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Education & Training Guide For Young People No Longer In Formal Education.

Further Education & Training Guide For Young People No Longer In Formal Education Launched.

  • Provides guidance on the further education and training options available who have left formal education.
  • Information not previously readily accessible for Youth Justice workers and participants of Youth Diversion Projects.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice Mr James Browne TD and Minister for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins TD have today launched a guidance document to help young people in Youth Diversion Projects, to access Further Education and Training related opportunities.

This includes apprenticeships, traineeships, Post Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, community and adult education and core literacy and numeracy services as well. Details are also included with regard to the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) which is a higher education admissions scheme for Leaving Certificate students (under 23) whose economic or social background are under represented in higher education.

Minister Browne said: “We know that young people who leave formal education prematurely and do not make the transition into employment can be permanently affected in terms of longer-term life outcomes. Providing pathways back into education and training is an essential part of our Youth Justice response because it provides at-risk young people with opportunities to turn their life around.
This guide brings together the details of further education and training options available across the country to young people no longer in the formal school system. Our Youth Justice workers, who do amazing work helping young people across the country, will have a key role in matching young people with available training and other opportunities that suit their needs and interests”.

The potential negative impacts of being outside of the formal education sector are recognised in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 – 2027, which contains a strategic objective to address the effects of disengagement from education and early school leaving, and support those who may be vulnerable to disengagement.

Minister Collins said, “Further education and training is available in every county in Ireland. It can offer any person, regardless of any previous level of education, a pathway to take them as far as they want to go. The range of courses expands from law to childcare, to hairdressing and ICT. There is something there for everyone.
Today’s announcement brings together key information on what is available and how to access it, and it is there for you when you need it, for whatever you need it for. Throughout life, regardless of present or past circumstances educational opportunities are available for everyone right across country. I would encourage support services and all who come into contact with young people to use the guide to ensure the breadth of education and training options are known to them and their families”.

Youth Justice workers and young people participating in Youth Diversion Projects (YDPs) will now have a nationwide list of the Education & Training Boards (ETBs) Adult Guidance Information Service contact points and details on the type of Further Education and Training (FET) opportunities that are available.

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Irish People Continue To Be Positive About Benefits Of Climate Action.

The results of the second wave of the EPA’s Climate Change in the Irish Mind survey show:

  • Consistent with the previous study, findings show widespread agreement on many climate change attitudes and strong majority support for climate action.
  • 81% of people in Ireland are worried about climate change and 75 percent think extreme weather poses a moderate or high risk to their community over the next 10 years, with increases in worry in relation to severe storms (74 percent) and extreme heat (54 percent).
  • 89% report that climate change is important to them personally and 79% say climate change should be either a “very high” or “high” priority for Government, with high overall support for a range of climate action policies.
  • Irish people think that climate action will increase economic growth and create jobs (56%), and actions to reduce climate change will improve quality of life in Ireland (74%).

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published initial results from the second wave of its ‘Climate Change in the Irish Mind’ project (CCIM). This work was undertaken by the EPA and the Yale University Program on Climate Change Communication in support of the National Dialogue on Climate Action.

The findings of the nationally representative survey show broad consistency with the 2021 study, including continued high level of climate awareness (95%), acceptance of human causation (92 percent) and the personal importance (89 percent) of climate change. Key changes include an increase in worry about severe storms (74%) and extreme heat (54%) and a large increase in people who hear about climate change in the media once a week or more often (73%).

Speaking about the report Ms Laura Burke, (Director General of the EPA) said: “We know that Ireland is experiencing the impacts of climate change. These findings highlight that Irish people are aware of these impacts and are worried about the harm it may cause. People are engaged with this issue, talking about it with their friends and families and hearing about it frequently in the media.”

She added: “Despite the many challenges, including cost of living increases, people remain positive about the benefits of climate action for our economy and quality of life. There continues to be majority support for a range of climate policies. In particular, we see overwhelming support for improved public transport and renewable energy, which can deliver significant emissions reductions, air quality improvements as well as delivering cost savings for individuals”.

There has been an increase in the number of people who reported hearing weekly about climate change in the media from 51% in 2021 to 74% in 2023. This is aligned with high levels of public trust in mainstream media (68%) and in journalists (68%) on the topic of climate change. Furthermore, over 80% of people trust scientists, the Irish EPA, educators, family and friends, television weather reporters, and environmental NGOs on the topic of climate change.

A large majority of Irish people (79%) say climate change should be either a “very high” or “high” priority for Government. In addition, a majority of people in Ireland believe climate action will provide opportunities to create new jobs (56%) and improved quality of life (74%). While still receiving majority support, two policies “higher taxes on cars that use petrol or diesel”, and “banning peat, coal, and oil for home heating” received weaker support from those who had experienced economic difficulties. However, the findings show that those who reported economic difficulties in the last year expressed the same levels of worry and feelings of personal importance about climate change as those who experienced no difficulties.

Speaking about the report, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Mr Eamon Ryan TD said: “The findings of this second Climate Change in the Irish Mind survey are very encouraging. It confirms that Irish people have a good understanding of the complex issues of climate change, that they are concerned about its effects on their lives, but importantly that they believe that taking climate action can make our country more resilient, creating jobs and improving our quality of life.
This survey also shows us that climate is not an issue that divides people as much as it unites us. It also underlines the importance of ongoing engagement and communications. As a Government, we must listen and act so that we are supporting people to take climate action that works for their community — from the ground up. Climate action won’t work if it’s a top-down, blame or shame approach. Our transition to a new way of doing things must be fair, it must involve everyone and it must ensure that things will be better”.

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An Invitation To Launch Of ‘Mná Month’ At Cashel Library.

Ms Maura Barrett, (Cashel Library) Reports:-

A Cara,

Please join us in Cashel Library on Friday evening next, March 1st, at 7:00pm with country music sensation Ms Dee Morrissey to launch our Mná Month celebrations.

Good News; Mná Month is happening again at Cashel Library and the schedule is being currently finalised.

To date the following events have already been finalised.

NOTE: All events are provided FREE of charge at Cashel Library. Booking Essential please to Tel. No.: 062 63825. Refreshments will be served at all events.
[ You can locate the Cashel Library building, situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (G487+RX) ].

Finalised Events To Date.

Friday, 1st March, at 7:00pm: Opening Concert with Country Music sensation Dee Morrissey.
Saturday, 2nd March, at 10:00am: Crafty Women Wellbeing Workshop entitled, “It is all about ME!”, with Noeleen Watson.
Monday, 4th March, at 11:00am: Free Online Services with your Local Library – Learn what your Library Card entitles you to, with IT Guru Paul Devane.
Tuesday, 5th March, at 7:00pm: Visit with Author Maureen O’Sullivan, “The Girl in the Tunnel”, a true story of her survival in the Magdalene Laundries.
Friday, 8th March, at 2:00pm: Stone Mad with Philip Quinn – Make Stone Pendants or Worry Stones using limestone and marble.
Monday, 11th March, at 11:00am: Strong Women Karaoke Sing-a-long with Claire Grant.
Tuesday, 12th March, at 11:00am: Memory Café with The Alzheimer’s Society.
Wednesday, 13th March, at 7:00pm: Visit with Author with Eimear Ryan, author of book “The Grass Ceiling”.
Tuesday, 19th March, at 6:30pm: Women’s Health and Menopause with Nicola Ryan Menopause Pharmacist
Tuesday, 26th March, at 3:00pm: Genealogy with Mary Guinan Darmody.
Tuesday, 26th March, at 6:15pm: Movie NightShirley Valentine“.
Wednesday 27th March at 2:30pm: Sustainable Jewellery Making with Gillian Tobin
Thursday, 29th March, at 3:00pm: Circle Dancing with Tracey Tobin. (Circle Dance is a gentle healing way to bring mind, body & spirit together, Relieve stress and create energy).

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Attention: Get Your Free Digital Book Token.

World Book Day, 7th March 2024, is just around the corner.

