'Parents aren't doing enough' [thecorknews.ie]
- Published: 12 October 2010
Teachers concerned about children's diets
With one in four children in Ireland now classed as overweight, the issue of obesity must be ranked as one of the greatest concerns for the future of our nation. But is enough being done? Teachers don’t believe so. A recent survey revealed that 73% of teachers think parents are not doing enough to encourage healthy eating at home.
The findings come as part of Agri Aware’s evaluation of its primary schools 'Growing and Knowing' initiative, the 'Incredible Edibles'.
When asked why children do not eat enough fruit and vegetables, nearly 60% of teachers reported that they are not given the opportunity to eat them at home. In the study, parents were also asked how many fruit and vegetables their children eat every day - only 27% said the recommended five.
Full Story: www.thecorknews.ie
Government to slash number of enterprise boards and VECs [Independent.ie]
- Published: 12 October 2010
THE Government is hoping to save millions in administration costs by cutting the numbers of both County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) and Vocational Education Committees (VECs).
The moves will almost certainly lead to strong political, business and community protests from counties that lose boards and committees.
There are 35 county and city enterprise boards and 33 VECs. The intention is to reduce the numbers to around 20 each.
Separate proposals are being brought before the Cabinet by Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe and by Education Minister Mary Coughlan.
The budget for the CEBs, which provide support for the development and growth through capital grants, feasibility studies, information, advice, counselling and mentoring of enterprises with fewer than 10 staff, is €28m.
Since they were set up in 1993, they have been credited with creating 30,726 new jobs.
A spokesman for Mr O'Keeffe said that the minister believed that dedicated state support for the micro-enterprise sector should continue to be provided and such support should be delivered as close to the client as possible.
He confirmed that the minister was evaluating the appropriateness of the current structures of the 35 CEBs.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Teachers' uncertified sick days cut from 31 to seven [Independent.ie]
- Published: 12 October 2010
The number of sick days teachers can take without producing a doctor's certificate has been slashed by the Department of Education under new cost-cutting measures.
Previous allowances of up to 31 uncertified days have been slashed to seven.
Up to now, primary teachers had a 31-day ceiling on uncertified sick leave each year, while teachers in second-level schools could claim 30 days.
The new rules represent no change for teachers in the Vocational Education Committee (VEC) sector, where the maximum number of sick days allowed is already seven.
The change is a part of ongoing cost cutting by the Department of Education, which now also intends to carry out regular examinations of sick leave records to ensure the new regulations are complied with.
The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), representing 32,000 primary teachers, says the new arrangements will not affect the vast majority of teachers.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Special needs kids denied bus transport to Cashel schools [nationalist.ie]
- Published: 11 October 2010
The Co. Council has decided to write to Education Minister Mary Coughlan calling on her to ensure that children with special needs living in South Tipperary be provided with school bus transport to the special needs schools in Cashel under its School Transport Scheme.
A motion tabled by WUAG Cllr Seamus Healy seeking this letter be sent to the Minister was unanimously approved at South Tipperary Co. Council's September meeting.
The Department used to approve school bus transport to children from Carrick-on-Suir and its hinterland attending both Cashel schools.
But since last year new students to these schools from the Carrick-on-Suir area have been refused school bus transport to Cashel on the grounds that the nearest special needs school to their home is St Joseph's in Waterford.
Full Story: www.nationalist.ie
Mums brawled on street outside their children's school [herald.ie]
- Published: 11 October 2010
TWO mums have been branded "bad parents" after they brawled outside school gates following a public row over bullying claims by one of their children.
A District Court judge described the two women as liars and bad parents following their appearance in court over the row.
Mothers and former friends Vicky Kelly and Lyndsey Newman from Drogheda, were told by Judge John Lindsay that he had "grave doubts" they should be bringing up children.
A raging dispute between the neighbours erupted after one of Kelly's children claimed that Ms Newman's child had bullied her at school.
It was alleged that Kelly had "roared for a blade" and headbutted Ms Newman during the row in Laurence's Park, Drogheda on December 18, 2008.
But Judge John Lindsay dubbed the two rowing mums Vicky Kelly and Lyndsey Newman liars and bad parents.
He told Kelly, who was charged with assaulting Lyndsey Newman, that she was "insolent, cheeky and rude".
Full Story: www.herald.ie
