(1673,'Father who raped son from age of six is jailed for 14 years','<p>\r\n	A man who raped his son from the age of six and locked him in a box in their home has been jailed for 14 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There was no reaction from the 66-year-old as the sentence was read out at the Central Criminal Court. He continues to deny the offences and has said he will appeal the jury verdict and sentence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Justice Robert Eagar said the child had &quot;clearly convinced the jury of the spirit of the truth of the allegations&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The child was taken out of the home by social workers in 2011, just before his eighth birthday, and placed in foster care, where he was further sexually abused by a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In his sentencing remarks, the judge said it was not wise to put the boy in the foster home where he was sexually abused.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said it was &quot;quite clear&quot; that there was a large amount of sexual abuse occurring in the house.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Justice Eagar imposed a 15-year sentence on the father and suspended the final year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The man has already been registered as a sex offender and will also be subject to a four-year supervision order on his release.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge said it was the man&#39;s right to fight the trial and to appeal the verdict but took into account the effect the trial had on the child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A jury convicted the father of nine counts of raping his son from the age of six and one count of child cruelty. He was acquitted of raping the child with a poker.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His 38-year-old partner was convicted of child cruelty but found not guilty of sex assault relating to allegations that she had sex or simulated sex with her child when he was between six and seven. She will be sentenced next week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Both parents had pleaded not guilty to the offences, which occurred between 2009 and 2011 in their home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a victim-impact statement read to the court, the now 13-year-old boy wrote: &quot;When I lived with my mam and dad I wanted to dispose myself of this world, I wanted to commit suicide.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It wasn&#39;t until he was taken into foster care that his childhood started, he wrote.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The boy is currently in specialised care in the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Words have not even been invented yet for what my dad has done to me,&quot; he wrote.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I want to say au revoir to my memories. I would like my dad never to leave prison. I am happy when he is in prison.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A psychological report stated the child is two years behind in school and has difficulties forming relationships.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He was removed from the family home in 2011 and placed in a foster home where he was sexually abused by another child. This child was never prosecuted because he was below the age of criminal responsibility.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In March 2012, he was moved to another foster home where he was very happy. He began disclosing the sexual abuse by his father to this foster mother, who documented it and handed it over to garda&iacute;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was forced to put him in specialised residential care in the UK as no suitable place was available in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The psychologist said he was displaying highly sexualised behaviour but this has improved over time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Defence counsel Colman Cody SC said his client intends to appeal the conviction and does not agree with the jury&#39;s verdict.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Cody said the maximum sentence of life imprisonment is reserved for only the most exceptional cases &quot;involving particular violence or depravity&quot;. He said these characteristics are absent from this case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 11th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/father-who-raped-son-from-age-of-six-is-jailed-for-14-years-35120051.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/father-who-raped-son-from-age-of-six-is-jailed-for-14-years-35120051.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-11 08:50:53',NULL,'father-who-raped-son-from-age-of-six-is-jailed-for-14-years'),(1674,'Child sex offenders start out online','<p>\r\n	There has been a rise in young male sexual offenders who began offending by downloading images of child abuse from the internet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is according to the annual report of sexual abuse charity, One in Four, which was launched yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A growing age group of the sex offenders is the young men, the 18-29-year-olds. For the first time, we have two treatment groups running [for offenders],&rdquo; said Maeve Lewis, executive director of One in Four.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;These are young men who again began their journey into offending through downloading images of child abuse on the internet, often at around puberty, becoming sexualised to those images and then going on to contact abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I think this is an area that is like a big train coming down the tracks as a society,&rdquo; she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One in Four, which provides advocacy and psychotherapy for people who have experienced sexual abuse, also works in prevention and it does this through the Phoenix Programme. In 2015, there were 38 offenders in this programme, 24% of whom were in the youngest age bracket. &ldquo;Over 20% were with us because often they had been caught by the garda&iacute; downloading images of child sexual abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t use the term child pornography because that implies some sort of validity to it. It is downloading images to watch children being sexually abused.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The reality is if they are watching these images a real child somewhere is being abused and also most of our offenders will tell us that when they were caught the next step for them would have been to commit a contact offence,&rdquo; said Ms Lewis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An T&aacute;naiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald also spoke at the launch of the report yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We do need to be conscious of the dangers of the internet, it&rsquo;s fantastic in that it opens all sorts of possibilities for people, but clearly some will misuse it and it can as you say be an impetus towards abuse. But of course we did have abuse ever before the internet so let&rsquo;s not say the internet only is responsible, this is a crime that predates the internet.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She also spoke about the prospective legal changes that will come about if the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill 2015 is passed in the D&aacute;il this term. &ldquo;The changes, for example in relation to disability, means the law will not presume that the existence of a disability implies a lack of capacity to consent, it criminalises the purchase of sexual services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;m convinced that these provisions are necessary to tackle the exploitation that&rsquo;s associated with prostitution,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other figures from the report showed 85% of sexual abuse survivors knew the offender and 45% of the charity&rsquo;s clients were male. One in Four said that this challenges the idea that boys are not sexually abused.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Key figures</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2015, One in Four provided counselling to 116 adult survivors of sexual abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	45% of these were male.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Almost 40% of the survivors had been sexually abused in their own home, 11% were abused in their communities, 22% had been abused in the Catholic Church, and 15% by strangers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2015, One in Four worked with 38 sex offenders and 19 wives and partners of these offenders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 13th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/child-sex-offenders-start-out-online-425475.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/child-sex-offenders-start-out-online-425475.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-13 08:32:29',NULL,'child-sex-offenders-start-out-online'),(1675,'Child patients will not receive cystic fibrosis drug due to cost','<p>\r\n	Study finds the use of the &lsquo;wonder drug&rsquo; would cost &euro;21m over a five-year period</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A &ldquo;wonder drug&rdquo; used to treat adult cystic fibrosis patients has been rejected for use in a group of child patients after a study found it would cost more than &euro;1 million per patient over a five-year period.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) has recommended against approving the drug Kalydeco for use in the group of child patients aged two to five.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said the use of the drug to treat the 18 children over a five-year period would cost &euro;21 million.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The manufacturer, Vertex, had failed to demonstrate the drug&rsquo;s cost-effectiveness at the price submitted, the centre said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cystic Fibrosis Ireland described the decision as very disappointing and frustrating for the families involved, who could benefit from &ldquo;this groundbreaking therapy&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Accessing this life-changing treatment is essential as eligible patients stand to benefit so much at such a crucial time in their development, fighting a progressive, life-limiting disease,&rdquo; said Philip Watt, chief executive of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We will be urging the government to enter into price negotiations as soon as possible. We would also urge Vertex to reduce the price of this important drug during these negotiations.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Effects</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The drug, which is currently available only to those over the age of six, increases lung function, slows the progression of lung disease and significantly reduces hospital admissions, according to Mr Watt.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2013, then minister for health James Reilly reversed a recommendation by the NCPE and approved Kalydeco for reimbursement under the State drugs schemes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At the time, the estimated cost was &euro;234,000 per patient per year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Price talks between the HSE and Vertex over a separate cystic fibrosis drug, Orkambi, on a price under which the drug could be covered by the schemes, are continuing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In June, the NCPE found against the reimbursement of Orkambi after calculating it would cost the health service &euro;392 million over five years, or &euro;160,000 per patient per year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 13th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/child-patients-will-not-receive-cystic-fibrosis-drug-due-to-cost-1.2827395\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/child-patients-will-not-receive-cystic-fibrosis-drug-due-to-cost-1.2827395</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-13 08:35:13',NULL,'child-patients-will-not-receive-cystic-fibrosis-drug-due-to-cost'),(1676,'Duchess opens cafe to combat loneliness of elderly with offer of speed dating','<p>\r\n	The Duchess of Northumberland is offering tattoos and speed dating for the elderly after opening a cafe to help combat loneliness.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Situated at The Alnwick Garden, which the Duchess redeveloped and opened 15 years ago, the centre will offer a range of activities from toe nail clipping to getting a flu jab.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Called the Stuart Halbert Elderberries Drop In Centre, the cafe will be run by volunteers and will be open to anyone over 55.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Duchess said: &quot;We all see on television cases of elderly people being mistreated and I just think that&#39;s really, really unacceptable and we&#39;re the perfect place to offer the chance for people to come if they want to get out of their house or flat.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They can come and sit and talk, hopefully have a flu jab, it&#39;s where they can come and have their toe nails cut. It&#39;s where they&#39;ll always find a friend, someone will always be cooking and baking and it&#39;s run by volunteers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I like doing things differently, I know there are old people who would like to have tattoos so I want to do temporary ones.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I&#39;d also like to do speed dating nights here, getting elderly men and women together to do what they want to do.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that in Northumberland there is a high percentage of old people who are often left without family close by due to them moving away for work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I like thinking outside the box, so the jigsaws and the dominoes are great if that&#39;s what they want, but equally some of them will want hair braiding and beads and all sorts of quirky things,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Marking 15 years since the garden opened, the Duchess said the benefits to the North East had been huge, despite criticism of what she was doing at the beginning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said: &quot;In the early days when I was building Alnwick Garden people didn&#39;t really understand what we were doing and there was huge criticism about the project because I had received public funding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;But what is extraordinary is we know from our own economic impact study after 15 years in business the garden has generated &pound;236 million of extra spend in our region, which is an incredible figure.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 13th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/duchess-opens-cafe-to-combat-loneliness-of-elderly-with-offer-of-speed-dating-35126816.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/duchess-opens-cafe-to-combat-loneliness-of-elderly-with-offer-of-speed-dating-35126816.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-13 08:37:09',NULL,'duchess-opens-cafe-to-combat-loneliness-of-elderly-with-offer-of-speed-dating'),(1677,'Ask the expert: ‘My 10-year-old son is the class clown and always in trouble’','<p>\r\n	&lsquo;I constantly have to coach my son about his manners. He can be quite rude at times&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Q. I am concerned about my 10-year-old son who can be really immature sometimes and is always acting the class clown. He loves to make everyone laugh but I feel that he cannot recognise the difference between people laughing at him or laughing with him. He is the one who acts out and gets into trouble in school. I constantly have to coach him about his manners. He can be quite rude at times and I feel he doesn&rsquo;t realise it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He has just started fourth class and he loves school. He is doing well in all areas of the curriculum and in his school report every year he scores highly on all subjects except one. His social and emotional behaviour has always been a score of 1 since junior infants. This is the first year I have shown him his school report and he wasn&rsquo;t happy that he got a low score. On the first day of school this year he said his aim for the year is to score higher in his social and emotional behaviour.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	I try to encourage play dates in our home, but I find myself coaching him in relation to his behaviour. It&rsquo;s quite difficult to explain but I might quietly tell him he&rsquo;s overdoing things. For example, if they are playing soccer and he trips and gets a laugh, my son will keep tripping hoping to get more laughs and just ends up overdoing it to the point that his friends get frustrated and tell him to cop on. Also, if things don&rsquo;t go his way in a game, he will always deem something to be &ldquo;not fair&rdquo; and a row will break out. He has a very low frustration tolerance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	I could write a book on him. Don&rsquo;t get me wrong, he is a kind and loving child but I just feel at the age he is at now he needs to manage himself better and I want to be able to help him do that. He finds it hard to recognise stop signals and ends up being annoying and I feel this is affecting his friendships. I worry also that his self-esteem will be affected in the long term. What should we do to help him?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A. In your full question (which I have edited above), you gave a detailed and sensitive picture of your son&rsquo;s abilities and problems. As has been picked up on his school report, and as you suggest, I think the central issue is that his social/ emotional skills are relatively immature for his age and this is getting him into trouble. All the problem behaviours you listed such as acting the class clown, not knowing when to stop a joke, finding it hard to lose, not knowing when he has become annoying with friends etc, all fit with this.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As you say yourself, he finds it hard to pick up on social signals and clues which are the basis of good social skills. Unfortunately, children with delayed social skills are often seen as &ldquo;bold&rdquo; or &ldquo;troublesome&rdquo; in class or other social situations, when it would be better to treat them like any other children who are behind in certain developmental areas. Just like a child who might be behind with his reading, so your son would benefit from an empathic response and extra support to help him learn and to make up the gap with his peers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Working with your son&rsquo;s school</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It would be useful to meet your son&rsquo;s teacher and to review his needs and what supports could be put in place to help him. The school has a number of options that might benefit. For example, they might be able to refer him for assessment to an educational psychologist or provide your son individual support (via resource teacher) or do a formal social skills programme with him. There are lots of evidence-based social skills programmes that can be done in schools such as Friends for Life or Stop Think and Do that can be delivered to individual or small groups of children. Sometimes schools arrange to give whole class inputs on social skills as these skills are of benefit to all children. The National Educational Psychological Service provides guidelines on setting up social skills groups in schools (see education.ie).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Helping your son learn social skills</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There is a lot you can do to help your son develop his social skills, particularly now that he is 10 and he is more aware of the problems. Use school report as an opportunity to help him reflect and set goals for himself. It is great that he has set himself the aim of scoring higher on the emotional behaviour scale this year. The next step is to try to get a more detailed picture of the skills he needs to learn (it would be useful to work with the teacher about this). This might include:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	1. Using good manners &ndash; saying please and thank you.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	2. Behaving well in class &ndash; putting his hand up, waiting his turn, etc.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	3. Learning to lose well &ndash; congratulate the child who has won, etc.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	4. Enjoying a joke but stopping it when other children become annoyed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	You may want to first focus on ones that might be easier for him to learn ( probably 1 and 2 from the list above) and work towards harder ones (probably 3 and 4).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Coaching your son</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Your son will continue to need supportive coaching to help him learn social skills. The key is to be positive and supportive rather than nagging and critical. There are lots of proactive strategies you can adopt such as reading children&rsquo;s books together and then helping him reflect on the social skills &ndash; why did the boy act like that in the story? How did it make the other boy feel? What would be a better way to act to make him feel better?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, if you search online there are lots of great games and worksheets to teach children social skills such as &ldquo;emotional charades&rdquo; or &ldquo;social skills detective&rdquo; games. In addition, you are right to continue to &ldquo;scaffold&rdquo; and support some of his social interactions so these can be set up for success. For example, if he is having a friend over, you might prepare him to think through what he might play and to anticipate how he might behave in problem situations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While you don&rsquo;t want to over-intervene when the other child is there, you have the option of calling him aside occasionally (when the other child is occupied) to provide guidance. In addition, taking time to reflect after a social event is a good way to help him learn &ndash; what went well; what would he do differently?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr John Sharry is a social worker and psychotherapist and co-developer of the Parents Plus programmes. He will be delivering talks on Positive Self-Esteem in Cork on November 4th and Dublin on the November 30th. See solutiontalk.ie for details</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 17th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/ask-the-expert-my-10-year-old-son-is-the-class-clown-and-always-in-trouble-1.2819201\">http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/ask-the-expert-my-10-year-old-son-is-the-class-clown-and-always-in-trouble-1.2819201</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-17 08:54:04',NULL,'ask-the-expert-‘my-10-year-old-son-is-the-class-clown-and-always-in-trouble’'),(1678,'Council of Europe asked to review ruling on Irish sex abuse cases','<p>\r\n	Human rights group claims State is not meeting obligations to victims of school abuse</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Council of Europe has been asked to sanction a review of how Ireland is treating people who allege they were sexually abused at school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission requested that a landmark decision where the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Ireland and in favour of Louise O&rsquo;Keeffe, who was abused by her school principal when she was eight years old, be re-considered to see if the way the State has interpreted it is correct.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a submission to the Council of Europe, the commission argues that the steps taken by Ireland in the wake of the 2014 ruling are depriving other alleged victims of access to an effective remedy. It is the first such request by the commission since it was established two years ago.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Its chief commissioner Emily Logan is seeking to meet Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan to press for Ireland to meet its obligations to the Strasbourg court and the European Convention on Human Rights.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Flanagan is Ireland&rsquo;s representative on the Council of Europe, which must now decide whether to accede to the commission&rsquo;s request to refer the case back to the court.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sample charges</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms O&rsquo;Keeffe was sexually abused in 1973 by Leo Hickey, principal at Dunderrow National School in Co Cork. Hickey was jailed in 1998 on sample charges relating to 21 girls. That same year Ms O&rsquo;Keeffe started legal proceedings against Hickey, the Department of Education, and the State, but the High Court and subsequently the Supreme Court ruled against her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They found that the State could not be held vicariously, or separately liable for the abuse as the school was not operated or managed directly by the State but by an independent board of management. Ms O&rsquo;Keeffe appealed to the European Court of Human Rights and was successful.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the wake of the 2014 ruling, the then government said it would grant out-of-court settlements to certain claims of school child sex abuse that came within the terms of the Strasbourg judgement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The commission,in its submission to the Council of Europe, has pointed out that just seven such settlements have been made to date and said this is a reflection of the restrictive interpretation being adopted by Ireland of the Strasbourg ruling.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Unduly narrow&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The commission, in its submission to the Council of Europe, is arguing that the State Claims Agency&rsquo;s interpretation of the Strasbourg court&rsquo;s ruling is &ldquo;unduly narrow&rdquo; and this is depriving victims of a means of redress. It wants the court to be allowed decide if the stance being taken by Ireland is supported by its 2014 ruling.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The agency is only granting settlements to claimants who can show there had been prior complaints made against the school employee alleged to have abused them. The commission is arguing that this is a &ldquo;limited interpretation&rdquo; of the Strasbourg court&rsquo;s decision and wants that court to be allowed say if it agrees.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The commission, as Ireland&rsquo;s national human rights institution, has an important role to play in ensuring that judgments of the European Court of Human Rights concerning Ireland are fully implemented,&rdquo; Ms Logan said. &ldquo;This is the first occasion on which the commission has called for a case to be referred back to the court, a fact that underlines the importance of the issues raised for the many survivors of sexual abuse who are potentially affected by the court&rsquo;s judgment.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 16th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/council-of-europe-asked-to-review-ruling-on-irish-sex-abuse-cases-1.2831810\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/council-of-europe-asked-to-review-ruling-on-irish-sex-abuse-cases-1.2831810</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-17 09:38:50',NULL,'council-of-europe-asked-to-review-ruling-on-irish-sex-abuse-cases'),(1679,'Giving parents a tax credit for childcare would have cost nearly €600m','<p>\r\n	Finance Minister Michael Noonan said providing tax credits for paid child care would fail an equity test.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A tax credit for parents who incur childcare costs would cost the Irish Exchequer between &euro;290 million and &euro;590 million per year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan a tax credit was considered ahead of this year&rsquo;s Budget, but it was deemed to be too costly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This week, Children&rsquo;s Minister Katherine Zappone announced a new childcare scheme that will provide means-tested subsidies towards the cost of childcare for children aged six months to 15 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Universal subsidies of up to &euro;80 a month or &euro;900 a year for all children aged between six months and three years were also announced.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Zappone told TheJournal.ie that means-testing and increasing child benefit was not on the table during her Budget negotiations with Taoiseach Enda Kenny.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Referring to findings from the interdepartmental working group on future investment in child care in Ireland, Noonan said a tax credit was not recommended.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tax credit not equitable</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said there were concerns a tax credit would not be equitable and would have &ldquo;high possible deadweight&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were also concerns that it would end up being fully absorbed in the cost of child care and might not have a meaningful impact on a parent&rsquo;s decision on whether to join or return to the labour market.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, it would appear costs was one of the over-riding factors for the government to move towards the subsidy scheme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tentative costings, based on estimates of average child care costs per pre-primary and primary school child care place, were applied to Department of Social Protection figures on the numbers of such children in receipt of child benefit.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cost to the Exchequer</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If a tax credit were provided in respect of even half of these children at the standard rate of 20%, it would involve a potential cost to the Exchequer of between &euro;290 million and &euro;590 million per annum,&rdquo; said Noonan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The variation depends on the rate of take-up which is difficult to estimate. It was assumed for the purposes of that costing that all paid child care would be covered by the relief, that is, not just centre-based care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is clear that any initiative that provides tax credits for paid child care would fail an equity test as it could be seen to unfairly discriminate against those individuals who choose to stay at home to care for their children,&rdquo; said the finance minister.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, Noonan said the tax relief would only be of benefit to those in the tax net. It is estimated that in 2016, 36% of income earners were exempt from income tax altogether.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some criticisms have been leveled at the Government this week in relation to the new package. Some parents and childminders have criticised the new subsidy scheme for not recognising caring for children in the home setting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Expanding the scheme to more childminders</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the new scheme only childcare facilities and childminders registered with the Child and Family Agency, Tusla can receive subsidy payments.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are currently only 125 childminders registered with the agency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Zappone told TheJournal.ie last week that she is exploring ways to bring childminders into the subsidy scheme by changing the registration and inspection process for childminders who care for children in their own home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the current scheme, childminders have to undergo the same box-ticking exercises and inspections as large-scale creches.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Childminding Ireland CEO and spokesperson Bernadette Orbinski Burke said the Government needed to appreciate the ethos of a minding a child in the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 17th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/tax-credit-childcare-3026771-Oct2016/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/tax-credit-childcare-3026771-Oct2016/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-17 10:06:31',NULL,'giving-parents-a-tax-credit-for-childcare-would-have-cost-nearly-€600m'),(1680,'Mother who failed to protect young son from his father jailed for 18 months','<p>\r\n	A mother who failed to protect her six year old son from &ldquo;extreme sexual violence&rdquo; by his father has been jailed for 18 months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last week the child&#39;s father was jailed for 14 years for raping the child and locking him in a wooden box in the family home in Waterford.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The mother was convicted of a single count of child cruelty relating to the events in the house. Today Mr Justice Robert Eagar said he was sentencing her on the basis that she was aware of the abuse of her son but failed to protect him or alert the authorities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court previously heard the boy believes his mother is a &ldquo;kind woman&rdquo; and doesn&#39;t think she did anything wrong. The woman said she believes the now 13 year told boy has made up all the allegations against his father and that she wants no further contact with him as a result.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She has stated that her son made up the allegations after being manipulated by the HSE after being taken into emergency care when he was seven.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Reports handed into the court stated the woman has a mild to significant intellectual disability, is highly suggestive and vulnerable to exploitation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although she has been in custody since conviction last May she remains in regular phone and written contact with the child&#39;s father and prison staff are concerned she is being manipulated by the man.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The reports also detailed the woman&#39;s &ldquo;appalling family background&rdquo; where sexual abuse had been the norm. She grew up in the UK where she was sexually abused by her mother&#39;s partner from the age of seven before becoming pregnant to him at age 14.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She moved to Ireland with the man before having three more children, all of whom were taken into care. She met her co-accused in 2001 and had a fifth child, the boy at the centre of this case, in 2003.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Justice Eagar said the woman had failed to protect her son. He said she was aware who the local garda&iacute; were but failed to take any steps to alert them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It appears from the evidence she was aware to some extent of the extreme sexual violence against her son,&rdquo;he said. &ldquo;She was aware he was locked in the box.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He noted an assessment which stated the woman is at a moderate risk of reoffending. She is unlikely to &ldquo;engage in wanton cruelty to others&rdquo; but has a limited capacity to maintain a caring and safe environment for a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge imposed a three year sentence with the final 18 months suspended on several conditions including that she have no contact with her partner for that period. There was no reaction from the woman.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last May a jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted the 66 year old father, who is also from the UK, of nine counts of raping his son from the age of six years old and one count of child cruelty. He was acquitted of raping the child with a poker.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman was convicted of child cruelty but found not guilty of sex assault relating to allegations she had sex or simulated sex with her child,</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Both parents had pleaded not guilty to the offences which occurred between 2009 and 2011.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a victim impact report the boy, who is now in specialised residential care in the UK, told the Central Criminal Court he wished he &ldquo;could have taken (his mother) away from&rdquo; from his father.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he felt sorry for her but wished that she had taken him away or placed him in care when the abuse started.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he was angry with her for staying with his father but that she was manipulated by the man. He said he remains loyal to his mother and would like to meet in the future &ldquo;and just chat with her.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court heard that child continues to behave aggressively as a result of the abuse but is no longer displaying the sexualised behaviour he presented with when first taken into care. He is two years behind in school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A psychological report stated his parent&#39;s trial, which lasted seven weeks, &ldquo;re-traumatised him&rdquo; and caused his symptoms, including sleeplessness, anxiety and hyper-vigilance, to get worse. This delayed plans to enrol him in mainstream schooling.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	During a post-trial meeting with a psychologist he said &ldquo;please tell me this is it or I&#39;m going to find a bus and jump in front of it.&rdquo; A report stated he continues to be verbally aggressive and his long-term mental and physical health is likely to be affected by the abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prosecuting counsel Pauline Walley SC said the facts about the mother&#39;s involvement were &ldquo;ambivalent&rdquo;. The barrister said she was aware of her partner&#39;s abuse but was &ldquo;motivated by her fear of him.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Walley said she was being &ldquo;deliberately circumspect about the wider allegations&rdquo; because the accused was acquitted of the sexual abuse allegations. Mr Justice Eagar said this was &ldquo;appropriate&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	John O&#39;Kelly SC, defending, said the woman fell into a &ldquo;perfect storm of abuse&rdquo;. At 14 she considered suicide because of her own abuse but does not appear to have any ongoing serious psychological problems, according to a report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr O&#39;Kelly asked for a non-custodial sentence. He said his client &ldquo;never had a chance from the age of seven&rdquo; and &ldquo;has had hardly any breaks in life expect for the very worst kind that can occur.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 17th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/mother-who-failed-to-protect-young-son-from-his-father-jailed-for-18-months-35136520.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/mother-who-failed-to-protect-young-son-from-his-father-jailed-for-18-months-35136520.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-18 08:22:53',NULL,'mother-who-failed-to-protect-young-son-from-his-father-jailed-for-18-months'),(1681,'417 people thought to have been trafficked in Ireland in seven years','<p>\r\n	At least one alleged victim of human trafficking has been found in Ireland every week for the past seven years, giving rise to fears that many others go undetected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Latest figures show 417 people believed to have been trafficked were discovered by or reported to garda&iacute; here between 2009 and 2015, the majority of them women sold into the sex industry.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, a sizeable number were children and other adults used in begging, criminality, and as slave labour in private homes and businesses.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has restated a pledge to tackle the crime she described as &ldquo;despicable&rdquo;, in part by using the public as the eyes and ears of the authorities in helping to identify victims.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her promise came as she launched the Second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking. It replaces the initial plan which covered the years 2009-2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Fitzgerald said: &ldquo;Trafficking of human beings is a crime against humanity which has no place in a modern and civilised society. It undermines the human rights and dignity of the person and requires a response from all of society.