Slow learners need to take a crash course on Croke Park deal — fast [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 15 April 2010
THE Croke Park accord is apparently heading up a cul de sac. Key public sector unions are coming out against the revised pay deal.
Last week the ASTI, TUI, Unite and IMPACT signalled they were advocating a ‘no’ vote. This latter union, representing 55,000 members, has surprised insiders by their negativity. This is not least because Peter McLoone, their retiring general secretary, led the ICTU side of the negotiations with the Government. This week the CPSU and INMO are poised to dismiss the terms. Only SIPTU seems to understand reality.
Full Story: www.irishexaminer.com
Tánaiste welcomes approval for new Carrigans school [education.ie]
- Published: 15 April 2010
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan T.D., has today announced that a brand new school has been approved to facilitate a change of location for Monreagh National School in Carrigans.
Under the grant sanctioned by her Department today, a new two new classroom school as well as ancillary external facilities will be developed for the pupils and teachers of Monreagh. The new school will be constructed on a green field site provided by Church authorities.
Making the announcement, the Tánaiste said: "I'm delighted to have been in a position to see this new school being announced by my Department today.The old school was built in the 1850s and local parents, the board of management and the community were particularly anxious to have a brand new state-of-the-art facility developed.
Full Story: www.education.ie
Decision time looms for grammar entrance test [belfasttelegraph.co.uk]
- Published: 14 April 2010
A crunch meeting of Northern Ireland’s grammar schools is due to take place next week to decide once and for all if there will be a single entrance test for P7 pupils this autumn.
It is understood that the talks could falter on the key issue of whether or not to charge a fee for any new test.
Parents of pupils currently in P6 are waiting to hear what their children will face next year if they want to secure a grammar school place.
Full Story: www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Unions split over public sector pay [Independent.ie]
- Published: 14 April 2010
Divisions among trade unionists have deepened over the proposed public sector pay and reform deal after two major unions took opposing positions.
The leadership of Siptu is recommending its 70,000 members in the public sector back the deal.
But officials at the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation are pushing its 40,000 workers to throw it out.
The leadership of seven unions representing public sector workers now oppose the package, while four are behind it.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
Schools forced to pay retrospective water charges [leitrimobserver.ie]
- Published: 14 April 2010
The County Council will allow national schools extra time to pay outstanding water charges but they will not waive the money owed despite a number of notices of motion calling for such action at Monday's Council meeting.
Councillors Tony Ferguson, Michael Colreavy and Frank Dolan all raised concerns about the recent issuing of bills to national schools around the county for water usage dating as far as 2008.
Full Story: www.leitrimobserver.ie
