|
|
The allocation of almost €450,000 to TUS (Technological University of the Shannon – comprising Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) and Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT)) as a member of RUN-EU* (European Regional University Network), one of seven European University Alliances, will help plot a course to implement a shared, integrated, and long-term joint strategy for the new technological university and its partner universities.
* RUN –EU is one of 41 successfully funded Alliances from the European Universities Initiative.
Its education partners include Higher Education Institutes from regions other than capital cities: TUS (Ireland), Polytechnic of Leiria (Portugal), Polytechnic of Cávado and Ave (Portugal), Széchenyi István University (SZE) (Hungary), Häme University of Applied Sciences HAMK (Finland), NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), and FH Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (Austria)
TUS is the Deputy Co-ordinator of RUN-EU and also leads the RUN-EU Discovery Programme.
That was the message from TUS Vice President Research, Development & Innovation, Dr Liam Brown, who welcomed the announcement of the €442,000 funding by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Mr Simon Harris on behalf of the HEA (Higher Education Authority).
A flagship initiative of the European Union, the ambition is to build a European Education Area and European Research Area with the assistance of European University alliances – including RUN-EU. These alliances will help create a European inter-university ‘campus’, where students, staff and researchers enjoy seamless mobility (physical, virtual or blended) to study, train, teach, do research, work or share services at cooperating partner institutions.
Dr Brown explained, “The RUN-EU long term vision places innovative teaching, learning, research and engagement at the centre of the alliance activities and plots a course to implement the shared, integrated, and long-term joint strategy of the European Universities, with students at the centre. Today’s funding will help us further along this journey.
The RUN-EU alliance contributes to the European Higher Education Area goals of enhanced mobility opportunities and recognition of qualifications across the EU through the design and delivery of collaborative European degrees, educational opportunities and the promotion of a strong sense of European identity, culture, and citizenship. This will ultimately deliver for all stakeholders and addresses the skills of the future for our employers,” he added.
TUS Head of Research, Dr Patrick Murray, outlined the benefit of RUN-EU not only to TUS, but the region, country and Europe as a whole.
“RUN-EU fosters the free movement of researchers, scientific knowledge and innovation bringing together a new generation of creative Europeans, whereby ‘learning, studying and doing research’ enables our staff and students to cooperate across borders, languages, and disciplines, contributing to a more competitive European industry,” he said.
Minister Mrs Helen McEntee, TD represented Ireland at the informal meeting of Home Affairs Ministers held in Lille, Hauts-de-France region in northern France. This was the first meeting of Home Affairs Ministers of the French EU Presidency, which began on 1st January 2022.
Attending the meeting, the Minister stated:
“I am delighted to attend the first meeting of Home Affairs Ministers hosted by France since they have taken over the Presidency of the Council of the EU. The opportunity to meet in person is welcome as we emerge from the COVID19 pandemic and the Presidency included a number of key items on the agenda.”
Items for discussion on the agenda included the security of European borders; the future of civil protection in Europe in the face of climate change; the fight against terrorism and radicalisation, and the ‘Pact on Migration and Asylum’.
While attending the informal meeting, Minister McEntee also had an introductory bilateral meeting with the new German Federal Minister of the Interior, Frau Nancy Faeser.
Speaking on the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Minister stated:
“Ireland welcomes the efforts that the French Presidency are making to progress migration and asylum reform. Ireland has always supported EU efforts to deal with this issue in a comprehensive and holistic way and the approach being taken is balanced and pragmatic. The focus on specific aspects of the Pact presents an opportunity to build trust and introduce much needs reforms while also making sure to find the right balance between responsibility and solidarity.”
The informal meeting of Justice Ministers also took place in Lille on 3rd and 4th February.
Items on the agenda included:
* an exchange on the fight against hate.
* systems for alerting the public in the event of child abduction.,
* recognition between Member States of parenthood established within the European Union.
* Scheme is open for online applications for those who don’t have a current permission to reside in Ireland.
* Applications will be accepted for six months until 31 July 2022.
* Primary applicants must have a period of four years undocumented residence in the State, or three years in the case of those with children.
