her condition, he said. She had “very strong views” as to what is to happen when she recovers, which hopefully she would, from this “very serious illness with a mortality rate of 20 per cent”.
She was agreeable to staying in hospital and did not want to go to the UK unless absolutely necessary.
A UK placement may be necessary but that issue would be decided later, he said.
He directed the woman be told in general about the contents of the medical reports and told the reports had been read and her concerns had been listened to by the court.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--US treasury secretary tells Greta Thunberg to go study economics

US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin has said Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is in no position to give economic advice until she goes to college and comes out with an economics degree .
At a press briefing at the World Economic Forum , Mr Mnuchin took a swipe at the 17-year-old environmental campaigner for her recommendation that the public and private sectors divest from fossil fuels .
When asked how that would affect the US economic model , Mr Mnuchin took a swipe at Ms Thunberg , asking if she was an economist and saying it “ was a joke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she goes and studies economics in college , she can come back and explain that to us ” .
Ms Thunberg launched the school strike movement in her native Sweden in a bid to put pressure on world leaders to step up measures to combat climate change .
She spoke at the Davos gathering of the world elite earlier in the week .
US Mr Mnuchin was appointed to his role by US president Donald Trump shortly after his election in 2017 .
Mr Trump used his keynote address at the opening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a swipe at environmental “ prophets of doom ” as Ms Thunberg looked on .
After the Swedish schoolgirl was named Time Magazine ’ s Person of the Year for 2019 , Mr Trump tweeted : “ Greta must work on her Anger Management problem , then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend !
Chill Greta , Chill !
” The activist responded by updating her Twitter biography to include : “ A teenager working on her anger management problem .
Currently chilling and watching a good old-fashioned movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the first time the Republican president took aim at the teenager .
Last September , Mr Trump retweeted a clip of Ms Thunberg ’ s speech to a United Nations climate summit in which she angrily denounced world leaders for failing to tackle climate change by demanding : “ How dare you ?
” His sarcastic commentary was that “ she seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future .
So nice to see !
” The teenager also changed her Twitter biography following that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future.
” Ms Thunberg had also been a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize , an honour Mr Trump covets .
The businessman received the Time magazine designation in 2016 after he won the US presidential election over Democrat Hillary Clinton .
Additional reporting - Reuters .

US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin has said Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is in no position to give economic advice until she has an economics degree. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty
US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin has said Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is in no position to give economic advice until she goes to college and comes out with an economics degree.
At a press briefing at the World Economic Forum, Mr Mnuchin took a swipe at the 17-year-old environmental campaigner for her recommendation that the public and private sectors divest from fossil fuels.
When asked how that would affect the US economic model, Mr Mnuchin took a swipe at Ms Thunberg, asking if she was an economist and saying it “was a joke”.
He said that “after she goes and studies economics in college, she can come back and explain that to us”.
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Ms Thunberg launched the school strike movement in her native Sweden in a bid to put pressure on world leaders to step up measures to combat climate change.
She spoke at the Davos gathering of the world elite earlier in the week.
Mr Mnuchin was appointed to his role by US president Donald Trump shortly after his election in 2017.
Mr Trump used his keynote address at the opening of the Davos conference this week to take a swipe at environmental “prophets of doom” as Ms Thunberg looked on.
‘Chill Greta’
After the Swedish schoolgirl was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2019, Mr Trump tweeted: “Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!”
The activist responded by updating her Twitter biography to include: “A teenager working on her anger management problem. Currently chilling and watching a good old-fashioned movie with a friend”.
It was not the first time the Republican president took aim at the teenager. Last September, Mr Trump retweeted a clip of Ms Thunberg’s speech to a United Nations climate summit in which she angrily denounced world leaders for failing to tackle climate change by demanding: “How dare you?”
His sarcastic commentary was that “she seems like a very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future. So nice to see!”
The teenager also changed her Twitter biography following that slight to describe herself as “A very happy young girl looking forward to a bright and wonderful future.”
Ms Thunberg had also been a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize, an honour Mr Trump covets. The businessman received the Time magazine designation in 2016 after he won the US presidential election over Democrat Hillary Clinton. – Additional reporting: Reuters.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Teen arrested by gardaí investigating Cameron Blair murder

Gardaí investigating the murder of student at a house party in Cork last week have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with the incident .
Cameron Blair ( 20 ) died after being slashed in the neck as part of a dispute about a group gatecrashing the party on the Bandon Road last Thursday .
A male in his late teens from Cork ’ s southside presented himself with his solicitor at Togher Garda station at 1pm on Thursday in connection with the matter .
He was subsequently arrested and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six teenagers initially gatecrashed the party and were inside for up to an hour before being asked to leave .
Three of these teenagers tried to get back into the house and Mr Blair was at the front door trying to calm the situation when it is understood one of them produced a blade and lashed out .
Mr Blair collapsed on to the street and paramedics attended to him at the scene before he was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital , where he later died with his parents Noel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is due to take place on Sunday .
Gardaí have since been speaking to people who attended the party , examining CCTV footage from the Bandon Road area , examining clothing and footwear of people believed to have been present at the time and examining mobile phones of some of those who were in or around the house at the time in an attempt to fine relevant information .
A native of Ballinascarthy in west Cork , Mr Blair was a second-year chemical engineering student at CIT and was living in student accommodation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sportsman , playing rugby with Bandon RFC and competing in athletics with Bandon AC .
Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to contact Togher Garda station on ( 021 ) 494 7120 , the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any garda station .

Cameron Blair (20) died after being wounded in the neck by a knife outside a house party in Cork on January 16th. Photograph: Denis Boyle
Gardaí investigating the murder of 20-year-old student Cameron Blair in Cork city were on Thursday night continuing to question a teenager about the killing.
Detectives arrested the 17-year-old, from Togher in Cork city, when he presented himself at Togher Garda station for questioning about the murder of the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) student at a house party on the Bandon Road in Cork on January 16th.
Mr Blair was trying to calm the situation after a number of teenagers gatecrashed the house party and were asked to leave, only for three of them to try to gain re-entry to the house, which is next to Bandon Road Post Office.
A row is understood to have broken out between those hosting the party and the teenagers trying to regain entry to the house when Mr Blair was fatally wounded in the neck with a knife.
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Gardaí also spoke to a number of teenagers involved in gatecrashing the party
Mr Blair staggered from the door of the house onto Bandon Road before collapsing. He was treated there by paramedics before being rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, where he died later.
Gardaí launched a murder investigation, examining over 200 hours of CCTV footage from the Bandon Road area and taking statements from more than 70 people, including about 50 students who attended the house party.
Clothing and footwear
Gardaí also spoke to a number of teenagers involved in gatecrashing the party and obtained clothing and footwear from them, which they sent to the Forensic Science Ireland laboratory for analysis.
It is understood gardaí also recovered a knife during a search of a green area of nearby Connaught Avenue, which they believe was used in the fatal assault. The knife has also been sent to Forensic Science Ireland.
Gardaí have also studied video footage taken on phones by those at the party and cross-referenced it with CCTV footage from commercial premises on the Bandon Road to try to identify suspects in the case.
Gardaí were on Thursday night continuing to question the teenager about the killing
On Thursday, one of those who gatecrashed the party presented himself at Togher Garda station at 1pm, accompanied by a family member and his solicitor, where he was formally arrested by investigating gardaí.
Section 4
Detectives arrested the teenager under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardaí to detain suspects for up to a total of 24 hours. Gardaí were on Thursday night continuing to question the teenager about the killing.
A second-year chemical engineering student at CIT, Mr Blair’s remains will lie in repose at his family home at Ballinascarthy in West Cork, where he lived with his parents, Noel and Kathy, and younger brother Alan (17).
The funeral service will take place at 2pm on Sunday at St Peter’s Church in Bandon at 2pm, where Mr Blair’s teammates from Bandon Rugby Club and Bandon Athletic Club will form a guard of honour before burial takes place in Kilbeg Cemetery.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Gardaí search for ‘distraction gang’ following jewellery shop theft

Gardaí are searching for a gang specialising in distraction theft and which stole money and cash from a jeweller and antique dealer in Co Donegal .
The robbery occurred last Saturday on Main St , Letterkenny , when a five-member gang - four women and a man - targeted a shop at 4.30pm .
Some of the group distracted staff by asking to look at items of jewellery while one of their accomplices gained access to a back office and stole jewels and cash .
Some of the items stolen were rare antiques , with more than 20 pieces of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as cash .
Gardaí have now issued a description of the haul and a photograph of the car used by the gang .
The robbery occurred at Mourne Antiques & Jewellery just four months after it had opened new premises in the Co Donegal town .
“ The items stolen included cash and jewellery , among them was an 18 carat white gold oval yellow sapphire cluster ring , ” the Garda said in a statement .
“ Among the items stolen were nine 18 carat gold rings , two 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case along with a matching chain , a rare antique round vesta ( matches ) case , a rare antique rose gold plain locket set with old cut diamonds , and a rare 9 carat antique rose gold ‘ paper link ’ 30 ” chain , and six antique bar brooches.
” Gardaí said the gang arrived at the premises and left together in a blue Ford S-Max and detectives in Letterkenny have been working with their colleagues in the PSNI in a bid to track down the vehicle .
It is believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbouring Co Derry and into Dublin and an alert for the car and its occupants has been shared across the Garda and PSNI .
Anyone who believes they have seen the vehicle is asked to contact Letterkenny gardaí on 074-9167100 or any other Garda or PSNI station .

