Sir, – Hearing of the death of Mary Banotti reminded me of a morning walking the streets of Dublin with her a lifetime ago (“‘Trailblazer’ former Fine Gael MEP Mary Banotti has died”, News, May 11th). We met very early in the morning, wearing sensible shoes, knowing what lay ahead. We were both nurses and she wanted to see how we were working with homeless people and how she could help us. We visited the many hospital casualty departments, the hostels, night-shelters, day centres and met people from all sections of the community en route. We met homeless people going to work in the gardens of better-off people, and some going to court where the judge was on first-name terms with them.
Source:The Irish Times
May 14, 2024 15:13 UTC
A report by Ulster University found 32 such examples, with some faith schools under pressure because of declining enrolments and stressed budgets, but they still survive. Meanwhile, families who want to send their children to integrated schools struggle and often have to travel significant distances because nearby schools are segregated, the report said. “The kids that are coming out of these faith schools have no religion at all. The continuation of segregated schooling in Northern Ireland has implications for southerners, too, especially if the debate about constitutional changes intensifies. [ ‘Indisputable’ demand for integrated schools but challenges remain 25 years after Belfast Agreement ]“Church leaders fear mixed marriages, expecting loss of control.
Source:The Irish Times
May 14, 2024 14:41 UTC
Ukrainian refugees to have welfare allowances cut in coming weeksUpdated: 11am. Payments to Ukrainian refugees are set to be cut within 12 weeks. The provision of State accommodation has already been limited, and these latest measures will see 12 weeks' notice given to those who'll be affected by the changes. Under the revised plan, Ukrainian refugees go to designated accommodation centres for up to 90 days and are provided with food, laundry and integration support during this time. Arrivals had previously been entitled to a jobseeker’s allowance of €220 per week and unlimited time in State accommodation.
Source:Irish Independent
May 14, 2024 13:36 UTC
Virgin Money UK expects profitability to come under pressure in the second half of 2024, reflecting higher costs and investments. Boss David Duffy said: 'Over the first six months, we have continued to deliver on our strategic ambitions in line with expectations. Shareholders will vote on the Nationwide takeover on 22 May, ahead of the publication of VMUK's interim results on 13 June. Controversially, however, Nationwide members will not get a vote on the takeover. VMUK, however, still expects to pay a 2024 full-year dividend of 2p per share as announced by its board.
Source:Daily Mail
May 14, 2024 12:24 UTC
It comes 20 years after Ireland became the first country in the world to ban smoking in workplaces, including pubs and restaurants. Currently, 18% of the population over the age of 15 are smokers. The proposed legislation will not impact the minimum legal age of sale of nicotine-inhaling products or vapes. There is currently no proposal to extend this ban to the age of 21. The Government said preliminary legal advice suggests Ireland cannot pursue a “smokefree-generation” policy as has been suggested in other jurisdictions because of the EU’s single market rules and Tobacco Products Directive.
Source:The Herald
May 14, 2024 12:05 UTC
Almost 600 patients waiting on trolleys in Irish hospitalsMichael BoltonThere were 591 patients waiting on trolleys in Irish hospitals on Tuesday morning. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's (INMO) daily trolley watch figures showed 405 patients were waiting in Emergency Departments (EDs), while 186 were in wards elsewhere in the hospitals. Tuesday morning's figure was the highest number of patients waiting on trolleys so far this month. University Hospital Limerick had the highest number of patients on trolleys on Tuesday, with 105 waiting for a hospital bed. Cork University Hospital had 54 patients waiting on trolleys, while Letterkenny University Hospital had 47.
Source:Irish Independent
May 14, 2024 10:37 UTC
Ireland second-most expensive European country for running EVsIreland is the second-most expensive country in Europe to run an Electric Vehicle (EV), a study has found. The research, conducted by Switcher.ie, found the cost of charging an EV in Ireland increased by 15 per cent last year, and is up 34 per cent compared to 2021. On average, a full charge costs €22.25, while a 100km road trip will set motorists back €6.66. Both figures are almost double the European average, with the average cost of a full charge being €12.63 last year, while a 100km road trip was €3.78. Germany was found to be the most expensive European country to charge an EV (€23.57 for a full charge and €7.06 for a 100km road trip), while Belgium (€22.25; €6.63) rounded out the top three.