* Successful applicants will receive immigration permission, access to the labour market and can begin path to citizenship.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee, TD, has today opened the scheme to regularise thousands of undocumented migrants and their families who are living in Ireland.
There is no reliable data on the number of undocumented persons in the State, but studies suggest there could be up to 17,000 undocumented persons including up to 3,000 children and that many could be in employment, although likely low paid employment.
Online applications for the scheme will be accepted from 10:00am today for six months until 31st July 2022, when the scheme will close. Applications can be made online at https://inisonline.jahs.ie
The scheme will enable applicants, and their eligible dependentswhere the specific criteria is met, to remain and reside in the State and to regularise their residency status.
Opening the scheme, Minister McEntee stated,
“I am delighted to now be able to open the once-in-a-generation scheme for long-term undocumented migrants and their family members living in Ireland. The scheme has been welcomed by those who have been contributing to our society for years but were seeking a way of regularising their status here in Ireland.
I firmly believe this scheme will improve the lives of thousands of people across the country who contribute to our society, enrich our culture and work in our economy, but unfortunately still live in the legal shadows.
People come to Ireland to make a better life for themselves and their families and they can find themselves undocumented for many reasons.
This scheme will provide an opportunity for those who meet its criteria to remain and reside in the State and to become part of mainstream Irish society rather than living on its margins.”
Primary applicants who are eligible under the scheme will:
* Have a period of 4 years residence in the State without an immigration permission, or 3 years in the case of those with minor children, immediately prior to the date on which the scheme opens for applications;
* Be permitted to include a spouse, civil partner or defacto partner and eligible children aged 18 – 23 years who must have been living with the principal applicant for 2 years immediately prior to the date on which the Scheme opens for applications;
* Be granted a Stamp 4 immigration permission that allows for unrestricted access to the labour market; and
* Have years of residence with that permission reckonable for the purposes of pursuing Irish citizenship by way of naturalisation.
Those with an existing Deportation Order can apply, if they meet the minimum undocumented residence requirement. Applicants must meet standards regarding good character and criminal record/behaviour and not pose a threat to the State. Having convictions for minor offences will not, by itself, result in disqualification.
People with expired student permissions will also be able to apply, if they meet the minimum undocumented residence requirement.
Minister McEntee added, “People who are in an undocumented situation are burdened with a great deal of stress and uncertainty regarding their position in society. Unfortunately, they also may be more vulnerable to exploitation due to their precarious legal situation.
In an effort to reach those migrant communities most likely to benefit from the scheme, my Department will engage in a targeted communications campaign during the six month application window.
The support of key organisations working directly with people and families who find themselves in these circumstances will also be crucial in encouraging people to come forward and participate in the scheme.”
Further details regarding the qualifying criteria, the required documentation, and how to apply for the scheme are available on the Department’s immigration website at www.irishimmigration.ie/regularisation-of-long-term-undocumented-migrant-scheme
As previously announced by the Minister, international protection applicants who have an outstanding application for international protection and have been in the asylum process for a minimum of 2 years will have a separate application process.
The International Protection Office will contact potentially eligible applicants shortly with further details.
Applicants must meet standards regarding good character and criminal record/behaviour and not pose a threat to the State. Having convictions for minor offences will not, of itself, result in disqualification.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, and the Minister for Finance, Mr Paschal Donohoe TD, are both pleased to announce that the court fees and their associated excise duty, relating to Special Exemptions Orders, or so called SEOs, will be waived until the end of April, 2022.
This follows a previous waiver that was in place from October 19th, 2021 to December 31st, 2021.
Prior to the lockdowns, Nightclubs and Late Bars needed to obtain a Special Exemption Order from the District Court for every occasion they want to trade past normal trading hours. SEO permit extended opening hours until 2.30am subject to the Gardaí and Courts agreement.
The Court fee for each Special Exemption Order was €300 and an excise duty of €110 per application was payable to the Revenue Commissioners.
Making the announcement after Cabinet today, Minister McEntee said, “I know that the lifting of restrictions will be warmly welcomed, perhaps no more so than by those working in nightclubs and late bars.