An image of one of the stolen items. Photograph: Garda Press Office
Gardaí are searching for a gang specialising in distraction theft and which stole money and cash from a jeweller and antique dealer in Co Donegal.
The robbery occurred last Saturday on Main St, Letterkenny, when a five-member gang - four women and a man - targeted a shop at 4.30pm.
Some of the group distracted staff by asking to look at items of jewellery while one of their accomplices gained access to a back office and stole jewels and cash.
An image of the suspect’s car. Photograph: Garda Press Office
Some of the items stolen were rare antiques, with more than 20 pieces of jewellery, most rings, were taken as well as cash.
READ MORE
Gardaí have now issued a description of the haul and a photograph of the car used by the gang.
The robbery occurred at Mourne Antiques & Jewellery just four months after it had opened new premises in the Co Donegal town.
“The items stolen included cash and jewellery, among them was an 18 carat white gold oval yellow sapphire cluster ring,” the Garda said in a statement.
“Among the items stolen were nine 18 carat gold rings, two 9 carat gold rings, an antique sovereign case along with a matching chain, a rare antique round vesta (matches) case, a rare antique rose gold plain locket set with old cut diamonds, and a rare 9 carat antique rose gold ‘paper link’ 30” chain, and six antique bar brooches.”
Gardaí said the gang arrived at the premises and left together in a blue Ford S-Max and detectives in Letterkenny have been working with their colleagues in the PSNI in a bid to track down the vehicle.
It is believed the car may have been driven through neighbouring Co Derry and into Dublin and an alert for the car and its occupants has been shared across the Garda and PSNI.
Anyone who believes they have seen the vehicle is asked to contact Letterkenny gardaí on 074-9167100 or any other Garda or PSNI station.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Cross-section One Future group launches campaign for faster climate action

An alliance made up of a broad cross-section of Irish society has launched a campaign for faster and fairer climate action and underlined it is “ a central priority for the electorate ” .
The One Future campaign includes faith-based groups , development , aid , environmental and civil society organisations .
It has set out nine demands for political parties including that they sign up to an 8 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year – the current national target is less than 3 per cent – and ending support for new fossil fuel projects .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy “ as farms reduce emissions and become more sustainable ” .
It also underlines the need for “ affordable and accessible public transport for all ” and restoration of nature and wildlife .
The group has printed 250,000 mini-pamphlets to target candidates .
Lead organisations involved are the National Women ’ s Council of Ireland ; the Union of Students in Ireland ( USI ) , Dóchas – the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations , Stop Climate Chaos Coalition , Fridays for Future Ireland and the Environmental Pillar , the advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a manifesto , it states Ireland has been a laggard on climate action , indicated by “ vague policy commitments and missed targets ” .
The combination of campaigning civil society groups , the Citizens ’ Assembly and the all-party committee on climate action had laid the ground for a step change , it added .
“ All of these bodies are simply asking Ireland to do its fair share .
And it is in our vital national interest to do so .
“ We know climate change exacerbates existing inequalities and discrimination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money harder .
It is also the case that badly designed climate policies can exacerbate existing inequalities and discrimination , ” it says .
To date governments had relied on taxes and subsidies to incentivise individual behaviour change , “ rather than investment in low-carbon infrastructure and regulatory measures to deliver systematic decarbonisation throughout the economy ” .
Those with lower disposable incomes and who suffer from other forms of social exclusion were hit harder by higher taxes .
“ Such households are less likely to be able to afford to invest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notwithstanding , ” it notes .
Getting to “ zero-climate pollution ” would bring immediate benefits beyond reducing air pollution and traffic congestion to all parts of the country such as warmer homes , better accessibility with improved bus , train , cycling and walking infrastructure , “ and opportunities to share in the ownership of the energy system that will power our future ” .
Speaking on Wednesday at its launch in Sandymount , USI deputy president Michelle Byrne said it was supporting the campaign because “ the climate emergency affects us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s very difficult to lobby on any other issue if climate is not factored in , ” she said .
In getting thousands of student registered to vote in recent days , it was clear the climate crisis was among their top concerns .
Dr Rob Rutledge of Irish Doctors for the Environment said “ as physicians we recognise climate change is the greatest threat to human life ” .
“ We want to impress on the in-coming government that the climate emergency needs to be at the forefront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
As it was , however , Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil were “ planning to fail ” on meeting critical 2030 targets .
Farmer Sinead Moran , who with her husband Michael McGrath runs the Gleann Buí “ mirco dairy ” farm near Ballyhaunis , Co Mayo , said biodiversity and climate-appropriate actions informed how they farmed .
Between livelihood issues and much discussion about environmental impact , it was “ not easy for farmers ” at present , so the right blend of supports were needed for the rural economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but not the support structures , ” she believed .
This was indicated by the absence of “ proper agro-forestry schemes ” that could help capture carbon more , or opportunities to embrace renewable energy production .
The campaign website is https : //www.onefuture.ie/

Peter O’Brien, pictured on Sandymount Strand, Dublin at the launch of One Future. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
An alliance made up of a broad cross-section of Irish society has launched a campaign for faster and fairer climate action and underlined it is “a central priority for the electorate”.
The One Future campaign includes faith-based groups, development, aid, environmental and civil society organisations.
It has set out nine demands for political parties including that they sign up to an 8 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions each year – the current national target is less than 3 per cent – and ending support for new fossil fuel projects. It emphasises the need to support the rural economy “as farms reduce emissions and become more sustainable”.
It also underlines the need for “affordable and accessible public transport for all” and restoration of nature and wildlife. The group has printed 250,000 mini-pamphlets to target candidates.
READ MORE
Lead organisations involved are the National Women's Council of Ireland; the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), Dóchas – the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations, Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, Fridays for Future Ireland and the Environmental Pillar, the advocacy coalition of national environmental organisations.
In a manifesto, it states Ireland has been a laggard on climate action, indicated by “vague policy commitments and missed targets”.
The combination of campaigning civil society groups, the Citizens’ Assembly and the all-party committee on climate action had laid the ground for a step change, it added. “All of these bodies are simply asking Ireland to do its fair share. And it is in our vital national interest to do so.
“We know climate change exacerbates existing inequalities and discrimination, hitting those with less power and money harder. It is also the case that badly designed climate policies can exacerbate existing inequalities and discrimination,” it says.
To date governments had relied on taxes and subsidies to incentivise individual behaviour change, “rather than investment in low-carbon infrastructure and regulatory measures to deliver systematic decarbonisation throughout the economy”.
Those with lower disposable incomes and who suffer from other forms of social exclusion were hit harder by higher taxes. “Such households are less likely to be able to afford to invest in electric cars and solar panels, subsidies notwithstanding,” it notes.
Getting to “zero-climate pollution” would bring immediate benefits beyond reducing air pollution and traffic congestion to all parts of the country such as warmer homes, better accessibility with improved bus, train, cycling and walking infrastructure, “and opportunities to share in the ownership of the energy system that will power our future”.
Speaking on Wednesday at its launch in Sandymount, USI deputy president Michelle Byrne said it was supporting the campaign because "the climate emergency affects us now and we are the future".
“It’s very difficult to lobby on any other issue if climate is not factored in,” she said. In getting thousands of student registered to vote in recent days, it was clear the climate crisis was among their top concerns.
Dr Rob Rutledge of Irish Doctors for the Environment said "as physicians we recognise climate change is the greatest threat to human life".
"We want to impress on the in-coming government that the climate emergency needs to be at the forefront of any given policy," he said. As it was, however, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil were "planning to fail" on meeting critical 2030 targets.
Farmer Sinead Moran, who with her husband Michael McGrath runs the Gleann Buí "mirco dairy" farm near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, said biodiversity and climate-appropriate actions informed how they farmed.
Between livelihood issues and much discussion about environmental impact, it was “not easy for farmers” at present, so the right blend of supports were needed for the rural economy. “The solutions are there, but not the support structures,” she believed.
This was indicated by the absence of “proper agro-forestry schemes” that could help capture carbon more, or opportunities to embrace renewable energy production.
The campaign website is https://www.onefuture.ie/