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This second National Action Plan sets out a series of actions which, when pursued together with partners both State and non-State, will bring more perpetrators to justice and free victims from this form of modern slavery,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many of the aims of the first plan remain in place, with added emphasis on identifying victims of trafficking at an earlier stage through greater engagement with trade unions, employer bodies, schools, health services, and the general public.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Our experience to date in Ireland has shown that trafficking is not confined to the sex trade and is taking place in a range of legitimate industries under the guise of genuine employment,&rdquo; said Ms Fitzgerald.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I want to raise awareness of the issue among the general public and to encourage anyone who suspects that trafficking may be taking place, to report their suspicions to the garda&iacute;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Extra efforts are also to be made to prevent rescued people becoming revictimised in the future. The plan says consideration needs to be given to issuing unique identifers to victims to help track their progress and safety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The plan acknowledges the difficulties faced by garda&iacute; in prosecuting traffickers because of the clandestine and often international nature of the crime and the fear victims have of giving evidence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, it states: &ldquo;These difficulties do not justify inaction.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A particular difficulty arises where people are trafficked for participation in criminal activity such as begging and bag-snatching so that they are both victim and perpetrator. The plan says guidelines need to be drawn up for the effective handling of such cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of the known victims, the single biggest group came from west Africa, followed by the EU and Ireland, with others coming from South America, central Asia, and the south Pacific.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The plan was welcomed by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland and Ruhama, both of which assist victims. However, Ruhama CEO Sarah Benson warned that those people detected were &ldquo;only the tip of the iceberg&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 18th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/417-people-thought-to-have-been-trafficked-in-ireland-in-seven-years-426275.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/417-people-thought-to-have-been-trafficked-in-ireland-in-seven-years-426275.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-18 08:24:41',NULL,'417-people-thought-to-have-been-trafficked-in-ireland-in-seven-years'),(1682,'Foster children forced to share beds; Some left with carers who had been refused due to care concerns','<p>\r\n	The malfunctioning state of foster care services across the Midlands has been laid bare in a new report which shows that some children in placements had to share rooms and even beds with other children because of a lack of available places.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Hiqa inspection of the Midlands fostering service highlighted a catalogue of issues across Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, and Longford, including children having to rely on black plastic bags to move their belongings or carers who refused to give children their belongings on leaving the placement. In a small number of cases children were placed in houses, which caused overcrowding and resulted in unrelated children sharing bedrooms and sometimes beds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the report, it was not always clear that children were related to, or had an established relationship with, carers who were due to be assessed as relative carers, while the level of monitoring and oversight applied in relative carer placements was also criticised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were also issues with the foster care committee, including long delays in decision-making. According to the report: &ldquo;Some children have been placed since as far back as 2011 without a decision being reached.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report said: &ldquo;Inspectors found that a small number of foster carers who had been refused by the foster care committee continued to care for children, despite concerns about their ability to meet the needs of children in care.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also found allegations were not always managed in a timely manner and uncovered issues with record-keeping.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At the time of the May inspections, 101 children were placed with relatives and the remaining 256 children were placed with general foster carers. The report showed that of 26 standards inspected, six standards were judged as at &ldquo;significant risk&rdquo;, and 20 standards needed improvement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also found 8% of children had no allocated social worker and 45% of children did not have an up-to-date written care plan, while there were 23 unplanned endings in placements in the two years prior to the inspection. In addition, 12 of the 111 children&rsquo;s cases sampled and one in 10 of the foster carer&rsquo;s cases sampled were escalated by the inspection team to the principal social worker for review due to a lack of timeliness or appropriate action.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Safeguarding visits to some children had not taken place, while the report said staff were carrying significant caseloads and morale on some teams was low.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Jennifer Gargan, the director of Empowering People In Care (EPIC), said the report&rsquo;s findings were &ldquo;extremely worrying&rdquo; and &ldquo;simply unacceptable&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is clear from this report that there needs to be an effective campaign to recruit more foster carers in this area. Every child in care should have an allocated social worker, care plan/aftercare plan,&rdquo; she said, adding that timeframes for completion of foster care assessments are required to protect and promote child welfare and stability.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Care Leavers Network said the report showed &ldquo;Tusla having to rob from Peter to pay Paul&rdquo; due to systematic issues, while Barnardos&rsquo; head of advocacy, June Tinsley, said the report was proof that money given to Tusla in Budget 2017 needs to be spent on frontline staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Jim Gibson, chief operations officer with Tusla, said the Child and Family Agency had put a plan in place to address the changes that need to be made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 18th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/foster-children-forced-to-share-beds-some-left-with-carers-who-had-been-refused-due-to-care-concerns-426220.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/foster-children-forced-to-share-beds-some-left-with-carers-who-had-been-refused-due-to-care-concerns-426220.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-18 08:25:53',NULL,'foster-children-forced-to-share-beds;-some-left-with-carers-who-had-been-refused-due-to-care-concerns'),(1683,'Daffodil Care 2016 National Conference','<p>\r\n	<img alt=\"\" src=\"/user_files/images/IMG_8062%20(1).jpg\" style=\"width: 300px; height: 144px; float: right;\" />Daffodil Care were delighted to host our National Conference in the Clarion Hotel, Limerick City on Friday last, 14<sup>th</sup> October 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Thanks to all who contributed on the day, which saw a packed room of delegates travel from across the country to hear from speakers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	CEO of Daffodil Care Pat Hayes opened the conference, welcoming both participants and speakers who travelled the length and breadth of Ireland to be with us. Pat gave an overview of the group and the progress achieved over the last year, and also spoke of activities of The Daffodil Foundation, established in 2015. His calls for Direct Provision centres to be run by social care providers was a talking point for many afterwards and was echoed by Caroline O&rsquo;Sullivan from the ISPCC.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	David Coleman, Clinical Psychologist, Broadcaster &amp; Author, spoke on &ldquo;how young people manage trauma in a care setting&rdquo;. David informed the audience that he is delighted to be working with The Daffodil Foundation, Pat Hayes and the Daffodil Care group.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Caroline O&#39;Sullivan, Director of Services of the ISPCC, spoke on &ldquo;Working in Partnership&rdquo; with Daffodil Care and gave us a detailed introduction to many of the services developed by the ISPCC, including the Missing Children&rsquo;s Hotline, an Enhanced Service Option targeted at children in state care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Carlos Kelly, Director of Services of Daffodil Care, gave a detailed presentation &ldquo;tracking placement outcomes within Daffodil Care&rdquo; since the company&rsquo;s foundation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Philip Mullen, DCYA PhD Research Scholar, spoke of his research on &ldquo;Outcomes experienced by Care Leavers in Ireland&rdquo; and highlighted the correlation between social capital and positive outcomes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Vivian Molloy, Manager, Social Care Training Ireland, spoke on &ldquo;Learning, and learning &ndash; The significance of Continuous Professional Development&rdquo; and his enthusiasm for Daffodil Care and the opportunities to continuously develop and learn as professionals shone through on the day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Each of the speakers were well received by the audience, with the questions and answers session at the end being a lively and constructive affair.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A great success all-round. We are already looking forward to 2017.</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-18 16:31:27',NULL,'daffodil-care-2016-national-conference'),(1684,'ASTI and department officials in talks to avert strike','<p>\r\n	Leaders of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland union&nbsp;are due to meet officials at the Department of Education today ahead of planned strike action in protest over pay and conditions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first of seven days of strike action is due to begin next week, Thursday&nbsp;27 October.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Today&#39;s talks are aimed at averting industrial action, which could potentially see hundreds of schools close over the coming weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition to seven days of strikes between next week and December, ASTI members plan to stop supervision and substitution duties from Monday 7 November.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This move is likely to close hundreds of schools indefinitely.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In an effort to avert this crisis, secondary schools are to advertise for supervisors in national papers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Parents will also receive application forms in the post.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the Department of Education has already said it could take up to nine weeks to get personnel in place.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Applicants will have to be trained and garda vetted, and there is currently a backlog in garda vetting applications.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 19th October 2016)</p>\r\n<div>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1019/825172-teachers-strike-asti/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1019/825172-teachers-strike-asti/</a></div>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-19 10:56:37',NULL,'asti-and-department-officials-in-talks-to-avert-strike');
INSERT INTO `news` VALUES (1685,'Country to get new cancer institute','<p>\r\n	Plans for a new state of the art cancer institute will be jointly announced by Trinity College Dublin and St James&rsquo;s Hospital later today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first of its kind in Ireland, the institute will set a new standard for cancer care nationally, integrating medicine and science in cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Based on similar leading international models, it will be located in one designated facility at St James&rsquo;s Hospital, the largest university teaching hospital in Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Plans for the new institute will be unveiled at the start of Cancer Week Ireland 2016 today. It kicks off with a conference at TCD that will explore new frontiers in personalised cancer care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Scientists and clinicians will discuss how immunotherapy, surgery and genomic profiling are fundamentally changing cancer treatment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr David Gallagher, a consultant oncologist and medical geneticist who heads the Cancer Genetics Unit at St James&rsquo;s Hospital, said optimism about personalised cancer care had grown again in the past two years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Attempts to combine multiple targeted therapies have been hampered by the overlapping toxicities of the individual drugs, and for a period of time the promise of personalised cancer care plateaued,&rdquo; said Dr Gallagher.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some of the cutting edge treatments modulate the immune system, actually turning the person&rsquo;s immune system against their cancer, producing remarkable results.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And the emergence of germline genetic predictors of response to treatment means that an individual&rsquo;s core DNA could predict their response to different therapies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Gallagher said the ability to target the epigenome &mdash; chemical compounds that can tell the genome what to do, also held considerable promise for stopping and reversing cancer very early in its development.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;These innovations will change cancer care dramatically over the next decade, but our greatest challenge may be to ensure that our creaking healthcare system maintains pace with this progress,&rdquo; he warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cancer Week Ireland, organised by the Irish Cancer Society and TCD and runs until next Sunday. Information on events is available at cancerweek.ie.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Pubished by the Irish Examiner on the 17th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/country-to-get-new-cancer-institute-426066.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/country-to-get-new-cancer-institute-426066.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-19 11:10:22',NULL,'country-to-get-new-cancer-institute'),(1686,'Urgent plea for blood as supply falls to three days’ worth','<p>\r\n	As blood supplies dwindle to just a few days, the blood bank has issued an urgent appeal for donors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Blood Transfusion Service needs an extra 1,500 donations over the next three weeks to stabilise the blood supply.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	IBTS director of operations, Paul McKinney, said attendances at clinics had been consistently down 6% in recent weeks, while the demand for blood from hospitals had remained constant.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the blood bank managed to maintain supply to hospitals over the summer, even with donors travelling and their routines disrupted during the school break.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the recent fall in attendances reduced stocks to only three days&rsquo; supply. Those who have O-positive and O-negative blood are particularly needed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The IBTS is calling for blood donors to make a special effort to give blood over the coming weeks to restore blood supplies to seven days across the main blood groups,&rdquo; said Mr McKinney.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Only 3% of the eligible population are active donors but blood lasts just 35 days, and platelets, a component of blood, only last five to seven days.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	IBTS chief executive Andy Kelly said the blood bank recently took part in a global initiative with blood donor organisations across 21 countries to highlight an almost 30% international drop in donors, compared to a decade ago.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Ireland, there is a particular need for new donors as 21% fewer people came forward to donate for the first time last year, compared to 2010.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There is also concern that the donor population in Ireland has got older. The average age of donors was 40.8 years last year, an increase of 2.5 years from 38.4 years in 2005.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kelly said the IBTS was running a campaign on social media in a bid to try and reach the age group of 18 to 32.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Asked about the lifting of the ban on gay men donating blood next year, Mr Kelly said he did not expect that it would have a marked effect on supply.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	From next January gay men in Ireland will be able to give blood, provided they have not had sex with a man in the previous 12 months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The current ban has been in place in Ireland since the mid-1980s to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2011 the ban was lifted in England, Scotland, and Wales, where there is also a one-year deferral period for gay men wanting to donate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kelly said other countries that had lifted the lifetime ban on gay men had not seen a big increase in members of this community giving blood.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kelly said they knew young people were willing to donate but the challenge for the IBTS was to attract them into the clinics and get them to come back.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We are working with an agency to build our campaign, but it won&rsquo;t kick in for a few months and, in the meantime, we are struggling to maintain supply.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kelly said the current supply had not yet reached a critical level, but hospitals need to know that they will not run short. &ldquo;A big worry for us now is that we are heading towards the October bank holiday weekend when donations fall, and people are also less inclined to donate during November.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Even if someone commits to donating once a year, that would help. We all know people who needed blood, but someone has to donate it for them to get it,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	www.giveblood.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 19th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/urgent-plea-for-blood-as-supply-falls-to-three-days-worth-426431.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/urgent-plea-for-blood-as-supply-falls-to-three-days-worth-426431.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-19 11:14:16',NULL,'urgent-plea-for-blood-as-supply-falls-to-three-days’-worth'),(1687,'Jobs Announcement: Daffodil Care Services','<p>\r\n	Join our team at Daffodil Care Services, providing a range of residential and community based services through a national network of registered children&rsquo;s residential centres, semi-independent residential care and community based outreach support.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We are now hiring full time and relief Social Care Leaders and Social Care Workers based in our mainstream and semi-independent residential services in Cork, South Tipperary, Dublin, Meath &amp; Wexford.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you would like to be a part of our team that has a track record in developing therapeutic services and providing unrivalled career development opportunities and training for our staff, then Daffodil Care Services could be the career move you are looking for.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Send your CV to recruitment@daffodilcare.ie or call 0818 903 984 for further information.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Interviews are now taking place locally for the following vacancies:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Full time Social Care Worker x2 Cork (Mallow)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=40</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Relief Social Care Worker x2 Cork (Mallow)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=24</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Social Care Leader x1 &ndash; South Tipperary</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=18</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Full time Social Care Worker x1 South Tipperary</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=36</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Relief Social Care Worker x1 South Tipperary</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=27</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Relief Social Care Worker x2 Dublin</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=22</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Full time Social Care Worker x1 Meath (Kells)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=35</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Relief Social Care Worker x5 Wexford (Gorey)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=23</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-19 11:22:53',NULL,'jobs-announcement-daffodil-care-services'),(1688,'Fianna Fáil policy aims to relax law for small-time drug use','<p>\r\n	People caught with a small amount of drugs may be able to avoid criminal prosecution in certain cases under a new policy agreed by Fianna Fail.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The party has endorsed a strategy that would see the introduction of a &#39;delayed criminalisation model&#39; whereby those caught in possession of drugs could receive treatment or other services in lieu of prosecution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Spearheaded</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The plan, which is being spearheaded by the party&#39;s drugs spokesperson, Jack Chambers, is aimed at reducing the number of cases where people caught with a small amount of drugs end up in prison.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Chambers has also secured support for a proposal which would allow GPs to prescribe &#39;opiate substitutes&#39; such as methadone and Suboxone in a bid to move away from methadone clinics.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The document, seen by the Herald, has been sent as part of the National Drugs Strategy. Other measures include:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- The roll-out on a pilot basis of &#39;therapeutic communities&#39; within prisons.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- Bringing alcohol into any future overall drugs strategy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- Targeted interventions in schools by law enforcement agencies and former drug users.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- The development of a &#39;drug-related intimidation&#39; strategy to support families and others impacted by drug debt and intimidation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The most controversial proposal is the relaxing of the law in relation to possession. But Mr Chambers, a Dublin West TD, insisted that any such move must be carefully worked out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We should also explore the introduction of a delayed criminalisation model where drug offences, currently defined for personal usage, are directed towards proper treatment and intervention services so healthcare is prioritised over a criminal justice and prison process that only reinforces addiction and deprivation,&quot; the document states.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Criminals</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is important that this model would be properly codified, constructed and formalised to ensure that people with drug addiction are given the opportunity and chance to overcome addiction.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The submission also says that &quot;people need to realise that every joint that is rolled, line of cocaine that is snorted and pill swallowed in a nightclub puts money directly into the pockets of criminals&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 20th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/fianna-fil-policy-aims-to-relax-law-for-smalltime-drug-use-35146025.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/fianna-fil-policy-aims-to-relax-law-for-smalltime-drug-use-35146025.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-20 08:35:37',NULL,'fianna-fã¡il-policy-aims-to-relax-law-for-small-time-drug-use'),(1689,'No childminders registered in five counties','<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il says Zappone scheme set to &#39;backfire&#39;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Government&#39;s new childcare scheme has come under fire again after it emerged several counties currently have no child-minding services eligible to avail of the State subsidy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New figures show that of the tens of thousands of childminders across the country, just 119 are registered with the child and family agency Tusla.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under Children&#39;s Minister Katherine Zappone&#39;s new scheme, child-minding services must be registered with Tusla in order to qualify for a subsidy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But the figures, obtained by Fianna F&aacute;il&#39;s children&#39;s spokesperson Anne Rabbitte, show five counties have no registered childminders whatsoever.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These are Wicklow, Longford, Laois, Offaly and Leitrim.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Several other counties, such as Kilkenny, Carlow, Westmeath, Kerry, Monaghan and Roscommon, have just one or two childminders registered with the agency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And in Dublin - where there are over 100,000 children under the age of five - there are just 18 registered childminders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The vast number of unregistered childminders has raised fears that thousands of families will not be able to avail of reduced childcare costs - unless they move their children to a cr&egrave;che or other registered facility.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At present, only childminders who are minding four preschool children from different families are required to notify and register with Tusla.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, there are no regulatory requirements in relation to the qualifications held by childminders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To undergo a registration with Tusla, childminders must also be garda vetted. This can take several months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As part of the vetting procedure, businesses must have their premises inspected. They can then avail of a tax exemption up to &euro;15,000 per year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood Ms Zappone has now contacted Childminding Ireland, the representative body for childminders, and requested it comes back with a set of proposals to address the issue within the first six months of the year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But last night, Ms Rabbitte said she has deep concerns that the scheme will now &quot;backfire&quot; given the large number of unregistered childminders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Galway East TD also said she believes the issue could eventually lead to cr&egrave;ches raising the price they charge parents by a significant degree.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I have fears that the scheme will backfire, as there is nothing to prevent cr&egrave;ches from hiking up their fees in the face of huge new demand for childcare places.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Currently about 80,000 children under five are taken care of by unregistered childminders - who will not be eligible for payment with this subsidy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This will create huge new demand for new childcare places, which will undoubtedly create price inflation for childcare fees,&quot; Ms Rabbitte told the Irish Independent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Fianna F&aacute;il deputy also expressed concern that the scheme will put major pressure on cr&egrave;che places.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Minister Zappone&#39;s scheme allows very little choice or flexibility over childcare arrangements. It also relies heavily on availability of cr&egrave;ches in an area,&quot; Ms Rabbitte said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We know that cr&egrave;ches are already struggling to meet demand for places arising from the expansion of the ECCE scheme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;But this new scheme could double or triple demand for childcare places in cr&egrave;ches, nurseries and montessoris,&quot; she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesman for Ms Zappone last night said all efforts are being made to get as many unregistered childminders on board.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The spokesman added that Childminding Ireland has been contacted and that discussions are ongoing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone&#39;s scheme, which includes a universal childcare payment and subsidised childcare, was one of the centrepieces of this month&#39;s Budget.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The universal payment will see all families earning more than &euro;47,500 getting a payment of 50c per hour on their childcare costs for children under three.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, families earning below that threshold will be able to avail of subsidies for childcare for children all the way up to 15 years, on a sliding scale depending on their income and the age of the child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 20th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/business/budget/news/no-childminders-registered-in-five-counties-35145673.html\">http://www.independent.ie/business/budget/news/no-childminders-registered-in-five-counties-35145673.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-20 08:38:44',NULL,'no-childminders-registered-in-five-counties'),(1690,'Brushing teeth \'helps to cut heart attack risk\'','<p>\r\n	Giving your teeth a thorough brush to remove plaque can help prevent heart attacks and strokes by reducing inflammation in the body, according to new research.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The study by scientists in Florida Atlantic University in the US found it has almost the same effect as taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The added benefits of good tooth-brushing were backed yesterday by dentists in the Irish Dental Association.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	President of the Irish Dental Association, Dr PJ Byrne, said that improving oral hygiene by better, more efficient brushing and cleaning between the teeth is likely to have a systemic health benefit.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said: &quot;Current research also indicates that this benefit is not just confined to cardiac disease but is also relevant to many other &#39;inflammatory conditions&#39; or diseases that commonly affect patients, such as diabetes, arthritis and Crohn&#39;s disease.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Periodontal disease is very prevalent and gets more common with age.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It has been linked to coronary heart disease and shares a number of risk factors with cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases,&quot; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The risk factors include age, gender, socio-economic status, chronic inflammatory diseases, obesity and smoking.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Dental professionals have the potential to influence modifiable risk factors and lifestyle choices and therefore reduce the burden of not just oral disease but, importantly, improve general health.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is important to stress that maintaining good oral health is an integral part of achieving a more holistic, healthy lifestyle,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He was commenting after the study from Florida Atlantic University recommended that the effects should now be researched in a larger number of people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These include individuals who already have heart disease and need to prevent heart attacks and strokes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 20th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/brushing-teeth-helps-to-cut-heart-attack-risk-35145620.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/brushing-teeth-helps-to-cut-heart-attack-risk-35145620.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-20 08:40:14',NULL,'brushing-teeth-helps-to-cut-heart-attack-risk'),(1691,'Migrants at Rosslare failing to seek asylum, says senior garda','<p>\r\n	Irish Refugee Council says fact migrants not being informed of rights is &lsquo;alarming&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Three-quarters of stowaway migrants discovered at Rosslare Harbour this year failed to say they were seeking asylum and were sent back to their port of origin, a senior Garda officer in Wexford has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Any individual who arrives in the State has a right to seek asylum. The claim is processed and a determination made about whether to grant refugee status.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Five people, including a three-year-old girl, were found in the back of a lorry in New Ross, Co Wexford, at the weekend. They sought asylum in the Republic when they were discovered and will remain in direct provision while their claims are processed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chief Supt John Roche told The Irish Times yesterday there have been about 25 stowaways discovered at the harbour this year, but only about one-quarter requested asylum. The others were sent back to their ports of origin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The number sent back from Rosslare to ports of origin climbs to about three to five per month, Chief Supt Roche said, when account is taken of migrants arriving illegally, including trying to enter with false travel documentation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is a serious market in Europe right now in relation to false travel documents,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;If there&rsquo;s any suspicion in relation to validity of the documents we will send them back to their port of origin, unless they ask for asylum.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We are refusing a fair number because people are coming in with false documentation or no documentation at all, particularly as foot passengers. They&rsquo;re evading capture on the French side but we stop them once they get to Rosslare and return them immediately.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In some cases, like the group this weekend, they look for refugee status, and that&rsquo;s being processed at the moment.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Claiming asylum</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokeswoman for the Irish Refugee Council said it was &ldquo;alarming&rdquo; migrants were being sent back if they were not informed of the right to apply for asylum. &ldquo;The reality is a lot of people fleeing violence and persecution will use fake documents to travel because they don&rsquo;t have any other option available to them, but they still have the right to claim asylum.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chief Supt Roche said the Garda had &ldquo;significantly increased&rdquo; immigration and security checks at Rosslare in response to the migrant crisis and increased terror threat levels.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 20th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/migrants-at-rosslare-failing-to-seek-asylum-says-senior-garda-1.2835977\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/migrants-at-rosslare-failing-to-seek-asylum-says-senior-garda-1.2835977</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-21 08:36:01',NULL,'migrants-at-rosslare-failing-to-seek-asylum-says-senior-garda'),(1692,'11% of teenage girls have unmet need for birth control','<p>\r\n	The barrister charged with compiling a report into allegations of sexual abuse against a disabled woman, &lsquo;Grace&rsquo;, in a Waterford foster home expressed &ldquo;serious concerns&rdquo; about the HSE&rsquo;s co-operation with his report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than one in 10 teenage girls and women in Ireland have an unmet need for contraception.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The annual report of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says 11% of 15 to 49-year-olds females who are in relationships are not getting adequate access to family planning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	That&rsquo;s more than twice the rate in our nearest neighbour, Britain, where just 5% fall into this category. Across the 25 EU countries covered in the global study, only Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Spain have a higher rate than Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of those in Ireland who are using contraception, just 80% are using a modern method, meaning many are relying on less safe and effective practices.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Reasons are not given but the cost of contraception and fears among teenagers of disclosing under-age sex have been cited elsewhere as factors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Worldwide, the countries with the greatest unmet need are Samoa, 44%; Ghana, 34%; and Uganda and Togo, 33%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ease of access to contraception is one of the measures the UNFPA says is essential if girls are to have real choices in their lives, to exercise power and to have a chance to make an economic contribution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This year&rsquo;s report focuses on the fate of the world&rsquo;s 60m 10-year-old girls, 33,000 of whom live in Ireland, who will be the benchmark of the success or failure of the UN&rsquo;s sustainable development goals which run to 2030.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report states: &ldquo;By 2030 the world could be a dramatically different place for a 10-year-old girl.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;&Iuml;f the United Nations goals for inclusive, equitable and sustainable development are achieved in 15 years, every 10-year-old will have every opportunity to be healthy, protected and in school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;She would not be married or mutilated against her will. Her rights would be upheld in the law and fully supported through broad social consensus. She would no longer be left far behind the 10-year-old boy.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Without the right supports, the report warns, many of today&rsquo;s 10-year-old girls will already have their own 10-year-old daughters by 2030 and another generation will have been failed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report emphasises the &ldquo;demographic dividend&rdquo; generated by investing in childhood and early adolescence and it uses Ireland as an example of how it works.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It says Ireland saw rapid declines in infant and child death in the 1960s and 1970s but continued to have high rates of fertility until 1980 when modern contraception became accessible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The fertility rate decreased, falling by one-third in 10 years, initiating a surge in the working-age population relative to the population of dependent children. This translated into remarkable growth in per capita income.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is noted that although the working age ratio has declined since 2005, income per head has been sustained, albeit with a dip during the recession.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UNFPA has developed models showing the economic impact if a girl is retained in school, protected from forced marriage, given equal rights to property and allowed exercise her sexual and reproductive rights.