All licence holders, but particularly those serving in the late night trade, have found themselves in such a difficult situation as a result of COVID-19. The Government is committed to supporting these businesses and the night time economy, to get back on their feet in 2022.
We initially introduced the waiver in relation to SEOs for late night trade licence holders, who traditionally trade past normal opening hours in October of last year, and I am delighted to be able to extend this exemption until the end of April, 2022. It will be still necessary for the SEO court application to be made and the order to be obtained by the licensed premises.
I look forward to further changes in this area as part of my reforms to the licensing laws in the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill.”
Minister Donohoe said, “The waiver of court fees and excise duty for special exemption orders recognises the particular difficulties experienced by the sector, where many businesses have been closed for a significant period of time or had to operate at a reduced capacity on reopening last October.”
Pleasing everyone is just impossible, but pissing everyone off, I find, is a piece of cake, and so I go diligently to work.
Motorists will agree that, with increased traffic on our roads and streets, there are hazards everywhere, specifically in towns and other built up areas.
To this end warning road signs are normally put in place to avoid and reduce driving risks to an acceptable level, thus circumventing serious accidents. Well that is accepted normally; except in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
As in places of employment; were there to be a Health and Safety Authority investigation undertaken presently, on the town of Thurles, our whole unit would be immediately shutdown for weeks.
The video hereunder, valued readers, is not in any way fabricated, so if you are out walking this sunny eve, “eyes to the fore please” and observe for yourself the facts, while contemplating the question, “Why should I be forced to Pay Property Tax?”
Questions:
(1) Have the local Garda Authority or the Thurles Garda Roads Policing Unit, raised the issue of the Council failing to provide adequate signage at their monthly meetings, attended by elected councillors?
(2) Have Driving Instructors reported this issue to local Council officials on behalf of their students?
(3) What do Driving Instructors say to their pupils, when explaining why necessary warning ‘STOP’ signs, for over 6 months, are facing in the wrong direction – or totally absent – or indeed never erected at all, e.g. both ends of the Ikerrin Road in Thurles?
(4) Then there are the Driving Test Inspectors; have they contacted the Thurles Municipal District Council Office regarding this utter neglect of signage, noticed when testing learner drivers?
(5) We live in a town, possibly one of the few towns in Ireland, where there exist two elected, powerless and resident TD’s; namely Mr Jackie Cahill and Mr Michael Lowry. Both TD’s appear to coexist with five elected Councillors, namely, Mr Séamus Hanafin, Mr Micheál Lowry, Ms Peggy Ryan, Mr Jim Ryan and Mr Seán Ryan. To the latter named, “What do you intend to do to protect passing motorists not familiar with our Thurles medieval streetscape, promoted by council engineers?”.
All aforementioned appear to have no shame when it comes to denying truth, defending lies, and demonstrating only a modicum of principle.
Shame is nothing more than denial of the truth and I now ask why are you all failing to protect Thurles, the area you all promised to serve, prior to you being elected.
Note, all the aforementioned elected officials reside within the postal district of Thurles. All preside over a rural town seriously neglected and decaying at warp speed; all for the want of someone skilled in the use of a sweeping brush and a spanner.
This attached video link has been forwarded by email to Mr Joe MacGrath, Chief Executive, Tipperary Co. Council, (macgrath@tipperarycoco.ie), and to Ms Sharon Scully, Thurles District Administrator, (sharon.scully@tipperarycoco.ie).
We have asked both individuals to explain this wanton neglect and permitted destruction of Thurles, “A Town that I Love so Well”.
As readers are already aware, local TD’s and locally elected councillors do not read or reply to correspondence, only when threatened by the Standards In Public Office Commission. We have therefore decided to not disturb their daily idleness.
Elected representatives and local officials, please make an effort to earn your generous salaries, paid for by the taxpayer.
|
Support Us Help keep Thurles.info online by donating below. Thank you.
Total Donated 2026: €300.00
Thank You!
Daily Thurles Mass Livestream
|
Recent Comments