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--‘Big worry’: Ban vaping for under-18s, says Micheál Martin

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said he will ban vaping for under-18s and wants to “ denormalise ” the practice for everybody else .
Mr Martin said he found it “ extraordinary that vaping just arrived on the market with no health checks and with no assessment as to the potential harm it could do ” .
In 2004 , Mr Martin became the first health minister in the world to implement the smoking ban .
Mr Martin said vaping became popular without going through any of the rigorous checks that food businesses or pharmaceutical businesses have before releasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking at a Dublin Chamber of Commerce event organised before the election was called .
“ We are not sure what this impact it would have on the lungs in the future , ” he said .
“ I find that scary .
It ’ s growing exponentially among young people , and that ’ s a big worry that I would have .
“ I would ban it for under-18s .
There would be a broad consensus across the political divide on it .
We need to do with what we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin made his remarks in a question-and-answer session from the breakfast audience at the Conrad Hotel .
He accused Sinn Féin and left parties of “ spewing out negative hostility ” towards multinationals working in the Irish economy .
“ If you monitor the debates over the last five years , you rarely hear anybody in Sinn Féin or the left talk in any positive way about multinationals .
“ It ’ s always the multinational corporations who are out there to rip off this , that and the other .
The fundamental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last 50 years has been the level of foreign direct investment coming into the country.
” Mr Martin said Sinn Féin often opposed trade deals that would benefit the Irish economy including the recent deal between the EU and Canada .
“ Instinctively , we should be in favour of free trade agreements that open up new markets for our goods and services .
What you find with Sinn Féin is that it opposes all EU trade agreements.
” He ruled out a return to large-scale tax incentives for property development for which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Martin said such tax incentives are now “ toxic ” .
“ There was a sense that they became abused .
The Commission on Taxation was the catalyst for drawing back on tax incentives in relation to property because they just led to runaway and not wise investments .
“ To be frank with you , there is going to be targeted approaches in some areas to facilitate investments , ie over-the-shop residential .
It could lead to some results , but I don ’ t see any return to wholesale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future.
” In his speech , Mr Martin pledged another €100 million to third-level funding as recommended by the Cassells report .
He said the multinational sector was thriving but that indigenous businesses were falling behind because the country lacked a national small and medium enterprises plan .
In government , Fianna Fáil will establish a SME growth taskforce , Mr Martin said .
If elected to government , he also pledged to bring in insurance reform and legislation to cut down on insurance fraud and to reform the Personal Injuries Assessment @ @

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said he will ban vaping for under-18s and wants to "denormalise" the practice for everybody else.
Mr Martin said he found it "extraordinary that vaping just arrived on the market with no health checks and with no assessment as to the potential harm it could do". In 2004, Mr Martin became the first health minister in the world to implement the smoking ban.
Mr Martin said vaping became popular without going through any of the rigorous checks that food businesses or pharmaceutical businesses have before releasing products to the market. He was speaking at a Dublin Chamber of Commerce event organised before the election was called.
“We are not sure what this impact it would have on the lungs in the future,” he said.
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“I find that scary. It’s growing exponentially among young people, and that’s a big worry that I would have.
“I would ban it for under-18s. There would be a broad consensus across the political divide on it. We need to do with what we did with tobacco and denormalise it.”
Mr Martin made his remarks in a question-and-answer session from the breakfast audience at the Conrad Hotel.
He accused Sinn Féin and left parties of “spewing out negative hostility” towards multinationals working in the Irish economy.
“If you monitor the debates over the last five years, you rarely hear anybody in Sinn Féin or the left talk in any positive way about multinationals.
“It’s always the multinational corporations who are out there to rip off this, that and the other. The fundamental underpinnings of the Irish economy over the last 50 years has been the level of foreign direct investment coming into the country.”
Mr Martin said Sinn Féin often opposed trade deals that would benefit the Irish economy including the recent deal between the EU and Canada.
“Instinctively, we should be in favour of free trade agreements that open up new markets for our goods and services. What you find with Sinn Féin is that it opposes all EU trade agreements.”
He ruled out a return to large-scale tax incentives for property development for which previous Fianna Fáil governments had been criticised.
Mr Martin said such tax incentives are now “toxic”.
“There was a sense that they became abused. The Commission on Taxation was the catalyst for drawing back on tax incentives in relation to property because they just led to runaway and not wise investments.
“To be frank with you, there is going to be targeted approaches in some areas to facilitate investments, ie over-the-shop residential. It could lead to some results, but I don’t see any return to wholesale tax relief in terms of development into the future.”
In his speech, Mr Martin pledged another €100 million to third-level funding as recommended by the Cassells report.
He said the multinational sector was thriving but that indigenous businesses were falling behind because the country lacked a national small and medium enterprises plan.
In government, Fianna Fáil will establish a SME growth taskforce, Mr Martin said. If elected to government, he also pledged to bring in insurance reform and legislation to cut down on insurance fraud and to reform the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Disability centre resident experienced ‘89 abusive incidents’ in nine months - Hiqa

A resident of a south Dublin centre for people with disabilities experienced 89 abusive incidents in a nine-month period , according to a report by the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) .
It says the incidents occurred last year as a result of the the failure of St John of God Community Service , which operates the centre in Glasthule , to appropriately support other residents with their “ behaviours of distress ” .
“ Compounding factors included some members of staff not completing training or refresher training in the area of behaviour support and the high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the centre , ” said the health watchdog , which found the centre to be non-compliant on 10 of the 19 regulations it inspected .
Hiqa on Thursday published 25 inspection reports on centres for people with disabilities , and said its inspectors found a good level of compliance with regulations in 20 of them .
However , in the Glasthule centre , inspectors found it had not protected some residents from experiencing abuse and through a lack of action on the part of the operator , a number of residents continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on a regular basis .
“ The inspector .
.
.
found that the governance systems employed did not ensure that service delivery was safe , of a high standard and appropriate to residents ’ needs , ” Hiqa said .
“ While the registered provider was aware of the areas of non-compliance with the regulations , the inspector found that appropriate actions had not been taken to ensure that residents were protected and services of a satisfactory standard were provided.
” Overall , the 15 residents were happy with the service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports , Hiqa recommended improvements for two centres operated by St Patrick ’ s Centre ( Kilkenny ) , a RehabCare centre and two centres run by St John of God Community Services .

A resident of a south Dublin centre for people with disabilities experienced 89 abusive incidents in a nine-month period, according to a report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). Image: iStock.
A resident of a south Dublin centre for people with disabilities experienced 89 abusive incidents in a nine-month period, according to a report by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).
It says the incidents occurred last year as a result of the the failure of St John of God Community Service, which operates the centre in Glasthule, to appropriately support other residents with their "behaviours of distress".
“Compounding factors included some members of staff not completing training or refresher training in the area of behaviour support and the high numbers of relief staff members employed in the centre,” said the health watchdog, which found the centre to be non-compliant on 10 of the 19 regulations it inspected.
Hiqa on Thursday published 25 inspection reports on centres for people with disabilities, and said its inspectors found a good level of compliance with regulations in 20 of them.
READ MORE
However, in the Glasthule centre, inspectors found it had not protected some residents from experiencing abuse and through a lack of action on the part of the operator, a number of residents continue to experience “incidents of a safeguarding nature” on a regular basis.
“The inspector . . . found that the governance systems employed did not ensure that service delivery was safe, of a high standard and appropriate to residents’ needs,” Hiqa said. “While the registered provider was aware of the areas of non-compliance with the regulations, the inspector found that appropriate actions had not been taken to ensure that residents were protected and services of a satisfactory standard were provided.”
Overall, the 15 residents were happy with the service provided, inspectors noted.
In the reports, Hiqa recommended improvements for two centres operated by St Patrick's Centre (Kilkenny), a RehabCare centre and two centres run by St John of God Community Services.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Chance of snow as Ireland set for cold snap from Sunday

