“Midland counties top the national waiting list for Speech and Language Therapy”
“Midland counties top the national waiting list for Speech and Language Therapy”The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed to Independent TD Carol Nolan that CHO Area 8, which encompasses Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, has the highest number of people on its waiting lists for Speech and Language Therapy. The HSE say that the total number of patients awaiting Initial Assessment up to March 2024 for CHO Area is now 3,962. This contrasts most strikingly with CHO Area 1 (Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan, Cavan/Monaghan) which has a total of 852 people on its list. Nationally there are just under 20,000 people on the HSE Speech and Language initial assessment waiting list. “The data provided to me today is profoundly alarming given the significant developmental consequences that follow from a lack of timely access to speech and language therapy, especially for young children,” said Deputy Nolan.
Source:Irish Independent
May 10, 2024 01:09 UTC
Bank of England paves way for Britain to cut interest rates before the US
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey yesterday gave his strongest hint yet that Britain could start cutting interest rates before the US. Bailey said that progress in the battle against inflation may mean it needs to cut rates by more than markets currently expect. The Bank of England yesterday left interest rates on hold at 5.25 per cent but hinted at a cut this summer – possibly next month – amid signs that inflation is close to hitting its 2 per cent target. ING Bank economist James Smith said: ‘The Bank of England is getting very close to its first rate cut. What isn’t in doubt, is that the Bank is comfortable with moving ahead of the Fed.’The Bank of England’s nine-member monetary policy committee (MPC) voted 7-2 to leave interest rates on hold yesterday.
Source:Daily Mail
May 10, 2024 00:50 UTC
Mystical Portals now connect New York and Dublin, part of a bridge 'to a united planet'
Two massive circular livestream video "portals" now connect New York City and Dublin, Ireland – all part of an artist's plan to bring the world closer together. The New York City Portal is in Manhattan's Flatiron District, while the Portal in Dublin is installed near O'Connell Street, the city's main street. Portals founder Benediktas Gylys, a Lithuanian artist, author and entrepreneur, funded the initial project, but local groups have collaborated around Portal installations. "Portals are sculptures that form a global network that is going to act as a bridge to a united planet." Dublin mayor: Portals project makes city, world 'more inclusive'In Dublin, the Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste oversaw the Portal's awakening in his city.
Source:The Herald
May 10, 2024 00:16 UTC
Facebook NZ books $9m revenue as payments to Meta Ireland increase 5pc to $157m
Payments to Meta Platforms Ireland for purchases of services rose 5 per cent to $157.4m from $149m in 2022. Multiple tech multinationals have subsidiaries in Ireland, which has a 12.5 per cent corporate tax rate for trading income. A digital services tax? In June 2019, then Finance Minister Grant Robertson and then Revenue Minister Stuart Nash proposed a digital services tax (DST) that would impose a flat 2 or 3 per cent levy on a tech multinational’s NZ revenue. Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts have been approached for comment on Facebook NZ’s results, and any measures in the works regarding multinationals’ financial reporting.
Source:The Herald
May 09, 2024 22:50 UTC
Are you a Wetherspoon lover or hater? LEE BOYCE and SIMON LAMBERT have very different opinions on the pub giant
It is, after all, the Tesco of the pub world given its size – a juggernaut of plentiful pints, natty carpets, and cheap eats. Hot drink refills in my local Wetherspoons? Hot drink refills in my local Wetherspoons? But I also feel Britain has many great pubs for me to spend time in, while I have limited time to do that, so I need to make the most of it. I'd also rather go spend a bit more money in a local pub and support it when I can, than get cheap beer, snacks, and burgers in a big chain.
Source:Daily Mail
May 09, 2024 19:32 UTC
Do you drink alone? How to tell when solo drinking becomes a problem
How to tell when solo drinking becomes a problemIs drinking alone a byword for alcoholism, or is it better to enjoy the occasional solo tipple rather than bingeing at social events? When it comes to assessing problem drinking, it seems that number of drinks consumed is the most important thing to considerSolitary drinking has a bad reputation, but whether or not it is unhealthy depends on the context. Or is drinking alone one of life’s small pleasures — a glass of champagne in the departure lounge, a cold beer after work, a pre-dinner gin? Does drinking alcohol without the company of other alcohol drinkers mean you have an alcohol problem, or is it more nuanced than that — or is nuance just another word for denial? Where does the pleasure stop and the problem begin?
Source:Irish Independent
May 09, 2024 19:00 UTC
Sunshine is here: Temperatures to reach highs of 20 degrees before conditions cool next week
Temperatures could reach highs of 16 to 20 degrees today, with sunny conditions continuing. Lowest temperatures will drop between 7 to 11 degrees overnight before another warm day tomorrow, with temperatures reaching further highs of 18 to 22 degrees. Temperatures will cool into early next week, though will remain between 17 to 21 degrees on Saturday. Some showers could turn heavy with the chance of isolated thunderstorms as highest temperatures reach between 15 to 19 degrees in light and variable breezes. Further outbreaks of rain or showers with some chance of thunderstorms will take place on Monday, with highs of 13 to 17 degrees.
Source:Irish Independent
May 09, 2024 18:48 UTC
Man extradited from Northern Ireland to Spain to face murder charge
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said on Thursday that officers from the International Policing Unit, working with the Spanish authorities, had that day extradited the man to Spain. In a statement, the PSNI said the man is wanted to stand trial for murder and being a member of an organised crime gang. In this case, we worked closely with authorities in Spain and the National Crime Agency to arrest this subject. “If fugitives travel to Northern Ireland to avoid the consequences of their previous crimes it is only a matter of time before they are arrested and brought before the extradition courts. “Our message is clear, that we will relentlessly pursue those that are trying to delay or deny justice to victims of crime.”