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In almost every case her earning potential doubles, often meaning the difference between a life of destitution and one where she can contribute to the economy and also help provide even greater opportunities for her own children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The executive director of UNFPA, Babatunde Osotimehin, will formally launch the report tomorrow.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 20th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/11-of-teenage-girls-have-unmet-need-for-birth-control-426575.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/11-of-teenage-girls-have-unmet-need-for-birth-control-426575.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-21 08:46:21',NULL,'11%-of-teenage-girls-have-unmet-need-for-birth-control'),(1693,'‘Grace’ report author concerned over HSE co-operation','<p>\r\n	The barrister charged with compiling a report into allegations of sexual abuse against a disabled woman, &lsquo;Grace&rsquo;, in a Waterford foster home expressed &ldquo;serious concerns&rdquo; about the HSE&rsquo;s co-operation with his report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The news comes as the line minister in charge, Finian McGrath, is coming under increasing fire for delaying the formal establishment of a commission of inquiry into the allegations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Freedom of Information documents obtained by the Irish Examiner show Conor Dignam was forced to miss several deadlines for producing his report to Government because of HSE delays.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In correspondence in August, Mr Dignam told Mr McGrath that he was forced to seek an extension because the HSE discovered &ldquo;new documents&rdquo; which had not been previously furnished to him. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure you can imagine when I was informed that these documents were to be provided at this very late stage,&rdquo; he wrote.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Dignam previously wrote to Mr McGrath on June 20 saying he was &ldquo;concerned&rdquo; after a phone call he had with the HSE head of legal services that he may not have received all relevant documents. &ldquo;I understood that I was being provided with all relevant documentation,&rdquo; he said, adding that such a move would further delay him in producing a report to government.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On April 25, Mr Dignam wrote to then acting minister Kathleen Lynch informing her that he would not be able to present her with a finalised report by the end of the month.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The HSE provided almost 12,000 pages of documents. During my detailed consideration, it became clear that there were pages missing from my copy documents and that some documents which I would have expected had not been included.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, Mr McGrath is under fire from Government TD John Deasy over the protracted delays to the commission being established. &ldquo;Should there be any delays, then the time has come for the responsibility for this be taken away from Minister McGrath,&rdquo; he told the Irish Examiner.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In response, Mr McGrath said the Dignam report required two legal procedural matters to be addressed in sequence before it could be brought to Government.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Coincidentally, the first of these matters was concluded on Wednesday as Mr Deasy raised the issue in the D&aacute;il.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Steps to resolve the remaining matter are being put in train. As soon as this final legal procedural matter has been addressed the minister will bring the report to government with a view to its early publication, Mr McGrath&rsquo;s spokesman said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minister and his officials have studied Mr Dignam&rsquo;s report and preparatory work on drafting terms of reference for the commission has begun, pending publication of the report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 21st October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/grace-report-author-concerned-over-hse-co-operation-426876.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/grace-report-author-concerned-over-hse-co-operation-426876.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-21 08:51:30',NULL,'‘grace’-report-author-concerned-over-hse-co-operation'),(1694,'School to pay €9k for not keeping boy’s emergency kit','<p>\r\n	The parents of a boy with a disability have been awarded &euro;9,000 because his school refused to keep an emergency medical kit on the premises for nine days.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The decision of the Workplace Relations Commission is the second published in recent months in which a school has been criticised for the manner in which it treated a pupil with a disability.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The case involved a child with anaphylaxis, which is where there is an extreme reaction by the body&rsquo;s immune system to the presence of certain foods and can be fatal in some instances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It requires an emergency medical kit to be on hand in case such a reaction occurs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The boy was in second class in a gaelscoil &mdash; the identities of the school and pupil were not published, at the parents&rsquo; request &mdash; when the medical kit and the training of school staff in administering it became an issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The school refused to keep the kit over a period of nine days. For the first of these days, the boy&rsquo;s father stayed in his car outside the school for the day as a precaution in case his son required attention.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The deciding officer found that an incident around what &ldquo;treats&rdquo; the boy could have in school owing to his condition when the child was in senior infants resulted in some &ldquo;hostility&rdquo; towards the family, but this did not excuse the subsequent shortcomings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Initially, there was a dispute over whether the word &ldquo;parents&rdquo; or &ldquo;school&rdquo; should be included in an indemnity form.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;For the school to engage in a stand-off where they would not retain life-saving medication for nine school days &mdash; over one word &mdash; frightens me,&rdquo; the deciding officer in WRC reported.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The officer went on to note: &ldquo;The school should regard themselves as fortunate that they are not defending proceedings in the superior courts, or worse, giving evidence in a coroner&rsquo;s court.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The WRC ruled that the boy had suffered discrimination for which the maximum award was &euro;15,000. Taking into account the circumstances of the case, the commissioner awarded &euro;9,000 to the boy&rsquo;s family. Two other complaints of harassment and bullying were not upheld.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last month, the WRC published a ruling in which the parents of a boy who suffers from cerebral palsy were awarded &euro;5,500 because he was not allowed to bring a dog, which was a vital aid, onto the school premises.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Both of these cases arose from situations when the respective schools and families were engaged in a stand-off over conditions for the pupil in question at the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 25th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/school-to-pay-9k-for-not-keeping-boys-emergency-kit-427372.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/school-to-pay-9k-for-not-keeping-boys-emergency-kit-427372.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-25 08:16:45',NULL,'school-to-pay-€9k-for-not-keeping-boy’s-emergency-kit'),(1695,'Why Iceland is the best place in the world to be a woman','<p>\r\n	Since 1975, the Nordic country has blazed the trail in gender equality and now, from infancy to maternity, women and girls enjoy a progressive lifestyle. But how did they achieve it?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Rebekka is so tiny that, even on her tiptoes, arms aloft, she cannot reach. So her teacher lifts her up to the unvarnished wooden monkey bar. &ldquo;One, two, three,&rdquo; her classmates count. She hangs on, determinedly. When she reaches 10, she jumps to the ground. &ldquo;I am strong,&rdquo; she shouts proudly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-left:1rem;\">\r\n	It&rsquo;s an ordinary morning for this single-sex class of three-year-olds at Lauf&aacute;sborg nursery school in Reykjavik. No dolls or cup-cake decorating on the lesson plan here. Instead, as Margr&eacute;t P&aacute;la &Oacute;lafsd&oacute;ttir, the school&rsquo;s founder, tells me: &ldquo;We are training [our girls] to use their voice. We are training them in physical strength. We are training them in courage.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It&rsquo;s a fascinating approach to education. And a popular one. In a country of only 330,000 people, there are 19 such primary and nursery schools, empowering girls from an early age.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For the past six years, Iceland has topped the World Economic Forum&rsquo;s gender gap index and looks likely to do so again this week. The Economist recently named Iceland the world&rsquo;s best place for working women &ndash; in comparison, the UK came in at No. 24. &Oacute;lafsd&oacute;ttir&rsquo;s philosophy seems to sit well with the nation&rsquo;s progressive accomplishments, but her network of schools has been going for less than 20 years. So, if preschoolers trained in feminism aren&rsquo;t the reason for this gender success story, what is?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	History may provide us with clues. For centuries, this seafaring nation&rsquo;s women stayed at home as their husbands traversed the oceans. Without men at home, women played the roles of farmer, hunter, architect, builder. They managed household finances and were crucial to the country&rsquo;s ability to prosper.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	By 1975, Icelandic women were fed up. It wasn&rsquo;t just that they weren&rsquo;t being properly paid for their labour, they also were sick of their lack of political representation: only nine women had ever won seats in parliament. So, against the backdrop of the global feminist movement, Iceland&rsquo;s women decided to take things into their own hands.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An outpouring of women on to the streets was, by then, a well-trodden form of activism. In 1970, tens of thousands of women had protested on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. In the UK, that same year, 20,000 women marched in Leeds against discriminatory wages. But what made Iceland&rsquo;s day of protest on 24 October 1975 so effective was the number of women who participated. It was not just the impact of 25,000 women &ndash; which, at the time, was a fifth of the female population &ndash; that gathered on the streets of Reykjavik, but the 90% of Iceland&rsquo;s female population who went on all-out professional and domestic strike. Teachers, nurses, office workers, housewives put down tools and didn&rsquo;t go to work, provide childcare or even cook in their kitchens. All to prove how indispensable they were.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Thordis Loa Thorhallsdottir, CEO of a tourism company, was on the streets that day: &ldquo;I was 10 at the time, and I remember it very clearly, standing there with my mother, fighting. I can still feel the crowd and the power that was there. The big message was that if women don&rsquo;t work, the whole community is paralysed &ndash; the whole society.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Grassroots activism at such a scale unsurprisingly had a significant material impact. Within five years, the country had the world&rsquo;s first democratically elected female president &ndash; Vigdis Finnbogadottir. Now in her 80s, this steely-eyed powerhouse tells me of the impact that day of protest had on her own career trajectory.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I would never have been elected in 1980 if it hadn&rsquo;t been for the women&rsquo;s day of action &hellip; because when my predecessor announced that he was not going to stand again, the voices were immediately heard: now we have to have a woman among the candidates.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other landmarks soon followed. An all-female political party &ndash; the Women&rsquo;s Alliance &ndash; was established. More women were elected to parliament; by 1999, more than a third of MPs were women.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And then, in 2000, parental leave legislation came into effect: which every person I spoke to highlighted this moment as key to Iceland&rsquo;s march to the top of the gender-equality table. Today, every parent receives three months&rsquo; paid leave that is non-transferable. Parents then have an additional three months to share as they like.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Because the pay is significant &ndash; 80% of salary up to a ceiling of &pound;2,300 a month &ndash; and because it&rsquo;s on a use-it-or-lose-it basis, 90% of Icelandic fathers take up their paternal leave. This piece of social engineering has had a profound impact on men as well as women. Not only do women return to work after giving birth faster than before, they return to their pre-childbirth working hours faster, too. Research shows that, after taking the three months&rsquo; leave, fathers continue to be significantly more involved in childcare and do more housework. Sharing the parental responsibilities and chores from the beginning, it seems, makes a difference.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a good place to be a woman,&rdquo; says Thorhallsdottir. And it is. Almost 80% of Icelandic women work. Thanks to mandatory quotas, almost half of board members of listed companies are now women, while 65% of Iceland&rsquo;s university students and 41% of MPs are female.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yet, women I met on my journey were also clear that the country has a long way to go. They still have less economic power than men &ndash; only 22% of managers are women; only 30% of experts on TV are women and, overall, men earn 14% more. Iceland&rsquo;s record on all of these fronts is better than most countries; in the UK, women&rsquo;s hourly pay is 18% less than men.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is the gender pay gap that puzzles me the most. How can it be that it is still so significant given the huge efforts the state has put into mitigating the &ldquo;mummy penalty&rdquo;? Not only when it comes to parental leave, but with heavily subsidised nursery schools and after-school care?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Explanations vary: from women going into less well-paid professions, to the penalty paid for working part-time that we&rsquo;ve found in the UK as well, to the time it takes for employers&rsquo; implicit gender biases to shift.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Steiney Skuladottir, one of Reykjav&iacute;kurd&aelig;tur (or the Daughters of Reykjavik) &ndash; a feminist rap collective who rap about gender issues &ndash; puts the blame in part on women&rsquo;s reluctance to ask for sufficient pay compensation. Fellow rapper Bloer Johanusdottir concurs. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s like we can&rsquo;t be cocky. We are supposed to be modest.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Back at the school, &Oacute;lafsd&oacute;ttir has this to say: &ldquo;If you are learning from a young age that you are not getting your rightful share, if you are taught and trained in waiting, what do you expect?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Icelandic government has pledged to close the gender pay gap by 2022. And the women of the country continue to be highly organised and socially aware; an astonishing one- third of Iceland&rsquo;s women are members of a Facebook group &ndash; ironically named Beauty Tips &ndash; in which they actively discuss gender issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	History teaches us that progress doesn&rsquo;t come about in a vacuum and that grassroots pressure plus investment in politics is a very powerful catalyst for change. In Iceland, it seems that they have both. In spades.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Noreena Hertz is economics editor of ITV News. Her report from Reykjavik, On Assignment, airs at 10.40pm on Tuesday on ITV.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by The Guardian on the 24th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/24/iceland-best-place-to-be-women-equal-gender-maternity?CMP=share_btn_tw\">https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/24/iceland-best-place-to-be-women-equal-gender-maternity?CMP=share_btn_tw</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-25 08:25:05',NULL,'why-iceland-is-the-best-place-in-the-world-to-be-a-woman'),(1696,'Figures show variance in number of child protection orders issued','<p>\r\n	The Director of the Child Care Law Reporting Project said that figures showing a wide variance in the number of child protection orders issued across Ireland, highlight a need for more research to examine the reasons behind the imbalance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Coulter added that it was also important to remember the figures do not represent children in care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The statistics from the Courts Service, which were released to the project, found applications for child protection orders in towns in the midlands were significantly lower than in towns and cities in other parts of the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Carol Coulter said she was concerned about the way figures may have been compiled in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, where over 1,000 applications were made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said she feared there had been a lot of double counting in Letterkenny and explained that the same family would frequently return for order renewals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These cases would be counted individually, but would not represent new cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking on RT&Eacute;&#39;s Morning Ireland, Dr Coulter said it was not known why the number of applications were greater in different parts of the country, but some areas could have better family support services so cases do not reach the point of children having to go into care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Or, she said, voluntary care orders may be issued which means the cases do not go to court.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition she said that judges in bigger cities and towns, such as Dublin and Cork, have more time to give to these cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said, however, that busy district court judges do not have the time needed to give to family cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 24th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1024/826374-child-protection-orders/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1024/826374-child-protection-orders/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-25 08:26:13',NULL,'figures-show-variance-in-number-of-child-protection-orders-issued'),(1697,'Pressure growing over discrimination against Travellers','<p>\r\n	Rights commissioner Emily Logan says human rights commissioner at the Council of Europe plans to visit Ireland</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	International pressure is set to grow in the coming months about discrimination against Travellers and the failure to recognise Traveller ethnicity, the Chief Human Rights Commissioner has warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Emily Logan said the human rights commissioner at the Council of Europe planned to visit Ireland amid concerns about the treatment of Travellers and Roma.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Addressing the Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality, she said Nils Muižnieks had contacted her on Tuesday evening asking when he could come to investigate. &ldquo;That is an extraordinary move,&rdquo; she told the committee.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, Ireland must make a statement to the United Nations next year on racism &ndash; including against Travellers &ndash; while the European Commission is threatening legal proceedings against the State for discrimination against Travellers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;So there is an international momentum and concern coming up in the next few months, and for us we want to keep that momentum.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The committee was hearing submissions on the recognition of Traveller ethnicity. Chairman Caoimhgh&iacute;n &Oacute; Caol&aacute;in TD (Sinn F&eacute;in) said the committee was not trying to replace or replicate the work of the last justice committee, which in April 2014 recommended recognition of Travellers ethnicity. The committee stood by that report, he said, and wanted to keep the issue on the political agenda.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Legal barriers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were no economic or legal barriers to recognising Traveller ethnicity, the committee heard, and several members asked what the outstanding issue was.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Jonathan O&rsquo;Brien, TD (Sinn F&eacute;in) suggested there was &ldquo;racism&rdquo; within the &ldquo;permanent government&rdquo; [Civil Service].</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Asked what benefit recognition of Traveller ethnicity would be, Bernard Joyce, director of the Irish Traveller Movement, said Travellers experienced discrimination &ldquo;several times a day&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	From a young age many felt &ldquo;shame&rdquo; in their identity which was internalised, contributing to high levels of depression, ill-health, low educational attainment, unemployment rates of up to 80 per cent and a suicide rate six times that of the settled community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Recognition of Traveller ethnicity would be &ldquo;a start&rdquo; in restoring a sense of dignity, he said. It would also mean Travellers were included in all anti-racism and inter-cultural policies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the preferred method of recognition would be a statement in the D&aacute;il by the minister for justice or the taoiseach of the day affirming Traveller ethnicity. Ethnicity was self-identified and should be recognised. It was not a gift to be bestowed by the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 27th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/pressure-growing-over-discrimination-against-travellers-1.2844305\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/pressure-growing-over-discrimination-against-travellers-1.2844305</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-27 08:46:13',NULL,'pressure-growing-over-discrimination-against-travellers'),(1698,'Symphysiotomy falsehoods: Ireland’s culture of impunity must end','<p>\r\n	Medical ambition was behind breaches of women&rsquo;s human rights yet no person or agency has ever been held to account</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2014, the UN Human Rights Committee found that the practice of symphysiotomy constituted torture and involuntary medical experimentation. Ireland has now perfected a strategy for dealing with survivors, beginning with &ldquo;delay until they die&rdquo;; commissioning a narrow and restrictive report in place of an independent and comprehensive inquiry; heading off litigation with an ex gratia redress scheme accompanied by a waiver that prevents legal action; and, latterly, fighting elderly survivors to the death in court.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Two years after Dr Jacqueline Morrissey revealed the practice of symphysiotomy in this newspaper in 1999, Ireland&rsquo;s Chief Medical Officer looked to the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists &ndash; the voice of the speciality responsible for these operations &ndash; for a report. The institute&rsquo;s response, a one-page letter, set the foundation myth: that symphysiotomy was the norm for obstructed labour until it was &ldquo;replaced&rdquo; by safer Caesarean section. This falsehood continues to be repeated ad nauseam by the State to this day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dangers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Symphysiotomy was never a norm anywhere, at any time: doctors refused to practice it because of its dangers, except as a last resort. An earlier if contradictory myth, that symphysiotomy was performed to avert the dangers of repeat Caesarean section, also endures. History shows that religious fundamentalism and medical ambition drove the surgery.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Demands for an inquiry were stymied by successive ministers for health Miche&aacute;l Martin, Mary Harney, James Reilly and Leo Varadkar. Unsuccessful attempts were made to commission &ldquo;reviews&rdquo; from known proponents of symphysiotomy, by the Department of Health in 2003 and by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2010. All avenues led to the institute, as Survivors of Symphysiotomy discovered. The medical body was subsequently involved in the commissioning of a review whose terms of reference excluded unpublished data and survivor testimony. Hospital data detailing the clinical circumstances of these operations were not examined by the 2012 review headed by Prof Oonagh Walsh, so the basis for its conclusion that symphysiotomy was &ldquo;clinically appropriate&rdquo; is unclear.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As time went on, hospital records became more difficult to access. Following parliamentary questions in 2014, thousands of hospital records were &ldquo;discovered&rdquo; in Dublin, Cork, and Waterford. Such records may relate to women who remain unaware, even today, that they were subjected to the surgery. Having earlier supported a Bill designed to prevent the law on limitations from blocking women&rsquo;s access to the courts, the government did a U-turn. The then minister for health, James Reilly, later refused to settle survivors&rsquo; legal actions, preferring instead to introduce an ex gratia payment scheme calculated to save the State &euro;60 million.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Suffered grievously</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On October 14th of this year, the Court of Appeal dismissed a case involving a symphysiotomy performed in the Coombe Hospital in 1963 on a 24-year-old woman, twelve days before the birth of her first child. She has suffered grievously since that day, like so many other women, yet all the State had to offer by way of compensation was a scheme that carried no admission of wrongdoing and forced survivors to indemnify their abusers as a condition of payment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A health board &ldquo;information&rdquo; leaflet issued a decade ago stated that symphysiotomy was used &ldquo;between the 1950s and the 1980s&rdquo; when Caesarean section surgery allegedly carried a higher risk to the mother. The Walsh report also found, albeit in the absence of survivor testimony, that symphysiotomy was &ldquo;a safer intervention&rdquo; than Caesareans.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The truth is that symphysiotomy destroyed lives. Relationships were damaged, and marriages occasionally buckled. Many women walk with a permanent limp and live out their lives in chronic pain. As one 85-year-old survivor of symphysiotomy in Wicklow said: &ldquo;every time I look at a crucifix, it reminds me of me. It&rsquo;s been a daily crucifixion&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fresh falsehood</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Still promoting the view that they were acceptable, the government now denies that these operations were involuntary. In a fresh falsehood, the State recently claimed to the UN Women&rsquo;s Committee (CEDAW) that in many cases consent was obtained, as though any woman would knowingly consent to having her pelvis broken as an alternative to Caesarean section.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UN found that 1,500 of these operations had been carried out without patient consent. These operations breached women&rsquo;s constitutional and human rights, yet no person or agency has ever been held to account. This lack of accountability fosters a climate in which wrongs come to be regarded as acceptable, and society minimises its perception of the damage done to victims. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission will now be asked to reconsider its decision not to hold an inquiry, and Survivors of Symphysiotomy is preparing to appear before the UN&rsquo;s Committee Against Torture and CEDAW. Ireland&rsquo;s culture of impunity must end.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Marie O&rsquo;Connor is a contributor to &ldquo;Irish Women Reflect: A Century of Change&rdquo;, edited by Alan Hayes and M&aacute;ire Meagher and published by Arlen House. She is Chairperson of Survivors of Symphysiotomy</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 27th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/symphysiotomy-falsehoods-ireland-s-culture-of-impunity-must-end-1.2844337\">http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/symphysiotomy-falsehoods-ireland-s-culture-of-impunity-must-end-1.2844337</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-27 09:07:48',NULL,'symphysiotomy-falsehoods-ireland’s-culture-of-impunity-must-end'),(1699,'No stroke aftercare available to victims','<p>\r\n	More people are surviving strokes but 75% of the country&rsquo;s rehabilitation hospitals can not provide patients with recommended levels of therapy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Just one in four rehabilitation hospitals have a dedicated stroke unit, 60% do not have a stroke specialist to oversee rehabilitation, and less than one in three rehabilitation hospitals have access to psychological services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The vast majority of the country&rsquo;s 26 rehabilitation hospitals do not have links with community rehabilitation services meaning patients cannot receive rehabilitation therapy after they leave hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This latest HSE and Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) audit &mdash; the first study of post-acute stroke care in Ireland &mdash; follows another report on acute stroke services earlier this year which also showed major medical, nursing and therapy staff deficits in spite of a 25% reduction in stroke deaths in seven years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	IHF head of advocacy Chris Macey said the audit confirmed that rehabilitation services for stroke patients &ldquo;are grossly inadequate at every stage in the patient&rsquo;s treatment whether in acute hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, or in the community&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Whilst more people than ever are surviving stroke, they are being denied the opportunity to make the best recovery possible by a chronic dearth of vital therapy services,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE&rsquo;s national clinical lead for stroke, Joe Harbison, warned that stroke figures are increasing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The incidence of stroke in Ireland is rising by about 350 extra cases every year, but we still have a severe shortage of stroke unit beds or the specialist nursing, therapy and medical staff we need to care for these stroke patients,&rdquo; said Prof Harbison.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We have only about half the acute stroke unit beds we need to meet international standards, and this audit shows an even lower proportion of specialist rehabilitation beds.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the previous study by the HSE and IHF, staff shortages range from 40% to 80% in acute hospitals. The number of health professionals providing therapies to stroke victims is a third less than in the UK. Elsewhere in Western Europe, supported discharge teams are a basic element of treatment. There are only three such teams in this country and they are under resourced.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prof Harbison said &ldquo;stroke outcomes, apart from mortality, deteriorated last year for the first time since the creation of the national stroke programme&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This is not unexpected in view of the current level of fixed and insufficient resources and an increasing number of patients,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite a recent increase in working-age strokes, only 27% of hospitals provide assistance to patients in returning to work, while just half provide training in managing the consequences of stroke following discharge.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Stroke research fellow at the national clinical programme for stroke, Paul McElwaine, said: &ldquo;It makes no sense at all that we have significant investment of expertise and resources to save patients&rsquo; lives after a stroke, but then fail to follow through with basic therapy services that will help them recover?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 27th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/no-stroke-aftercare-available-to-victims-427686.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/no-stroke-aftercare-available-to-victims-427686.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-27 09:09:19',NULL,'no-stroke-aftercare-available-to-victims'),(1700,'Overdose fears raised due to huge variations in cocaine purity','<p>\r\n	Analysis shows overall purity of cocaine and heroin available on the streets has increased in recent years</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Unsuspecting cocaine users are placing themselves at significant risk of overdose, with research showing a massive variation in the purity of the drug sold on the streets.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And the cocaine is mixed with damaging adulterants, including a veterinary drug used to treat parasitic worm infections and painkillers that, if overused, have been linked to cancer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An analysis by Forensic Science Ireland shows the overall purity of cocaine and heroin available to buy on the streets has increased in recent years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Average Irish cocaine purity is below the European average, but the average purity of Irish heroin is significantly above.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The research shows a noticeable difference in the purity of cocaine sold in Dublin compared to the rest of the country, while the purity for heroin is marginally higher outside Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The analysis highlights the huge profits typically earned by cocaine traffickers &mdash; with the drug typically diluted by a factor of four after importation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For heroin traffickers, the drug is diluted by a factor of roughly two.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The research shows that the average street purity of cocaine (packs between 0g and 25g) was 24% in 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But the purity ranged from 1% to as high as 90% (around the highest purity).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of the 18 samples tested, five were between 40% and just over 60% pure, while a further three were between 85% and 91% pure.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tom Hannigan, director of chemical sciences at FSI, said the purity of street cocaine &ldquo;jumps around&rdquo; and that higher purities could have &ldquo;adverse effects&rdquo; on street buyers not suspecting high purity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A previous study compiled by FSI showed that the average purity of street cocaine was 15% in 2010 and 19% in 2011 &mdash; indicating an increase since then (to 24%).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Yes, it appears to have increased in purity, but it is relatively small and I would be reluctant to draw conclusions from that,&rdquo; said Mr Hannigan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said adulterants are used to both &ldquo;bulk up&rdquo; and &ldquo;potentiate&rdquo; (increase the effects of) cocaine.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said a veterinary drug called levamisole was found in 70% of cocaine samples. This medication is used to treat parasitic worm infections in animals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Hannigan said it is added to the cocaine in South America, noting that it is &ldquo;known to have undesirable effects&rdquo; and can affect a person&rsquo;s immune system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other adulterants, benzocaine and lignocaine, are local anaesthetics commonly used by dentists in injections, and are not intended for oral use.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another adulterant, phenacetin, is a painkiller that is banned in a number of countries as overuse has been linked to cancers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;These adulterants are either not good for you or are not intended for human consumption,&rdquo; said Mr Hannigan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The purity of bulk cocaine seizures show purity rates of 60% or higher, with most between 70% and 90%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Hannigan said this cocaine can be diluted by a factor of four by the traffickers before it ends of the streets.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The average street purity of heroin has also risen in recent years, from 30% in 2011 to 34%, but still well below 2010 levels of 47%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The purity of street doses can also vary, but no way as much as with cocaine, with most samples ranging between 20% and 45%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Hannigan said heroin purity has been &ldquo;quite stable&rdquo; over the years. Adulterants are typically caffeine and paracetamol. The purity is diluted on importation, often by a factor of around two. Bulk seizures have an average purity of 52%, but can be as high as 80%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In relation to amphetamine, average purity was 9%, ranging from an average of 3% at street level to 28% at importation level, with caffeine the main adulterant.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 28th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/overdose-fears-raised-due-to-huge-variations-in-cocaine-purity-427874.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/overdose-fears-raised-due-to-huge-variations-in-cocaine-purity-427874.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-28 15:47:51',NULL,'overdose-fears-raised-due-to-huge-variations-in-cocaine-purity'),(1701,'Be safe, be seen this bank holiday, road users urged','<p>\r\n	Road users have been urged to &lsquo;be safe and be seen&rsquo; as darker evenings draw in with the clocks going back this bank-holiday weekend.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and garda&iacute; have said the most effective way for road users to be safe is to wear high-visibility clothing such as a hi-vis vest or a Sam Browne belt when walking, cycling, or motorcycling, and by ensuring you have working lights on your bicycle, motorcycle, and car.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Over the past five years, six people have been killed in road traffic incidents and 33 people have been seriously injured during the October bank-holiday weekend.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To date this year, 159 people have died on Irish roads, an increase of 32 when compared to the same period last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An RSA survey conducted last year found the number of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists wearing high-vis clothing was on the increase.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In particular, the number of cyclists and motorcyclists wearing reflective clothing had jumped by more than 20% on 2014 levels.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, some 41% of pedestrians said they always or often wear reflective gear such as a hi-vis jacket, vest, or belt when out walking. However, this was a decrease of 8% when compared to 2014.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The survey also found those living in rural areas were more likely to wear high-vis gear than those in urban areas (43% compared to 16%).