Ireland is set for a cold snap with temperatures set to plunge and snow showers in parts early next week .
An unsettled and dreary weekend is forecast before a cold snap kicks in from the start of next week with some snow expected in the north and west over the weekend , Met Éireann has said .
There is a chance of snow and sleet showers over higher ground on Sunday , with highest temperatures of four to eight degrees expected .
Thursday has started out foggy in many area and this is expected to give way to cloudy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but with some small patches of rain and drizzle in others .
Thursday night is set to be foggy , heaviest in Leinster and Munster , and temperatures are expected to fall to three degrees .
Friday will be much the same , with heavy fog in the morning lifting during the day .
The forecast is for a mostly dry and cloudy day , with some rain in the north and northwest .
Patchy rain is expected along the Atlantic coast at the weekend and these showers will become heavier by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the country is for another dry and cloudy day , with highest temperatures of between seven and 10 degrees .
Met Éireann said Sunday would be a colder day , with scattered rain showers in the west .
These may turn to sleet showers later with a risk of snow over higher ground in the west and north .
There is also be a risk of thunder in areas along the Atlantic coast .
Temperatures may drop to as low as zero on Sunday night , with a risk of frost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold conditions are forecast to continue into Monday and Tuesday .
The outlook notes wintry showers and a risk of thunder in Connacht and west Ulster .
Highest temperatures will be between three and seven degrees , with cold southwesterly winds expected on Tuesday .
Temperatures will drop on Tuesday and very cold conditions will create a risk of frost and icy patches on roads .
The weather is forecast to become milder from the middle of the week but conditions will be unsettled .

Temperatures may drop to as low as zero on Sunday night, with a risk of frost and ice across the country
Ireland is set for a cold snap with temperatures set to plunge and snow showers in parts early next week.
An unsettled and dreary weekend is forecast before a cold snap kicks in from the start of next week with some snow expected in the north and west over the weekend, Met Éireann has said.
There is a chance of snow and sleet showers over higher ground on Sunday, with highest temperatures of four to eight degrees expected.
Thursday has started out foggy in many area and this is expected to give way to cloudy and largely dry conditions in most areas, but with some small patches of rain and drizzle in others.
READ MORE
Thursday night is set to be foggy, heaviest in Leinster and Munster, and temperatures are expected to fall to three degrees.
Friday will be much the same, with heavy fog in the morning lifting during the day. The forecast is for a mostly dry and cloudy day, with some rain in the north and northwest.
Patchy rain is expected along the Atlantic coast at the weekend and these showers will become heavier by Saturday evening. The forecast for the rest of the country is for another dry and cloudy day, with highest temperatures of between seven and 10 degrees.
Met Éireann said Sunday would be a colder day, with scattered rain showers in the west. These may turn to sleet showers later with a risk of snow over higher ground in the west and north. There is also be a risk of thunder in areas along the Atlantic coast.
Temperatures may drop to as low as zero on Sunday night, with a risk of frost and ice across the country.
The cold conditions are forecast to continue into Monday and Tuesday. The outlook notes wintry showers and a risk of thunder in Connacht and west Ulster. Highest temperatures will be between three and seven degrees, with cold southwesterly winds expected on Tuesday. Temperatures will drop on Tuesday and very cold conditions will create a risk of frost and icy patches on roads.
The weather is forecast to become milder from the middle of the week but conditions will be unsettled.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--HSE and Tusla criticised by ombudsman over inadequate plans for disabled children

The Children ’ s Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon has criticised both the HSE and Tusla for not adequately making plans for disabled children in care .
A report published on Thursday by the Office of the Children ’ s Ombudsman ( OCO ) called Molly Two Years On , outlines significant progress made to improve supports and services available to children with moderate to profound disabilities in the care of the State .
However , the report also identifies substantial shortcomings , particularly on behalf of the HSE .
Dr Muldoon said two years after the OCO first published Molly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can not agree with Tusla on the identity of these children and they still can not adequately plan for their care .
“ In 2018 we published Molly ’ s Case , an investigation we carried out about a child with a disability who is in foster care .
She was abandoned by her biological parents at birth .
She is now 16 and has grown up with her foster family after being placed there soon after she was born .
Molly is dependent on her foster carers for feeding , toileting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muldoon told RTÉ radio ’ s Morning Ireland .
“ When Molly ’ s foster carer came to us we found that neither the HSE nor Tusla saw Molly as a child in care and also a child with a disability .
There was a lack of co-ordination which meant that services and supports provided by both organisations were insufficient .
“ We also found that , according to Tusla there were 471 other children like Molly , yet neither Tusla nor the HSE had a good enough system in place to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When we published Molly ’ s case in 2018 both the HSE and Tusla made a number of significant and ambitious commitments .
We revisited this case in 2019 , but we were not satisfied with the progress made so we decided to give the HSE and Tusla another 12 months to fulfil their commitments.
” Dr Muldoon said it was incomprehensible that two years on , the HSE has still not managed to come to an agreement with Tusla to identify the children in State care nationally with moderate to profound disabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spirit of this agreement , ” he said .
While the HSE and Tusla have worked together to identify the children who will turn 18 , he said , they could not do the same for younger children .
“ This suggests a focus on the financial implications to their budget , rather than a drive to plan for and provide the best care .
“ It is imperative that every effort is made to support all the exceptionally committed foster carers that are looking after children with moderate to severe disabilities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ children would be facing a life in residential care .
However , in order to provide the appropriate support there must be consensus among those involved as to who these children are.
” Dr Muldoon called on both agencies to “ mould together ” .
He said he intends to bring a copy of this report to both the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs .
“ In an effort to mirror the level of co-operation required for this case I will be urging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review the report jointly so as to address the issues arising .
”

The Children's Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon has criticised both the HSE and Tusla for not adequately making plans for disabled children in care.
A report published on Thursday by the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman (OCO) called Molly Two Years On, outlines significant progress made to improve supports and services available to children with moderate to profound disabilities in the care of the State. However, the report also identifies substantial shortcomings, particularly on behalf of the HSE.
Dr Muldoon said two years after the OCO first published Molly’s Case, the HSE still cannot agree with Tusla on the identity of these children and they still cannot adequately plan for their care.
"In 2018 we published Molly's Case, an investigation we carried out about a child with a disability who is in foster care. She was abandoned by her biological parents at birth. She is now 16 and has grown up with her foster family after being placed there soon after she was born. Molly is dependent on her foster carers for feeding, toileting, bathing, and dressing," Dr Muldoon told RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland.
READ MORE
“When Molly’s foster carer came to us we found that neither the HSE nor Tusla saw Molly as a child in care and also a child with a disability. There was a lack of co-ordination which meant that services and supports provided by both organisations were insufficient.
“We also found that, according to Tusla there were 471 other children like Molly, yet neither Tusla nor the HSE had a good enough system in place to ensure adequate supports were being provided.
“When we published Molly’s case in 2018 both the HSE and Tusla made a number of significant and ambitious commitments. We revisited this case in 2019, but we were not satisfied with the progress made so we decided to give the HSE and Tusla another 12 months to fulfil their commitments.”
Dr Muldoon said it was incomprehensible that two years on, the HSE has still not managed to come to an agreement with Tusla to identify the children in State care nationally with moderate to profound disabilities.
“The HSE is ignoring the spirit of this agreement,” he said.
While the HSE and Tusla have worked together to identify the children who will turn 18, he said, they could not do the same for younger children. “This suggests a focus on the financial implications to their budget, rather than a drive to plan for and provide the best care.
“It is imperative that every effort is made to support all the exceptionally committed foster carers that are looking after children with moderate to severe disabilities. Without their loving care and commitment these children would be facing a life in residential care. However, in order to provide the appropriate support there must be consensus among those involved as to who these children are.”
Dr Muldoon called on both agencies to “mould together”. He said he intends to bring a copy of this report to both the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs.
“In an effort to mirror the level of co-operation required for this case I will be urging the two committees to come together and review the report jointly so as to address the issues arising.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Making the invisible visible through the use of technology

