Opening remarks by Ruairi Quinn, TD, Minister for Education and Skills – Meeting with religious congregations [merrionstreet.ie]
- Published: 22 July 2011
At the outset I want to thank you all for responding to my invitation to attend today’s meeting.
I am pleased that so many congregations are represented here.
I understand that due to the timing of the meeting, the Rosminians, the Daughters of the Heart of Mary and the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity could not be represented here today.
Regrettably, the Sisters of Mercy opted not to attend, though I understand that they are willing to meet individually.
Nevertheless I look forward to constructive engagement with you today and in the future.
The primary purpose of today’s meeting is to discuss with you the question of how the congregations and other management bodies move towards meeting the target of achieving a 50:50 share of the cost of the response to residential institutional abuse.
Full Story: www.merrionstreet.ie
Religious orders meet Quinn [IrishTimes]
- Published: 22 July 2011
The Government “is fully satisfied that it is entirely right and proper that the managers of (residential) institutions be asked to meet a 50 per cent share of the major costs of dealing with abuse (of children),” Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn told religious congregations investigated by the Ryan Commission at a meeting in the Department of Education and Skills this afternoon.
“Putting it bluntly I believe that there is a moral responsibility on your congregations to significantly augment your contributions,” he said.
To date costs incurred by the State as a result of the abuse of children in the institutions is estimated at €1.36 billion. The State is seeking a €680 million (50 per cent) contribution towards this from the congregations. They have offered €374.5 million. Minister Quinn suggested in recent months that they make up the shortfall by signing over property to the State.
“Quite simply, this issue will not go away,” He said. “I believed the public supports the 50:50 approach and will not see the issue closed until that is delivered” he said. “I urge you therefore to reflect on these points and to revert to me and to revert to me at the earliest opportunity with your response. Less there be any ambituity, I am calling on you to significantly increase the cash offers that you have already made,” he said.
Full Story: www.irishtimes.com
Sibling rivalry 'good for kids' development' [schooldays.ie]
- Published: 21 July 2011
Parents who are wondering how to stop their children arguing with each other over the summer break may be interested to hear how competition between siblings could actually be good for their development.
According to a study by the University of Cambridge's Centre for Family Research, brothers and sisters who squabble with each other are developing vital social and conflict-resolution skills that will be highly useful later in life, the Irish Independent reports.
Dr Claire Hughes, author of Social Understanding and Social Lives, which is based on the research, stated: "The more combative siblings are ... the more they are learning complex lessons about communication and the subtleties of language."
Full Story: www.schooldays.ie
Irish families spending on average €400 per child to go back to school [advertiser.ie]
- Published: 21 July 2011
As parents of school going children brace themselves ahead of the back to school shopping season, the Irish League of Credit Unions has taken a look at just what the costs for both primary and secondary school children are. In 2011, a typical Irish family will spend approximately €400 on each child when getting them ready to go back to school in September with back-to-school expenditure for a second-level student is almost 50 per cent higher than for a primary-level pupil.
Commenting on the research findings, Kieron Brennan, ILCU CEO said: “The cost of school going children to parents is considerable and can put significant pressure on household budgets and the ability of some families to pay their essential bills. This iReach research shows us that there are significant numbers of parents using their credit cards and using their savings to pay for their child’s back to school needs, with many parents feeling that the back to school allowance is not sufficient to cover costs.
We were surprised at the number of parents that would like to see their children using laptops and or e-books in the classroom and this may be part of a growing trend whereby parents are looking to technology to save on the costs of school books. Claremorris Credit Union recently announced a partnership with St Colman's College in Claremorris to make history by becoming the first school in Ireland to introduce the truly digital classroom following its decision to replace textbooks and school bags with Apple’s iPad tablet device. In time this is something which could be looked at more closely by the education system and by government as a possible way to reduce costs in future for families.”
Full Story: www.advertiser.ie
Government must to do more to help parents meet the cost of school uniforms – Crowe [sinnfein.ie]
- Published: 21 July 2011
Sinn Féin’s education spokesperson Sean Crowe has urged the government to fastrack measures to help parents pay for school uniforms.
At a meeting this week of the Education and Skill’s Committee, the Dublin South West TD urged education minister Ruairí Quinn TD, to introduce measures to help with the spiralling cost of sending a child to school.
He continued:
“This is a crisis that is hitting many families hard as they struggle to make ends meet.
“A recent a survey of 1,000 people by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) found that on average, €400 will be spent annually on each child attending school. This outrageous figure, combined with additional expenses such as books and voluntary contributions to schools, is proving impossible for more parents to meet.
Full Story: www.sinnfein.ie