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The RSA and garda&iacute; are also urging motorists to ensure lights are in working order. An observational study conducted by the RSA in November 2015 found one in ten vehicles surveyed had at least one defective light. The problem was more prevalent on rural roads than urban roads, and vehicles were more likely to have defective front lights (5%) than rear lights (3%).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock said it was encouraging to see more and more road users wearing high-vis clothing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It really is critical that road users ensure they are visible to others on the road, every time they go out for a walk, cycle, or on the bike,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t leave it to chance or expect other road users to see you &mdash; it might be too late before they do.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;For parents and guardians, if your child walks or cycles to school, make sure they can be seen by ensuring they wear reflective clothing and have working lights on their bicycle.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If your child gets the bus to school, it&rsquo;s also important that they can be seen at the bus stop by the bus driver and other road users.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Garda Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid said it was important motorists properly maintain their vehicles and ensure lights are in working order.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 28th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/be-safe-be-seen-this-bank-holiday-road-users-urged-427888.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/be-safe-be-seen-this-bank-holiday-road-users-urged-427888.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-28 15:51:27',NULL,'be-safe-be-seen-this-bank-holiday-road-users-urged'),(1702,'One in two women sexually harassed','<p>\r\n	Half of Irish women have experienced sexual harassment at some point in their lives, while one in four have been victims of physical violence, according to a major new report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Data from 56 agencies funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was used in the report which collated information from rape crisis centres and other services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Tusla findings also included that one in four adults have experienced physical or sexual assault.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Joan Mullan, a national manager at Tusla, said: &quot;The numbers in the report are not just data, they are the summary of the real life stories of the adults, children and families that frontline services work with.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But in a dramatic twist, the report, the first of its kind in Ireland, provoked a furious backlash from the Rape Crisis Network Ireland last night.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The RCNI raised concerns about the content and accuracy of sections of the report, as well as data protection issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tusla confirmed it had met the RCNI to discuss the concerns and was satisfied the report met required standards.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 28th October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/one-in-two-women-sexually-harassed-35168878.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/one-in-two-women-sexually-harassed-35168878.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-10-28 15:52:57',NULL,'one-in-two-women-sexually-harassed'),(1703,'Oberstown in \'lock-down\' as gardai engage in stand-off with two inmates with weapons','<p>\r\n	Two youths were involved in a stand off with more than a dozen riot police at Oberstown detention centre on Monday night.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The two teenage males were standing on top of a roof near the front entrance of the centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Three garda public order units, two garda cars and a Dublin Fire Brigade were called to the scene.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Members of the gardai were understood to be negotiating with the pair to come down from the roof, with a ladder placed at the wall leading down.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It&#39;s believed the two young men took a swipe card from an employee at Oberstown and gained access to weapons such as screwdrivers, blades and drills.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Part of the campus is on lock-down following the incident.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai confirmed they are investigating am ongoing incident in Oberstown but would not provide any further detail until the issue has been resolved.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 1st November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/oberstown-in-lockdown-as-gardai-engage-in-standoff-with-two-inmates-with-weapons-35177698.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/oberstown-in-lockdown-as-gardai-engage-in-standoff-with-two-inmates-with-weapons-35177698.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-01 09:21:26',NULL,'oberstown-in-lock-down-as-gardai-engage-in-stand-off-with-two-inmates-with-weapons'),(1704,'Gardai hunt for \'sex attacker\' who broke into young woman\'s house and \'set upon her\'','<p>\r\n	Gardai are hunting for a sex attacker after a man broke into a young woman&#39;s apartment in Co Donegal and set upon her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman, who is in her 20s, was attacked in the apartment complex in the centre of Letterkenny.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The man broke into the apartment, carried out the horrific sex attack and then fled minutes later.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning last between 4am and 5am on October 23rd.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai have confirmed they preserved the scene of the attack and examined it and state that their investigation is ongoing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They have also been trawling through hours of CCTV footage in a bid to identify possible suspects who were in the area at the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All CCTV footage in arterial roads leading to the apartment block are also being examined.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Checkpoints were also set up last Saturday night in the area of the attack in a bid to jog people&#39;s memories who may have witnessed the attacker hanging around the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Local county councillor Gerry McMonagle appealed to anyone with any information to come forward.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cllr McMonagle, who is chairman of the Joint Policing Committee for Co Donegal, said it is frightening t think that there is someone on the loose who has committed such a crime.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There are women in their beds and should they be frightened tonight? Of course, they should and they should take the necessary precautions after what has happened.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is a very serious incident and to think that someone attacked a young woman in her bed in the apparent safety of her own home of horrific.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This person needs to be caught and interviewed by gardai and anyone who knows anything should contact the gardai immediately,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Anybody with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda station on 0749167100.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 31st October 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-hunt-for-sex-attacker-who-broke-into-young-womans-house-and-set-upon-her-35176797.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-hunt-for-sex-attacker-who-broke-into-young-womans-house-and-set-upon-her-35176797.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-01 09:22:46',NULL,'gardai-hunt-for-sex-attacker-who-broke-into-young-womans-house-and-set-upon-her'),(1705,'One-in-six mums-to-be suffers depression but is too afraid to talk about it','<p>\r\n	Depression can strike as many as one-in-six pregnant women in Ireland - with potentially serious complications for mother and baby, a study reveals today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The condition may afflict 11,000 mothers-to-be annually, although the suffering often goes unrecognised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Unlike postnatal depression, which is widely discussed, there can be a taboo about expectant mothers admitting to the debilitating illness because they feel they are supposed to be happy and joyful.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The study of more than 5,000 women in six maternity units by Irish Obstetrics Services in Trinity College Dublin is the first time that rates of prenatal depression have been tracked in the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It found 16pc of women attending a number of maternity hospitals are at probable risk - but this rises to 22pc for under-18s.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hormonal changes which occur during pregnancy can contribute to development of the depression, said lead researcher, Veronica O&#39;Keane, Prof of Psychiatry at Trinity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Rates are highest among women from lower socio-economic backgrounds and those with poorer levels of education. Women who have had several pregnancies and births are also at greater risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prof O&#39;Keane pointed to growing scientific evidence that women who suffer from depression while pregnant are at higher risk of pre-eclampsia, which raises blood pressure, and also having a caesarean section and epidural during labour. It also increases their chances of giving birth prematurely or having a low-weight baby.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The condition also places the baby at higher risk of suffering setbacks in intellectual development and behaviour during infancy, while also leaving them more prone to mental health problems in childhood and later life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is why it is so important that depression is screened for during pregnancy and that women are encouraged to look for support,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, this screening - involving a series of questions - is not routine in our maternity units and there is a dearth of perinatal mental health services and psychiatrists who specialise in this area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are only four part-time consultant psychiatrists who specialise in the care of women around pregnancy, with few other perinatal mental health professionals, despite some 67,000 births annually.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If we don&#39;t screen as a systematic part of our antenatal care plan, we are putting women at risk, not only of suffering distress, but of being compromised before birth and so less able to cope with the additional stresses of caring for a baby,&quot; she﻿ said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The &#39;Well Before Birth&#39; study indicated that prevalence rates of depression among women giving birth in Ireland are high, and may be greater than those recorded in other OECD countries, where they range from 10pc to 15pc.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Properly caring for the mental health during pregnancy protects the longer-term mental health of both mother and child,&quot; Prof O&#39;Keane said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Antenatal depression, as we are seeing with this study, is common. Rates of depression during pregnancy among women in Ireland are at least as high, and probably higher, than in other EU countries.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The survey questioned women aged 18 to 49 attending the National Maternity Hospital, Dublin; Rotunda Hospital, Dublin; Cork University Hospital; Mayo General Hospital; University Hospital Limerick; and Community Antenatal Clinics, Tallaght, Co Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 1st November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/oneinsix-mumstobe-suffers-depression-but-is-too-afraid-to-talk-about-it-35177754.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/oneinsix-mumstobe-suffers-depression-but-is-too-afraid-to-talk-about-it-35177754.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-01 09:24:19',NULL,'one-in-six-mums-to-be-suffers-depression-but-is-too-afraid-to-talk-about-it'),(1706,'Junk food firms using manipulative and covert tech tools to target children','<p>\r\n	Junk food companies are using clever and manipulative digital marketing tactics to sell their products to children, a major report reveals today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Foods laden with sugar and salt, which are contributing to high levels of obesity, are being promoted by highly inventive and furtive technology.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But there is little effective regulation of the online world in place to protect children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The extent of the veiled manner in which children are being targeted is revealed in a report, &#39;Tackling Food Marketing to Children in a Digital World&#39;, published by the World Health Organisation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Covert means include device fingerprinting - where children are tracked across various devices such as smartphones and iPads. Some use in-device cameras to record facial responses to marketing content.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Word-of-mouth marketing is used where friends make recommendations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report pointed out: &quot;Children across Europe access digital media avidly, predominantly on mobile devices, generally favouring social media and video-viewing sites.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Brands and marketers report that digital marketing amplifies advertising in traditional media, achieving greater ad attention and recall, greater intent to purchase and higher product sales.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children are also being tempted with more obvious methods such as gifts, games, cartoon characters and competitions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Parents and children may even be unaware that they are subjected to this advertising.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The digital age allows the control and influence behind the promotion of these sugary and salty foods to reach a new level, including the use of geolocation data.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This means that if people are in an area where a product is being sold that they can get real-time special offers to encourage them to &quot;walk and buy&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Analytics even allow advertisers to know a person&#39;s &quot;purchase history&quot;, even to the point of their favourite flavour of ice cream.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The World Health Organisation is now calling for urgent action and said offline regulation of marketing these foods to children needs to be extended to all digital environments.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The regulation should cover social media platforms, websites, game platforms and apps. It should also be flexible to incorporate new and evolving digital marketing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The WHO said it is also necessary to define legal age, rather than leaving it to commercial interests to do so, and a clear minimum age for digital marketing should also be set at 16 years at least.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There needs to be effective enforcement and monitoring of digital marketing restrictions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Regulatory agencies and policy-makers need to delegate parts of the task to internet platforms, obligating them to remove digital marketing of these foods accessible to children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To support effective oversight and enforcement by regulatory agencies there needs to be meaningful sanctions introduced for non-compliance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The health watchdog said these sanctions should apply to both the content creators and the digital platforms that are content intermediaries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These include the likes of Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, and they should face sanctions if they fail to remove the content after they receive a notice, warned the report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 4th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/junk-food-firms-using-manipulative-and-covert-tech-tools-to-target-children-35187310.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/junk-food-firms-using-manipulative-and-covert-tech-tools-to-target-children-35187310.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-04 09:46:02',NULL,'junk-food-firms-using-manipulative-and-covert-tech-tools-to-target-children'),(1707,'What happens when a child is born intersex in Ireland?','<p>\r\n	Realisation that someone isn&rsquo;t typically male or female can emerge at different life stages, writes Helen O&rsquo;Callaghan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Almost from the first scan, parents want to know the gender of their child, whether it&rsquo;s a boy or a girl. But there are other variants that few people in Ireland consider.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The nine months are up, the labour over, the baby born. The excited new parents ask whether it&rsquo;s a boy or girl.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The medics and midwives don&rsquo;t answer. They&rsquo;re hesitant, confused. They can&rsquo;t tell.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This baby has ambiguous genitalia &mdash; neither typically male nor typically female.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Crumlin Children&rsquo;s Hospital sees two or three new DSD (disorders of sexual development) cases each year, where baby isn&rsquo;t immediately identifiable as boy or girl.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Doctors and midwives in the delivery room are under pressure, says paediatric endocrinologist Dr Colm Costigan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There&rsquo;s great temptation to guess at the infant&rsquo;s sex but we teach them not to hazard a guess. Ambiguity means you don&rsquo;t know. You have to delay assigning gender until you know the details.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This means tests &mdash; and waiting for results. Ultrasound gives an immediate picture of baby&rsquo;s internal reproductive structures. A blood test assesses hormones and is back within 48 hours.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A chromosome test indicates whether the child is genetically female (XX) or male (XY) &mdash; results may take five days.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Not surprisingly, parents are extremely stressed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;First thing they&rsquo;re asked after the baby&rsquo;s born is whether it&rsquo;s a boy or girl,&rdquo; says Dr Costigan, adding that parents are advised to keep news of the ambiguity quiet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We recommend they keep it as close in family as possible, not to broadcast it widely, to delay saying anything, just &lsquo;there&rsquo;s a minor abnormality and we have to go to Crumlin to get it sorted&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At this early stage, parents will already have had it explained to them that &ldquo;for some reason, there&rsquo;s delay in the development towards male or female &mdash; we want to work out what that delay is, why there&rsquo;s this ambiguity&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	DSD (also referred to as intersex) is an umbrella term for about 40 different conditions, where a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that isn&rsquo;t typically male or female.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For example, among myriad intersex variations, a baby could be chromosomally female but genitally appear to be male &mdash; or chromosomally male, with male genitals, but have ovaries instead of testes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It&rsquo;s believed 1.78% of the population have an intersex variation. Only a small percentage of these again, are born with ambiguous genitalia.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Realisation that someone isn&rsquo;t typically male or female can emerge at different life stages.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Perhaps in adolescence when the body doesn&rsquo;t develop in the expected way, or when first intimate with a sexual partner. Or someone&rsquo;s trying to conceive and investigations reveal no womb &mdash; and testes instead of ovaries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Crumlin, the most commonly seen DSD-causing ambiguous genitalia at birth is congenital adrenal hyperplasia &mdash; genetic females exposed to high levels of androgens (male hormones from the adrenal gland), in the womb.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Depending on exposure levels, the child&rsquo;s clitoris could be slightly or very enlarged. A blood test, specific to the condition, is done immediately.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If it&rsquo;s mild, we try not to do much in the way of surgery,&rdquo; says Dr Costigan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;These children need cortisone therapy for life. Once cortisone treatment begins, there&rsquo;s improvement in the appearance [of female genitals]. The child is reassessed after a few months to see if surgery&rsquo;s needed to reduce clitoris size.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The child is monitored every three months through childhood because of the cortisone therapy.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prior to onset of menstruation, &ldquo;there might be need for vaginal surgery to increase size of [vaginal] opening&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Crumlin&rsquo;s DSD team comprises paediatric endocrinologists, clinical psychologist, expert radiologist, paediatric urologist, and clinical geneticists. Because of the &ldquo;difficult decisions&rdquo; needed, the team meets for peer review every three months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Professor Peter Hindmarsh of Great Ormond Street Hospital attends the meeting. Where a DSD is severe and surgery is mooted, the case is brought before the peer-review meeting, &ldquo;to make sure we&rsquo;re reaching the right decision&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Parents attend too &mdash; &ldquo;they&rsquo;re usually very accepting of the decision made in the best interests of the child&rdquo;.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For more complicated rare surgeries, &ldquo;we send children abroad,&rdquo; says Costigan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Surgery &mdash; generally to make genitals compatible with chromosomal sex &mdash; happens less today than 10-15 years ago, he adds.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;People are more careful about doing surgeries because of the possible effect on subsequent sensitivities and nerve supplies. People are becoming more circumspect. That&rsquo;s a good thing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;As time goes on and people with DSD grow up, we realise the consequences of radical surgery. Results from some of the earlier surgeries weren&rsquo;t as good as hoped.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mid-20th century advances in surgical techniques and hormone treatments made it possible to eradicate external evidence of intersexuality &mdash; to &lsquo;make&rsquo; someone either male or female, says Dr Tanya N&iacute; Mhuirthile, director of DCU&rsquo;s Socio-Legal Research Centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The most prolific advocate for this was US-based Dr John Money, specialist in psychology of sex at the Gender Identity Clinic of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other countries followed this example &mdash; doing routine gender assignment surgery on intersexed infants.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	N&iacute; Mhuirthile says their reconstruction as either male or female helped &lsquo;disappear&rsquo; intersex from the social consciousness. The majority were assigned female on the basis it&rsquo;s easier to cut away tissue than graft new tissue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Intersex activists see an analogy between female genital mutilation (cutting for social/cultural reasons) and some gender assignment surgeries, she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;They say cutting is for the same reasons &mdash; that these surgeries are rarely medically necessary to safeguard a child&rsquo;s physical health.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She has spoken with a handful of Irish people with intersex variations &mdash; some had &lsquo;corrective&rsquo; surgeries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Once the first surgery happens, you have to keep going back. Outcomes can be poor. Scar tissue doesn&rsquo;t grow at the same rate. People&rsquo;s intimate lives are negatively impacted because of pain. People feel freakish.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If treated in a teaching hospital, every junior doctor is trotted past. There are awful stories of people subjected to this medical parade.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Parents often have to administer post-surgery care, says N&iacute; Mhuirthile.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If you enlarge the vagina, [it must be kept] open through dilation. Or the penis may need regular stretching, which a child wouldn&rsquo;t be able to do.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) found intersex people &ldquo;experience fundamental rights violations ranging from discrimination to medical intervention without their consent&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In at least 21 member states, medical intervention is conducted on children to impose a sex on them at a young age.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In eight member states, legal representatives can give consent; in 18, parental consent is required.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report advises member states should &ldquo;avoid non-consensual &lsquo;sex-normalising&rsquo; medical treatments for intersex people&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UN repeatedly sanctions countries where children with intersex variations undergo surgical/medical interventions, because children aren&rsquo;t consenting to these interventions.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child sanctioned Ireland this year &mdash; because, says N&iacute; Mhuirthile, &ldquo;Ireland can&rsquo;t clarify whether/how the State protects bodies of children with an intersex variation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just surgeries. Giving hormones can irreversibly impact the child.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nobody &mdash; parents or doctors &mdash; sets out to hurt the child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Everybody&rsquo;s trying to do their absolute best for the child. But just because we think something&rsquo;s best doesn&rsquo;t mean it is. A doctor might say: &lsquo;There&rsquo;s something [wrong] but we can do something to fix it.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Nobody likes hearing there&rsquo;s something wrong with their child even if the &lsquo;wrongness&rsquo; is entirely benign. We don&rsquo;t want our children to be bullied &mdash; our instinct is to ease their path in life.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The tragedy is that in trying to save the child trauma, trauma&rsquo;s exactly what can ensue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Births in Ireland must be registered within three months &mdash; a child&rsquo;s sex must be recorded. Late registration &mdash; up to a year &mdash; is permitted only with registrar&rsquo;s consent.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These timelines put huge pressure on parents to consent to interventions, which, with more time, they mightn&rsquo;t have done, says N&iacute; Mhuirthile.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Also &ldquo;nudging them towards a decision&rdquo; reflects how everything&rsquo;s broken down on gender grounds in Ireland.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;From the school you attend to whether you play hurling or camogie, our innate assumption that everybody&rsquo;s either male or female is so inherent we don&rsquo;t question it,&rdquo; says N&iacute; Mhuirthile.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	TENI (Transgender Equality Ireland Network) communications manager Gordon Grehan says intersex is one of Ireland&rsquo;s last taboos.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There&rsquo;s this silence. We don&rsquo;t talk about it. We don&rsquo;t hear about it. There&rsquo;s little awareness intersex people exist.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He says it must be extremely difficult for parents unable to answer the &ldquo;boy or girl&rdquo; question.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no support around what to do. There&rsquo;s no peer support group.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While TENI advocates on behalf of intersex people, it&rsquo;s not in itself an advocacy organisation for intersex.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a struggle to find intersex people to be advocates.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When TENI organised a talk about intersex issues, they invited a speaker from IntersexUK to speak here. The silence, says Grehan, must mean many intersex people feel isolated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Contributing to the silence, he believes, is scant understanding about how to talk about intersex.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There&rsquo;s much debate about what words to use, whether it&rsquo;s a medical or identity issue.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other factors help keep it under the radar. Grehan has met Irish people who describe being subjected to medical intervention throughout childhood, a feeling of needing to be &lsquo;fixed&rsquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The monitoring to see whether they were developing, whether things were &lsquo;normal&rsquo; &mdash; it&rsquo;s all very traumatic, not something they want to talk about.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Others don&rsquo;t realise they&rsquo;re intersex &mdash; they have internal structures they&rsquo;re unaware of (ovaries, testes) or very subtle intersex variations.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yet others had medical intervention when young and their gender identity matches their assigned gender.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;They see it as medical history and don&rsquo;t identify as intersex.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some want to protect parents, who &ldquo;can feel shame if they feel they made a decision they shouldn&rsquo;t have. [Intersex] children may feel an obligation not to make parents feel bad.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Crumlin, parents are advised to answer their child&rsquo;s questions in an age-appropriate way.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If parents accept and understand the situation, they&rsquo;re able to answer the child&rsquo;s questions. If not, if they discourage or back away from the questions, it can all be a big shock at the end,&rdquo; says Dr Costigan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Clinical psychologist Dr Lisa Brinkmann, who specialises in sex- and gender-related concerns, says it&rsquo;s always been difficult for Irish society to talk about sex and gender.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Think of the standard rural Irish family 20 years ago &mdash; if a small child looked or behaved slightly differently, or at puberty things didn&rsquo;t develop as expected. It would have been a huge taboo.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Intersex patients who seek her out for counselling are adults whose intersex variation wasn&rsquo;t realised until puberty. Some describe how menstruation didn&rsquo;t arrive &mdash; a GP appointment was made followed by gynaecological referral and ultrasound.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They were &ldquo;given a fancy name&rdquo; &mdash; perhaps gonadal dysgenesis &mdash; to explain the absent periods.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The girl mightn&rsquo;t question it much. Fourteen years ago, the internet wasn&rsquo;t as available.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brinkmann says it&rsquo;s only beginning to be realised &ldquo;that we&rsquo;ve overlooked intersex people. Ireland hasn&rsquo;t yet got clearly written standards of care for intersex.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was recently invited to inform an LGBTI steering group in the south-east with little knowledge of the &lsquo;I&rsquo;. Following Brinkmann&rsquo;s visit, a national study to identify incidence of intersex was proposed.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A HSE spokesperson confirmed that the steering group &ldquo;surveyed public health nurses in the south-east, as they&rsquo;re the group who see all newborn babies in the course of their work &mdash; no child/person with intersex/DSD was identified.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A decision was made to write to Crumlin Children&rsquo;s Hospital to enquire about prevalence of intersex/DSD and services available to this group.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The spokesperson confirmed there are currently no plans to do a national study. N&iacute; Mhuirthile emphasises the need for such a study.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We need to know how the medical community is treating intersex people. How are they being registered at births? Are they applying for gender recognition? Are they out? Do they feel they need to hide it? What supports are there for people with intersex variations and their families?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In essence, we need to know what happens medically, legally and socially for people with intersex conditions in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Common conditions</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	DSD/intersex can be distinguished in different ways: by underlying karyotype (chromosome set) &mdash; whether genetically male or female; by whether condition shows immediately at birth; or by whether it doesn&rsquo;t become apparent until puberty.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Here are the five most common DSD/intersex conditions</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>1. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH):</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Embryo at conception has XX chromosome. Due to enzyme-deficiency in mum, baby is exposed to higher levels of androgens (male hormone). At birth, baby is genetic female but genitalia are masculinised.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Degree depends on how much exposure to male hormones &mdash; some children with CAH won&rsquo;t appear on the radar, while others are so severe they&rsquo;re classed male at birth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>2. Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS):</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Embryo has XY chromosome, is genetic male. Due to receptor deficiency, body can&rsquo;t make use of testosterone. Baby doesn&rsquo;t develop in typical male way in the uterus and, at birth, looks typically female with vagina and clitoris. Nobody suspects baby&rsquo;s genetically male.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Questions aren&rsquo;t asked until puberty when expected development (eg periods) doesn&rsquo;t happen. With partial AIS, some receptors fail to respond but others do. At birth, this child presents with ambiguous genitalia.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>3. Disturbances of the androgen biosynthesis:</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Child is genetically male (XY), testosterone is produced, but at birth baby looks like a girl with vagina and clitoris.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At puberty, dihydrotestosterone is produced: Child starts developing as male: Clitoris starts to grow as penis, voice drops, male pattern hair growth. These children mainly identify as male when puberty happens.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>4. Gonadal dysgenesis:</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	baby is XY &ndash; condition is to do with a chromosomal abnormality. No sex development happens in the embryo. (Until week seven of gestation, all babies look the same until, under influence of certain androgens, male development begins). Baby remains in female &lsquo;default&rsquo;.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At birth, they appear female. Those with the pure type of this condition don&rsquo;t develop at all at puberty. They are usually tall, slim and look quite androgynous. Those with the mixed type of the condition may have ambiguous genitalia at birth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>5. True hermaphroditism:</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is the rarest of all five. Ovarian and testicular tissues may be present or XX and XY cells in the body. Clinical psychologist Dr Lisa Brinkmann had a patient in Germany, whose entire left body had XX chromosomes, while the right side had XY.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;She had a breast on one side, one hand was significantly larger than the other.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 4th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/what-happens-when-a-child-is-born-intersex-in-ireland-428823.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/what-happens-when-a-child-is-born-intersex-in-ireland-428823.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-04 09:50:17',NULL,'what-happens-when-a-child-is-born-intersex-in-ireland'),(1708,'ISIS captive gives birth to child of rape','<p>\r\n	Gogjali, Iraq (CNN)Umm Al&#39;aa will never tell her son who his father is.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He&#39;s an ISIS fighter who raped her while she was a prisoner of the terror group.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Now 40 years old, she was a mother and a grandmother before being kidnapped and held captive for a year and a half. She has a child who&#39;s younger than her grandchild.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But he&#39;s just as much a part of their family despite his grim beginning, she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>&#39;You will be our slave&#39;</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Umm Al&#39;aa is a pseudonym. To protect her, the woman is not being identified. Her neighbors in Mosul were ISIS supporters but she and her family refused to pledge allegiance to them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The terror group has been in control of the city since 2014.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	ISIS fighters regularly came to their home to threaten them into submission.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One day, they beat her daughter, tore off her headscarf and ripped her clothes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They wanted to rape her daughter, she said, but the man in charge did not let them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We want the mother,&quot; she recalled him saying.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A few days later, they came for her when she was at the market. When they ordered her into a car she thought death was imminent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was wrong.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;&#39;You will be our slave,&#39;&quot; she said, recalling their words.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For more than a year she lived as a prisoner, &quot;like a dead person, but they had not killed me yet.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>&#39;He&#39;s my son&#39;</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Toward the end of her captivity one of her captors beat and raped her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I tried to fight, I cried a lot. There was a lot of pain, I was beaten a lot, but I couldn&#39;t do anything,&quot; she told CNN&#39;s Arwa Damon.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	By the time she was released she was pregnant with a son.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She named Mohammed after her husband, who was killed on Tuesday amid battles on Mosul&#39;s eastern outskirts where Iraqi and coalition forces are battling ISIS fighters.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;My best memory of him was how much he loved and respected me,&quot; she said. &quot;Yes we are poor people, but we were happy.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The boy may be a product of rape but he&#39;s still her son. Their son.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I am not going to tell him who his father is. That his dad is ISIS. He&#39;s my son, he&#39;s not ISIS&#39; son.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by CNN on the 4th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/04/middleeast/isis-prisoner-pregnant-rape/index.html\">http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/04/middleeast/isis-prisoner-pregnant-rape/index.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-04 09:52:25',NULL,'isis-captive-gives-birth-to-child-of-rape'),(1709,'Finian McGrath to meet AG over ‘Grace’ inquiry','<p>\r\n	Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath will meet attorney general M&aacute;ire Whelan on Thursday to discuss the draft terms of reference for the state inquiry into alleged foster-care abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The talks will take place days before a ministerial-imposed deadline on when the HSE must respond to a report into the scandal. The Government last week published the Conor Dignam report into alleged serious sexual and physical abuse of vulnerable children and teenagers at a state-funded foster home in Waterford.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The alleged abuse, which is said to have taken place for more than two decades, involved 47 people with severe intellectual disabilities, including some who were mute. The most prominent individual is a woman who has been given the pseudonym &lsquo;Grace&rsquo;. Despite the fact abuse concerns emerged in 1992 and all placements were meant to cease in 1995, Grace remained at the home until 2009 due to a series of still unexplained decisions which whistleblowers allege were covered up by managers involved in what happened.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report, conducted over 16 months by independent senior counsel Mr Dignam, was focused specifically on the HSE&rsquo;s response to the allegations and in particular two still unpublished reports sought by the health body into the matter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In response to the 309-page Dignam report, Mr McGrath said he wants the HSE to confirm if it will publish its previous Conal Devine Associates and Resilience Ireland reports by the middle of next week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a separate move, he has confirmed a commission of inquiry into the alleged abuse will be launched by the end of this month or the start of December, with Mr McGrath due to set out his proposed terms of reference in the coming days.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGrath will meet Ms Whelan to finalise draft terms of reference designed to clarify the extent of the investigation. The terms are expected to include cover-up claims, suggestions files may have been destroyed, and why Grace remained at the home for 14 years after all placements were due to end.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In his recommendations last week, Mr Dignam proposed that the inquiry specifically examine if there was &ldquo;any deliberate suppression or attempted suppression of information&rdquo; by HSE officials with a &ldquo;particular reference&rdquo; to the period since 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The whistleblowers who have brought the case into the spotlight first raised their concerns in 2009. Mr Dignam also called for background information as to who first decided the foster family was fit to take in people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Among more than 30 terms of reference recommendations, he also said the inquiry should clarify if the foster family father&rsquo;s &lsquo;representations&rsquo; to the Department of Health in 1996 led to the U-turn on Grace&rsquo;s removal. As reported by the Irish Examiner, the Dignam report notes files recording the U-turn cannot be found.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 8th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/finian-mcgrath-to-meet-ag-over-grace-inquiry-429491.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/finian-mcgrath-to-meet-ag-over-grace-inquiry-429491.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-08 09:21:36',NULL,'finian-mcgrath-to-meet-ag-over-‘grace’-inquiry'),(1710,'Teach children online safety ‘soon as they pick up device’','<p>\r\n	Children should be taught about online safety and digital citizenship &ldquo;as soon as they pick up a device&rdquo;, according to a leader researcher on an international study which indicated some vulnerable young people can fall prey to online predators.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report on online child sexual abuse by a team at Middlesex University London incorporated input from gardai and from young Irish adults. It also looked at data from the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands and found that while young people are engaging online as never before and police forces are struggling to catch up with the challenges that arise.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Overall, the study found the vast majority of respondents &lsquo;never&rsquo; had to deal with sexually explicit online requests, while a minority of around 16% of those surveyed said they had received such requests &lsquo;often&rsquo; or &lsquo;sometimes&rsquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of respondents who had been sexually solicited online, the UK sample came out highest, with over half saying that, when they were between 12 and 16 years of age they were invited to act sexually online. This included being asked for sexual information, photos, or videos, or asked to meet to engage in sexual activities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All respondents were found to have engaged in some form of risky online behaviour. Some 344 women and 185 men from Ireland, average age of 20, contributed views to the large online survey of more than 1,100 people which also included responses from Italy and the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Looking back on their teenage years, 44% of respondents in Ireland said they had never been sexually solicited online, compared with 53% of respondents in the UK and 39% of respondents in Italy. Of those who had received online sexual messages between the age of 12 and 16, respondents in Italy were more likely to talk to someone about it than those in Ireland. Girls were more likely to be solicited online whereas boys were more likely to engage in risky behaviour such as sexting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	With the vast majority using their phones as their main internet access point, the parents of the UK respondents were significantly more likely to control their youth&rsquo;s internet access by blocking or filtering.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report also highlighted concerns over gaps in the law in areas such as grooming, and also conducted qualitative research involving garda&iacute;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One said: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s very difficult to get in garda&iacute; who are anyway qualified in computers, you need somebody who did a computer degree before they joined the job or something like that.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Julia Davidson of Middlesex University said society needed to tackle the issue of &ldquo;digital citizenship&rdquo; and &ldquo;the work should start almost as soon as they pick up a device&rdquo;. She added that it should also be an &ldquo;integral part&rdquo; of any school curriculum.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report, &lsquo;Enhancing Police and Industry Practice&rsquo; can be accessed at mdx.ac.uk</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 8th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/teach-children-online-safety-soon-as-they-pick-up-device-429483.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/teach-children-online-safety-soon-as-they-pick-up-device-429483.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-08 09:22:57',NULL,'teach-children-online-safety-‘soon-as-they-pick-up-device’'),(1711,'Syrian families held in Greece sue Ireland, EU over rights breaches','<p>\r\n	Case says migration deal, which allows for return of migrants to Turkey, goes against European law</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Members of two Syrian families detained in Greece after fleeing the beseiged city of Aleppo have taken an unprecedented action in the Irish courts against the European Council, EU and Ireland over alleged breaches of their human rights.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The core claim of the families is that the EU-Turkey deal on migration agreed on March 18th by the European Council - the 28 EU Heads of State including Taoiseach Enda Kenny - was made outside the EC&rsquo;s powers and breaches EU law. The deal allows Greece return to Turkey &ldquo;all new irregular migrants&rdquo; arriving there since March 20th.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	That deal, and Ireland&rsquo;s sanctioning of it, is incompatible with Ireland&rsquo;s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and breaches various EU Treaties, including the Treaty on Functioning of the EU (TFEU) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU (CFREU), they claim.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The plaintiffs are a married couple, Mr and Mrs D, their two daughters aged 10 and 15 (a son is in Germany), and Mr S and his 13-year-old daughter (his wife and an other child are in Germany).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They say they are entitled, under the EU Dublin III regulations of 2013, to be transferred to Germany to join their family members who have secured international protection. They claim they are unlawfully prevented doing so because of the EU-Turkey deal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dinghy</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They have been detained in Greece since March 20th when they arrived with 58 people in a rubber dinghy from Turkey following a dangerous journey during which, they allege, they witnessed the &ldquo;push-back&rdquo; and killing of Syrian asylum seekers by Turkish forces.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The case came before the High Court on Monday via applications by the plaintiffs for a preliminary trial of EU law issues and/or to decide if issues should be referred to the Court of Justice of the EU.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Padraig McCartan SC, for the plaintiffs, said the matter was &ldquo;very urgent&rdquo;. His clients were illegally arrested by Greece as an agent of the European Council, were entitled to be transferred to Germany and wanted undertakings they would not be returned to Turkey pending determination of the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Counsel for the respondents said they had no instructions to give the undertaking and the State intended to apply to have the action dismissed on grounds Ireland is not the appropriate forum for it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Justice Paul Gilligan adjourned the pre-trial matters to November 22nd.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Having spent several weeks in refugee camps on the Greek islands of Chios and Leros, Mr D&rsquo;s family is now being put up by a charity in a house on Leros while Mr S and his son have been lodged in part of a building used for the mentally ill. They claim their passports and other papers remain confiscated by the Greek authorities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Stress</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In an affidavit, Mr D said people detained in Chios and Leros are under considerable stress and &ldquo;desperate&rdquo;. Theft in the camps is common with a consequent growing threat of violence and there was inadequate healthcare, bad food and &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; drinking water, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His children have been unable to continue their education, his wife has suffered several collapses and his daughter wakes in the night crying and frightened, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The plaintiffs claim they have no information when their protection applications will be processed but the Greek system will eventually assess them as &ldquo;suitable&rdquo; for return to Turkey, not on grounds of their own particular circumstances, but because of a pre-determination Turkey is a safe third country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They dispute Turkey is a &ldquo;safe&rdquo; third country and also allege the Greek asylum system is not working.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Greece and Turkey suffer systemic deficiencies in their asylum procedures and reception conditions for asylum seekers such as to create a real risk of being subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment within the meaning of Article 4 of the CFREU, they claim.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As non-Europeans, Turkey refuses to apply the provisions of the 1951 Refugee Convention to them and Turkish policy on asylum is incompatible with EU asylum policy, it is also claimed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 7th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/syrian-families-held-in-greece-sue-ireland-eu-over-rights-breaches-1.2857833\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/syrian-families-held-in-greece-sue-ireland-eu-over-rights-breaches-1.2857833</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-08 09:26:06',NULL,'syrian-families-held-in-greece-sue-ireland-eu-over-rights-breaches'),(1712,'90% of prostate cancer patients alive after five years','<p>\r\n	Nine out of 10 prostate cancer patients survive more than five years, compared to just one in three 40 years ago.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As part of the Movember fundraising campaign, the Irish Cancer Society has been looking back on prostate cancer research advances in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Survival rates have improved tremendously, because of huge strides in the prevention, detection, and treatment of the disease.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Irish men, accounting for a third of their cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	About 3,400 new cases of the diseases are identified in Ireland every year, due to improved detection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, more needs to be done to improve survival rates, particularly for men with metastatic prostate cancer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Also, ways need to be found to improve the lives of men who have survived the disease, as they often suffer a reduced quality of life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Cancer Society and the Movember Foundation Ireland became partners nine years ago to invest in Irish prostate cancer research projects.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Consultant medical oncologist, Prof Ray McDermott, said prostate cancer survival rates only showed one side of the journey a patient with the disease travelled.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;For survivors, their diagnosis and treatment often impact on their physical and mental wellbeing in ways men rarely speak openly about,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prof McDermott is clinical director of the prostate cancer research initiative, iPROSPECT, funded by the Irish Cancer Society in partnership with Movember, to devise personalised treatments and improve patient outcomes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 11th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/90-of-prostate-cancer-patients-alive-after-five-years-430002.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/90-of-prostate-cancer-patients-alive-after-five-years-430002.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-11 10:47:06',NULL,'90%-of-prostate-cancer-patients-alive-after-five-years'),(1713,'HSE may go to court to eject patients','<p>\r\n	HSE chief Tony O&#39;Brien has not ruled out taking court action for the removal of a patient who no longer needs acute care but refuses to leave hospital - despite supports being provided.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr O&#39;Brien was speaking yesterday after an outcry over an internal memo which said legally these patients are &quot;trespassers&quot; and could be removed with minimum force.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr O&#39;Brien apologised for the offence caused by the memo, which he said was prompted by a case involving a patient in 2012 who would not leave hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He stressed that cases like those happen rarely. It led to a call for clarification.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the HSE would never use minimum force, but may have to take court action.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Problems</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The memo should not have been circulated as widely as it had been, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Two years ago, St James&#39;s Hospital had to go to court after an elderly patient who had been there for four years refused to leave.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The case went to the High Court and the hospital argued it had secured a nursing home place for the patient, which was more suitable to their needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hospitals frequently have to deal with a range of social problems relating to a patient&#39;s home life, which can lead to problems around discharge.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr O&#39;Brien told the Oireachtas Health Committee that hospitals would never resort to physical force to remove a patient from a ward.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the memo refers to the law &quot;and it was withdrawn after two weeks&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 11th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/hse-may-go-to-court-to-eject-patients-35206332.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/hse-may-go-to-court-to-eject-patients-35206332.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-11 10:48:30',NULL,'hse-may-go-to-court-to-eject-patients'),(1714,'New guide focuses on family-centred care for parents of premature babies','<p>\r\n	Parents of premature babies are to receive more help caring for their newborns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Around 4,500 children are born before their due date in Ireland each year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Better Together guide being launched today focuses on family-centred care and shows mothers and fathers how they can take a more active role during their baby&#39;s stay in hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mandy Daly, director of advocacy and policymaking at the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance, described the difficulties these parents can endure.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They will have experienced separation at birth, they may not have had to opportunity to bond with their child, they may not have seen their child,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s a very traumatic experience being separated from, I suppose, what you&#39;ve been expecting and hoping for for a couple of months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Then there&#39;s the added stress of parents not knowing the prognosis is going to turn out, and they can&#39;t care for the child in a normal parenting fashion.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 11th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/new-guide-focuses-on-family-centred-care-for-parents-of-premature-babies-763559.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/new-guide-focuses-on-family-centred-care-for-parents-of-premature-babies-763559.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-11 10:49:55',NULL,'new-guide-focuses-on-family-centred-care-for-parents-of-premature-babies'),(1715,'Jobs Announcement - Daffodil Care Services','<p>\r\n	Join our team at Daffodil Care Services, providing a range of residential and community based services through a national network of registered children&rsquo;s residential centres, semi-independent residential care and community based outreach support.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We are now hiring full time and relief Social Care Leaders and Social Care Workers based in our mainstream and semi-independent residential services in Cork, South Tipperary, Dublin &amp; Meath.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you would like to be a part of our team that has a track record in developing therapeutic services and providing unrivalled career development opportunities and training for our staff, then Daffodil Care Services could be the career move you are looking for.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Send your CV to recruitment@daffodilcare.ie or call 0818 903 984 for further information.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Interviews are now taking place locally for the following vacancies:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	South Tipp</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Social Care Leader x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Social Care Worker x2</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Relief Social Care Worker x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cork</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Social Care Leader x 1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Social Care Worker x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Relief Social Care Workers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	North Dublin</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Social Care Leader x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Social Care Worker Semi-independent x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Social Care Worker x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Relief Social Care Workers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meath</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&middot; Relief Social Care Worker</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careers\">http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careers</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-11 11:46:47',NULL,'jobs-announcement-daffodil-care-services'),(1716,'Snapchat teen girls targeted by sinister social media account posing as Irish modelling agency','<p>\r\n	A 14-year-old girl was among a number of young teenagers targeted by a sinister social media account posing as an Irish modelling agency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Using the image messaging app Snapchat, the fake ACA Models account sent messages direct to teenagers and young women.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The recipients were told they could earn anywhere between &pound;450 and &pound;55,000 by working for the model and promotions company.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alison Campbell, the agency&#39;s boss, was alerted to the fake account on Saturday, after her friend&#39;s daughter received a message.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And she stressed that her company does not recruit models online.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Snapchat profile claimed to be from &#39;Louise&#39; who said she worked as head of recruitment for ACA Models agency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The reason I have added you, is because after looking at least one of your Instagram photos we have decided that you are suitable to model for our agency,&quot; the message said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We are offering between &pound;450 and &pound;55,000 a shoot depending on who we put you forward for.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;In terms of different types of modelling we literally do every single type you could think of. Obviously the more you are interested in the better chance you have of getting jobs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is a one-off opportunity and we are looking for 30 new models. This is purely based on a first come, first served basis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If you are interested, then please give me a message asap.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Bear in mind the reason why we have added you to our company Snapchat account is because we are interested in you as well.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Former Miss Northern Ireland and ACA model, Leanne McDowell, issued a warning online not to accept messages from the fake account.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many of the messages were sent in the early hours of Saturday morning and encouraged the teens and women to send pictures of themselves.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Miss Campbell also posted a warning on the official ACA Models Facebook page.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I started getting lots of private messages from people asking if we were recruiting on Snapchat,&quot; she said. &quot;Then I got a message from a 14-year-old girl asking if we were taking on new models through the app, as she had been asked to join.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The young girl wrote back saying she was interested and that she would love to be a model and has always been interested.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The person wrote back asking for some pictures of her and she sent some head pictures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The person replied and said they would like to see some body pictures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Fortunately she alerted her mum to the account after that.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s very dangerous. We definitely don&#39;t contact people through social media or send any alerts to any random people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s happened in the past - people have been in Belfast city and went up to people saying they were from ACA Models and were scouting and asked for details.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 14th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/snapchat-teen-girls-targeted-by-sinister-social-media-account-posing-as-irish-modelling-agency-35213178.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/snapchat-teen-girls-targeted-by-sinister-social-media-account-posing-as-irish-modelling-agency-35213178.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-14 13:54:24',NULL,'snapchat-teen-girls-targeted-by-sinister-social-media-account-posing-as-irish-modelling-agency'),(1717,'Children deliberately diagnosed with special needs to ensure extra teaching in schools','<p>\r\n	Children are being &quot;unnecessarily labelled&quot; with emotional and behavioural conditions in order to get additional educational resources.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In an extraordinary admission, the head of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) said a practice known as &#39;diagnosis for dollars&#39; in the United States is now happening here.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Professionals are actively making some children &quot;fit a certain category of disability in order for them to get a resource&quot; even though they &quot;don&#39;t theoretically meet the actual label&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	NCSE chief executive Teresa Griffin said she had been told first-hand by professionals that they had purposely misdiagnosed children in primary schools.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We think that&#39;s really bad that a child would be labelled simply to get an educational resource,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the current system, students require a formal diagnosis of conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) before an extra teaching support is provided by the Department of Education.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This has led to a series of problems, including claims it reinforces disadvantage because parents from wealthier backgrounds can afford to pay for private consultations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many students in the public system are on long waiting lists and do not have the right to access special support until they receive a diagnosis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Department of Education told the Irish Independent it was aware of Ms Griffin&#39;s concerns and had been working with the NCSE to create a new model to distribute special resources. &quot;The department would be concerned at the possibility that any child would be labelled unnecessarily and accordingly accepted and acted upon the advice received from the NCSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The department has taken steps to address this concern and has developed the new model for allocating resource teaching supports which, when implemented, will remove the need for a diagnosis of a disability to ground the allocation of resources,&quot; a spokesperson said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A date has not yet been set for the introduction of the new system, but the spokesperson said Education Minister Richard Bruton anticipated it would be approved by Cabinet in time for September 2017.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A guide for parents compiled by the NCSE states that many professionals &quot;feel obliged&quot; to label children as having a disability &quot;simply to ensure that the school gets additional resource teaching hours&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And speaking at an Oireachtas hearing recently, Ms Griffin said the labels being attached to children would stick with them for life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said assessments should only be used to help teachers and parents understand a child&#39;s needs but not linked directly to resources.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said: &quot;It&#39;s assessment to inform parents on how to better support their children, but not necessarily to have a child labelled as ADHD or have a child labelled as having emotional behaviour disturbance.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Asked by Fianna F&aacute;il&#39;s education spokesman Thomas Byrne whether those carrying out the misdiagnoses could be guilty of professional misconduct, Ms Griffin replied: &quot;We have actually raised it with some of the bodies and their view is that they are advocates as well.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Department of Education said: &quot;Where parents have concerns as to the resulting diagnosis or label applied to their children, they should, in the first instance, raise them with the diagnosing professional.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If they are not satisfied with the response, they may raise the matter with the governing or regulatory body appropriate to the professional concerned.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the new plan, schools will have a larger say in deciding a child&#39;s support need, with over 10,000 support teachers assigned based on a school&#39;s profile rather than individual children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 14th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/children-deliberately-diagnosed-with-special-needs-to-ensure-extra-teaching-in-schools-35212724.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/children-deliberately-diagnosed-with-special-needs-to-ensure-extra-teaching-in-schools-35212724.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-14 13:55:42',NULL,'children-deliberately-diagnosed-with-special-needs-to-ensure-extra-teaching-in-schools'),(1718,'Mental health biggest issue for disability pay recipients','<p>\r\n	The majority of people who receive a disability allowance believe mental health is the issue that affects them the most &mdash; ahead of any mobility or physical issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The survey of 3,000 recipients, conducted by the Department of Social Protection, also highlights fears of losing their medical card or social welfare benefits if they get a job, and also obstacles to entering education or the labour market.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Joan O&rsquo;Donnell, development officer with the Disability Federation of Ireland, said the survey gave &ldquo;a unique insight into just how much people with disabilities have been left behind in Irish society&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The survey was conducted after the department&rsquo;s statistics unit took a random sample of 12,007 people in receipt of the payment as of August last year and issued each person with a survey pack. It had 3,198 responses &mdash; a 27% response rate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The results show:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Those longest in receipt of disability allowance are less likely to express an interest in either part-time or full-time work;</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Almost a third (31%) said they had never worked;</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		56% said that they had previously worked either part-time or full-time;</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		13% said they were currently working.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of those currently working or with past work experience, 37% said it was in community, voluntary or &lsquo;occasional&rsquo; work, while 63% said it had been in paid employment or self-employment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The survey also showed that when it comes to educational achievement, &ldquo;only a minority of recipients reported educational attainment beyond junior secondary education or special school&rdquo;, with fewer than 10% having a degree and just 2% having a post-graduate qualification.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While 13% said they were attending an education or training course, 67% said it was more than five years since they last took part in education or training. And while 44% said they were not interested in education or training, 56% said they were interested or a little interested in doing so.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When asked to rank the health issues that affect them, 50% said mental health issues, while 49% said mobility issues. Just over 30% said it was intellectual disability and more than 20% said it was heart and breathing problems. When it came to difficulty with everyday tasks, 83% said they had moderate or severe difficulty in completing, or being unable to complete, everyday tasks. Three-quarters of respondents said their disability affects them all the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Regarding what supports are important in helping them achieve their employment ambitions and goals, the medical card was the most often mentioned support, cited by 64% of respondents, with family, mentioned by 59% of respondents, in second place.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 14th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/mental-health-biggest-issue-for-disability-pay-recipients-430448.html?google_editors_picks=true\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/mental-health-biggest-issue-for-disability-pay-recipients-430448.html?google_editors_picks=true</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-14 14:00:28',NULL,'mental-health-biggest-issue-for-disability-pay-recipients'),(1719,'Piecing my broken childhood together, one document at a time','<p>\r\n	Shane Griffin grew up in residential units and in foster care. Now he&rsquo;s investigating his own past by seeking access to dozens of official records about his emotional state, his behaviour, his relationships and his family</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When the social workers first came to take Shane Griffin into care he ran away. He and his three siblings were living with their mother, who had had a nervous breakdown. &ldquo;She wasn&rsquo;t functioning at all,&rdquo; he says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Shane went to a nearby lake and lay on a hill looking back at the house. He watched his mother being taken away in an ambulance and waited until the garda&iacute; and social workers had left.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I barricaded myself in the house and took a bunch of knives up to the bedroom,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;They copped on I was back, and they all came back, but I was threatening to jump out the window if they came near the door. One of my mother&rsquo;s friends came and tried to talk me down. So I came down and opened the door.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	How old was he? &ldquo;Nearly seven,&rdquo; he says, and laughs sadly. Shane ended up staying with his mother&rsquo;s friend for a couple of days until his mother came out of hospital, and then it all happened again. &ldquo;But not so horrifically, and without a stand-off.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	That was in 1994. Griffin, now a dryly witty, warm 30-year-old, spent his childhood in care and is now the advocacy manager for the Care Leavers&rsquo; Network. Between foster homes and residential units he had 19 placements. He has experienced abuse within the system and has spent several years investigating his past through meetings with Tusla, the State child and family agency, and through Freedom of Information requests.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Griffin has had to make FOI requests just to ask the type of questions about personal history that many of us can simply ask elder relatives. When we meet he comes with a sheaf of documents, some details of which have been redacted by authorities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These include hundreds of pages about his younger self, some typed, some handwritten, outlining his emotional state, his behaviour, his anxieties, his fraught familial relationships, his relationships with other children, and one particularly &ldquo;possessive&rdquo; relationship he had with a care worker as a small boy. (&ldquo;Ah, she was sound,&rdquo; he says.)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Physically Shane presents as a somewhat small and tense child,&rdquo; reads an early note from a social worker.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	What does it feel like to read this stuff?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s bizarre,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It feels like an invasion of privacy.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Griffin wants to talk about his time in care because he thinks his experience of multiple placements, assault (on two occasions) and systemic failure is fairly typical. He wants care leavers to be listened to &ndash; and he wants their personal testimony and opinions to help drive policy. More specifically, he would like to see a wider remit for the National Review Panel, which investigates serious incidents and death in care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Neglected and open to abuse</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Griffin understands why he was taken into care. His mother was a vulnerable adult who had been on the health board&rsquo;s radar since a year before his birth &ndash; &ldquo;Something about a phantom pregnancy&rdquo; &ndash; and whose condition left him neglected and open to abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He tells stories about premature responsibilities and household fires. One of the latter was the result of &ldquo;children performing inappropriate tasks&rdquo;, according to the files. He was, from a very young age, the hunter-gatherer of the family; his older sister took on the role of housekeeper.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He was a clever kid. &ldquo;I used to go to Dunnes and find receipts in the car park, find the product on the receipt, go to customer service, say, &lsquo;I got the wrong item. I need the money back.&rsquo; I was very entrepreneurial . . . Every morning I used to sneak out the window on to the porch and up to the shop up the road and take two or three of each of the papers. And then there was a cul-de-sac, and I&rsquo;d knock on the doors, sell a few papers and get a few pounds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Then I&rsquo;d throw some of the papers in a hedge, climb back up on to the porch and hide the money in the room, then wake up as normal. Then we&rsquo;d have the money to buy sweets, so we wouldn&rsquo;t be going to school on an empty stomach. I would have been in junior infants then.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When he was five Griffin was repeatedly sexually abused by a man his mother had met while recovering from a breakdown in a psychiatric facility. The abuse ended only when he told a friend of his mother&rsquo;s. &ldquo;It all came out,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I remember being in the Garda station, speaking with the glass like in the movies. I remember being brought to Dublin to hospital, to get an examination.