My friend has a video alarm system on his house .
It is a motion sensor that triggers a short video capture and pings the notification to his phone , which keeps him up to date with the busy , and usually unobserved , animal activities in the three or four square metres around his front door .
He regularly gets video messages from the local cats as they patrol past his front door on the nightly prowl round their territory .
Then there ’ s the occasional notification from the resident spider as she spins her web near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being observed and the cobweb noted for future removal .
These casual meanderings of nature into our technology webs may lead people to enter purposefully into the nature observation world .
Observation of nature and finding meaning in those observations is a fundamental part of human experience .
Recognition , identification and memorisation of features and locations would have been the difference between life and death back when the height of human technology was the use of sharpened sticks for digging or killing .
Our need for food recognition skills has waned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to find the right aisle in the supermarket when you ’ ve run out of rice .
It ’ s enjoyable knowing who and what I ’ m sharing my weekend hikes or backyard with , but it takes time and effort to learn how to tell a great tit and blue tit apart , which kind of speedwell is in my lawn or whether that mushroom is likely to kill me or not .
To make it easier I have been playing around with nature observation and identification apps on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powerful artificial intelligence in our pockets or bags .
Algorithms that process information from photos or videos can help us to recognise thousands of species that share spaces with us .
One of my favourite apps is Flora Incognita which prompts you to take photos of a plant you want to identify from different angles and quickly feeds back what it is likely to be .
It gives you other photos of the likely species and a link to the Wikipedia page to help you find out more .
The app Seek covers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of taking still photos , you use your phone camera to scan the environment and as you move around the object it homes in on the most likely candidate species .
A few bumblebees were chased around the kids ’ playground trying it out during the summer .
A really good Shazam app for birdsong is still missing , where you can point a phone at the morning twittering in the trees and get , not just the species , but whether the call is a regular territory defending song or an alarm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it also has a hugely important scientific use .
The Seek app is linked to a massive database of citizen observations of nature callediNaturalist .
As more and more people observe and record what is around them , knowledge of the world ’ s animals , plants and fungi is growing .
These observations can be quantified , mapped and interrogated for broader patterns of species movements or decline .
There is still no match for the human eye and brain as you get serious about species identification , but the gateway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you hooked on tracking down exactly which of the 100 species of bees in Ireland you ’ ve just seen on the dandelions in your lawn .
You might start to casually browse a facebook groupfor invertebrate identification where people help each other out by posting and commenting on photos of assorted slugs , bugs and creepy crawlies .
Before you know it , you might have signed up to a butterfly identification and monitoring course at the Biodiversity Data Centre and start contributing to citizen science projects tracking the fates of Irish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street View to monitor trees and the photo sharing website Flickr to characterise which elements of nature appeal most to humans .
Imagine the picture of front-door nature we would get if we uploaded all the security cameras around a neighbourhood with species recognition software and pushed the data to a shared database .
We could track the secretive night lives of urban foxes and hedgehogs and uncover the shadow neighbours rarely seen in person but who we share our stomping grounds with .
Perhaps my friend would get regular notifications of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year .
Making the invisible visible through the use of technology increases our connection with nature and may also increase efforts to keep nature in our lives .
Yvonne Buckley is an ecologist and professor of zoology at Trinity College Dublin

Urban legends: we could track the secretive night lives of urban foxes and hedgehogs and uncover the shadow neighbours rarely seen in person
My friend has a video alarm system on his house. It is a motion sensor that triggers a short video capture and pings the notification to his phone, which keeps him up to date with the busy, and usually unobserved, animal activities in the three or four square metres around his front door.
He regularly gets video messages from the local cats as they patrol past his front door on the nightly prowl round their territory. Then there’s the occasional notification from the resident spider as she spins her web near the sensor, unaware that her fly-catching attempts are being observed and the cobweb noted for future removal.
These casual meanderings of nature into our technology webs may lead people to enter purposefully into the nature observation world. Observation of nature and finding meaning in those observations is a fundamental part of human experience.
Recognition, identification and memorisation of features and locations would have been the difference between life and death back when the height of human technology was the use of sharpened sticks for digging or killing. Our need for food recognition skills has waned somewhat, with the biggest challenge now how to find the right aisle in the supermarket when you’ve run out of rice.
READ MORE
AI in our pockets
It’s enjoyable knowing who and what I’m sharing my weekend hikes or backyard with, but it takes time and effort to learn how to tell a great tit and blue tit apart, which kind of speedwell is in my lawn or whether that mushroom is likely to kill me or not. To make it easier I have been playing around with nature observation and identification apps on my phone.
We now walk around with powerful artificial intelligence in our pockets or bags. Algorithms that process information from photos or videos can help us to recognise thousands of species that share spaces with us. One of my favourite apps is Flora Incognita which prompts you to take photos of a plant you want to identify from different angles and quickly feeds back what it is likely to be.
Phone camera
It gives you other photos of the likely species and a link to the Wikipedia page to help you find out more. The app Seek covers animals, plants and fungi and instead of taking still photos, you use your phone camera to scan the environment and as you move around the object it homes in on the most likely candidate species. A few bumblebees were chased around the kids' playground trying it out during the summer.
A really good Shazam app for birdsong is still missing, where you can point a phone at the morning twittering in the trees and get, not just the species, but whether the call is a regular territory defending song or an alarm call.
This is all great fun but it also has a hugely important scientific use. The Seek app is linked to a massive database of citizen observations of nature callediNaturalist. As more and more people observe and record what is around them, knowledge of the world's animals, plants and fungi is growing. These observations can be quantified, mapped and interrogated for broader patterns of species movements or decline.
There is still no match for the human eye and brain as you get serious about species identification, but the gateway drug of AI image recognition can get you hooked on tracking down exactly which of the 100 species of bees in Ireland you've just seen on the dandelions in your lawn.
Citizen science projects
You might start to casually browse a facebook groupfor invertebrate identification where people help each other out by posting and commenting on photos of assorted slugs, bugs and creepy crawlies. Before you know it, you might have signed up to a butterfly identification and monitoring course at the Biodiversity Data Centre and start contributing to citizen science projects tracking the fates of Irish butterfly species.
Scientists already use Google Street View to monitor trees and the photo sharing website Flickr to characterise which elements of nature appeal most to humans. Imagine the picture of front-door nature we would get if we uploaded all the security cameras around a neighbourhood with species recognition software and pushed the data to a shared database.
We could track the secretive night lives of urban foxes and hedgehogs and uncover the shadow neighbours rarely seen in person but who we share our stomping grounds with. Perhaps my friend would get regular notifications of how the local foxes are doing compared with last year.
Making the invisible visible through the use of technology increases our connection with nature and may also increase efforts to keep nature in our lives.
Yvonne Buckley is an ecologist and professor of zoology at Trinity College Dublin


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Dublin council promised to drop claims for €12m ‘in return’ for white-water rafting grant

Dublin City Council promised to drop claims it was owed about €12 million from the Department of Housing following the wind-up of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority ( DDDA ) , “ in return for grant assistance ” for its proposed white-water rafting facility .
The council had taken on significant costs after the Docklands authority , established in 1997 , was wound up in 2016 , such as pension liabilities , upkeep costs to roads and public areas , repairs to the Jeanie Johnson tall ship and legal costs .
Last December , Dublin city councillors voted to approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility at George ’ s Dock , beside the CHQ building in Dublin city centre , at a cost of €23 million .
They were told €13 million would come from grants primarily drawn from central Government , €4m from council reserves and just under €5 million from development levies .
The previous month , council chief executive Owen Keegan wrote to the Department of Housing to pitch for funding for the project , according to correspondence seen by The Irish Times .
Mr Keegan said the council and the department had previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues arising from the dissolution of the DDDA ” which had transferred its “ functions , assets and liabilities ” to the council .
The November 21st letter suggested rather than “ engaging in prolonged correspondence with the department on this matter , with little hope of a successful outcome ” , the council would agree to accept the additional costs “ in return for grant assistance ” towards the white-water rafting project .
The correspondence was released under Freedom of Information acts .
A council spokeswoman said the most recent estimate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Docklands authority was about €12 million , but the total cost “ will not be finalised for some time ” .
While the council had pursued the matter “ there is no legal obligation on the department to compensate the city council in respect of these costs ” , she said .

