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.
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”.
Some 1,200 new Irish citizens will be granted Irish citizenship in two ceremonies taking place at the National Concert Hall in Dublin today.
The Ceremonies will see applicants from 105 countries around the world and living in 31 counties on the island of Ireland being conferred as Irish citizens.
Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister of State James Browne will attend the ceremonies and are looking forward to meeting as many of the new citizens as possible.
Speaking ahead of the ceremonies, Justice Minister Mrs Minister Helen McEntee said, “Citizenship ceremonies are always a joyous celebration of what it means to be Irish. I would like to warmly congratulate and welcome our newest citizens on this milestone in their lives. It is particularly apt that they will begin their journey as Irish citizens at the National Concert Hall as it is a building that is steeped in Irish history. It is the original site of University College Dublin and even hosted the Dáil debates on the Anglo-Irish Treaty in early 1922. I want to wish nothing but the best to all those who become a citizen of this nation, and join the many others who have come here and are making such a significant contribution to our culture, economy and society”.
The Presiding Officer at both ceremonies is retired Judge Paddy McMahon, who will administer the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State. The new Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values. New Irish citizens are contributing to a diverse and inclusive workforce, bringing a range of skills and talents that enhance the overall capabilities of the labour market and economy.
Over 10% of those receiving their citizenship are working within the healthcare sector, across Ireland.
Speaking ahead of the first Ceremony today, Minister Mr Pascal Donohoe said, “Ireland has always had a strong culture of welcoming new people and I am delighted to be able to attend this morning’s ceremony, so that I personally can welcome our newest citizens. Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of an exciting new one for them. By sharing their own unique cultures and traditions with us, our newest citizens become part of our communities and we are all the better for it. I also want to acknowledge the value and necessity of immigration to support Ireland’s strong economy and how it benefits our overall society”.
Minister of State Mr James Browne ahead of attending this afternoon said: “It is my pleasure to attend the Citizenship ceremony today. As a nation that over centuries saw so many Irish people emigrate to find safety or work, the Irish people understand what it means to be a migrant, to seek a safe haven, to lay roots and to find a new home. I give my best wishes to our new citizens and to their families as they embark on the next steps of their lives in Ireland and I look forward to meeting as many of them as possible today”.
A pedestrian has been seriously injured following an accident here in Thurles last night.
The named male pedestrian, a former member of An Garda Síochána, aged in his 60s and from the Thurles hinterland, was accidentally struck by a motor vehicle in the Archerstown/Mill Road area, south/east of Thurles, at approximately 7:35pm last evening, Friday February 17th 2024.
Thurles Gardaí, Thurles Ambulance Service and Thurles Fire Services, all attended at the scene, before the man was quickly removed to Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel for urgent treatment. We understand the unfortunate victim has since been removed to Waterford University Hospital, but his injuries, while serious, are not described as life-threatening. We wish him a quick recovery.
Thurles.Info had previously highlighted the dangers to persons using the Mill Road route, as recent as February 8th, 2024, (VIEW HERE) warning of the possible consequence, if this area continued to be neglected by Tipperary Co. Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). This has been the fourth accident in this immediate area, to occur within a 40 kilometre (¼ ml) in as many months.
Meanwhile, last Friday on Kickham Street, (February 17th 2024), latter which joins this same Mill Road, at the Dublin Road roundabout, the large privately owned street sweeper was busy once again. Same was required to remove last week’s gravel, as the surface of this, the busiest road in Thurles, continues to unravel. It successfully removed the gravel, but failed to remove the craters.
On 19th May 2022, the then Cathaoirleach of the Municipal District Mr Seamus Hanafin stated on local radio, quote:- “We’ve a significant amount of work going on in Thurles over the next 12 to 18 months to follow up on the work that’s already been done. We have Phase 2 of Slievenamon Road which will have to be done and there’s also work on Kickham Street and the approach road coming into Thurles that way. All of that work and any work being done on Liberty Square, will all need to be done on a phased basis to make sure we minimise the level of disruption in our town”.
It is now mid-February 2024, and almost two years later, and none of these 3 projects have even commenced.
On Friday February 2nd, 2024, Thurles.Info invited Thurles Administrator, Ms Sharon Scully to visit Kickham Street, Thurles. In the invitation forwarded by email [sharon.scully@tipperarycoco.ie] Ms Scully was asked as follows:-
Ms Scully, I would like for you to visit Kickham Street this morning. I suggest you park at Ely’s Supermarket. Walk across the road and take a look at the pavement and see at first hand the work of your two man mini road sweeper.
Kickham Street after 2 man mini sweeper swept the pavement, piling up dirt to leave same in the centre. Pic: G. Willoughby.
Note: Ms Scully’s office, even during periods of heavy traffic is less than a 4 minute drive to Kickham Street.
