Thurles Information

Today, Killer Covid-19 Cases On Irish Mainland Rise To 5,921.

The Department of Health has confirmed 4,115 new cases of Covid-19, here in the Irish Republic, over the past 24 hours.

There remain 511 people in hospital having tested positive for the virus, down 19 since yesterday and of these 110 remain in our hospital intensive care units, a reduction of 5 on yesterday.

With Dublin Airport expecting an estimated 850,000 people (an increase of some 615,000 passengers when compared to last year), to travel into Ireland this Christmas; Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has stated that the use of antigen tests, for five days post-arrival, for travellers from Britain, will greatly increase the chances of picking up cases of the Omicron variant being imported into Ireland. He warned that a visitor who arrives into Ireland and develops symptoms of Covid-19, must immediately self-isolate and do a PCR test.

According to Ireland’s COVID-19 National Statistics, Information & Data base; the ’14 Day Incidence rate’, between November 23rd, 2021 and December 6th, 2021, of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tipperary’s eight local electoral areas, reads (ranked in ascending order) as follows: –

Roscrea-Templemore: 222; – Thurles: 228; – Newport: 244; – Cahir: 286; – Carrick-on-Suir: 317; – Cashel-Tipperary: 342; – Nenagh: 419; – Clonmel: 427.

A further 1,806 new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Northern Ireland today, down from 1,819 reported on yesterday.

Today, there were 317 patients with Covid-19 in northern hospitals, down from 338 on Thursday.

There were 40 patients with Covid-19 in hospital intensive care units, up 2 on yesterday.
Sadly, 2 more Covid-19-related deaths have been also reported in Northern Ireland today.

It is now essential that we continue to listen to science and keep ourselves and our families safe by regularly washing our hands; wearing a mask when appropriate, and cut down on unnecessary social contacts.

Further Education & Training Guide For Domestic & Sexual Abuse Victims

Minsters McEntee and Harris launch Further Education and Training guide for domestic and sexual abuse victims.

Guidance on what further education and training options and back-to-work training is available.
Information not previously readily accessible for victims or NGOs.
Initiative is part of 16 Days of Activism international campaign.

Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Mr Simon Harris TD have today launched a guidance document to help victims of domestic and sexual abuse access Further Education and Training related opportunities.

The initiative now forms part of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence international campaign.

Minister McEntee stated,

“We wanted to examine how all victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence can access education pathways, and provide a range of opportunities in this area.

The information detailing what further education and training is available may not have been easily accessible to various groups in the sector working with victims, or indeed to the victims themselves.

Frontline services engaging with victims 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.

This is another step in implementing ‘Supporting a Victim’s Journey’, our plan to ensure victims are treated with respect and dignity and supported throughout the criminal justice process’’

Domestic Violence Refuges and Support Services and Rape Crisis Centres have direct contact with some of the most vulnerable and traumatised victims and have a key role in matching victims with the available training and other opportunities.

Minister Harris stated,

“Access to education starts with information. It takes great courage for victims of domestic violence and sexual or gender based violence to reach out for help but when they do, our education and training system must be ready to help them.

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 survivors to use the guide to ensure the breadth of education and training options are known to survivors and their families.”

The guide, which is for use by frontline service providers for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, contains a nationwide list of Education & Training Boards Ireland Guidance Counsellors’ contact details and details on the type of Further Education and Training (FET) available as well as where further information and details can be found online.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that started on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

The guide will be published on www.solas.ie

Person Arrested Following Garda Operation In Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

A Garda and Immigration Bureau operation was conducted in Cashel last evening (December 9th).

Officials from the Work Relations Commission; the Dublin based Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Cahir District Immigration Officer, inspected multiple business premises within the Cashel area.

During this joint agency operation, a number of offences were detected.
One person was detained, with Court case to follow.

Funding For Anti-Social Behaviour Announced

Minister Browne announces funding of almost €200,000 to address anti-social behaviour and the misuse of scramblers

Minister of State with responsibility for Law Reform and Youth Justice, Mr James Browne TD, is delighted to announce that almost €200,000 is being provided in funding to eight community-based projects to work with young people involved in the anti-social use of scramblers and quad bikes and related crime.

Welcoming the news, Minister Browne stated,

“I chair the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum within my Department and one of its tasks was to deliver proposals that could be brought to Government around a community based approach to tackling this problem. While tackling the misuse of scramblers and other vehicles by An Garda Síochána is fundamental, it was also highlighted to the Forum that engagement with communities and awareness raising are just as important.