Dublin city councillors will next month be asked to give the green light to a new white-water rafting facility on George’s Dock in the IFSC. Video: Smart Docklands/Dublin City Council/Dublin Docklands
Dublin City Council promised to drop claims it was owed about €12 million from the Department of Housing following the wind-up of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA), "in return for grant assistance" for its proposed white-water rafting facility.
The council had taken on significant costs after the Docklands authority, established in 1997, was wound up in 2016, such as pension liabilities, upkeep costs to roads and public areas, repairs to the Jeanie Johnson tall ship and legal costs.
Last December, Dublin city councillors voted to approve plans to build a white-water rapids rafting facility at George's Dock, beside the CHQ building in Dublin city centre, at a cost of €23 million. They were told €13 million would come from grants primarily drawn from central Government, €4m from council reserves and just under €5 million from development levies.
The previous month, council chief executive Owen Keegan wrote to the Department of Housing to pitch for funding for the project, according to correspondence seen by The Irish Times.
READ MORE
Mr Keegan said the council and the department had previously discussed “the resolution of the financial issues arising from the dissolution of the DDDA” which had transferred its “functions, assets and liabilities” to the council.
The November 21st letter suggested rather than “engaging in prolonged correspondence with the department on this matter, with little hope of a successful outcome”, the council would agree to accept the additional costs “in return for grant assistance” towards the white-water rafting project.
The correspondence was released under Freedom of Information acts.
A council spokeswoman said the most recent estimate of the liabilities taken on from the defunct Docklands authority was about €12 million, but the total cost “will not be finalised for some time”.
While the council had pursued the matter “there is no legal obligation on the department to compensate the city council in respect of these costs”, she said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--New coronavirus is increasingly likely to spread to EU, health bodies warn

Global health bodies are warning of an increased likelihood of a new flu-like virus in China spreading to Ireland and other parts of Europe .
A World Health Organisation panel of experts has said it will decide on Thursday whether the new coronavirus , which has spread from China to several countries , constitutes an international emergency .
With 17 deaths and over 500 cases now reported in China , the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention ( ECDC ) said further global spread of the virus was likely and there was now a “ moderate likelihood ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a new risk assessment published on Wednesday , it said the risk was highest in countries with the greatest volume of people travelling to and from Wuhan , the Chinese province where the virus originated .
Three European cities have direct flights to Wuhan , including London , where passenger controls are being stepped up .
Coronaviruses , which can infect animals and people , are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses of the respiratory tract .
They are so named for the spikes protruding from their membranes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sun .
The new virus which has emerged in Wuhan in China is closely related to the Sars virus , which killed almost 800 people around the world in a 2003 outbreak .
The city has moved to prevent spread of the illness by closing down its transport networks and advising citizens not to leave the city .
It appears to have originated in a market where live fish , animals and birds were sold and , in the space of a few weeks , has spread to many parts of China .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , including the US .
The ECDC also said there was “ considerable uncertainty about the mortality and morbidity of this disease , and more epidemiological data is urgently needed to get a better understanding of this virus ” .
Despite the ECDC upgrading the perceived threat from the virus , the Irish Department of Health , relying on a previous assessment , described the risk of a case in Europe as low at present .
There are currently no direct flights from China to Ireland , it also pointed out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new service starts next month .
The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised Irish travellers that while the risk of contracting the disease in China remains low , their travel could be disrupted by increased quarantine and containment measures there .
It says the Irish Embassy in China will continue to monitor the situation .
According to the Health Service Executive ’ s Health Protection Surveillance Centre “ there is much more to learn ” about how the virus spreads and the severity of illnesses it causes .
“ Access to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] will help identify infections with this virus going forward , ” it said .
“ More cases may be identified in the coming days , including more in countries outside China .
Given what has occurred previously with Mers and Sars , it ’ s possible that some limited person-to-person spread will occur.
” Dr Samuel McConkey , an infectious diseases expert at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , said it was likely the new virus would spread to dozens of other countries .
But he stressed there was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was and what level of symptoms it caused and it was difficult to predict what would happen , given the limited information available so far .
Ireland recorded just one case of Sars during the 2003 international outbreak , in a patient who had returned from southeast Asia .
The new virus identified in Wuhan is closely related to Sars .

Scientists at the University of Hong have determined that at least 1,300 individuals in Wuhan are statistically likely to have been infected with a novel coronavirus between January 1st and 17th. Video: Reuters
Global health bodies are warning of an increased likelihood of a new flu-like virus in China spreading to Ireland and other parts of Europe.
A World Health Organisation panel of experts has said it will decide on Thursday whether the new coronavirus, which has spread from China to several countries, constitutes an international emergency.
With 17 deaths and over 500 cases now reported in China, the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) said further global spread of the virus was likely and there was now a “moderate likelihood” of imported cases being detected in the EU.
In a new risk assessment published on Wednesday, it said the risk was highest in countries with the greatest volume of people travelling to and from Wuhan, the Chinese province where the virus originated.
READ MORE
Three European cities have direct flights to Wuhan, including London, where passenger controls are being stepped up.
Coronaviruses, which can infect animals and people, are a large family of viruses that can cause illnesses of the respiratory tract. They are so named for the spikes protruding from their membranes, which resemble the corona around the sun.
Five other countries
The new virus which has emerged in Wuhan in China is closely related to the Sars virus, which killed almost 800 people around the world in a 2003 outbreak. The city has moved to prevent spread of the illness by closing down its transport networks and advising citizens not to leave the city.
It appears to have originated in a market where live fish, animals and birds were sold and, in the space of a few weeks, has spread to many parts of China. Cases have been reported in five other countries, including the US.
The ECDC also said there was “considerable uncertainty about the mortality and morbidity of this disease, and more epidemiological data is urgently needed to get a better understanding of this virus”.
Despite the ECDC upgrading the perceived threat from the virus, the Irish Department of Health, relying on a previous assessment, described the risk of a case in Europe as low at present.
There are currently no direct flights from China to Ireland, it also pointed out. Direct flights operate in the summer and a new service starts next month.
Monitoring situation
The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised Irish travellers that while the risk of contracting the disease in China remains low, their travel could be disrupted by increased quarantine and containment measures there.
It says the Irish Embassy in China will continue to monitor the situation.
According to the Health Service Executive’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre “there is much more to learn” about how the virus spreads and the severity of illnesses it causes.
“Access to the full genetic sequence of [this coronavirus] will help identify infections with this virus going forward,” it said. “More cases may be identified in the coming days, including more in countries outside China. Given what has occurred previously with Mers and Sars, it’s possible that some limited person-to-person spread will occur.”
Dr Samuel McConkey, an infectious diseases expert at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, said it was likely the new virus would spread to dozens of other countries. But he stressed there was "so much uncertainty" about how infectious it was and what level of symptoms it caused and it was difficult to predict what would happen, given the limited information available so far.
Ireland recorded just one case of Sars during the 2003 international outbreak, in a patient who had returned from southeast Asia. The new virus identified in Wuhan is closely related to Sars.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--‘I don’t know if he died . . . but I don’t want him in the Tuam tanks’

Angela Lally was 11 years-old when she first heard about her grandmother ’ s sister Mary Ann Lestrange and her baby George .
As she grew older , she developed an interest in genealogy and started investigating the lives of her grand-aunt and cousin .
She uncovered a tragic story of loss and separation which has become all too familiar to many families dotted across this island .
George , who was born on September 4th , 1929 , spent the first 7½ months of his life in the Tuam mother-and-baby home with Lestrange .
On March 9th , 1930 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ George died .
Two weeks later his mother was discharged from the home but rejected by her community .
Nine decades on , the family still believe baby George may have been illegally adopted .
“ My mother said he was sent to America so I always assumed he was there.
” Her grandmother never spoke of her sister but always carried her photograph .
“ She was my grandmother ’ s older sister and they worked together in Galway .
She was a bridesmaid at my grandmother ’ s wedding and godmother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just fell apart for her .
She was ostracised and lost her son.
” Lally later discovered Lestrange spent her final years at a county home in Loughrea , where she was buried in an unmarked grave .
“ I can ’ t get over the pain and suffering she must have gone through on her own.
” She has filed a missing person ’ s report for George and believes he may be the oldest missing person in the history of the State .
After making contact with the Tuam Mother and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burial site , an experience she found deeply upsetting .
“ I don ’ t know if he died or what he died from but I don ’ t want him in the Tuam tanks .
I ’ d like him to be brought home to the family plot.
” Shortly before Christmas the family erected a plaque in Loughrea in memory of Lestrange and her son .
Lally says the Government should push ahead with the proposed DNA scheme so that families can have “ justice and closure ” .
“ To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean the world to us .
It would bring closure to a family ripped apart .
I ’ d ask the Government not to postpone this or put it on the back burner .
There are lots of people waiting for answers .
”

