Ictu, Most Unions Silent On Public Sector Pension Cuts? [indymedia.ie]
- Published: 14 December 2010
Only IFUT and TUI proposed doing anything about Public Sector Pension Cuts. INTO and INMO mentioned the cuts in statements. There was no mention of the cuts on Websites of the following bodies: ICTU, SIPTU, ASTI, CPSU, PSEU, IMPACT. Union responses are pasted below.
While INTO, ASTI, TUI are running a campaign against the pension rip-off of new public servants announced in the Budget, there is no mention of this issue by the silent unions above. It is believed that ICTU has refused to oppose the new “pension Scheme” which is in effect a tax because the individual gets less out than was contributed (Trident Report to Teaching Unions). There is no proposal by any union to do anything about the pay cut for new entrants. This decision breaches a whole range of existing industrial relations agreements and agreed circular letters.
Was there a Secret Deal between Government and the General Secretaries Group called ICTU?
It is already widely believed that the government intends to take our conditions of service under the Croke Park Deal and to cut our pay again when this process is completed. The Review of the Croke Park Deal in conjunction with IMF/EU in 9 months time which was recently announced lends credence to this belief.
Minister Lenihan met an ICTU delegation before the Budget. He assured them that there would not be a new cut in public service pay in the budget.
Was there a quid pro quo? Did ICTU agree a whole range of “savings” at the expense of public servants. No action of any kind was proposed at the mass demonstration sponsored by ICTU.
In addition to the matters mentioned above several other budgetary measures reduced the public service pay bill as I pointed out yesterday.
Salaries—Additional Reductions in Public Sector Remuneration
In addition to the increase in taxes on incomes generally, the reduction in tax relief on pension contributions and the abolition of the PRSI ceiling which were imposed in Budget 2011, special impositions on public service salaries were contained in the small print.
Full Story: www.indymedia.ie
HSE appoints National Director for Children and Family Services [hse.ie]
- Published: 14 December 2010
Mr. Gordon Jeyes has been appointed by the HSE as the new National Director for Children and Family Services. His appointment was approved by the HSE Board today, Tuesday 14th December 2010. This is a two-year post that has been established to lead organisational and cultural change in the Child and Family Services in the HSE.
A critical role for Mr . Jeyes is the delivery of a clear service model that focuses on providing a safe and high quality child protection service which is consistent with our statutory obligations.
This will involve the development of national structures to ensure social workers and other professionals in the area are supported to provide quality services. Mr. Jeyes joined Cambridgeshire County Council in 2005 and held the posts of Deputy Chief Executive in charge of the Office of Children and Young Peoples Services.
Prior to that, Mr. Jeyes was the UK’s first Director of Children’s Services and has provided advice to governments in Scotland and at Westminster on the development of Children’s Services.
In addition to his duties, Mr. Jeyes was Chair of the Anti-Bullying Network and a member of the SEED Review Group on Youth Crime. He was a member of the Ministerial Strategy Group on Continuing Professional Development (Teachers) and the National Youth Justice Strategy Steering Group. Mr. Jeyes also led the critical incident response to the Dunblane school massacre in 1996.
Full Story: www.hse.ie
PISA study results: an urgent call to action [educationmatters.ie]
- Published: 14 December 2010
OECD research reveals our ‘island of saints and scholars’ has dropped to strictly average on the overall reading scale of 65 countries around the world.
The disappointing results of the PISA study released on December 7 were like salt on the wounds of an already smarting nation.
The research, which measures maths and literacy performance of students worldwide, found Ireland below the OECD average for maths and marginally above the OECD average for science and reading.
This is the fourth international survey of the achievement of 15-year-old students in reading literacy, mathematical literacy and scientific literacy carried out by PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment). Previous surveys took place in 2000, 2003 and 2006.
Results for Ireland of the PISA 2009 study included the following:
Reading
The study places Ireland among the "average" performing countries in reading literacy, with a mean score of 495.6 (OECD mean is 493.4). Ireland's rank, based on its mean score, is 17th out of 34 OECD countries and 21st of 65 OECD and partner countries.
Maths
The study places Ireland among the "below average” performing countries in mathematical literacy, with a mean score of 487.1 (OECD mean is 495.7). Ireland's rank, based on its mean score, is 26th of 34 OECD countries and 32nd of 65 participating countries.
Full Story: www.educationmatters.ie
Teacher's Pet [IrishTimes]
- Published: 14 December 2010
There was a funerial atmosphere in the Department of Education last week when those OECD/PISA results were rolled out.
There was also a sense that they marked the end of a comfortable, complacent era in Irish education.
The results are a wake-up call for the entire sector. Indeed, the response to them will dominate the education agenda for years to come.
The PISA survey also raises the most serious questions about the national assessments run by the Department. And they represent another nail in the coffin of the Junior Cert exam.
Remarkably, Junior Cert results showed a constant improvement between 2000 and 2009 – just as the OECD was tracking a major decline in literacy and maths standards.
Memo to anyone with the slightest interest in Irish education:
The review of the PISA results posted on the website of the Educational Research Centre (ERC), Drumcondra (erc.ie) is required reading.
It is also a reminder of the outstanding work by the ERC and its staff – including Gerry Shiel, Judith Cosgrove, rachel Perkins and Grainne Moran.
The ERC regularly delivers thought-provoking reports on Irish education, which is more than can be said for some better-funded education departments in some universities.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
2010: The year that Irish education fell to earth [IrishTimes]
- Published: 14 December 2010
With Ireland’s OECD ranking in maths and literacy slipping dramatically and our universities falling in global rankings, 2010 was a traumatic year. Here we revisit some of the headline moments
1 WE BEGAN TO FEEL LESS CONFIDENT ABOUT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM
The OECD/PISA study published last week was the most significant event of the year. On reading levels, Ireland has slipped from fifth place in 2000 to 17th place – the sharpest decline among 39 countries surveyed. Almost one-quarter of Irish 15-year-olds are below the level of literacy needed to participate effectively in society.
In maths, Ireland has fallen from 16th to 26th place, the second steepest decline among participating countries. Ireland is now ranked as below average in maths.
In science, we rank 18th – despite all the hype about the knowledge economy.
Cumulatively, the results represent a body blow to a system which has long traded on its “world class” reputation.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