This included making younger people aware of dangers to themselves and to others in using such vehicles and highlighting the dangers to parents considering buying such vehicles for their children. The Forum explored the opportunities of intervention and diversion from this type of activity.“

Earlier this year the Department of Justice opened applications for funding to all Youth Diversion Projects and interested groups, such as motocross clubs, on the development of proposals for community-based interventions to work with young people involved in anti-social use of these vehicles and related crime and anti-social behaviour.

This funding provision announced today will enable eight Youth Diversion Projects to work with young people involved in the mis-use of these vehicles. These projects will be required to consult with other local interests, including An Garda Síochána, and to create a local consortium which will include the local authority. It is envisaged that the local authority partner will in general be responsible for provision of tracks and related facilities. The programme will also encourage young people to engage positively to learn motorcycle skills, including maintenance, combined with relevant educational and personal development activities.

The Department of Justice would welcome additional applications from other Youth Diversion Projects and indeed is working with a number to support them in developing additional local scrambler initiatives.

Minister Browne added:

“I know the Minister of Transport is examining provisions to strengthen the law in relation to the dangerous and antisocial off-road use of scramblers, quads and other similar vehicles. It is hoped that this combined approach of increased Garda powers to tackle the misuse of scramblers, while at the same time creating alternative options for those who wish to use such vehicles safely and legally, will have a significant impact in tackling the problem.”

Major Study Shows Agreement For Action Regarding Climate Change

Major new study shows overwhelming agreement amongst the Irish public on the threat of climate change and the desire for action.

The results of the EPA survey on the Irish people’s beliefs, attitudes, policy preferences and behaviours are emphatic:

Irish people are in almost full agreement that climate change is happening and 85% are worried about it.
91% of people say climate change is important to them personally and (79%) say climate change should be either a “very high” or “high” priority for the Government of Ireland.
Irish people strongly support a range of policies to address climate change. People also think that climate action will increase jobs, economic growth and quality of life (78%).
Scientists, experts and the EPA are very highly trusted sources of information about climate change.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published the first report from its ‘Climate Change in the Irish Mind’ project. This work was undertaken by EPA and the Yale University Program on Climate Change Communication (its academic partner) in support of the National Dialogue on Climate Action. The project aims to develop a better understanding of the Irish population by conducting a baseline study of public climate change beliefs, risk perceptions, policy preferences, and behaviour of the Irish public to climate change.

The project will deliver three key outputs: 1) A Climate Change in the Irish Mind report; 2) A segmentation report and 3) an online interactive map.

Today’s report “Climate Change in the Irish Mind” is based on a nationally representative survey of more than 4000 people during the summer of 2021, conducted by the survey research firm Behaviours and Attitudes.

Speaking about the report Ms Laura Burke, Director General EPA said:

“The findings of this report are definitive. This is an important first step in a very valuable project that will help to understand how Irish people perceive the environmental challenge, and that can fundamentally change how we all communicate on the topic. The findings of the survey clearly demonstrate that the Irish people overwhelmingly recognise the threat, feel personally affected and want to see real change. It demonstrates that – as a country – we are ready for the transition to climate neutrality and resilience; people see the benefits to themselves and Ireland in general and many are already advanced on the journey.”

This is the first study of its kind to be undertaken in Ireland using Yale’s internationally recognised approach. The project will deliver three key outputs: 1) Climate Change in the Irish Mind report; 2) Segmentation report and 3) an online interactive map. The findings will be used to support climate change awareness and engagement campaigns, the design of national policy and climate action.

There are very high levels of awareness of climate change amongst the Irish population, people are informed and understand the implications of a changing climate. They see that opportunities exist for jobs, innovation and wellbeing in taking climate action.

Speaking about the report, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Mr Eamon Ryan TD said;

“The cornerstone of the National Dialogue for Climate Action (NDCA) is to engage and empower everyone in society to transition towards a climate neutral economy in a way that is fair, just, and accessible. This research shows that Irish people are well informed and understand and support the need for climate action. The research programme will provide valuable insights as we develop policies and initiatives that will support people as we make this transition together.”

People want the government to act by developing climate friendly policy. They are also willing to change their political and consumption behaviours but to a lesser degree. This demonstrates that people are aware of the systems changes that are required to effect change and they are also aware of their own responsibilities to act. This points to the need for more behavioural insights as to what supports people need to affect change.

Dr Anthony Leiserowitz, Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication said:

“The Irish people overwhelmingly accept the findings of climate science and strongly support a whole-of-society response. They are ready for a national dialogue on climate action and primed to lead the world by their example.”

Further information: Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie