Government criticised over decision to go ahead with Leaving Cert exams
Opposition parties have rallied against the Government’s decision to press ahead with the traditional format of Leaving Cert exams.
Minister for Education Norma Foley said the profile of grades for this year will be based on that of last year.
The decision has received widespread criticism from opposition parties, who have called for a hybrid option of accredited grades and a written exam to be offered to students.
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the decision not to have that offer is “an appalling decision”.
Kilkenny community ‘deeply shocked’ by attack on teenage girl
A close-knit Kilkenny community has been “deeply shocked” by an attack on a teenage girl while she was out walking near her home.
A forensic search of the area where the 17-year-old girl was attacked on Monday was carried out this morning, while a Garda manhunt for the attacker remains under way.
Mayor of Kilkenny Andrew McGuinness said the community in Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, is shocked but has full confidence that gardaí will identify who is responsible for the attack.
“They responded so proactively and with force – we had Garda helicopters out, we had feet on the ground in Johnstown, they went door to door,” he told Newstalk radio.
“The community in Johnstown in north Kilkenny is a very close-knit community, people there support each other very well and they’re deeply shocked because it’s a very safe area and for something like this to happen on our doorstep so soon after what happened Ashling Murphy in Tullamore.”
Munster abuse trial: Charges against extended family members dropped
Charges against extended family members accused of sexually abusing three children in Munster have been dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The children's 79-year-old grandfather, a 33-year-old uncle, his former partner (37) and a 38-year-old woman were before the courts on a range of sexual abuse charges.
Last month, the children's father and mother were jailed for 15 and nine years respectively for what the judge described as the “most awful” sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of their three eldest children, and the wilful neglect of their five children.
Two uncles, aged 49 and 27, were jailed for 15 years for their part in the sexual abuse, while a maternal aunt (35) was jailed for three years for sexually assaulting two of the children.
The case against two other women - the children's grandmother and one of their uncle's partners - was dropped during the trial last year after the children involved said they couldn't remember their role in the abuse.
EWSS rates reduced as Covid-19 supports continue to be phased out
From Tuesday, most businesses will move to a reduced rate of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS).
It comes as the Government continues plans to phase out Covid-19 supports following the easing of almost all restrictions in January.
Those moving to the reduced EWSS rate will receive between €151.50 and €203 this month which will be followed by a flat rate subsidy of €100 for the final two months of the scheme in March and April.
Most companies will have their subsidies phased out by the end of April.
However, some businesses which were directly impacted by public health restrictions last December have had their scheduled reductions deferred for another month until March. They will also be eligible to continue on the scheme until the end of May.
According to figures released by Revenue last week, there were 229,800 employees still receiving EWSS payments in January 2022.
Nphet's approval for easing of restrictions surprised 83% of people, survey finds
A new survey has found that 83 per cent of adults were surprised that the National Health Emergency Team (Nphet) gave approval for easing of restrictions.
The Government recently removed most Covid restrictions, following advice from Nphet.
However, an iReach survey found 51 per cent would have liked a phased lifting of restrictions and 29 per cent think all restrictions should be lifted straight away. Nineteen per cent think it’s too early to make big changes to restrictions.
The majority (83 per cent) of adults were surprised that Nphet gave the green light to end most restrictions so soon and 33 per cent were very surprised.
