Anger at 'unjust and uncaring'Budget [IrishTimes]
- Published: 10 December 2009
UNIONS' REACTION: UNIONS HAVE reacted angrily to what they described as “an unjust and uncaring” Budget.
The president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) Jack O’Connor said it ranked as “the most callous” Budget introduced by any Minister for Finance since the 1930s.
Ictu general secretary David Begg said the Budget was marked by a “criminal neglect of any serious initiative on jobs and job protection”.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Single scheme to be introduced for new public sector workers [IrishTimes]
- Published: 10 December 2009
PENSIONS: EMPLOYEES ENTERING the public sector from 2010 will not only have to deal with lower salaries, but also potentially lower pensions upon retirement, given the Government’s plans to reform public service pension arrangements. The introduction of a single scheme, which is set to be in place by the end of next year, is expected to bring public pension terms in line with private sector norms.
From 2010 onwards, pensions will be based on “career average” earnings, rather than final salary as currently applies. In practice, this will mean that a specific “pension accrual rate” will be applied to pensionable pay, so that each year public servants will earn or accrue a certain amount of pension payable on retirement.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
A harsh penalty for new teachers [herald.ie]
- Published: 10 December 2009
NEWLY-qualified teacher Fionnuala Flynn (21) says the budget was "basically what I expected".
Education will be hit for €134m next year, excluding the reduction in wages for teachers and Fionnuala told the Herald: "I can't agree with the measures because education is so important."
She is one of the lucky few who managed to find a job after graduating from Marino College this year, albeit a part-time temporary position and substitution.
Full Story: www.herald.ie
Huge rise in children 'poisoned' by hand gel [herald.ie]
- Published: 10 December 2009
The number of children ingesting alcohol hand gels has risen dramatically in the wake of the swine flu pandemic.
So far this year, the National Poison Information Centre (NPIC) has received 49 enquiries -- and 33 of these involved children.
One enquiry was about a toddler who drank hand gel which fell out of a sister's handbag.
The centre believes that there may be many more cases not reported as doctors often treat patients without contacting the NPIC.
Full Story: www.herald.ie
Statement by the Irish Primary Principals’ Network on Budget 2010
- Published: 10 December 2009
The Irish Primary Principals’ Network (IPPN) welcomes some of the measures in Budget 2010 which have secured key aspects of primary education funding. These include;
• Maintenance of the Capitation Grant at the current level. This has been a priority issue for IPPN over the last 5 years as it is fundamental to the financial security of schools
• Provision made for increasing the number of psychologists (NEPS) to 210. IPPN surveys of Principals continuously report that the Education Psychological Service is the most important of all external supports to the primary school system
• Commitment to fund new mental health initiatives. This area has been the focus of IPPN campaigns in recent years
• Continuation of the School Building Programme and the Summer Works Scheme
• Additional funding for school books and support for curricular activities (In the absence of detail, this measure is welcomed subject to it being the reinstatement of the free book scheme for disadvantaged children in mainstream schools).