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The man was convicted in April 1994, but until then Griffin was terrified. &ldquo;He said he would kill my family if I said anything . . . I used to sleep with a big kitchen knife under my pillow. I moved my bed into my mother&rsquo;s bedroom, and I slept at the door.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Six months after all of this a care order was granted. Around this time a Garda sergeant found Griffin out in the middle of the night and dropped him home. The garda&rsquo;s report is in his files; it describes bringing Griffin back to a filthy house where he was greeted by another half-naked child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fluffy and warm</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Being in care wasn&rsquo;t so bad at first, Griffin says. &ldquo;I remember the first foster mother was bathing me, and she was lifting me out of the bath with this big towel, and it was so fluffy and warm. It was something new that I didn&rsquo;t have at home &ndash; a lot of people would take it for granted. I remember that sensation of just having that warm, fluffy towel &ndash; not this cardboard, air-dried towel. It was kind of my first good memory.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He didn&rsquo;t stay in care initially. After each early placement he was returned home to his mother until a full care order was granted. That&rsquo;s when things started to go even more awry. Griffin was, at least once, sexually abused by a young man who lived in one of the foster homes, something he never reported.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He did report a separate incident, when a placement ended after the foster father attacked him.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	What happened? Griffin says he was constantly wetting his bed: &ldquo;If someone shouted at me I wet myself.&rdquo; He describes himself as a small boy on a little low bed by a big window, &ldquo;sitting there drowned wet. And this man was just screaming in my face, and he slapped me twice, and I put my hands up and blood was pumping down from my nose . . .</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The foster mother came in, crying and screaming at him and pulling him away. He went out to calm down, and she was consoling me. And I was just sitting there, sobbing and wet because I&rsquo;d wet myself.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the documents, Griffin was there for about four months, but he remembers it as being shorter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When a placement breaks down the social workers come along with this regurgitated bull. &lsquo;Ideally, where would you like to be?&rsquo; The only thing I said was I wanted to be in the countryside and I wanted a family with a dog.&rdquo; He laughs. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t ask for much.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Why a dog? &ldquo;Maybe that&rsquo;s just a traumatised child for you. A psychologist might tell you it was because I didn&rsquo;t trust humans and that I wanted to be in the countryside to be away from everyone. We&rsquo;ll let the psychologists do their magic on that one.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were other, shorter placements. And then there was one that lasted 2&frac12; years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;That was good until the foster father there assaulted me,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Some story of something I&rsquo;d supposedly done got back to him by Chinese whispers. I walked in the door, and he was a giant and I was a small kid &ndash; I&rsquo;m still small; I didn&rsquo;t start growing until I was 19 &ndash; and he came in and dragged me up the hall and picked me up by the scruff of the neck until my head was hitting the light bulb and he put his fist up to my cheek. I was nearly puking on top of him.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The foster mother was terribly upset, but he had the power in that whole thing.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Griffin says he reported this, but the placement is recorded as having ended as &ldquo;his behaviour had deteriorated and he had become increasingly difficult to manage&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Learnt behaviour</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Every placement that breaks down has a huge effect on the child, Griffin says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Every time I was moved the system was telling me, &lsquo;You&rsquo;re a bold child, and you don&rsquo;t deserve to be loved, you don&rsquo;t deserve a family and you don&rsquo;t deserve to be happy, because anytime you f***k up we&rsquo;re just going to move you along.&rsquo; It becomes a learnt behaviour in a way. You just wreck foster placements then, because that&rsquo;s all you know.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Griffin admits that he did wreck some placements. This small, wounded child ransacked rooms. He broke a headmaster&rsquo;s nose. (He feels guilty to this day.) In his first residential placement &ndash; they stopped putting him with foster families at a certain point &ndash; he held staff hostage with a hurley.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Eventually, towards the end of 1997, he ended up in a high-support secure unit; he lived with three boys and two girls, all from Dublin. &ldquo;Two of them were there because they were robbing cars and doing drugs, crazy stuff, whereas I was in care because of a bad situation. I was quiet. I was there three months. I worked with the programme. I got along with it.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He says children in care learn to turn their emotions on and off and to tell officials what they want to hear. He recalls a note in a logbook from one residential unit, which refers to him staring into space for prolonged periods of time. &ldquo;After you go into care you&rsquo;re traumatised,&rdquo; he says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Four years later he was back in an open residential unit and a mainstream school, although this ended when he and some of the other boys crashed a nearby wedding, stole beers and went on &ldquo;a drunken trail of destruction. One of them was breaking wipers off cars.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Garda was called. Experiencing his first hangover, and terrified by the spectre of incarceration, Griffin ran away. His mother ended up hiding him for a night; eventually, after the intervention of his guardian ad litem &ndash; &ldquo;the only professional who was always totally there for me&rdquo; &ndash; he was released back home for reasons that are still completely mysterious to him. The only conditions were that he join a youth club and go to counselling. (He went to three sessions, then stopped.)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His sisters and brother stayed in care, which he finds even more confusing. &ldquo;The whole time I was in care,&rdquo; he says, &ldquo;I wanted to go home.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Please help us&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He takes out a letter he wrote to a judge when he was eight or nine. &ldquo;Please help us&rdquo; is written in big letters in the middle of the page. In the letter he talks about being frightened of being in care and writes that he wants to be with his mother. &ldquo;She&rsquo;s the only one that wants me even when I&rsquo;m good or bad.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Now that he was home, he says, he wanted to be anywhere else but there. His mother had deteriorated and no longer had any friends.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Bipolar, split-personality disorder, alcoholic. Chaos,&rdquo; he recalls. &ldquo;She slept all day and was up all night. She would come in at three in the morning and ransack the room &ndash; pull the mattress off the bed. I&rsquo;d pull the duvet under the bed and sleep there.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If he&rsquo;d had any consistent relationship with a social worker he&rsquo;d have called him or her, he says. But his social workers were largely just names he saw on forms. So he sought escape.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2002 Griffin befriended an older man who abused him, groomed him and encouraged him to prostitute himself. He had many dark days. He would drive the back roads at top speed with no seat belt. He spent a period of time homeless. Yet he worked at school and got his Leaving Certificate. He says that cars ultimately saved his life: &ldquo;I&rsquo;m a devil for the cars.&rdquo; He congregated with other young car enthusiasts, many of whom are still good friends.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Griffin obtained an apprenticeship as a plumber, although this didn&rsquo;t work out, and met his girlfriend &ndash; &ldquo;another reason I&rsquo;m still alive&rdquo;. They now have a daughter, whom he is intent on giving a normal childhood.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Eventually Griffin did a degree in social studies; his lecturers were pleased and often challenged by having someone in the class who had actually lived in the system they were studying.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He has been in therapy and has raked over the coals of his life. He made up with his absent father, became very close to his older sister, visited the mother of the man who sexually abused him, and even met one of the foster fathers who assaulted him. &ldquo;He said, &lsquo;You gave me a hard time,&rsquo; and he was justifying beating me up . . . I said, &lsquo;I suppose that&rsquo;s how you calm a child down,&rsquo; being sarcastic. And he was agreeing, more or less.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Mishandled allegations&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Griffin&rsquo;s mother died in 2010. Now he is attempting to put together the jigsaw puzzle of his life, one document at a time. He is very critical of the system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The documents he has received contain several references to his allegations of physical abuse at the foster homes. He believes these were mishandled. In 1997 his mother complained about what she saw as insufficient investigation of these allegations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An internal report after the complaint refers to the allegations as &ldquo;fully investigated&rdquo;. It is signed by the same people who oversaw the initial investigations. The files do not indicate what those investigations concluded.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some time after Griffin left the system he was called in to answer questions about one of the foster parents who assaulted him, because other assault allegations had been made against the man. Griffin was angered that they hadn&rsquo;t taken his allegations more seriously before that point.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He is a strong believer in early intervention; he says that the vast amount of money it costs to keep children in care could be better used to support struggling families. He thinks the care system is broken. He decries the lack of proper care plans, consistent social workers and aftercare facilities, as well as the high proportion of placements that break down.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;m open to forgive the State for its treatment of me,&rdquo; he says, &ldquo;but it&rsquo;s hard to do that when you see kids today going through the same broken system with the same deplorable outcomes.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He is also, through the Care Leavers&rsquo; Network, connecting with others who have been through the system and encouraging them to tell their stories. He says again that he would like to see the remit of the National Review Panel into deaths in care expanded to include testimony from people who feel the system has failed them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He stresses the high number of care leavers who are living on the streets. He is tired of tokenistic meetings with politicians but enjoys meeting others who have experienced the care system. He recognises in them a similarly hypervigilant awareness of their surroundings. &ldquo;Like those two guards who came in earlier,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I was trying to figure out exactly what they were doing and what they were up to.&rdquo; (I hadn&rsquo;t noticed any garda&iacute;.)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;I knew it should be different&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Shane Griffin&rsquo;s main wish is that children in care be listened to. They&rsquo;re not stupid, he says. &ldquo;I was watching Little House on the Prairie and The Brady Bunch. TV was painting an image of how a family was constructed. I saw how my friends and their families functioned. I knew from a young age that this stuff shouldn&rsquo;t have been happening. I knew it should be different. I want that for my daughter &ndash; a place she can call home. I haven&rsquo;t had it since I was five years old.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	You can contact Shane Griffin through his blog, at spideronaweb.com; the Care Leavers&rsquo; Network is at careleaversnetwork.com</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish TImes on the 12th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/piecing-my-broken-childhood-together-one-document-at-a-time-1.2861607\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/piecing-my-broken-childhood-together-one-document-at-a-time-1.2861607</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-15 09:34:00',NULL,'piecing-my-broken-childhood-together-one-document-at-a-time'),(1720,'Pressure grows on Bruton in row over ADHD diagnoses','<p>\r\n	Pressure is mounting on Education Minister Richard Bruton to set a clear timeline for the introduction of a new system to assign special need teaching resources after it emerged some children are being unnecessarily &quot;labelled&quot; with disorders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The head of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has warned that a practice known as &#39;diagnosis for dollars&#39; is happening here with professionals making some children &quot;fit a certain category of disability in order for them to get a resource&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In other cases medics over-diagnose because they feel like an advocate for a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the current system a formal diagnosis of conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is required before extra teaching supports are provided by the Department of Education.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&Aacute;ine Lynch, CEO of National Parents Council (Primary) said they have been looking for changes to the assessment system for some time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We would be absolutely concerned about the assessment and labelling,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Teachers are the best people to assess children&#39;s learning capabilities and that should be reflected in the allocation of resources.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Lynch said a broader range of questions also needed to be asked in relation to whether children should be labelled with certain disabilities from such a young age.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And writing in today&#39;s Irish Independent, Fianna F&aacute;il&#39;s education spokesman Thomas Byrne described as &quot;shocking and worrying&quot; the idea that some professionals could offer a misdiagnosis for money.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Teresa Griffin, the head of the NCSE, has revealed she has been told first-hand by professionals that they had misdiagnosed children in order to help them get extra resources.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Byrne said the relevant professional bodies &quot;need to respond&quot; to this statement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Making a child &#39;fit&#39; into diagnostic category simply for the purpose of gaining access to learning supports, may mean that a temporary behavioural problem can become a more lasting one,&quot; the Meath East TD said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;A wider issue with over-labelling is the effect it is having on the distribution of educational resources across schools.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There are gross inefficiencies and inequities in the current system of allocating resource teachers across schools.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Education Department is in the process of creating a new model to distribute resources but a firm timeline for its implementation has not been agreed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It will remove the link between a diagnosis of a disability and the allocation of resources, instead placing more emphasis on a schools overall needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The earliest the changes will be in place is September 2017.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Lynch said this will bring a &quot;better way of looking at resources&quot; as schools are best placed to understand the individual needs of children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;A disability label doesn&#39;t tell us best about the child&#39;s educational needs,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 15th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/pressure-grows-on-bruton-in-row-over-adhd-diagnoses-35216412.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/pressure-grows-on-bruton-in-row-over-adhd-diagnoses-35216412.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-15 09:35:31',NULL,'pressure-grows-on-bruton-in-row-over-adhd-diagnoses'),(1721,'Bessborough Mother and baby vaccine trial files altered','<p>\r\n	The files of vaccine trial victims in Bessborough Mother and Baby Home were altered in 2002 &mdash; just weeks after the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse sought discovery of records from the order running the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Material obtained by the Irish Examiner under Freedom of Information shows that changes were made to the records of mothers and children used in the 1960/61 4-in-1 vaccine trials.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) had sought discovery of the records from the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary on July 22, 2002. An affidavit was sworn on October 3, 2002, and on a number of later dates in 2002 and 2003.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The document listing the changes opens with: &ldquo;8.8.02 Checked the 20 files.&rdquo; This is immediately followed by: &ldquo;9.8.02 Made the changes.&rdquo; The changes made to files Nos 5, 8, 11, 12, and 15 to 20 are then detailed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The changes include:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The alteration of discharge dates of mothers (by a period of one year and two years);</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The changing of discharge dates of children;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The changing of admission dates of mothers;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The alteration of the age of a mother (by two years);</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The alteration of dates of adoption;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The changing of baptism dates and location of baptism;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The insertion of certain named locations and information into admission books.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A data protection request released to Bessborough vaccine trial victim Mari Steed in 2011 also confirms this timeline.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A file listing details about both her and her natural mother was created on August 6, 2002. This was done following a request &ldquo;for Solicitor re Vaccine&rdquo;. Ms Steed&rsquo;s natural mother is listed as &ldquo;No 19 on Doctor&rsquo;s List&rdquo;. The record lists &ldquo;All Counties DUBLIN&rdquo; above discharge information pertaining to her mother.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The document listing the changes notes that this information was inserted into Ms Steed&rsquo;s original file.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The entry reads: &ldquo;No 19 [house name redacted] Crossed out the Indoor Reg entry as it is corssed (sic) out in the Book. Inserted DUBLIN after All Counties.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another entry reads: &ldquo;No 17 [house name redacted] Changed nm [natural mother] disch from x/x/60 to x/x/62&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Given that the trial took place between December 1960 and November 1961, this change has the effect of placing this woman in Bessborough during the period her child was vaccinated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If she was, in fact, discharged from Bessborough at the date given in 1960, she could not have been present to consent for her child to have been part of the vaccine trial.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The question of consent was the key issue being examined by the CICA&rsquo;s Vaccines Module before it was shut down in 2003 following a Supreme Court ruling.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Examiner put a series of questions to the the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary in relation to the document. It declined to answer any of them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A statement from Ruair&iacute; &Oacute; Cath&aacute;in solicitors, representing the order, stated that it had &ldquo;no immediate knowledge of any specific event&rdquo; concerning alterations made to records.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We are in contact with the commission in regard to the Mother and Baby Homes Investigation, which is having our full co-operation. For the present, as is appropriate, we will be dealing directly with the commission on all related matters,&rdquo; said a statement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a separate statement, the order said it wished to &ldquo;categorically state that no documents were altered&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In your recent correspondence, you are suggesting that something illegal or inappropriate had occurred in regard to the documents to which you refer,&rdquo; said the statement. &ldquo;This is entirely untrue; and we will continue to deal directly with the official commission on all such matters.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Mother and Baby Homes Commission has copied all the records relating to Bessborough and is currently analysing them alongside the other 17 institutions being examined. Its final report is expected in February 2018.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 15th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/bessborough-mother-and-baby-vaccine-trial-files-altered-430609.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/bessborough-mother-and-baby-vaccine-trial-files-altered-430609.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-15 09:40:38',NULL,'bessborough-mother-and-baby-vaccine-trial-files-altered'),(1722,'\'We\'re sick of being exploited,\' say under-paid childcare professionals','<p>\r\n	More than 300 Irish childcare professionals protested outside Leinster House over low pay as they warned strike action is edging closer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A number of childcare centres across the country closed yesterday in order for management and staff to attend the protest in Dublin, while more held protests inside their facilities to demonstrate their anger at poor pay conditions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The centres are set to unite in the New Year in further protest, as parents and local representatives have been invited to childcare facilities to see the work put in and the salaries they receive.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Childcare professionals are pushing the Government to provide more funding for their sector.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If that doesn&#39;t work, they will consider strike action, according to head of the Association of Childcare Professionals (ACP), Marian Quinn.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is decimating us, providers can&#39;t get staff now, because they are leaving, it is becoming a big crisis for us,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We are looking for the Government to put together a plan so that there is a sustained increase in subsidisation and investment that is tied to pay scales - so to make sure that a person with qualifications and experience is going to come in starting at a particular level. Five years ago people wouldn&#39;t have allowed you to mention the word strike, they would just say we can&#39;t do that, but the thing is now we have reached crisis point where they cannot get employees so we are getting closer to having to take that action.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Manager at T&iacute;r na n&Oacute;g childcare in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, Grainne Toomey, closed her service and travelled to Dublin in protest with staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We are sick of being exploited,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 16th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/were-sick-of-being-exploited-say-underpaid-childcare-professionals-35219448.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/were-sick-of-being-exploited-say-underpaid-childcare-professionals-35219448.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-16 09:55:28',NULL,'were-sick-of-being-exploited-say-under-paid-childcare-professionals'),(1723,'One in eight mums-to-be attacked in their home','<p>\r\n	One in eight women has suffered domestic abuse during pregnancy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Attacks on mums to be in the home are &quot;particularly common&quot;, said Master of the National Maternity Hospital, Dr Rhona Mahony.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They can cause serious harm to women and increase the rates of miscarriage, stillbirth and pre-term birth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking at the SAFE Ireland Summit in Dublin yesterday, Dr Mahony said pregnant women are more likely to be &quot;assaulted in their abdomen than in their face&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	SAFE Ireland aims to transform the culture of gender based violence in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Domestic violence is surprisingly common and particularly common in pregnancy,&quot; Dr Mahony said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;One in eight women, we estimate, suffer from domestic violence during pregnancy.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	International figures suggest, on average, that 4pc to 8pc of women suffer significant domestic violence in pregnancy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is a higher rate than many of the diseases that maternity hospitals screen for during visits of expectant mothers, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Domestic violence during pregnancy does real harm to mothers and babies and to those in the family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is associated with increased rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term birth, anxiety and depression.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;In pregnancy, women are more likely to be assaulted in their abdomen than their face. Pregnancy is not protective. In fact, up to 10pc of cases of domestic violence start for the first time during pregnancy or escalate during pregnancy,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Domestic violence affects all parts of society, &quot;including the highly professional, together woman. She also could be hiding a secret and is also scared to tell her story,&quot; said Dr Mahony.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Shame and stigma are still felt by victims and many experience numerous attacks before asking for help.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Shattered self-esteem can result in the women using alcohol, drugs or cigarettes as coping mechanisms to try to deal with the painful reality.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The violence causes deep depression and anxiety and can lead women to withdraw from family and friends.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is vital that these women realise there is no shame in being a victim, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Appointments when women visit maternity hospitals before the birth are a good time to bring up and address the issue of domestic violence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is an ideal time because this is a particularly dangerous time when the women are pregnant,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Staff meet the women on their own so have the chance to ask personal questions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Even in a busy maternity hospital, women should be asked direct questions about domestic violence, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Mahony also said she would like to see more domestic violence counsellors appointed to maternity hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I would like women to know they are not on their own and there is help there,&quot; she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 16th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/one-in-eight-mumstobe-attacked-in-their-home-35219493.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/one-in-eight-mumstobe-attacked-in-their-home-35219493.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-16 10:02:54',NULL,'one-in-eight-mums-to-be-attacked-in-their-home'),(1724,'Coalition ‘100% committed’ to resourcing mental health','<p>\r\n	Mental Health Minister Helen McEntee insists the Government is &ldquo;100% committed&rdquo; to fully resourcing the sector after concerns were raised over decade-old plans not being implemented.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Fine Gael TD made the comment as the party said it would support opposition calls for increased resources, staff, and the creation of a multi-year budget to properly ringfence available funds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For the third time since the election, the D&aacute;il sat last night to debate a Fianna F&aacute;il motion on the need to address chronic service gaps nationwide.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il mental health spokesman James Browne said there is an &ldquo;urgent&rdquo; need to review funding as both staff and patients in the sector &ldquo;feel ignored and abandoned&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The position was backed by party health spokesman Billy Kelleher, who said &euro;35m budgets &ldquo;have been consistently pilfered&rdquo; for other areas on an annual basis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Confirming that the Government would be supporting the motion, Ms McEntee stressed that Fine Gael is already &ldquo;100% committed&rdquo; to fully reforming the sector.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Citing the fact &euro;35m is due to be &ldquo;invested&rdquo; in the system next year, Ms McEntee said the issue remains a priority.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is a momentum behind this, people are 100% committed to implementing Vision for Change. Other lives will be lost; lives have already been lost,&rdquo; said Ms McEntee, whose father Shane died by suicide in December 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	During the course of the debate, TDs across the political divide &mdash; including Sinn F&eacute;in TD and suicide prevention campaigner Pat Buckley, who has lost relatives to suicide; and Fianna F&aacute;il&rsquo;s Margaret Murphy O&rsquo;Mahony &mdash; highlighted their own experiences of suicide in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Urging people not to &ldquo;play the blame game&rdquo;, Fianna F&aacute;il&rsquo;s Eugene Murphy told colleagues he binned his planned speech after hearing their views.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When I talk about this debate, I think of Deputy McEntee, I think of Deputy Buckley. I know you&rsquo;re sincere, I know your heart&rsquo;s in the right place,&rdquo; he told the D&aacute;il.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 16th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/coalition-100-committed-to-resourcing-mental-health-430765.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/coalition-100-committed-to-resourcing-mental-health-430765.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-16 10:05:17',NULL,'coalition-‘100%-committed’-to-resourcing-mental-health'),(1725,'Online dementia game offers hope of diagnosis breakthrough','<p>\r\n	A game providing data from 2.4 million players will help research into the early stages of Alzheimer&rsquo;s</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An online game following the journey of an elderly former sea explorer who has lost his memories has helped scientists lead a vast international dementia study and given important preliminary results about human orientation skills.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The game, called Sea Quest Hero and developed by Deutsche Telekom and Alzheimer&rsquo;s Research UK, was launched in May and has already generated enough data to help create a global benchmark for the human brain&rsquo;s navigational processes and how they vary between men and women, and between the young and old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It has been played more than 2.4 million times worldwide, giving more than 9,400 years&rsquo; worth of equivalent lab-based research, the scientists said and is showing the potential to be able to help diagnose dementia earlier.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the World Health Organisation, the number of people with dementia in 2015 was estimated at 47.5 million, and that number is rising rapidly as life expectancy increases and societies age. Case numbers are projected to reach 75.6 million by 2030, and to more than triple between now and 2050.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The incurable condition is a leading cause of disability and dependency, and is starting to overtake heart disease as a cause of death in some developed countries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dementia is caused by brain diseases, most commonly Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, which result in the loss of brain cells and affect memory, thinking, behaviour, navigational and spatial abilities and the ability to perform everyday activities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hugo Spiers, a neuroscientist at Britain&rsquo;s University College London who led the research team, said the Sea Hero study was unprecedented in both scale and accuracy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The findings the game is yielding have enormous potential to support vital developments in dementia research,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In preliminary results, published and presented at a neuroscience conference in the United States, scientists found that spatial navigation abilities start to decline from early adulthood continue on this trajectory.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Players aged 19, for example, were 74 percent likely to accurately hit a target during the game, compared with 46 percent among 75-year-old players.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Spiers said this was in stark contrast to findings of previous small studies, which suggest declines start much later.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While memory deterioration is a fairly normal part of ageing, Spiers explained that becoming completely disoriented is not. It is, however, common in people developing dementia.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This means the benchmark established by the initial data from Sea Hero Quest players paves the way to finding the earliest spatial navigational changes, he said. This makes dementia potentially diagnosable long before someone displays symptoms of general memory loss. In turn, this could allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment of patients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since the game&rsquo;s data shows changes in spatial navigation abilities - both declines and improvements - it could also be used in future drug trials to assess the effectiveness of possible treatments, the researchers said. &ndash; (Reuters)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 18th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/online-dementia-game-offers-hope-of-diagnosis-breakthrough-1.2872806\">http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/online-dementia-game-offers-hope-of-diagnosis-breakthrough-1.2872806</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-18 11:41:24',NULL,'online-dementia-game-offers-hope-of-diagnosis-breakthrough'),(1726,'Home help services need to be regulated, says Hiqa chief','<p>\r\n	The country&rsquo;s home help services need to be regulated as many people receiving such care are &ldquo;markedly vulnerable&rdquo;, according to the health watchdog, Hiqa.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hiqa chief executive Pheilim Quinn said statutory regulation in the homecare sector was promised in the Programme for Government, but &ldquo;this does not appear to be a priority for the current Government&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a wide-ranging speech at the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies&rsquo; national conference on safeguarding vulnerable people held in Portlaoise, Mr Quinn also said delays in moving people with special needs from outdated institution-style settings to community settings is inexcusable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Accommodating people in poor-quality environments and in cultures that are not compliant with modern standards could in itself be viewed as abusive,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A large number of services had systems in place that worked against the principles of safe, person centred, integrated care.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This failure to roll out the Government&rsquo;s &lsquo;decongregation&rsquo; policy suggests that this country believes that vulnerable people can make do with &ldquo;well enough&rdquo; care rather than best practice, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Due to the number of substandard care centres for older and dependent persons, he noted it will be 2021 before services for the elderly and disabled meet full environmental compliance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many of the people to be moved from larger &lsquo;congregated&rsquo; settings will become more dependant on homecare &mdash; the sector that Hiqa urgently wants regulated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Homecare regulation should include care provided in emerging service models, such as supported or assisted living services, whereby personal care is provided on an individual or group basis,&rdquo; said Mr Quinn.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also raised questions about &lsquo;checks and balances&rsquo; in place around Section 38 and 39 service providers. These organisations, often charitable and philanthropic groups, are paid &ldquo;substantial money&rdquo; by the State to look after the disabled and elderly, yet some have been found repeatedly wanting in Hiqa audits.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In recent times, Hiqa has identified services that have demonstrated significant non-compliance with basic standards of care; however, these service providers have not had to fear the threat of conditions being placed on their contractual arrangement with the funder, i.e. the State,&rdquo; said Mr Quinn.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the HSE must take greater responsibility for the organisations it funds to carry out its work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Calling for a commissioning framework to be introduced, the Hiqa chief said this would ensure &ldquo;agreed strategy, assessed need, best available evidence, service efficacy, value for money, and the capacity and capability to deliver a safe and effective service&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Quinn also said that a state entitlement to &lsquo;safe care&rsquo; should exist for the most vulnerable including the homeless, prisoners, migrants or asylum seekers in direct provision.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Adult safeguarding legislation should be put in place to prevent and stop abuse and neglect in these vulnerable groups, Mr Quinn added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 18th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/home-help-services-need-to-be-regulated-says-hiqa-chief-431108.