Today, Tipperary primary schools, together with all primary schools nationally, were told how many Special Education Teaching (SET) hours would be allocated to their school next year.
According to the Department of Education and Youth almost one third of schools nationally received more hours. Almost half of schools nationally stayed at the same hours as last year, and approximately one fifth had their Special Education hours cut.
The factors that influence how many hours a school gets include enrolment figures, educational profile of literacy and numeracy needs and educational disadvantage.
The Department of Education and Youth has been criticised for the late publication of these hours. Educational groups have consistently pleaded for allocation information to be issued early in the year. Whereas this information was released in early February last year, it was not released this year until today, that is, the end of March.
In the absence of information about hours allocated, it is difficult for schools to predict how many full-time and part-time special education teachers they will have in the forthcoming year. Moreover, the hours allocated are not always enough and to fight for the hours they need, schools must engage in an arduous review process. The review process takes a lot of time and the later it starts, the later and longer schools wait in limbo to find out if they will get the hours they require to support pupils with special education needs in their school.
Today’s late release of allocation information follows significant backlash from parents, school communities and unions with regards to cuts in SNA allocations next year. It only serves to add to growing frustrations and anger in relation to government policy and provision for special education across Ireland.
Pre-deceaded by his parents Michael and Alice, his brother Paddy and sister Dina; Mr Maher passed away while in the care of staff at the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
His passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving and devoted wife Margaret, daughters Caroline, Sharon, Majella, Geraldine and Lorraine, sons Michael and John Paul, his adored grandchildren Jason, Shane, Colm, Rachel, Sophie, Adam, Dean and Lauren, sons-in-law Patrick,Noel, Seán and Lilian, daughter-in-law Amy, sisters Phyllis and Mary, nieces, nephews extended relatives, former colleagues at Thurles U.D.C., neighbours and friends.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Maher, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Maher 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.
It was with a great sadness that we learned of the death, yesterday Tuesday 24th March 2026, of Mr Thomas(Tom)Lloyd, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary and late of Ballyerk, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
In his 93rd year and pre-deceased by his parents Tom and Hannah, brothers-in-law Cyril (Forde), Sean (O’Donoghue) and Tom (Cooney); the passing of Mr Lloyd is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving partner Margaret, brothers Seán, Michael and Larry, sisters Nancy, Maura, Peggy, Joan, Carmel and Bridget, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Pre-deceased by her parents Mick and Tess; Mrs Quigley passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, following an illness most bravely borne, and while in the care of staff at the Community Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles and Tipperary University Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
Her passing is most deeply regretted sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving and devoted husband Michael, brother John, sisters-in-law Ann, Joanie and Maura, brothers-in-law Tom, Dickie and PJ, nieces, nephews, aunt Josie, cousins, extended relatives, neighbours, colleagues in Quigleys Bakery and friends.
The extended Quigley and Kennedy families 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.
EPA reports good compliance at licensed sites, but persistent challenges remain across the food and waste sectors.
The EPA carried out 1,681 inspections in 2025. This was an increase of 28 per cent compared to 2024.
Overall compliance among industrial and waste licensed sites is good. However, in 2025, ten licensed sites (1 per cent of the total) were identified as National Priority Sites.
The food and drink sector and the waste sector continue to feature prominently as a focus for EPA enforcement.
Sites in the waste sector had the highest rates of non-compliance with EPA licence conditions in 2025.
In 2025, the food & drink sector continued to receive the most complaints, mostly regarding odour and noise.
Odour emissions and discharges to water remain the most common compliance issues at licensed sites.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published its Industrial and Waste Licence Enforcement Summary 2025. It shows that the EPA carried out 1,681 inspections at 656 licensed sites across all 26 counties in 2025. This was an increase of 28 per cent compared to 2024.
The report shows that there is a good level of compliance overall among EPA licensed industrial and waste sites. However, ten sites, or 1 per cent of all licensed sites, were identified on the EPA’s National Priority Sites List in 2025. The food and drink sector and the waste sector continue to feature prominently as National Priority Sites. Odour and discharges to water were the primary compliance challenges.
Sites in the waste sector had the highest rates of non-compliance with EPA licence conditions in 2025, particularly anaerobic digestion sites, non-hazardous waste transfer stations and landfill sites. Some anaerobic digestion sites had persistent issues relating to the control of odour emissions.
Emissions to water remain a compliance challenge across a limited number of sites. Corrective actions are being actively enforced at sites that pose a risk to water quality, with one site being directed by the EPA to cease their effluent discharge in November 2025 until necessary corrective actions were taken.
Commenting on the report Ms Pamela McDonnell, Programme Manager in the EPA Office of Environmental Enforcement said: “While the overall level of compliance continues to be good, the EPA has seen a continued pattern of non-compliance in a small number of sites. The consequences of non-compliance can be significant for the environment and those living locally. The EPA will continue to maintain strong on-the-ground presence across our licensed community to target those failing to comply.”
The EPA received 1,181 complaints from the public in 2025, most of which related to odour emissions. The food and drink sector accounts for 51 per cent of all complaints received by the EPA during 2025. Just five sites accounted for nearly two-thirds (59 per cent) of all complaints received. The EPA has investigated these sites and is taking appropriate enforcement actions.
Commenting on the levels of complaints received in 2025, Ms McDonnell continued: “Odour is a persistent issue at a small number of licensed sites. Operators must be good neighbours by preventing nuisance odours from impacting on people in their local communities. The EPA will continue to take action where odour nuisance occurs, including escalating enforcement measures. Site operators must run their facilities without causing nuisance by applying all appropriate odour‑control measures and, where needed, investing in additional odour‑control infrastructure.”
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