Monthly Archives: June 2013

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/anglo/abuse-the-bank-guarantee-dont-get-caught-david-drumm-29369275.html

Dáil to debate FF motion to reverse 12% cut to resource teaching hours

I am appealing to the Government TDs in Kerry to oppose another dramatic reduction in teaching supports for children with special needs. The Dáil is to debate a Fianna Fáil motion this week, calling for a full reversal of upcoming cuts to resource teaching hours. and I am urging the Fine Gael and Labour Deputies in Kerry to do the right thing and ensure that this damaging cut, which will hit every school in the constituency, does not go ahead.

Under a decision taken by the Education Minister Ruairí Quinn, resource teaching hours for children with special needs will be slashed by a further 12% from September. This will affect every primary and secondary school in the county.I have spoken to many parents and teachers of children with special needs in Kerry who are really struggling to understand how the government can justify this decision. It’s the third consecutive cut in resource hours, down overall by 25% since June 2011. Not only is there a profound impact on children with special needs, the entire classroom environment suffers. No amount of spin can hide the government has deliberately targeted children with special needs for cuts this September. The Minister for Education has seen fit to increase mainstream teacher numbers to cater for the increase in the student population. But at the same time he has decided to cap resource hours and special needs assistants. The result is that the thousands of children here in Kerry who are in need of special support in school will see a cut in that support when school starts back in September.

I am calling on all the government TDs in Kerry to do the right thing in the Dáil this week and support our calls to have this cut reversed. They have an opportunity now to stand up for local schools and the most vulnerable children in our school system by ensuring that this cut does not go ahead.

Non-urgent applications only accepted via An Post express service from late June

Passport applications will be cheaper and more efficient when changes to the system are implemented, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Soon the passport service will only be accepting applications through the Passport Express service. It will also turn the pilot appointment system, which started in November 2012, into a full service at the passport office in Molesworth Street, Dublin.
By the end of June 2013 passport applications sent through regular and registered post will be returned to the applicant. They will only be permitted to submit their applications through the Passport Express service provided by An Post exclusively for passports.
Demand for new passports ‘unprecedented’, says Minister
Gilmore warns travellers of big delays in issuing new passports
The Department of Foreign Affairs said this will keep passport applications separate from other mail and will provide a faster turnaround of applications for a lower cost.
There is also a new appointment service following on from its piloted success last year. Appointments can be made online for those who need to travel at short notice and appointments can be made for any time from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
The Department said this will cut down on the time spent waiting in line and that those without urgent travelling needs (within 3 to 10 days) should use the Passport Express service.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/faster-passport-service-after-system-changes-dfa-1.1411728

Kenmare Hospital Summer 2013