Ahead of a host of annual celebrations across libraries, schools and book shops, World Book Day tokens have now been issued.

Same are valid from February 15th until March 31st 2024, and you can access your World Book Day token digitally, by simply clicking HERE.

In participating bookshops, each voucher entitles the bearer to a free World Book Day Book or €1.50 off books costing €3.99 or more.
Both Easons (Thurles Shopping Centre) and Bookworm (Parnell Street), here in Thurles town are taking part and below are some of the amazing World Book Day books, that you can pick up free from our local booksellers:-

Elmer and the Patchwork Story, by David McKee.
Greg the Sausage Roll: Lunchbox Superhero, by Mark and Roxanne Hoyle.
Dinosaur Club: On the Trail of a T-Rex, by Rex Stone.
Marv and the Ultimate Superpower, by Alex Falase-Koya.
Can You Get Jellyfish in Space?, by Dr Sheila Kanani.
Loki: Tales of a Bad God, by Walker Press.
The Curious Case of the Irish Yeti: Molly Malone and Bram Stoker, by Alan Nolan.
Inis Mara, by Tristan Rosenstock.

For more information on World Book Day visit your local book shop and www.worldbookday.com.

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Video Game Developers To Showcase Skills On TUS Thurles Campus.

  • Video game developers to showcase skills at 21st All Ireland Games Fleadh on the TUS Thurles Campus during 2024 Games Fleadh.
  • Games Fleadh 2024 open to the public for free. Online registration is available at www.gamesfleadh.ie.
  • Unique insights being offered into this €165-billion euro industry; to all/any visiting second and third-level students.
  • Games Fleadh 2024 is sponsored by TUS, EA and FiServ.

Students with ambitions in the gaming industry will get a unique insight into the €165 billion industry and access to some of the world’s most successful gaming companies and representative bodies at this year’s All Ireland Games Fleadh in the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Thurles Campus on Wednesday March 6, 2024.

Games Fleadh Mascots pictured with Dr Liam Noonan, TUS and James Fogarty, TUS.
Pic: Alan Place

In its 21st year, Games Fleadh continues to lead the way in recognising the brightest and best among the country’s university student game developers, while also bringing together the collective knowledge of some of the leading names in the gaming industry.

Up to 1,400 students have competed in the competition since its inception, according to the event organiser Dr Liam Noonan (TUS Software Development and Games Programming Lecturer).

As well as being a hotly contested competition, Games Fleadh is a unique opportunity for third level students to demonstrate their games to industry veterans and gain valuable feedback on their creations,” said Dr Noonan, explaining that some of the country’s leading software developers and international gaming companies will be in attendance once again.
Games Fleadh 2024 features competitions such as a Game Studio ‘Start with Nothing’ themed competition and Robocode. Competitors will be in with a chance to win one of the many EA title prizes available.

Every year this free event, which is open to the public, also attracts second level students from all over Ireland with an interest in studying Computer Science or a future career in this competitive industry.

“The video games market is larger than the music and movie business combined, with revenues recently surpassing 180 billion dollars (approximately €165 billion) as reported by UK-based market intelligence firm Pelham Smithers. Games Fleadh continues to be a fantastic networking opportunity for the Irish game development sector. We believe that it also offers a fantastic networking opportunity for teachers to engage with third level institutions and explore best practice in teaching coding concepts,” added Dr Noonan.

Dr. Janice O’Connell (Head of Department of Information Technology at TUS) said, “The Games Fleadh is a fantastic event which integrates multiple different aspects of IT, innovation and creativity. Through the originality and imagination of Games, this unique event brings together industry, academia, current students, and future students. Special thanks to all our industry partners for their continued support, to the participants, and the staff in Thurles for making this event possible. Sincere thanks to Dr. Liam Noonan, who champions Games Fleadh every year.”

NOTE: The TUS Thurles Co. Tipperary Campus caters for students studying for qualifications in Applied Sports Science, Agricultural Science and Environmental Science, Business, Social Care Work, and Games Design.

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