Source:Irish Independent
May 14, 2024 10:03 UTC
Forbes Magazine has boldly declared a list of "New Ivies.," and a Boston school has made the cut. To make their new list, Forbes created a category for both public and private schools. As a college town, it shouldn't be surprising that Boston is still represented through Boston College. Leadership at Boston College seemed pleased with the recognition of their students as being hardworking. Forbes research stated that 31% of the hiring managers surveyed thought that non-Ivy private universities such as Boston College were doing a better job of preparing job candidates.
Source:The Herald
May 14, 2024 09:22 UTC
Shelbourne hope they have secured their future at their Tolka Park home after their bid to gain a long-term lease on the site was successful. The Reds have faced uncertainty over a permanent home due to the fact that they did not own the Tolka Park site, which is in need to major refurbishment. But a plan to keep Shels at Tolka gained strength as fans objected to the Dalymount move, with manager Damien Duff also a vocal backer of the Tolka Park plan. At a meeting of Dublin City Council on Monday, DCC agreed to give the club a 250-year lease. “This long-term lease provides us with the stability and foundation needed to continue to build Shelbourne FC on and off the pitch.
Source:Irish Independent
May 14, 2024 07:06 UTC
Emma Gannon: My open letter to all my friends who have childrenFor best-selling author Emma Gannon, the phrase ‘choosing to be child-free’ doesn’t mean you have to grow apart from your pals who have kids…Emma Gannon has made the choice to not have children. Photo: Paul StorrieEmma Gannon Today at 02:30The phrase ‘child-free’ feels more appropriate for me (as opposed to childless) because, for me, it is a choice. I turn 35 next month and with every year I get older, I become more sure that the motherhood path is not for me.
Source:Irish Independent
May 14, 2024 06:40 UTC
Tom Holland shows off new look in Romeo And Juliet as fans greet star's West End returnBritish actor Tom Holland has styled a shorter haircut as first-look pictures show his return to the West End for a production of Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet. Spider-Man actor Holland portrays Romeo Montague in Jamie Lloyd's adaption of the romantic tragedy, opposite Francesca Amewudah-Rivers as Juliet Capulet. Last month, the theatre company behind the new West End production condemned "deplorable racial abuse" directed towards one of its stars. He is world-famous for playing the title role in the latest Spider-Man superhero movies, including Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). Romeo And Juliet will run at the Duke Of York's Theatre until August 3.
Source:Daily Mail
May 14, 2024 06:11 UTC
A data breach at the tech giant revealed the names and addresses of customers dating back from 2017Dell has confirmed a data breach that could, according to reports, have affected up to 49m customers. The breach revealed names and addresses of Dell customers, as well as information about equipment purchased, although the tech giant says that no payment or banking details were uncovered in the incident. The details hacked are reported to have covered Dell customer activity from 2017 onwards. In a statement, Dell said that it did not believe there was a “significant” risk to customers from the breach. “We continue to monitor the situation and take steps to protect our customers’ information.
Source:Irish Independent
May 14, 2024 04:31 UTC
Stunning harp concert in Birr this weekendCruit Éireann | Harp Ireland, in partnership with The Trench Trust, is delighted to announce the second in its harp concert series in Birr this weekend. The concert will take place in St Brendan’s Church of Ireland on Saturday, May 18 at 7.30pm. Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland was established in 2017 in partnership with The Arts Council to support the continuing evolution of the harp and its music. This year, the concert in Birr will celebrate diversity and collaboration with performances from The Mulcahy Family and pedal harp and clarinet duo Dathanna. Their latest family album ‘The Reel Note’ has received worldwide acclaim, an album full of soulful traditional music and was awarded Trad Connect Album of the Year in 2017.
Source:Irish Independent
May 13, 2024 22:54 UTC