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/home-help-services-need-to-be-regulated-says-hiqa-chief-431108.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-18 11:42:58',NULL,'home-help-services-need-to-be-regulated-says-hiqa-chief'),(1727,'Al Porter praised after revealing stigma of depression','<p>\r\n	Comedian Al Porter has revealed his struggles with depression and has said the stigma about the condition even forced him to hide his medication after he was prescribed anti-depressants by a doctor.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking on Wednesday night&#39;s edition of Brendan O&#39;Connor&#39;s Cutting Edge on RT&Eacute; One, the 23-year-old Tallaght man spoke candidly about the difficulties in coming to terms with a diagnosis of depression.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said that until recently he hadn&#39;t understood the stigma that surrounded mental health issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I&#39;ve heard friends of mine like Bressie talk about it kind of thinking I can&#39;t really get where you are coming from and then I realised someone as confident as me, I&#39;d tell people anything about myself - every detail. I&#39;m an open book&quot;, he told the panel.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I couldn&#39;t even admit, yeah I need those pills like, they&#39;re going to keep me balanced.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Porter revealed that he went to a doctor to discuss his health, after a friend expressed concern that he was unable to enjoy his on-stage success, which included a nomination Best Comedy Show award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards and an IFTA Rising Star Award.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However he said that despite being prescribed anti-depressants he was still very reluctant to disclose the fact and had only told his mother two hours before going on air on Cutting Edge that he was taking medication.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I am going to tell you something now that I didn&#39;t even tell my mam until two hours ago and I rang her because I knew I was going to say it to you.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also revealed that the stigma about depression made him too embarrassed to discuss it with his family doctor.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;So I went to a doctor, wouldn&#39;t even go to my own doctor. I went to a doctor in Carlow so I could do outside of Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;He said. `look you need anti-depressants&#39; and I never thought that I would be that person. And nobody in my family would think that I would be that person.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Porter went on to say that the stigma he felt about his depression also led him to go to great lengths to hide the diagnosis from his family, including concealing his medication and having the prescription written out to different names.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I have been hiding them in my house, I have had my friend go pick them up because I don&#39;t want to go in with the prescription, I&#39;ve had the prescription written to different names than my own,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He added that his own struggles have made him realise just how difficult it can be for people to deal with mental health issues and be open about them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If I can&#39;t cope with that, Jesus knows how someone who doesn&#39;t have the confidence that I have does and is in their bed for three weeks thinking `who am I going to get to pick them up for me?&#39; At least I&#39;ve a manager&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	With his hands visibly shaking, Porter also produced the medication to show to the panel, and said as a result of taking them he was &quot;functioning much better&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The comedian was widely praised on social media for his honest account of his struggles, including a pat on the back from fellow funnyman Dara O&#39;Briain who said he hoped Al&#39;s openess would help to dispel some of the stigma that exists.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Samaritans: ROI (Free Phone) 116123, NI 08457 90 90 90, 24 hour helpline</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		The Aware Helpline: 1800 804848., 10am to 10pm Seven days a week</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 17th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2016/1117/832329-al-porter-reveals-stigma-of-depression/\">http://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2016/1117/832329-al-porter-reveals-stigma-of-depression/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-18 11:45:30',NULL,'al-porter-praised-after-revealing-stigma-of-depression'),(1728,'\'Critical\' need for legislation to protect vulnerable adults','<p>\r\n	The Chief Executive of HIQA has described as &quot;critical&quot; the need for legislation to protect vulnerable adults, including older people, adults with intellectual disabilities and people with mental health issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Phelim Quinn told RT&Eacute;&#39;s This Week programme that HIQA had been calling for such legislation since 2014.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However no such legislation is listed on the Government programme of legislation for the term of the current D&aacute;il.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Quinn said that the HSE &quot;haven&#39;t actually got a legal status in relation to the protection of vulnerable adults&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said this hampered the HSE&#39;s ability to conduct investigations into abuse allegations or concerns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The HSE doesn&#39;t have the right of access, doesn&#39;t have the right of entry or, for that matter, the right of access to information on that individual,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Quinn described the lack of legislation to facilitate this as &quot;a significant gap&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HIQA chief called for &quot;very, very specific safeguarding legislation for vulnerable adults&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said this should grant the HSE &quot;the ability as a lead agency of the state to lead on inquiries into what are actual or potential safeguarding circumstances&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Quinn told This Week that HIQA is seeking &quot;something akin to Children First legislation&quot;, under which adults could be removed from risk and protected from abuse swiftly by social care workers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the RTE.ie on the 20th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1120/833118-vulnerable/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1120/833118-vulnerable/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-21 11:58:27',NULL,'critical-need-for-legislation-to-protect-vulnerable-adults'),(1729,'Schools to be forced to provide performance updates to parents','<p>\r\n	New Bill could also see secondary pupils becoming members of boards of management</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Schools will be obliged to provide performance updates to parents and students for the first time under a new legally enforceable charter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The measure is contained in a new Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill due to be published over the coming weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Times understands that all schools will be required by law to have a parent and student charter based on key guidelines set out by the Minister for Education.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These charters will aim to strengthen the way parents and students are consulted over the running of schools and to provide more transparent ways of handling complaints.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Consideration will be given to including secondary students on school boards of management for the first time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, schools will be required to inform parents and students about their performance in teaching and learning, as well as acknowledging any &ldquo;gaps, deficiencies or room for improvement&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Handling complaints</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Schools will also be required to provide information on the number of complaints made against it and to publish the number of cases where grievances were accepted or upheld.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Until now, the Minister for Education has had little or no role in handling complaints about a school or decisions made by a board of management.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The new legislation, however, will give the Minister powers to direct school boards of management to draw up parents and student charters and to comply with published guidelines.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Ombudsman for Children will also have greater powers to investigate complaints made against schools even when they are still under consideration.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, the Minister may direct schools to comply with guidance or recommendations made by the ombudsman.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This appears to be a modification of a Bill proposed by Fine Gael TD Jim Daly and accepted by the Government earlier this year which sought to establish a separate ombudsman for education, who would have powers to investigate grievances against schools.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Approved by Cabinet</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The heads of the Bill were approved by the Cabinet recently and are due to be published soon by Minister for Education&nbsp;Richard Bruton.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The overall approach is to shift away from reacting to problems in schools once they have escalated into grievances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Instead, the emphasis will be on improving the day-to-day experiences of students and what their parents can expect from schools.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This will be done by setting out in law the principles or guidelines that schools must apply in their engagement with students and parents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It means a departure from complaint processes used at present in schools, particularly those relating to teachers&rsquo; behaviour or performance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Education sources say these procedures are considered unduly adversarial as they require parents to act as a prosecutor and require a significant burden of proof.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the new proposals, schools would be obliged to set out how they handle complaints, show how issues have been handled and provide reasons for why decisions are made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At primary level, age-appropriate consultation with students will be encouraged, while at second-level the full or partial involvement of students in boards of management will be considered.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 21st November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/schools-to-be-forced-to-provide-performance-updates-to-parents-1.2875809\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/schools-to-be-forced-to-provide-performance-updates-to-parents-1.2875809</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-21 12:12:12',NULL,'schools-to-be-forced-to-provide-performance-updates-to-parents'),(1730,'HSE fails to assess 2,500 kids for disability','<p>\r\n	The HSE failed to process as many as 2,500 applications from parents to have their children&rsquo;s needs assessed on foot of a disability &mdash; despite a legal requirement to do so within six months writes Catherine Shanahan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of 5,818 applications in 2015, just 3,318 (less than 60%) had assessments completed. Under the 2005 Disability Act, the assessments must be completed within six months. However, just 1,035 were conducted within this timeframe.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In fact, &ldquo;some&rdquo; of the 1,035 required an extended timeframe due to &ldquo;exceptional circumstances&rdquo;, the HSE said, as permitted under the regulations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The delays are against a backdrop of recognition by the Government and the HSE of the importance of early intervention in improving outcomes for children with a disability.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The upshot for parents is that thousands are paying privately for assessments and vital follow-up therapies that should be available in the public system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Moreover, no follow-up services such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy have been available since last November to children assessed as having a need, according to autism charity Shine.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Shine chief executive Kieran Kennedy said the system was &ldquo;gone beyond crisis&rdquo; to &ldquo;broken&rdquo;, and that without an assessment and potential diagnosis, parents &ldquo;had no baseline from which to measure if their children were making any progress&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Government and the HSE both say early intervention is the key for a child&rsquo;s development, but they are only paying lip service to this,&rdquo; Mr Kennedy said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Shine&rsquo;s figures show a dramatic increase in numbers resorting to a private diagnosis for children under five. In 2014, the figure was 107; between January 1 and October this year, the figure is 216. Private diagnoses can cost from several hundred euro to more than &euro;1,000.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE did not provide a direct answer when asked if follow-up services were unavailable since last November to children assessed as having a need.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said it was &ldquo;reconfiguring existing therapy resources into geographic-based Children&rsquo;s Disability Network Teams&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In relation to failure to meet statutory timeframes in conducting assessments of need, the HSE said it &ldquo;recognises that it faces significant challenges in respect of meeting the statutory time-frames&rdquo; and that while any delay is &ldquo;not desirable&rdquo; it &ldquo;should not be interpreted as meaning that the child is necessarily waiting for necessary, identified interventions&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE said statutory timeframes do not always afford enough time to complete the assessment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Clinicians will often want to observe a child in various environments over a number of months before committing to a final diagnostic assessment,&rdquo; the HSE said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said the average duration of the assessment process per report completed in 2015 was 10.4 months and that the number of applications had more than doubled since 2008.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The issue of delayed assessment is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon as the number of applications continues to rise. In the first half of 2016, 3,082 applications were received indicating that more than 6,000 will be received by year end. The number of assessment reports completed for children with Autism Spector Disorder in 2015 was 582, up from 422 in 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the Disability Act, any child born after June 1, 2002, presenting with a possible disability is entitled to have their needs assessed. The HSE said even though it had experienced an increased demand for assessment of autism, &ldquo;we cannot be sure that this is a result of increased prevalence&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, four out of five challenges to assessments conducted by the HSE of children suspected of having a disability are made by parents living in Cork.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The latest annual report of the Office of the Disability Appeals Officer shows cases involving children from Cork accounted for 80% of complaints in 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 21st November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/hse-fails-to-assess-2500-kids-for-disability-765024.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/hse-fails-to-assess-2500-kids-for-disability-765024.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-21 12:13:44',NULL,'hse-fails-to-assess-2500-kids-for-disability'),(1731,'Children’s Palliative Care Programme a big support for terminally-ill children','<p>\r\n	Hundreds of terminally ill children in Ireland have had their lives greatly improved by a new palliative care programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Children&rsquo;s Palliative Care Programme (CPCP), which included outreach nurses and training programmes, was adopted seven years ago and its impact has just been evaluated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Lucy Greene lives with her family in Co Clare. They lost two babies, Darragh and Ronan, due to a rare disorder. Darragh died in 2008, when he was aged almost six months, and Ms Greene said there seemed to be &ldquo;very little help available&rdquo; to them at the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She made regular trips to the emergency department with her son to access medical help, as his condition deteriorated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, when her son Ronan was born in December 2012 with a similar neurological disorder, the family was able to access the CPCP and had a trained outreach nurse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Because Ronan was being properly cared for by the team, he was much more comfortable,&rdquo; said Ms Greene. He died less than three months after his birth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As of December 2015, the children&rsquo;s outreach nurses service was providing help to 267 children with life-limiting conditions in Ireland. This figure stands against the statistic that about 350 children die before their 18th birthday in Ireland every year. An evaluation of the programme found the quality of life for the children had improved.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Health Minister Simon Harris launched the report yesterday, saying: &ldquo;Naturally there is always room for improvement and further development, but this report is clear evidence of the progress that has been made and the real difference the introduction of these services has made to children and their families.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sharon Foley, CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF), said more work needed to be done in the area. &ldquo;We need to acknowledge that there are some parts of the country where parents are still waiting for these services or areas where the existing services are overstretched,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 22nd November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/childrens-palliative-care-programme-a-big-support-for-terminally-ill-children-431684.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/childrens-palliative-care-programme-a-big-support-for-terminally-ill-children-431684.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-22 09:41:41',NULL,'children’s-palliative-care-programme-a-big-support-for-terminally-ill-children'),(1732,'Alarm over proposed Philippine law to jail 9-year-olds','<p>\r\n	Proposals include restoring the death penalty and lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children as young as nine could be jailed in the Philippines for certain crimes under a proposed law backed by the president.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	President Rodrigo Duterte&rsquo;s allies have been pushing to pass laws by December that would restore the death penalty and lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 9.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Duterte won the May elections largely because of a vow to kill tens of thousands of drug dealers, also promising on the campaign trail to close a loophole in the juvenile justice system that he said allowed traffickers to use minors as narcotic couriers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Adult criminals knowingly and purposely make use of youth below 15 years of age to commit crimes, such as drug trafficking,&rdquo; Pantaleon Alvarez, one of the proposed law&rsquo;s main backers, said in an explanatory note.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While Duterte wanted the age threshold dropped to 12, his allies went one step further by calling for it to be lowered to nine.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Obligations</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UN children&rsquo;s agency UNICEF reminded the Philippines of its international obligations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Manila is a state party to the UN convention on the rights of the child, which says criminal responsibility below the age of 12 is not acceptable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A UNICEF spokesman said: &ldquo;Jail is no place for a child. It is alarming for children to be institutionalised. It will be retrogression on the part of the Philippine government.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Rights organisations launched a campaign called #ChildrenNotCriminals to urge lawmakers to reconsider their support for the law.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One of the groups, Plan International, told AFP that children on the wrong side of the law were often victims of criminal gangs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is unfair that it&rsquo;s always the children who are blamed. This will result in children becoming hardened criminals,&rdquo; said Ernesto Almocera of Plan International Philippines.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The advocates appealed to Duterte to explore factors that led children to commit crimes, such as poverty and lack of parental guidance and education.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We cannot hold children to the same standard as we hold adult offenders,&rdquo; Melanie Llana of the Philippine Action for Youth Offenders told AFP. &ldquo;Are we really going to jail 9-year-olds who we know are not fully mature?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Duterte&rsquo;s hardline approach to criminals has drawn criticism from its ally the United States, the UN and human rights groups.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nearly 2,000 people have been killed in police operations and 2,800 have died in unexplained circumstances since Duterte took office on June 30, according to official figures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Critics allege some of these deaths amount to state-sponsored extrajudicial killings, a charge Duterte has rejected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 21st November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/philippines-president-jail-nine-year-olds-3093936-Nov2016/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/philippines-president-jail-nine-year-olds-3093936-Nov2016/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-22 09:43:38',NULL,'alarm-over-proposed-philippine-law-to-jail-9-year-olds'),(1733,'Report to back €34m payout to symphysiotomy victims','<p>\r\n	A long-awaited Government report into &ldquo;barbaric&rdquo; operations on thousands of pregnant women between the 1940s and 1984 will recommend at least &euro;34m in State payouts to victims when it is published today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Health Minister Simon Harris will seek Government approval for the publication of the two-year investigation into the scale of symphysiotomies during the weekly cabinet meeting this morning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report, by former High Court judge Maureen Harding Clark, was commissioned by Mr Harris&rsquo;s predecessor Leo Varadkar in late 2014 in a bid to highlight the full extent of cases involved.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was officially set up to ensure now elderly women could receive compensation of &euro;50,000 to &euro;150,000 without the need for drawn-out court cases. However, it has been criticised by some victims over the fact any payment recipients will be barred from taking further action and claims its terms of reference were kept deliberately narrow to reduce the potential compensation bill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Judge Clark&rsquo;s report is expected to conclude that hundreds of women should be paid the ex gratia sums for what happened to them and the total figure should be in the region of &euro;34m.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her report will also raise questions over the actions of doctors, hospitals, health boards, and the Department of Health during the period amid claims that the rights of vulnerable women were not protected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The now banned symphysiotomy and pubiotomy procedures involved sawing open a woman&rsquo;s pelvic bone in certain complicated childbirth situations, causing intense pain and life-long complications.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While it was consigned to history across the vast majority of western Europe by the 1950s, it continued to be forced on some women without their explicit consent up to 1984 in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This was because the alternative, C-sections, were deemed incompatible with Catholic teaching and due to what previous critics have claimed were overly ambitious actions of individual doctors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While Patient Focus and SOS Ltd support the payout scheme, Survivors of Symphysiotomy has described it as an attempt to ensure the State is not sued for the &ldquo;barbaric&rdquo; acts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 22nd November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/report-to-back-34m-payout-to-symphysiotomy-victims-431724.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/report-to-back-34m-payout-to-symphysiotomy-victims-431724.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-22 09:51:20',NULL,'report-to-back-€34m-payout-to-symphysiotomy-victims'),(1734,'Plea for action on Cork suicide crisis','<p>\r\n	Mental health campaigner Conor Cusack has called for the establishment of a 24/7 &ldquo;emotional wellbeing centre&rdquo; in response to the carnage caused by the suicide crisis sweeping Cork.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a moving appeal, Mr Cusack told of how he helped cut a friend&rsquo;s son down from a tree recently &mdash; one of 16 people to die by suspected suicide in the region in the last two weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A taskforce is to meet early next month to discuss a multi-agency response to the crisis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Among those to have died by suicide in the city in recent weeks include an 18-year-old scout from Greenmount, and two of his friends, a 15-year-old girl from Ballyphehane and a 17-year-old girl, a fifth-year student, from Rochestown.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An 18-year-old boy from Mayfield, a 20-year-old man from Togher, and a 44-year-old woman from Ballyphehane are also suspected to have died by suicide in recent days.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The rate of suicides in the city and county is almost twice the national average.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Cusack called for the establishment of a 24/7 &ldquo;emotional wellbeing centre&rdquo; in the city to support those at risk of suicide, and said society needs to remove the stigma associated with mental health.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the tragedy is that very few people in distress come forward seeking support and help.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Because of this omnipresent stigma that still surrounds this very common aspect of the human experience, only two people in ten in distress come forward to get support,&rdquo; he told 96FM.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;People think if you have difficulty with some aspect of your wellbeing that somehow it&rsquo;s a weakness. If that&rsquo;s the case, then there are a lot of weak people, a lot of weak inter-county sports people, a lot of weak politicians, priests, and people running multinational companies.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While he described the mental health sector as one of the most neglected in the Irish health service, he said it is not just a government or health service issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This is a society issue,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The reality is this is a responsibility we all have. We all share responsibility to make a change.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There have been task-forces involved in this for as long as I can remember. It&rsquo;s an action force we need.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cork South-Central Sinn F&eacute;in TD Donnchadh &Oacute; Laoghaire has called for national intervention to find out what has caused the tragedies. He told the D&aacute;il he personally knew two of those who have lost their lives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I speak on behalf of a community which is hurting, which has been shocked and traumatised by the loss of so many people in recent weeks,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A taskforce is to meet next month to discuss a multi-agency response to the crisis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE&rsquo;s suicide prevention officer for Cork, Martin Ryan, will attend the meeting, which is to be chaired by Lord Mayor Des Cahill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other speakers will include Garda Chief Supt Mick Finn, staff from Pieta House, the Breaking the Cycle suicide support group from Cobh, and experts from the National Suicide Research Foundation at UCC.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The meeting will also be attended by representatives of For&oacute;ige, the UCC and CIT students&rsquo; unions, and some sporting organisations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Details of a new teenage mental wellbeing service, Jigsaw, which is due to open in Cork in January, will also be unveiled.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Independent councillor Mick Finn, who is organising the meeting, says the public is asking what is being done.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We cannot continue to wait for central government to act,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The human cost has been far too high in Cork for such a waiting game.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Finn said he believes more preventative work needs to be done through the schools network.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I have written to both the education and health ministers, asking them to urgently provide resources to roll out these services in Cork, and indeed nationwide,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The meeting will be held at Cork City Hall on Monday, December 5.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Helpline: HSE South 24/7 freephone suicide helpline: 1800 742745</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 23rd November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/plea-for-action-on-cork-suicide-crisis-431924.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/plea-for-action-on-cork-suicide-crisis-431924.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-23 12:17:51',NULL,'plea-for-action-on-cork-suicide-crisis'),(1735,'Turkey forced to withdraw controversial child sex law','<p>\r\n	Turkey&#39;s government has withdrawn a controversial proposal that critics said would have allowed men accused of sexually abusing under-age girls to go free if they were married to their victims.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The proposal, which was scheduled for a final vote in parliament yesterday, would have deferred sentencing for sexual assault of minors in cases where there was no physical force and where the victim and perpetrator were married.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The government said it would submit the proposal to a parliamentary committee for review.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The age of consent in Turkey is 18, although courts permit civil marriages from 16. Many younger people are married in Islamic ceremonies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The government has argued for the need to redress &quot;unfair treatment&quot; of families where men were jailed for marrying girls under the age of 18 even if both parties and their parents consented. The proposal was made by the ruling Justice and Development Party, rooted in Turkey&#39;s Islamic movement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 23rd November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/turkey-forced-to-withdraw-controversial-child-sex-law-35237710.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/turkey-forced-to-withdraw-controversial-child-sex-law-35237710.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-23 12:24:08',NULL,'turkey-forced-to-withdraw-controversial-child-sex-law'),(1736,'Charge for registering child’s death to be waived','<p>\r\n	Parents will no longer be charged to register the deaths of their children, Minister Leo Varadkar has told the D&aacute;il.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Following representations from Kerry TD Brendan Griffin, Mr Varadkar informed TDs that charges will no longer apply to those who find themselves in the tragic situation of losing a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A number of months ago, Mr Griffin had lobbied to have charges waived for registering the deaths of stillborn babies, but that measure is now being extended to all children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Paying tribute to Mr Griffin, Mr Varadkar said he was delighted to announce that the waiver will come into effect shortly and he also thanked Health Minister Simon Harris for supporting the proposal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cabinet has also signed off on Budget measures granting almost 11,000 medical cards to those in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Separately Government has been criticised over appointing the chairman of the newly formed water commission without consulting the entire D&aacute;il.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Toaiseach Enda Kenny defended the appointment of Independent Senator P&aacute;draig &Oacute; C&eacute;idigh to chair the special Oireachtas committee to consider water charges.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It comes as it was revealed that the committee will have the power to call and question witnesses.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Government has yet to form a united view on the future of water charges. While Fine Gael has stuck with its position that there should be a &ldquo;generous allowance&rdquo; and &ldquo;modest charges&rdquo;, a spokeswoman for the Independent Alliance said the grouping was stressing &ldquo;fairness&rdquo; in relation to any future water charges.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She stressed that many members of the Alliance represent rural constituencies and are aware that many households are already paying for water through group water schemes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Simon Coveney this week announced the appointment of the Mr &Oacute; C&eacute;idigh, founder of Aer Arann, to head up the board.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sinn F&eacute;in leader Gerry Adams claimed in the D&aacute;il that Mr Coveney &ldquo;has no authority to appoint the chairperson of an Oireachtas committee&rdquo; and in doing so it was &ldquo;a serious departure from normal Oireachtas procedure&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 23rd November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/charge-for-registering-childs-death-to-be-waived-431905.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/charge-for-registering-childs-death-to-be-waived-431905.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-23 12:25:27',NULL,'charge-for-registering-child’s-death-to-be-waived'),(1737,'Traveller ethnicity recognition to be backed by Taoiseach','<p>\r\n	European and Irish bodies have long sought ethnic minority status for Travellers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Taoiseach Enda Kenny has resolved to support the recognition of Traveller ethnicity, saying the Government will begin to take steps towards this end in the new year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kenny told journalists on Wednesday he had asked Minister of State at the Department of Justice David Stanton to prepare a report for the social affairs committee on the question of recognising Traveller ethnicity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said that there were no constitutional bars to the move and that officials have looked at the experience in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report is expected in a few weeks, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, reliable sources told The Irish Times that Mr Kenny supports recognition and the Government will shortly start making legal preparations for the move.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Recognition as an ethnic minority has long been sought by representatives of the Traveller community but has been consistently refused by successive governments.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Traveller ethnicity</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Oireachtas Justice Committee recently held hearings on Traveller ethnicity and the previous committee, during the last D&aacute;il, issued a report recommending that the State recognise Travellers as a distinct ethnic minority, though the Fine Gael-Labour government declined to act on its recommendations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At the recent hearings, the Chief Human Rights Commissioner Emily Logan said the Council of Europe had contacted her with a view to visiting Ireland to investigate the treatment of Travellers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The European Commission has also begun an investigation into possible breaches of EU rules on racial equality, which may result in legal action against the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Announcing its investigation last summer, the commission said: &ldquo;Travellers appear to face discrimination in Ireland in a number of fields, including housing, employment and access to goods and services.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A number of UN committees have also called on the State to recognise Traveller ethnicity in recent years, as have State bodies such as the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Traveller activists have campaigned for many years for the State to recognise them as an ethnic minority.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although Travellers have been specifically protected as a group by anti-discrimination laws, Traveller representatives say they still regularly experience discrimination in many aspects of their lives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Traveller advocacy group Pavee Point welcomed Mr Kenny&rsquo;s statement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a statement, the group said: &ldquo;Recognition of Traveller ethnicity will be a major step forward for Travellers, cultural diversity and equality in Ireland - especially in the centenary year of a Proclamation that promises to cherish all the children of the State equally.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This statement makes me proud to be Irish,&rdquo; said Martin Collins, director of Pavee Point. &ldquo;Finally our community will have the recognition we deserve.