Community News « Thurles Information

School Secretaries & Caretakers Strike Called Off.

The union has confirmed that a central part of the deal is a Government commitment to negotiate comparable pension entitlements for all staff.

Fórsa trade union has called off its strike action by school Secretaries and Caretakers, having reaching an agreement with the present Government through the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).

Fórsa’s Head of Education, Mr Andy Pike, welcomed the breakthrough, describing it as “a major step forward” for their members.
He said the commitment to negotiate pensions represented a “significant advance” and that progress on leave and payroll would provide a fair basis for staff to return to work.

The agreement also provides for discussions on a range of workplace issues, including a new pay framework for caretakers; access to bereavement and sick leave; acute illness protocols and the full implementation of payroll arrangements.

The government has welcomed Fórsa’s decision to suspend strike action and enter discussions. They have praised the resilience of school communities during this dispute, while urging both sides to approach talks in good faith.

Formal discussions under the council of the WRC, will commence on Wednesday, September 10th next.

Undeclared Sulphites In Royal Orient Palm Sugar Batch.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland Warns of undeclared sulphites in a batch of Royal Orient Palm Sugar.

Alert Summary dated Friday, September 5th 2025.

Allergy Alert Notification: 2025.A31.
Allergens: Sulphur dioxide and sulphites.
Product Identification: Royal Orient Palm Sugar; pack sizes: 500g and 454g.
Batch Code: Best before date: 21/03/2027.
Country Of Origin: Thailand.

Message: The above batch of Royal Orient Palm Sugar contains sulphites which is not mentioned on the label.
This may make the batch unsafe for consumers who are allergic to or intolerant of sulphites and therefore, these consumers should not eat the implicated batch.
The affected batch has now been recalled.

Irish Government Announce €1.75 Million Fund For IPAS Family Support.

The Irish Government announces a €1.75 million fund to support children, young people, and families in International Protection Accommodation (IPAS).

Fund will be delivered locally through Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC).
CYPSC bring together the main statutory, community and voluntary providers of services to children and young people with projects designed to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people in IPAS.
This 2025 Funding Framework was designed in collaboration with the CYPSC National Office at Tusla – Child and Family Agency.
Tipperary CYPSC to run a project promoting community integration by linking children staying in IPAS accommodation with local sports clubs.

CYPSC are a key structure identified by Government to plan and co-ordinate services for children and young people in every county in Ireland. Policy and strategic direction for the CYPSC initiative is provided by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. There are 27 CYPSC nationwide and operational leadership is provided by TUSLA – Child and Family Agency through CYPSC National Office.

CYPSC bring together the main statutory, community and voluntary providers of services to children and young people in each county. CYPSC work to enhance interagency co-operation at both a local and national level with the goal of improving outcomes for children and young people (including those aged 0-24 years).

The CYPSC international protection fund was first established in 2023. The fund has successfully delivered a broad range of initiatives supporting children and young people seeking international protection in Ireland.

The framework for the 2025 fund was designed in collaboration with CYPSC National Office within Tusla – Child and Family Agency. The framework sets out the objectives, scope, and operational details of the fund. Local CYPSC were invited to propose a range of initiatives and projects falling under a range of objectives.

The objectives, which are aligned with the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, include:

Community Integration.
Health and wellbeing.
Supports for Parents.
Emergency Accommodation.
Pathways to Independence.

Some examples of the projects selected to receive funding this year and that will be delivered by CYPSC, in collaboration with local partners, include:

Tipperary CYPSC: Same will run a project promoting community integration by linking children staying in IPAS accommodation with local sports clubs.
Kildare CYPSC: Same will provide an educational project for 18-24 year olds looking at career options, horticultural training and experience, language supports, CV and interview preparation supports, job readiness skills, and personal development.
Cork CYPSC: Same will run a project that aims to enable parents in emergency IPAS accommodation to teach their children culturally aligned cooking skills and good eating habits.
Donegal CYPSC: Same will provide a surf camp that will serve as a platform for intercultural exchange by encouraging teamwork, mutual understanding, and friendships for children and young people from diverse backgrounds.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown CYPSC: Same will provide access to a Sensory Attachment Intervention programme useful for children and adults who have suffered trauma.

Garden of Eden Baby Spinach & Mixed Baby Leaf Products Recalled Due To Listeria.

Food Safety Authority of Ireland recall various batches of Garden of Eden Baby Spinach & Mixed Baby Leaf products, due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes.

Alert Summary dated Friday September 5th, 2025

Category 1: For Action.
Alert Notification: 2025.48.
Product Identification: Please see table below.
Batch Code: Please see table below.
Country Of Origin: Ireland and United Kingdom.

Message: The below batches of Spinach and Mixed Baby Leaf are being recalled by Garden of Eden due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes. Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale.

Product name.	Pack sizes.	Batch codes.
Baby Spinach.	100g, 200g & 500g.	F2776, F2786.
Mixed Baby Leaf.	100g & 500g.	0805B, 0805P, 0805R, 0805Y.

Nature Of Danger: Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly. The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required: Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Distributors, Caterers and Retailers:
Retailers: Same are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.
Wholesalers/Distributors: Same are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retailer customers.
Caterers: Same should not use the implicated batches.
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

Death Of Caoimhe O’Dwyer, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

It was with sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Thursday 4th September 2025 of Ms Caoimhe O’Dwyer, Cabragh Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and late of Boherlahan, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

Pre-deceased by her sister Aisling, uncle Richie, grand-parents Val and Josie Needham (Grangemockler), Sheila and John O’Dwyer (Boherlahan); Ms O’Dwyer passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, while in the care of staff at University Hospital Limerick and Milford Care Center.

Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving parents Carmel and John, sister Aoife, aunt Breeda, uncles Val and Tom, extended relatives, neighbours, Enable Ireland, Irish Wheelchair community, many friends and her faithful dog Coco.

Requiescat in Pace.

Funeral Arrangements.

The earthly remains of Ms O’Dwyer will repose at Hugh Ryan’s Funeral Home, Slievenamon Road, Thurles on tomorrow afternoon, Saturday, September 6th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm same evening.

Her remains will be received into the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Boherlahan, Cashel, on Sunday September 7th, to further repose for Requiem Mass at 12:00 noon, followed by interment, immediately afterwards, in Ardmayle Cemetery, Ardmayle, Cashel Co. Tipperary.

The extended O’Dwyer family wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.