Plaque for Mary Ann Lestrange and her son George who died in Tuam mother and baby home in 1930. Photograph: Angela Lally
Angela Lally was 11 years-old when she first heard about her grandmother’s sister Mary Ann Lestrange and her baby George. As she grew older, she developed an interest in genealogy and started investigating the lives of her grand-aunt and cousin. She uncovered a tragic story of loss and separation which has become all too familiar to many families dotted across this island.
George, who was born on September 4th, 1929, spent the first 7½ months of his life in the Tuam mother-and-baby home with Lestrange. On March 9th, 1930, according to his death certificate, George died. Two weeks later his mother was discharged from the home but rejected by her community.
Nine decades on, the family still believe baby George may have been illegally adopted. “My mother said he was sent to America so I always assumed he was there.”
Her grandmother never spoke of her sister but always carried her photograph. “She was my grandmother’s older sister and they worked together in Galway. She was a bridesmaid at my grandmother’s wedding and godmother to her first child. But it just fell apart for her. She was ostracised and lost her son.”
READ MORE
Lally later discovered Lestrange spent her final years at a county home in Loughrea, where she was buried in an unmarked grave. "I can't get over the pain and suffering she must have gone through on her own."
Missing person
She has filed a missing person’s report for George and believes he may be the oldest missing person in the history of the State. After making contact with the Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance, Lally visited the burial site, an experience she found deeply upsetting.
“I don’t know if he died or what he died from but I don’t want him in the Tuam tanks. I’d like him to be brought home to the family plot.”
Shortly before Christmas the family erected a plaque in Loughrea in memory of Lestrange and her son. Lally says the Government should push ahead with the proposed DNA scheme so that families can have “justice and closure”.
“To have him identified and brought home would mean the world to us. It would bring closure to a family ripped apart. I’d ask the Government not to postpone this or put it on the back burner. There are lots of people waiting for answers.”


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--Government must not forget Tuam mother-and-baby home scheme, say relatives

Relatives of children and women from the Tuam mother-and-baby home have called on the Government not to lose sight of a proposed DNA collection scheme during the general election campaign .
The Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance says samples must be collected as soon as possible to ensure relatives can participate in the programme .
“ Our members are elderly so there is limited time in order to retrieve their DNA while they ’ re still with us , ” said Breeda Murphy from the Galway support group .
“ We need to tackle this in the short term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the election throws everything into doubt.
” The call comes amid fears that proposals laid out by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone to develop a voluntary DNA collection scheme , following an independent report by Dr Geoffrey Shannon , risk being severely delayed with the formation of a new government .
Dr Shannon stated it was legally possible to collect DNA samples from family members and to develop a voluntary administrative scheme before the enactment of legislation .
This administrative scheme could then be subsumed into the legislation once it is ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zappone announced the Cabinet had approved legislation which would provide a legal basis for the phased forensic excavation , exhumation and re-interment of remains at the Tuam site .
Historian Catherine Corless , who has gathered death certificates for 796 infants linked to the Tuam home , says excavations must also start if DNA testing is to take place .
Both Ms Murphy and Ms Corless were due to present to the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs last week to discuss the general scheme of the certain institutional burials ( authorised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing was cancelled following the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil .
Ms Corless remains optimistic that legislation enabling the excavations to take place will be carried through by the new government without delay .
“ Dr Shannon and the UN have declared it [ the burials ] illegal and that the babies were denied justice .
The Government knows the world is looking at us .
“ Those babies are just lying there .
It ’ s a huge message to Ireland ’ s future generations how the most vulnerable were treated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this society.
” Regardless of when the DNA scheme begins , a methodology must be used that is “ actually capable of identifying the remains ” , barrister Colin Smith told The Irish Times .
“ This investigation has to be prompt but it also has to be effective , that ’ s crucial .
If the wrong methodology is used the whole system will be susceptible to challenge .
The most advanced modern techniques capable of identifying the remains taking in account the conditions of the grave must be used.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuam , it is understood the template could be used at the sites of other former institutions including Sean Ross Abbey in Tipperary and the Bessborough mother-and-baby home in Cork .
The Government should remember that Tuam is just one of more than 182 institutions , agencies and individuals that interacted with unmarried mothers in the 20th century , said Claire McGettrick , co-founder of the Adoption Rights Alliance .
A detailed investigation of death records and the number of children who were illegally adopted is also needed , said Ms McGettrick .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this has been dragged out long enough .
We ’ re still replicating history in other ways because we have failed to learn from what we did .
We ’ re incarcerating people in direct provision and people are coming out of care utterly failed by the State .
Until we understand the past we can not address the present.
” A spokesman for the Department of Children said a proposal for the establishment of a “ legally and ethically sound ” voluntary administrative scheme was at an advanced stage and being finalised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ detailed costed proposal ” was anticipated to be brought to government early in the spring .
In the absence of specific enabling legislation , there is “ no legal basis on which the Minister , or her department , can investigate the difficulties that may arise in respect of taking samples from remains and generating DNA profiles , ” he said .

Historian Catherine Corless at the site of a mass grave for children who died in the Tuam mother-and-baby home, Co Galway. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA
Relatives of children and women from the Tuam mother-and-baby home have called on the Government not to lose sight of a proposed DNA collection scheme during the general election campaign.
The Tuam Mother and Baby Home Alliance says samples must be collected as soon as possible to ensure relatives can participate in the programme. “Our members are elderly so there is limited time in order to retrieve their DNA while they’re still with us,” said Breeda Murphy from the Galway support group. “We need to tackle this in the short term to allow for closure and healing. But the election throws everything into doubt.”
The call comes amid fears that proposals laid out by Minister for Children Katherine Zappone to develop a voluntary DNA collection scheme, following an independent report by Dr Geoffrey Shannon, risk being severely delayed with the formation of a new government.
Dr Shannon stated it was legally possible to collect DNA samples from family members and to develop a voluntary administrative scheme before the enactment of legislation. This administrative scheme could then be subsumed into the legislation once it is ready, he recommended.
READ MORE
In December Ms Zappone announced the Cabinet had approved legislation which would provide a legal basis for the phased forensic excavation, exhumation and re-interment of remains at the Tuam site.
Historian Catherine Corless, who has gathered death certificates for 796 infants linked to the Tuam home, says excavations must also start if DNA testing is to take place.
Both Ms Murphy and Ms Corless were due to present to the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs last week to discuss the general scheme of the certain institutional burials (authorised interventions) Bill. However, the hearing was cancelled following the dissolution of the 32nd Dáil.
Ms Corless remains optimistic that legislation enabling the excavations to take place will be carried through by the new government without delay.
“Dr Shannon and the UN have declared it [the burials] illegal and that the babies were denied justice. The Government knows the world is looking at us.
“Those babies are just lying there. It’s a huge message to Ireland’s future generations how the most vulnerable were treated, we have to undo what was done to this society.”
Methodology
Regardless of when the DNA scheme begins, a methodology must be used that is “actually capable of identifying the remains”, barrister Colin Smith told The Irish Times.
“This investigation has to be prompt but it also has to be effective, that’s crucial. If the wrong methodology is used the whole system will be susceptible to challenge. The most advanced modern techniques capable of identifying the remains taking in account the conditions of the grave must be used.”
While the current scheme is focused on Tuam, it is understood the template could be used at the sites of other former institutions including Sean Ross Abbey in Tipperary and the Bessborough mother-and-baby home in Cork.
The Government should remember that Tuam is just one of more than 182 institutions, agencies and individuals that interacted with unmarried mothers in the 20th century, said Claire McGettrick, co-founder of the Adoption Rights Alliance.
A detailed investigation of death records and the number of children who were illegally adopted is also needed, said Ms McGettrick.
“Time is of the essence, this has been dragged out long enough. We’re still replicating history in other ways because we have failed to learn from what we did. We’re incarcerating people in direct provision and people are coming out of care utterly failed by the State. Until we understand the past we cannot address the present.”
A spokesman for the Department of Children said a proposal for the establishment of a “legally and ethically sound” voluntary administrative scheme was at an advanced stage and being finalised as quickly as possible, adding that a “detailed costed proposal” was anticipated to be brought to government early in the spring.
In the absence of specific enabling legislation, there is “no legal basis on which the Minister, or her department, can investigate the difficulties that may arise in respect of taking samples from remains and generating DNA profiles,” he said.


theirishtimes--2020-01-23--‘I get paid to learn. I couldn’t recommend it enough’

