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The Government’s influential cost-cutting body dubbed “An Bord Snip Nua”, charged with finding billions in savings across all Government departments and the public sector, made its report public today.
The published report however brought what has been described as cataclysmic news for the Co. Tipperary towns of Thurles and Clonmel, with the recommendation that Tipperary Institute should be abolished as part of proposed rationalisation measures.
Vol.2. Page 69 of the report reads as follows:
D.2 Rationalisation of third level institutions
At present, Ireland has 7 universities, 14 institutes of technology and over 20 other third level educational institutions feeding into the CAO, many of which are comparatively small by international standards. Given the size and population of the country, there is scope to reduce the number of third level institutions. An Bord Snip now proposes the following rationalisation measures:
1. Abolition of the Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute (TRBDI)
 The case for the continued existence of TRBDI is weak. The institute is located near two other IoT’s and has a high complement of staff (100) compared to the number of full-time students (338). The Group recommends that the institution be closed with existing students re-assigned to nearby IoT’s. The campus should be disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer.
The present development work of the Tipperary Institute includes promoting sustainable social and economic development through providing assistance, advice, mentoring, consultancy, research and training services to communities and businesses in the region, throughout Ireland, and across Europe. Areas of work include community planning and development, business planning and development, environmental management, software development, information and communications technology development and applications, personal development, public sector management, training and research.
Local Independent TD, Deputy Michael Lowry, who presently supports the present Coalition Government, stressed that the report is only a recommendation and not a final political decision.
The Bord, whose official title is the “Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes” (SGPSNEP), was chaired by economist Colm McCarthy, assisted by liaison officer Donal McNally, who is Second Secretary General at the Department of Finance. The other members of the Bord include Maurice O’Connell, former Governor of the Central Bank, WilliamSlattery, MD of State Street International, Mary Walsh, a former partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Pat McLaughlin, former Deputy CEO of the Health Services Executive supported by Dept. of Finance officials.
St. John the Baptist School Cashel and Dualla National School, both in Tipperary, are to receive Tesco Golden Vouchers.
St. John the Baptist Primary School and Dualla National School in Cashel Co.Tipperary, will both be the lucky recipients of a very special Tesco ‘Golden Voucher’. The prize which is worth a massive 5,000 Tesco vouchers, is designed for Schools & Clubs and its all thanks to Tesco shoppers Mary Laurence and Kathleen Maher. Both won this amazing prize for their nominated local schools simply by spending over €50 at Tesco, Cashel, Co. Tipperary this week.
The Tesco for Schools & Clubs scheme enables Irish schools and clubs to redeem vouchers from Tesco purchases for a variety of useful items including sports equipment – all to make it easier for schools and clubs in Ireland to get what they really desire.
Pictured here at the Tesco Store, Cashel, Co. Tipperary are the lucky winners Mary Laurence, Kathleen Maher, and Margo Breen, Tesco Manager, Cashel at the presentation of their Tesco Golden Voucher.
Cashel Community School, a County Tipperary school based at Dualla Road in Cashel is named among a list of 78 post-primary schools across the country to receive High-Speed Broadband as part of a new Government initiative. The 100 mpbs Post Primary Schools Project, will deliver high-speed broadband connectivity to second level schools across the country.
Green Party Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan, speaking at the launch of this project, at the Digital Hub Learning Studio, stated:
 “Today we are laying the foundations of Ireland‘s new Knowledge Society. Providing our schools with high-speed wireless connectivity opens up a whole new world of learning for our children and our students will be connected to every corner of the globe. We are taking online learning out of the confines of the computer room. In classrooms and corridors, students and teachers will potentially be able to carry out interactive chemistry experiments and access demonstrations and exhibitions from all over the world. A class learning French in Dublin could talk in real time with a class in France. A leaving Cert Physics student will be able to take part in Ivy League lectures and experiments. With this level of connectivity, the opportunities for interaction and collaboration are unlimited. We must equip our students with the skills and creativity they need to thrive in the new digital world we are entering. There is no surer way of preparing them than by bringing the Internet right into their place of learning and allowing them to experiment and interact online. Today’s announcement opens a door to them, to take part in Ireland’s digital future.”
Under the existing Schools Broadband Programme, primary and post-primary schools in Ireland can access a basic level of broadband connectivity. The 100 mpbs Post Primary Schools Project marks the next phase in the Government’s ambition to develop our schools as world-class centres of e-learning and to educate the next generation of knowledge workers and digital entrepreneurs.