As is usual with Ms Scully, we received no reply or other communication following my invitation. Obviously, Ms Scully as Town Administrator considers herself superior to those who pay her wages. (That reminds me, time to chat to the Standards In Public Office Commission again (SIPO), latter responsible for promoting transparency and accountability in Irish public life.)
On February 10th 2022 last, (two years ago), following a complaint by me regarding a pothole outside my home; I received the following email from Ms Scully:-
Mr Willoughby. Further to your email below dated the 9th February, I can confirm that we are continuing to follow up with Irish Water to ensure that work is carried out to rectify reinstatement works carried out recently outside your property on Kickham Street. As previously stated, Tomas Duffy, District Engineer inspected the location on Kickham Street, outside your property on the 8th February. [Note Mr Duffy must be a psychic having examined this, my problem, one day before I reported the issue to Ms Scully.] Mr Duffy reported that the water ponding is directly due to reinstatement works associated with water main works, carried out by Irish Water recently. The complaint was referred to Irish Water in order to rectify the matter. Mr Duffy then followed up the report directly with the Water Services in Tipperary County Council and impressed on them the urgency to have this work rectified. Regards Sharon.
Lower picture above shows: Track cut by Irish Water, under the guidance of Mr Thomas Duffy, to remove water from a large depression, latter the full responsibility of Tipperary Co. Council. Top picture above shows: The exterior of this house, was freshly painted in August of 2023. It further shows the failure by Tipperary Co. Council, latter led by Chief Executive Mr Joe MacGrath and his staff, which leaves my home and front window pelted by stones and filthy water on almost a daily basis, over the past 2 years. Pics: G. Willoughby.
The picture above, shows the corrective measures undertaken. Corrective measures, took 5 minutes to complete; involved 2 men; a lorry, and what appeared to be a Stihl TS420 14in Cut-Off Consaw. The workers cut a small track, the width of a 50 pence piece, to enable water to flow from the pot hole, latter the responsibility of Tipperary Co. Council, past the reinstatement works, associated with Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water). This small track filled with grit and dust 3 days after being cut, resulting in a total failure to solve the problem. The report by Mr Thomas Duffy, sent to Ms Scully, was totally incorrect and both these officials failed to follow up on how the repairs were dealt with.
The problems being experienced on Kickham Street, a route driven by Mr Jackie Cahill TD, at least twice each week, as he travels to Dail Eireann; gets no mention.
The waste by Tipperary Co. Council and Thurles Municipal District Council officials continues.
The Minister for Justice, Mrs Helen McEntee TD, has today announced the appointment by Government of two new Data Protection Commissioners, namely Dr. Des Hogan and Mr. Dale Sunderland. Their appointments will take effect from February 20th 2024, for a five-year term. Dr. Des Hogan has been appointed as Chairperson by the Minister.
The Data Protection Commission has grown significantly in size, scope and responsibility over the last decade. Following a review by the Department of Justice into how best to support this growth, the Government decided to appoint two additional Commissioners, who were selected following an open completion run by the Public Appointments Service.
Minister McEntee said: “The Data Protection Commission has played a pioneering role in enforcing the GDPR across Europe as the lead supervisory authority for a large number of technology and internet platform companies with EU headquarters in Ireland. The two new commissioners will support an effective and well-resourced, highly-skilled regulator. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission has responsibility for a significant body of work. In recent years as GDPR and protection of personal data have moved into mainstream public consciousness, the DPC has seen its workload increase in all areas of the organisation. Some 85% of the fines issued across Europe last year, including the EU, EEA, and UK, were issued by the DPC on foot of detailed and comprehensive investigations. This underlines both the DPC’s significant role, and positive record of effective and robust data regulation. The Government values the DPC’s important and independent role as one of the largest EU data protection authorities and acknowledges its strong track record in carrying out its duties”.
The Government has ensured that the DPC is resourced to carry out its critical and independent role. The Commission received an allocation of €28.1m under Budget 2024, an almost eightfold increase on its previous 2015 allocation of €3.6m.
Minister McEntee also paid tribute to outgoing Data Protection Commissioner Ms Helen Dixon, whose tenure comes to an end on February 19th, 2024, after almost a decade in the post.
Minister McEntee said: “I would like to thank Ms Dixon for the dedication, strength and vision she has shown throughout her time as Data Protection Commissioner. Under her stewardship, the Data Protection Commission’s size and remit has expanded significantly and is currently staffed with some 222 employees. Ms Dixon has led the organisation through this expansion and navigated an evolving data protection landscape, following the enactment of the General Data protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018. I wish Ms Dixon well in her new role as Commissioner in the Commission for Communications Regulation”.
The vacancy for the third DPC Commissioner will be filled, through a new Public Appointments Service competition, as soon as possible.
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