Lee Devery ( 23 ) , recalls being “ constantly ” told by teachers in secondary school that university was the best route to take after school .
He never followed their advice .
Now he is completing a two-year apprenticeship in auctioneering and property services and is delighted with his decision .
“ I really feel like this is a much better option , ” says Devery .
“ I wasn ’ t much into the books in school and I don ’ t think I ’ d have lasted in third level anyway.
” Instead of paying third-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a college course , Devery is currently being paid €20,000 a year as part of his “ earn and learn ” course .
He spends four days a week with the estate agent DNG and attends college at Ballsbridge College of Further Education one day per week .
At the end of it he will have an advanced certificate in auctioneering and property services and will be eligible to apply for an official licence , which is needed to work in the sector .
“ I went straight into the hospitality sector after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half years , ” says Devery .
“ I was interested in getting into property , but didn ’ t have the confidence to do it ... a friend who is a real estate agent told me about this .
“ I weighed it up ...
I did the interview , it went very well , and for me it ’ s the best way to learn : it ’ s hands-on and you practise what you learn.
” Property services is one of a raft of new “ white collar ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 50 in 2018 to 90 this year .
“ There are people doing the course who have lots of experience , but don ’ t have the licences , so it ’ s also a route for them to do it , ” adds Devery .
While the basic salary is €20,000 , he says there is also commission to be made from selling and renting , as well as expenses .
“ I could have ended up in a third-level degree course , studying for four years , working part-time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get paid to learn .
I couldn ’ t recommend it enough.
” Surging Overall , apprenticeships are surging .
The number of school-leavers choosing “ earn and learn ” options has more than doubled in recent years .
Some 17,500 young people are now completing apprenticeships , more than twice the 8,300 in apprenticeships in 2015 .
Apprenticeships typically involve a combination of learning on-the-job with an employer as well as studying in college .
Many new apprenticeships are in areas such as accounting , technology , insurance , laboratory analysis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ €17,000 and €30,000 a year .
Most offer a certificate or degree-level qualification at the end or a two- or three-year programme .
While apprenticeships are growing in popularity , there is still a major gender gap in the sector , with women accounting for just over 3 per cent – or 600 – of the 17,500 apprentices .
This is because the bulk of learners are still in traditional craft areas – such as construction , electrical , engineering and motor mechanics – which are dominated by men .
Of the almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2019 , almost 5,000 were in these traditional craft areas , while around 1,000 were in “ new ” apprenticeships .
There is a much more even gender representation in this latter category which span areas such as financial services , laboratory analysis , hospitality and sales .
In many of these new programmes , the number of potential apprentices applying for positions is higher than the number of employers available to employ them .
For example , in the case of tech apprenticeships last year , there were more than 1,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the civil service .
In the case of the accounting technicians ’ apprenticeship , each year there have been on average three applications for every available job .
Solas is planning for significant growth this year with a further 23 new apprenticeship programmes due to be launched .
These new programmes will include training for the occupations of recruitment executive , sales specialists , advanced healthcare assistant and quantity surveyor .
While demand is growing , Solas , the State body with responsibility for the sector , says employer take-up of new apprenticeships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slower than envisaged .
Obstacles Some groups such as the Restaurants Association of Ireland say a key obstacle is the fact that employers must pay apprentices while they are at college .
This is in contrast to other apprenticeships developed before 2016 – such those in the construction sector – where a training allowance is paid by the State to apprentices while attending off-the-job training .
Solas has said this arrangement was a policy decision taken as part of the apprenticeship review in 2014 .
It says the new apprenticeship system was developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was aimed at allowing more flexibility in their design .
Overall , it says , the number of participating employers is rising year-on-year .
The numbers of employers hiring apprentices on the “ new ” apprenticeship programmes is increasing with a total of 540 employers in 2018 compared to around 1,000 at the end of 2019 .
Latest figures show there are more than 6,000 apprenticeship employers , compared to about 3,500 in 2015 .
To support apprenticeship expansion , the Government is due to provide an additional €27 million to develop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning to continue its “ generation apprenticeship ” campaign this year to boost awareness among school-leavers , and has also launched a new “ apprenticeship jobs ” platform online at apprenticeship.ie to make it easier to find vacancies .

Lee Devery: 'For me it’s the best way to learn: it’s hands-on and you practise what you learn'
Lee Devery (23), recalls being “constantly” told by teachers in secondary school that university was the best route to take after school.
He never followed their advice.
Now he is completing a two-year apprenticeship in auctioneering and property services and is delighted with his decision.
“I really feel like this is a much better option,” says Devery. “I wasn’t much into the books in school and I don’t think I’d have lasted in third level anyway.”
READ MORE
Instead of paying third-level registration fees of €3,000 a year for a college course, Devery is currently being paid €20,000 a year as part of his “earn and learn” course.
He spends four days a week with the estate agent DNG and attends college at Ballsbridge College of Further Education one day per week.
At the end of it he will have an advanced certificate in auctioneering and property services and will be eligible to apply for an official licence, which is needed to work in the sector.
“I went straight into the hospitality sector after school and worked there for two and a half years,” says Devery.
“I was interested in getting into property, but didn’t have the confidence to do it... a friend who is a real estate agent told me about this.
“I weighed it up... I did the interview, it went very well, and for me it’s the best way to learn: it’s hands-on and you practise what you learn.”
Property services is one of a raft of new “white collar” apprenticeships, with registrations jumping from just over 50 in 2018 to 90 this year.
“There are people doing the course who have lots of experience, but don’t have the licences, so it’s also a route for them to do it,” adds Devery.
While the basic salary is €20,000, he says there is also commission to be made from selling and renting, as well as expenses.
"I could have ended up in a third-level degree course, studying for four years, working part-time to pay for it. But here I get paid to learn. I couldn't recommend it enough."
Surging
Overall, apprenticeships are surging. The number of school-leavers choosing "earn and learn" options has more than doubled in recent years.
Some 17,500 young people are now completing apprenticeships, more than twice the 8,300 in apprenticeships in 2015.
Apprenticeships typically involve a combination of learning on-the-job with an employer as well as studying in college.
Many new apprenticeships are in areas such as accounting, technology, insurance, laboratory analysis and sales; they typrically pay learners between €17,000 and €30,000 a year.
Most offer a certificate or degree-level qualification at the end or a two- or three-year programme.
While apprenticeships are growing in popularity, there is still a major gender gap in the sector, with women accounting for just over 3 per cent – or 600 – of the 17,500 apprentices.
This is because the bulk of learners are still in traditional craft areas – such as construction, electrical, engineering and motor mechanics – which are dominated by men.
Of the almost 6,000 or so new registrations in apprenticeships in 2019, almost 5,000 were in these traditional craft areas, while around 1,000 were in “new” apprenticeships.
There is a much more even gender representation in this latter category which span areas such as financial services, laboratory analysis, hospitality and sales.
In many of these new programmes, the number of potential apprentices applying for positions is higher than the number of employers available to employ them.
For example, in the case of tech apprenticeships last year, there were more than 1,500 applications for just 34 apprentice jobs in the civil service.
In the case of the accounting technicians’ apprenticeship, each year there have been on average three applications for every available job.
Solas is planning for significant growth this year with a further 23 new apprenticeship programmes due to be launched.
These new programmes will include training for the occupations of recruitment executive, sales specialists, advanced healthcare assistant and quantity surveyor.
While demand is growing, Solas, the State body with responsibility for the sector, says employer take-up of new apprenticeships developed since 2016 by employers has been slower than envisaged.
Obstacles
Some groups such as the Restaurants Association of Ireland say a key obstacle is the fact that employers must pay apprentices while they are at college.
This is in contrast to other apprenticeships developed before 2016 – such those in the construction sector – where a training allowance is paid by the State to apprentices while attending off-the-job training.
Solas has said this arrangement was a policy decision taken as part of the apprenticeship review in 2014.
It says the new apprenticeship system was developed in consultation with educational institutions and industry and was aimed at allowing more flexibility in their design.
Overall, it says, the number of participating employers is rising year-on-year.
The numbers of employers hiring apprentices on the “new” apprenticeship programmes is increasing with a total of 540 employers in 2018 compared to around 1,000 at the end of 2019.
Latest figures show there are more than 6,000 apprenticeship employers, compared to about 3,500 in 2015.
To support apprenticeship expansion, the Government is due to provide an additional €27 million to develop the sector this year.
Solas is planning to continue its "generation apprenticeship" campaign this year to boost awareness among school-leavers, and has also launched a new "apprenticeship jobs" platform online at apprenticeship.ie to make it easier to find vacancies.