Source:The Herald
May 09, 2024 18:07 UTC
Bank of England holds rates at 5.25% AGAIN - what it means for mortgages and savings
Trackers follow the Bank of England's base rate plus a set percentage, for example base rate plus 0.75 per cent. > Check the best savings rates using This is Money's independent best buy tablesIs it downhill from here for savings rates? Rather than savings rates crashing down to earth, most experts are expecting a gradual decline over the coming months. Andrew Hagger, personal finance expert and founder of MoneyComms says he expects savings rates will slowly start to slip backAndrew Hagger said: 'I think it is downhill for savings rates from here, but there's no need for major panic. > Find the best easy-access savings rates hereThose with extra cash which they won't immediately need over the next year or two should consider fixed-rate savings.
Source:Daily Mail
May 09, 2024 17:34 UTC
UMass School of Law establishes study abroad program at Católica University of Portugal
DARTMOUTH – Ten students from UMass School of Law will be in Portugal from May 17 to 31 as part of a new study abroad program created in partnership with the Católica Global School of Law of Lisbon. We’ll do our best to make sure this year is a complete success.”How did the UMass School of Law study abroad program in Portugal come about? UMass Law’s study abroad program in Portugal is the brainchild of Dean Panarella, who is completing his first year in Dartmouth. Given that many UMass Law students and supporters are Portuguese or of Portuguese descendent, he found it odd that the school had an exchange program with Ireland but nothing with Portugal. That’s when Massachusetts Senator Michael Rodrigues – who has been a great supporter of UMass Law according to Panarella - stepped in.
Source:The Herald
May 09, 2024 16:48 UTC
Women running for Europe in Midlands Northwest set for hustings event in Athlone
Women running for Europe in Midlands Northwest set for hustings event in AthloneThe National Women's Council (NWC) and Women for Election is organising a hustings event for female MEP candidates in the Midlands-Northwest constituency on Monday next, May 13. From 12 noon, in Athlone's Radisson Blu Hotel, the event will hear from female candidates standing in the constituency. The organisers said candidates would be invited to commit to a feminist manifesto, and would take questions from the audience. The event is to be moderated by Flor McCarthy of Women For Election. NWC and Women For Election said they had invited all women candidates with a political mandate (either individually or at the party level) to take part.
Source:Irish Independent
May 09, 2024 16:47 UTC
Katy Perry urges ‘hold on to your common sense hat’ after viral fake Met photo
Katy Perry urges ‘hold on to your common sense hat’ after viral fake Met photoBy Laura Harding, Deputy Entertainment EditorKaty Perry has urged people to “hold on to your common sense hat” after a fake picture of her at the Met Gala went viral. Perry did not attend the event, despite images that appeared to show her in a lavish floral gown on the famous steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Fake images of pop star Rihanna at the event have also gone viral. Perry replied to the text: “lol mom the AI got you too, BEWARE.”Fake images of pop star Rihanna at the event have also gone viral. The Rude Boy singer is a regular at the fashion gala but also did not attend this year.
Source:Irish Independent
May 09, 2024 16:19 UTC
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/KVU6O5PVR476JEIR7UM3SAJDYM.jpg)
Sports fans flying to matches could be hit by Dublin Airport passenger cap, airlines say
Dublin Airport passenger caps could put games such as Ireland's Six Nations clash with Italy out of fans' reach, airlines say. Sports fans could be impacted by Dublin Airport passenger caps this winter, airlines warn as regulators move to ensure the gateway remains within limits set by planners. The 14.4 million limit is one of the IAA’s conditions for allocating take-off and landing slots to airlines at Dublin Airport. The authority sets these for every winter and summer following talks with a committee whose members include airlines. It notes that the DAA considers the measure important to its efforts to comply with the 32 million-a-year passenger cap.
Source:The Irish Times
May 09, 2024 14:39 UTC
Ireland and Spain could recognise Palestinian state on May 21: Report
Dublin: Ireland, Spain and a number of other European Union member states are considering recognising a Palestinian state on May 21, according to a report by Ireland's national broadcaster. RTE News on Wednesday evening said contacts between Dublin and Madrid, and between Slovenia and Malta, had intensified with a view to the countries jointly recognising Palestinian statehood. According to the report, the countries have been waiting for a vote by the United Nations General Assembly on May 10 which could lead to the recognition of Palestinians as qualified to become a full UN member.
Source:The Herald
May 09, 2024 14:12 UTC
Amazon.ie online shopping site to launch next year
The launch of an Irish Amazon.ie store has been in development since the tech and retail giant established its first Irish ‘fulfilment centre’ in Dublin in 2022, with hundreds of thousands of products stocked. Amazon says that the launch of Amazon.ie will allow for quicker delivery and returns, helped by a five-year agreement struck between An Post and Amazon last year aimed at more efficient deliveries and returns. However, the company has yet to say whether Irish ‘Amazon Prime’ members, estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands will move over to Amazon.ie as their primary account or remain with Amazon.co.uk. It has also to confirm what the price of an Amazon Prime account in Ireland might be. At present, Amazon Prime, which facilitates free delivery on many products and entitles users to unlimited free photo storage online, costs £8.95 (€10.39) per month.
Source:Irish Independent
May 09, 2024 12:10 UTC