Schools have been selected against various criteria including geographical location, and an adequate mix of schools to ensure broad social inclusion. The speeds available are similar to those that are being offered to high-end national and multinational companies that operate in Ireland. They allow for the quick upload and download of material, instant connection to websites, and the increased and varied use of online applications.
This project is the result of co-operation between the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Department of Education and Science, the Higher Education Authority, HEAnet and the National Centre for Technology in Education.
The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has begun a tender process for broadband service providers. It is expected that numerous service providers will be involved. The tender will be accessible at: www.e-tenders.gov.ie
 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance or BTSCFA is designed to help Irish families to meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children between 2 and 22 years, attending school before October 1st. of the year you apply. The scheme operates from 1 June to 30 September each year and is provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as part of the Supplementary Welfare Scheme.
Conditions:
To obtain this allowance, you being a parent or guardian, must meet a number of conditions:
- Applicants must be getting certain Social Welfare payments or payments for training, employment schemes or adult education.
- Your total household income must be below an agreed amount.
- The child/student must be in full-time education at a recognised school or college.
Qualifing Rules for Application
You may qualify for this allowance if you are in one of the following groups:
- Getting a Social Welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement) or a Health Service Executive payment.
- You are taking part in an approved employment scheme.
- You are involved in an Area Partnership Scheme.
- You are taking part in a recognised education or training course.
- You are attending a FÁS, Fáilte Ireland or LES training scheme.
Income limits
Total household income must be below the amounts shown below. Your total household income is your main social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, the income of any dependent children on Youthreach and any other income you may have including wages (before tax, but excluding PRSI and reasonable travelling expenses). Savings and investments (including property, but not your home) are assessed as follows:
Capital Weekly means assessed
First €5,000 not taken into account
Next €10,000 €1 per €1,000
Next €25,000 €2 per €1,000
Balance €4 per €1,000
All income obtained from Rent Supplement or Mortgage Interest Supplement, Family Income Supplement, Blind Welfare Allowance, Rehabilitative Training Allowance, rehabilitative employment (up to €120 per week), Home Help, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Mobility Allowance and Higher Education Grants Schemes, are not calculated.
Couple with Income limit in 2009
1 child €560
2 children €586
3 children €612
4 children €638
Lone parent with Income limit in 2009
1 child €407
2 children €433
3 children €459
4 children €485
In both cases the income limit is increased by €26 for each additional child.
People on ‘Back to Education Allowance’ or VTOS
Applicants can apply for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and will be assessed using the standard rules and the total household income must be below the income already shown above.
People on certain back to work schemes
Some special conditions apply for people who are on Back to Work Allowance (Employees), Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Community Employment, Job Initiative, Revenue Job Assist, Rural Social Scheme and the Community Services Programme/Social Economy Programme (Grant Aided Employees). If applicants were on a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment before going onto one of these schemes, you will first be assessed using the standard means test for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. Failing to qualify using the standard means test, you can be re-assessed to find out if you can retain the Allowance as a secondary benefit under the different back to work schemes. In the re-assessment you can keep your entitlement to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance or apply for it if you did not have an eligible child before now, as long as your gross household income is less than €317.43.
The people most likely to qualify using the secondary benefit (€317.43) assessment are people getting Back to Work Allowance or Back to Work Enterprise Allowance. In the re-assessment of means, the value of the Back to Work Allowance, Back to Enterprise Allowance and Family Income Supplement is not taken into account in the calculation of your gross household income.
Rates
Rate of the allowance paid for each eligible child aged 2-11 before 1st October 2009 is €200.
Rate of the allowance paid for each eligible child aged 12-17 before 1st October 2009 is €305.
Rate for each child aged 18-22 is also paid at the higher rate, if you are getting an increase for a child dependant for that child and he/she is in full-time education. As a special measure introduced in Budget 2009, an additional amount of €215 is paid for children aged 18 getting half rate Child Benefit. This means, a child aged 18 getting half rate Child Benefit will get a Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance of €520.
How to apply
Remember the scheme is open only from 1 June to 30 September. To apply, fill in a Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance form which can be obtained at your local health centre or text FORM BTSCFA followed by your name and address to 51909 (standard text rates will apply).
Remember it will take a number of weeks to process your application in full.
When the Leaving Certificate results come out on August 12th 2009, not all students will opt to attend a third-level institution, but all will most certainly enter the University of Life.
Here are 45 rules, based on experience, that if followed, are guaranteed to make life’s tests a little easier.
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will, so stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19 It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion.. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and then we viewed them all, we’d quickly grab our own back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a wonderful gift.
Our thanks to Regina Brett.
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