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 23rd November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/traveller-ethnicity-recognition-to-be-backed-by-taoiseach-1.2879805\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/traveller-ethnicity-recognition-to-be-backed-by-taoiseach-1.2879805</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-24 10:16:50',NULL,'traveller-ethnicity-recognition-to-be-backed-by-taoiseach'),(1738,'Severely disabled child denied education for 10 months after allegations of abuse at school','<p>\r\n	A new report from the Ombudsman for Children says education must be adaptable to the individual needs of children</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A ten-year-old child with severe disabilities was left without education for nearly a year while a child protection case was ongoing concerning alleged abuse in his school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A&nbsp;new report&nbsp;from the Ombudsman for Children highlights the case, where the parents of the boy, referred to as &lsquo;Lorcan&rsquo; in the report, noticed &ldquo;unexplained and unusual bruises and bite marks on his body&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His parents took the boy, who is unable to speak, out of the school for children with special needs in April 2012 and made a complaint to the Garda&iacute;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While an investigation into the abuse was ongoing, the parents made an application to the Department of Education and Skills in September 2012 for home tuition funding, as Lorcan awaited a place to open up in a different school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This request, however, was initially denied. The report said:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Department were of the view that he was ineligible for home tuition as he had been voluntarily removed from his original school and still had a place there.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The department eventually relented and funded home tuition for Lorcan in February 2013. Further delays in processing an application occurred between October 2013 and December 2013 when a school place still could not be found for the boy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After Lorcan&rsquo;s mother made a complaint about the Department&rsquo;s conduct, the Ombudsman for Children found that the way the application for home tuition was handled, and the delays involved, &ldquo;negatively impacted&rdquo; Lorcan while he waited for a new school place.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Ombudsman made a number of recommendations to the Department after reviewing the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In September 2014, Lorcan was granted a place in a new school, and representatives from the Department met with his family and apologised for the delays in processing the applications.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Ombudsman welcomed the action taken by the Department of Education and Skills&rsquo; following this case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report said: &ldquo;The Department has accepted that there are cases where children do not fit in easily into schemes and that a clear process for dealing with such applications is necessary.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Child-centred approach</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other case studies highlighted in the report included a child in residential care who went without a school placement for a full school year and had to defer his Junior Certificate exams, and a 13-year-old who was rejected by 28 schools over two years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since 2010, the Ombudsman for Children has received 3,148 complaints about schools. Last year, 800 complaints related to education were received.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking upon the publication of the new Education in Focus report, Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon said:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is important that children receive education and supports that meet their needs at different times of their lives. This requires an education system to be flexible in taking a child centred, individual approach where necessary.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;As children&rsquo;s rights become more and more embedded in the way Government works, it is vital that the education system continues to adapt and grow to allow for the greater variety of issues arising for children.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the TheJournal.ie on the 23rd November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/ombudsman-report-children-3097132-Nov2016/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/ombudsman-report-children-3097132-Nov2016/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-24 10:21:09',NULL,'severely-disabled-child-denied-education-for-10-months-after-allegations-of-abuse-at-school'),(1739,'Many Irish women have faced violence since age of 15, Dáil told','<p>\r\n	Ruth Coppinger questions Government commitment to tackling domestic violence</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An estimated one in four Irish women have experienced physical and sexual violence since the age of 15, the D&aacute;il has heard.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	AAA-PBP TD Ruth Coppinger also said that one in three women had experienced psychological violence, and &ldquo;at what is meant to be a special time in a woman&rsquo;s life the Rotunda Hospital estimates that one in eight pregnant women experiences violence&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Coppinger questioned the Government&rsquo;s commitment to dealing with domestic violence as she highlighted concerns about why women stay in abusive relationships.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;What can a woman expect if she tried to escape a violent relationship in Enda Kenny&rsquo;s Ireland,&rdquo; she asked of the Taoiseach.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kenny said he was &ldquo;appalled&rdquo; by domestic violence and that they were two words that should never go together.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Shames manhood&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It shames manhood for those who beat women. It&rsquo;s a crime to beat a woman.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He added that &ldquo;those who profess in their manhood or their machoness that they&rsquo;re doing good by beating women, do themselves and their families and our nation down&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Taoiseach also told the D&aacute;il that the Domestic Violence Bill would be published before the end of the year. With its measures a victim would no longer have to have equal or greater interest in a property from which a perpetrator was being barred, and could bring a family member, friend or support worker to court with them, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It would be possible to give evidence by televisual link, to avoid intimidation of victims. Perpetrators would be barred from communicating with victims electronically.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Coppinger said a woman trying to escape an abusive relationship might not be able to get through to a helpline because the Government &ldquo;has systematically cut funding for organisations such as Women&rsquo;s Aid.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Risk homelessness</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If she seeks refuge she will probably become one of the 6,000 women turned away from refuges last year &ndash; that&rsquo;s 16 every day.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She pointed out that the charity, Sonas, said &ldquo;many women were staying in the home to be abused rather than risk homelessness&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She called on Mr Kenny to &ldquo;specifically agree to increase refugee space to the European norm of one per 10,000. Will you agree to provide rent allowance to any woman fleeing domestic violence?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Taoiseach said child and family Agency Tusla was providing &euro;20.6 million this year to support 60 services for those affected by domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and would receive an increase of &euro;37 million in 2017.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He added that &euro;12 million was in place for emergency refuge and support services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by The Irish Times on the 23rd November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/many-irish-women-have-faced-violence-since-age-of-15-d%C3%A1il-told-1.2879764\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/many-irish-women-have-faced-violence-since-age-of-15-d%C3%A1il-told-1.2879764</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-24 10:23:02',NULL,'many-irish-women-have-faced-violence-since-age-of-15-dã¡il-told'),(1740,'Male Travellers\' lives cut short by 15 years','<p>\r\n	Traveller men live an average of 15 years fewer than those in the settled community, new research has discovered.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Traveller rights organisation Pavee Point has presented a position paper on the health of men in the community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The research has found that Traveller men have a suicide rate that is seven times higher than settled men.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Our lives are cut shorter simply because we are Traveller men,&quot; said Patrick Reilly, men&#39;s health worker.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking at the event Niall Breslin said that the statistics on Traveller men&#39;s health were &quot;horrific&quot;. Singer Christy Moore also attended. &quot;Asking for help takes great courage,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on 24<sup>th</sup> November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/male-travellers-lives-cut-short-by-15-years-35240991.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/male-travellers-lives-cut-short-by-15-years-35240991.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-25 13:37:54',NULL,'male-travellers-lives-cut-short-by-15-years'),(1741,'SPECIAL REPORT: 20 years of the Femicide Watch Project','<p>\r\n	In a special report, we look at 20 years of the Femicide Watch Project and ask what needs to be done to better protect women and children from domestic abuse and homicide</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Claire O&rsquo;Sullivan</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If a woman is to meet a violent death in this country, it won&rsquo;t most likely happen on a dimly-lit city street, on a stretch of barren waste ground, or in a half-empty multi-story car park.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An Irish woman is most likely to be killed in her home, the place that should be her sanctuary, her refuge from the outside world.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The typical Irish female homicide victim is stabbed or strangled in her home at the hands of somebody they once loved, according to a chilling 20-year analysis of the killing of women in this country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Women&rsquo;s Aid Femicide Watch Project 1996-2016 research shows that the stabbing and strangulation of such homicide victims &ldquo;mirrors&rdquo; the disclosures of attempted strangulation and assault with knives disclosed daily by domestic abuse victims to Women&rsquo;s Aid counsellors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the past two decades, 209 women have died violently in this country. Nearly two thirds of these women, numbering 131, were killed in their own homes. Where an attacker was identified, at least 54% were killed by a partner or a former partner, while another 33% were killed by a male family member or acquaintance. Just 21 of these 209 women were murdered by strangers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sixteen children died in the same violent frenzy that killed their mothers. Two women were pregnant at the time of their death.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the figures, rape or sexual violence was involved in 22 of these women&rsquo;s deaths and, in seven cases, the women were identified as being involved in prostitution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 13 cases, the woman was actively talking about leaving the doomed relationship, or was in the midst of saying goodbye.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Women&rsquo;s Aid Behind Closed Doors report is a stark analysis of how domestic violence can&rsquo;t be viewed separately from the murder or manslaughter of women.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It highlights how beatings or physical abuse in the home &ldquo;can be lethal&rdquo;, as the &ldquo;methods of killing are very similar to the types of abuse disclosed to Women&rsquo;s Aid&rdquo; every day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year, their services listened to 22,000 disclosures of abuse of women and children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Counsellors heard of 970 threats to kill women, children, and other family members. There were 579 disclosures last year from women that they had been strangled, smot-hered, assaulted with a weapon, such as a knife, or had been threatened with a weapon.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This finding replicates research from Rutgers University in the United States, which found that the patterns of behaviour and the risk factors exhibited by domestic abusers are also found in homicide cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Physical abuse, threats, sexual assault, violence during pregnancy, barring orders and barring order breaches, controlling behaviour, stalking, and the ending of the relationship all put women at increased risk of violence and death.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Women&rsquo;s Aid first began recording the violent deaths of women in 1996, when 45% of violent deaths in Ireland were the killing of women. Nineteen women died that year. Little has changed since, as that year, too, most of them were killed in their own home and most frequently by somebody they knew. &ldquo;The ultimate aim of this work [Femicide Monitoring Project] is to prevent further loss of life by increasing protection for women in society,&rdquo; says the introduction of this report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Worldwide, female homicide victims are most likely to die in their home, and to be killed by a partner or former partner. What is shocking about this report is that, despite the violent deaths of women displaying similarities worldwide, research around domestic violence homicide or femicide is limited.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Studies in England and Wales have found that escalating physical assault and help-seeking are common features in two thirds of such violent deaths.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This means these women had previously reached out for help and had been used as punchbags for some time before the final fatal attack.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Physical violence was not a previous factor for one third of these women. However, it was found these women had a history of being subjected to &ldquo;extensive jealous surveillance and controlling behaviour&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Most of these 207 deaths didn&rsquo;t happen out of the blue: Their killers had been emotionally, psychologically, or physically abusing them for a protracted period before they met their death. Despite knowing all these risk factors, the under- resourcing of domestic violence services and shelters continues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Call for independent analysis of Irish murder-suicides</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- Claire O&rsquo;Sullivan</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the past 20 years, there have been 22 murder-suicides in this country where a man killed a woman and then killed himself.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Women&rsquo;s Aid Femicide Monitoring Project shows that in all but one of these cases, women were killed by a partner or ex partner. In just one of these 22 cases, the victim was killed by her son.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In four of these murder-suicides, the man killed not only a woman but also her children. Nine children in total have died in murder suicides in this country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	People struggle to understand murder-suicides, but the Women&rsquo;s Aid figures show that it happens to rich and poor, urban and rural, young and old. Victims have ranged in age from 13 to 86.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Three years ago, deputy state pathologist Michael Curtis said murder-suicide appears to have become &ldquo;a regular phenomenon of recent years&rdquo;. He was commenting on research carried out by a student of forensic analysis and investigation at Sligo IT, Ciara Byrne, using data from the State Pathologists Office.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Interestingly, the director of research at the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF), Prof Ella Arensman disputes this, describing them as &ldquo;a relatively rare event&rdquo; earlier this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Byrne research found that most Irish murder-suicide killers had no history of previous psychiatric illness or notable drink and drugs problems.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the US, Jacquelyn C Campbell of John Hopkins University has pointed out that a 10-city research study showed that in 70% of murder-suicide cases involving intimate partners, there was a history of domestic violence. &ldquo;Prior domestic violence is by far the number-one risk factor in these cases,&rdquo; said Ms Campbell.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The country came to a standstill this summer when we learnt of the death of Clodagh Hawe and her three sons, Niall, Liam, and Ryan in Co Cavan. Women&rsquo;s Aid was not happy at the &ldquo;sympathetic media narrative&rdquo; around Alan Hawe where he was painted as &ldquo;an outwardly respected and trusted pillar of the community&rdquo; with &ldquo;mental health&nbsp;seen&nbsp;as the most likely motivation for this brutal crime&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The killings were not being depicted as extreme domestic violence, they said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The support group for domestic abuse victims say they experienced a &ldquo;dramatic increase in calls in the immediate aftermath of the murder of Clodagh Hawe and her boys&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Our staff and volunteers on the 24-hour helpline were supporting women afraid of their partners who had threatened to kill them, the kids or themselves. And their fears are founded on reality,&rdquo; says the Behind Closed Doors report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On August 30, Women&rsquo;s Aid posted on Facebook the statistics of women murdered by a current or former partner.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This changed the way the Cavan murders were being spoken about and resonated deeply with many women distressed by the crimes themselves and the sympathetic media narrative towards Alan Hawe. There were over 3,000 reactions, shares, and comments to this one post, including family members and friends remembering women they loved murdered; their pain still as raw as when it happened,&rdquo; they said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An comprehensive&nbsp;independent analysis of Irish murder-suicides in this country has not taken place but should according to the NSRF. Prof Arensman has called for independent, in-depth investigations of each case &ldquo;in order to improve our knowledge of risk factors and patterns&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Call for multi-agency reviews</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Women&rsquo;s Aid is calling for the introduction&nbsp;for&nbsp;systemic reviews of domestic violence homicides to be introduced.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Such multi-agency reviews would involve family members, friends, social services, the Garda Sioch&aacute;na and voluntary agencies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the authors of Behind Closed Doors, domestic homicide reviews (DHRs) take place in other countries and allow for better recognition and management of the risk factors that can put women at risk of death from people they know.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The information provided by each participant to the review is used to draw a picture of what was happening in the woman&rsquo;s life in the run-up to the homicide and helps formulate recommendations for change.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Women&rsquo;s Aid recommends that Ireland commences the practice of reviewing of all domestic violence homicides. In other jurisdictions, DHRs are systematic multi-agency reviews which are understood to be a route to improving both risk assessment and management alongside identifying gaps in policy and practice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Typically, DHRs involve sharing information between statutory agencies, NGOs and family and other informal networks,&rdquo; the authors said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence was published by the Department of Justice earlier this year with the aim of changing societal attitudes, improving supports to victims and survivors and holding perpetrators to account.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the garda&iacute;, its Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) is at the forefront of this strategy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;An Garda&nbsp;S&iacute;och&aacute;na has already established Victim Support Offices in all 28 divisions, we are also revising our policy on domestic abuse intervention and are developing risk assessment tools to identify and manage risk within families,&rdquo; said a spokesman.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is also undertaking a domestic homicide review process to see what garda&iacute; can learn from these cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na Analysis Service is reviewing incidents of&nbsp;domestic related&nbsp;homicide and plans are in place for the development of a Domestic Homicide review process within GNPSB which will actually review specific cases to identify learning for future improvement,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Women&rsquo;s Aid has welcomed the commitment by An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na to the Second Domestic Violence Strategy and particularly its &ldquo;focus on the perpetrator of domestic violence and the identification and recording of all crimes with a domestic violence motive&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We recommend that these initiatives are fully resourced,&rdquo; a spokeswoman said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, it has urged Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, to go further.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The piloting of risk assessment and management by An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na is a most welcome development but we need to go a step further,&rdquo; the Behind Closed Doors authors said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Domestic homicide reviews would facilitate a refining of risk factors, raise awareness among&nbsp;stake holders&nbsp;and offer direction for improvement in protection for women and children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On UN Day Opposing Violence against Women, Women&rsquo;s Aid publishes a report that shows that a woman in Ireland is more likely to be killed in her own home and by a current or former boyfriend, partner or husband. Margaret Martin, director, outlines 20 years of the Femicide Watch Project and what needs to be done to better protect women and children from domestic abuse and homicide.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	THE year 1996 was a bloody one for women in Ireland. By May, 8 women had been killed since the beginning of the year. More than the total for 1995. By New Year&rsquo;s Eve 19 women had been killed: The majority in their own homes and by someone known to them. Unusally, these killings of women represented 45% of all murder cases for that year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Women&rsquo;s Aid had, at that stage, been working to protect women and children for just over two decades. Our prevalence study, Making the Links, the first of its kind in Ireland, published in 1995 told us that one in five women were affected by domestic abuse. We knew that there was an urgent need to build an understanding of how dangerous domestic violence could be.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since then, Women&rsquo;s Aid has, using newspaper records, charted and highlighted Femicide cases and violent deaths where the victims are female in the Republic of Ireland. Since the beginning of 1996, 209 women have died violently in the Republic of Ireland. 16 children were killed alongside their mothers. 131 women (63%) were killed in their own homes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Where the cases have been resolved, 89 women (54%) were murdered by a current or former male intimate partner. Another 54 (33%) were killed by a male relative or acquaintance; 21 women were murdered by a stranger.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Domestic violence kills women. It kills children too.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Domestic violence includes emotional, physical, financial and sexual abuse. In 2015 we heard over 22,000 disclosures of abuse of women and children. Every day on the Women&rsquo;s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline we hear from women who live on a knife edge of fear and it would be wrong to underestimate the scale and impact of violence against women. Homicide is the ultimate act of domestic violence. Many of the risk factors in domestic violence homicide cases overlap with behaviours and tactics used by perpetrators of domestic violence. Last year there were 970 threats to kill women, children and family members disclosed to Women&rsquo;s Aid. There were 579 additional disclosures of assaults with weapons, threats with weapons and being strangled and smothered.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We know where women are killed. We know how women are killed and by whom. And we know why. It is time to act. Femicide must not be accepted as a fact of life. Women should be safe in their homes and in their relationships.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Women&rsquo;s Aid believes that increased recognition and management of risk factors for intimate partner homicide would lead to an improved response to domestic abuse by the State and its agencies. Women&rsquo;s Aid welcomes the commitment by An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na in the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence to pilot risk assessment, focus on the perpetrator of domestic violence and the identification and recording of all crimes with a domestic violence motive. We recommend that these initiatives are fully resourced including resourcing specialist domestic violence services who are a crucial part of both risk assessment and risk management. But we must go a step further by starting the practice of reviewing of all domestic violence homicides. In other jurisdictions, Domestic Homicide Reviews are systematic multi-agency reviews which are understood to be a route to improving both risk assessment and management alongside identifying gaps in policy and practice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Our Femicide Watch is stark and distressing. But it is necessary.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Lethal violence is at the most severe end of the spectrum of violence against women and the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Dubravka ?Simonovi&acute;c, has prioritised femicide. She called for all states to focus on gender-related killing of women by establishing a Femicide Watch. Ireland, with the foresight of Women&rsquo;s Aid, has 20 years of information. Women&rsquo;s Aid will submit a copy of this Femicide Watch for Ireland to Ms ?Simonovi&acute;c as part of this year&rsquo;s 16 Days of Action campaign.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We publish our Femicide Watch Report after 20 years to pause, and to remember and reflect, on the lives lost to male violence. Each woman murdered is an outrage. An absolute brutal loss of life. There is no greater violation of a woman&rsquo;s human rights than the right to life itself. Women&rsquo;s Aid stands in solidarity with families, friends and communities of women murdered and with the many women currently living with abuse. We remember those women murdered but where no perpetrator has been charged and the other cases yet to come to trial. Our thoughts are with their families who are waiting for justice. And we will continue this work to bring to light, what goes on behind closed doors in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Women&rsquo;s Aid 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900. www.womensaid.ie The Women&rsquo;s Aid Femicide Watch Report 1996 &ndash; 2016 is launched today, UN Day Opposing Violence against Women, November 25, 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Marilyn Rynn</strong>&nbsp;aged 41, died Jan-96 in Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Joyce Quinn</strong>&nbsp;44, Jan-96, Kildare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mary Molumby</strong>&nbsp;86, Mar-96, Tipperary &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sandra Tobin</strong>&nbsp;35, Mar-96, Waterford &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Noeleen Cawley</strong>&nbsp;37, Apr-96, Sligo &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Alison White</strong>&nbsp;13, Apr-96, Donegal &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Anne-Marie Duffin</strong>&nbsp;39, Apr-96, Kerry &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Martina Halligan</strong>&nbsp;33, May-96, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Angela Collins</strong>&nbsp;49, May-96, Limerick &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Patti Bainbridge</strong>&nbsp;61, May-96, Laois &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Patricia Murphy</strong>&nbsp;33, May-96, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Veronica Guerin</strong>&nbsp;37, Jun-96, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Margaret O Sullivan</strong>&nbsp;40, Aug-96, Kerry &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Maura McKinney</strong>&nbsp;58, Aug-96, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Shirley Clince</strong>&nbsp;Sep-96 &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Janet Mooney</strong>&nbsp;29, Sep-96, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Geraldine Diver</strong>&nbsp;42, Dec-96, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sophie Toscan du Plantier</strong>&nbsp;37, Dec-96, Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Belinda Pereira</strong>&nbsp;26, Dec-96, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Miriam O&rsquo;Donohue</strong>&nbsp;42, Jan-97, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mary Callinan</strong>&nbsp;61, Mar-97, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sylvia Sheilds</strong>&nbsp;58, Mar-97, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Bernie Sherry</strong>&nbsp;44, Apr-97, Laois &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Kitty Gubbins</strong>&nbsp;70, May-97, Limerick &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mandy Wong</strong>&nbsp;28 , Jun-97, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Elizabeth Troy</strong>&nbsp;60 , Jul-97, Limerick &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Catherine Doyle</strong>&nbsp;26, Aug-97, Roscommon &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Margaret Murphy</strong>&nbsp;73 , Aug-97 , Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sheila McDonagh</strong>&nbsp;26, Sep-97, Louth &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Maura Shah</strong>&nbsp;39 , Sep-97 , Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Gillian Thornton</strong>&nbsp;20, Oct-97, Mayo &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mary Cully</strong>&nbsp;54, Nov-97, Westmeath &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mary Kelehan</strong>&nbsp;49, Nov-97, Galway &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Eileen Costello</strong>&nbsp;<strong>O&rsquo;Shaughnessy</strong>&nbsp;47, Dec-97, Galway &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mandy Smyth</strong>&nbsp;26, Jan-98 , Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Joan McCarthy</strong>&nbsp;47 , Apr-98, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Georgina O&rsquo;Donnell</strong>&nbsp;21 , May-98 , Limerick &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sinead Kelly</strong>&nbsp;21, Jun-98 , Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Chantal Bergeron</strong>&nbsp;41, Aug-98 , Tipperary &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Theresa Doherty</strong>&nbsp;49, Sep-98, Tipperary &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Christina Hackett</strong>&nbsp;31, Oct-98, Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Marie Dillon</strong>&nbsp;72, Nov-98, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Siobhan Hynes</strong>&nbsp;17 , Dec-98, Galway &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Sheila Lynch</strong>&nbsp;44, Dec-98, Cavan &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Catherine Hegarty</strong>&nbsp;33, Feb-99, Cork &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Layla Brennan</strong>&nbsp;25 , Mar-99, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Marie Hennessy</strong>&nbsp;31, May-99, Kilkenny &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Bente Carroll</strong>&nbsp;45, May-99, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Gertrude Dolan</strong>&nbsp;56 , Jun-99, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Eileen Coyne</strong>&nbsp;82 , Jul-99, Galway &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Bridget McFadden</strong>&nbsp;76, Jul-99, Galway &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Margaret Concannon</strong>&nbsp;72, Jul-99 , Galway &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Charlene McAulliffe</strong>&nbsp;19 , Sep-99 , Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Raonaid Murray</strong>&nbsp;17 , Sep-99 , Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Catherine Mullins</strong>&nbsp;43, Oct-99, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Rachel Sandeman</strong>&nbsp;17, Feb-00, Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Nancy Nolan</strong>&nbsp;80, Feb-00 , Galway &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Jennifer Donnan</strong>&nbsp;42 , Apr-00 , Limerick &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Maeve Byrne</strong>&nbsp;(Children: Alan, 10; Shane, 6) 37, Sep-00, Kilkenny &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Rachel Kiely</strong>&nbsp;22, Oct-00, Cork &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Dearbhla Keating</strong>&nbsp;28, Nov-00 , Waterford &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Jennifer Wilkinson</strong>&nbsp;24, Dec-00, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Susan Prakash</strong>&nbsp;28, Dec-00, Louth &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sandra Collins</strong>&nbsp;29, Dec-00, Mayo &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Jean Reilly</strong>&nbsp;34 , Dec-00, Meath &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mary Whelan</strong>&nbsp;27 , Mar-01 Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Lui Quing</strong>&nbsp;19, Mar-01, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Teresa Joyce</strong>&nbsp;May-01&mdash; Debbie Fox (Children: Trevor, 9; Cillian, 7) 30, Jul-01, Westmeath &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Margaret Fahy</strong>&nbsp;78, Sept-01, Galway &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Linda Dunne</strong>&nbsp;24, Sep-01, Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Bettina Poeschel</strong>&nbsp;28, Sep-01, Meath &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Geraldine Kissane</strong>&nbsp;23, Oct-01, Clare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Lorraine O&rsquo;Connor</strong>&nbsp;19 , Oct-01, Clare &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Lisa Bell</strong>&nbsp;22, Dec-01, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sr Philomena Lyons</strong>&nbsp;68, Dec-01, Monaghan &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Grainne Dillon</strong>&nbsp;24, Jan-02, Limerick &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Joan Power</strong>&nbsp;43, Mar-02, Waterford &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Rosie Collinson</strong>&nbsp;51, Mar-02, Tipperary &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Nichola Sweeney</strong>&nbsp;20, Apr-02, Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Niamh Murphy</strong>&nbsp;17 , May-02, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Nora Kiely</strong>&nbsp;46, Jul-02, Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Carmel Coyne</strong>&nbsp;38, Aug-02, Kildare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mook Ah Mooi</strong>&nbsp;49, Aug-02, Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Sasha Pimosieje</strong>&nbsp;Dec-02, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Christine Quinn</strong>&nbsp;36, Dec-02 , Kilkenny &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Jean Scanlon</strong>&nbsp;33 , Jan-03 , Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Marie Bridgeman</strong>&nbsp;56, Jan-03, Meath &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Cliona Manger</strong>&nbsp;19, Feb-03, Cork &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Natasha Gray</strong>&nbsp;25, Feb-03, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Lindita&nbsp;Kukaj</strong>&nbsp;23, Feb-03, Sligo &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Georgina Eager</strong>&nbsp;29 , May-03 , Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Xiang Yi Wang</strong>&nbsp;21, Jul-03, Wicklow &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Ann Flynn</strong>&nbsp;58, Dec-03 , Roscommon &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Attracta Harron</strong>&nbsp;65, Dec-03, Donegal &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Dolores McCrea</strong>&nbsp;39, Jan-04, Donegal &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Joan Casey</strong>&nbsp;65, Apr-04, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Janet Chaney</strong>&nbsp;47, Apr-04, Louth &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Lorraine Crowley</strong>&nbsp;36, May-04, Waterford &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Jamie Farrelly</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Maughan</strong>&nbsp;13, Jul-04, Cavan &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Paiche Onyemaechi</strong>&nbsp;25, Jul-04, Waterford &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Lynette McKeown</strong>&nbsp;19, Aug-04 , Kildare &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Mary Walsh</strong>&nbsp;54 , Sep-04 Waterford &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Elizabeth McCarthy</strong>&nbsp;32 , Sep-04, Kerry &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Rachel O&rsquo;Reilly</strong>&nbsp;31, Oct-04, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Margeurite O&rsquo;Dwyer</strong>&nbsp;17, Nov-04, Clare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Colleen Mulder</strong>&nbsp;41, Dec-04, Meath &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Celia Bailey</strong>&nbsp;54, Mar-05, Sligo &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mary Hannon</strong>&nbsp;59 , Apr-05, Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Irene White</strong>&nbsp;44, Apr-05, Louth &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Emer O&rsquo;Loughlin</strong>&nbsp;23, Apr-05, Clare &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Catherine McEnery</strong>&nbsp;35, Jul-05, Galway &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Frances Ralph</strong>&nbsp;46, Aug-05, Kildare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Ann Walsh</strong>&nbsp;23, Aug-05, Clare &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Rosemary Dowling</strong>&nbsp;49, Oct-05, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Regina O&rsquo;Connor</strong>&nbsp;48, Nov-05, Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Amy Farrell</strong>&nbsp;21, Jan-06 , Cavan &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Rebecca Kinsella</strong>&nbsp;19, Jan-06, Kildare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Siobhan Kearney</strong>&nbsp;38, Feb-06, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Donna Cleary</strong>&nbsp;22 , Mar-06, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Karen Guinee</strong>&nbsp;23, Jun-06, Galway &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Sheola Keaney</strong>&nbsp;19, Jul-06, Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Breda Ryan</strong>&nbsp;20, Aug-06 , Louth &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Melissa Mahon</strong>&nbsp;14 , Sep-06, Sligo &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Meg Walsh</strong>&nbsp;35, Oct-06 , Waterford &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Baiba Saulite</strong>&nbsp;28, Nov-06, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Rose Patterson</strong>&nbsp;30 , Apr-07, Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Ciara Dunne</strong>&nbsp;(Children: Leanne, 5; Shania, 2) 24 , Apr-07, Wexford &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Anne Marie O&rsquo;Neill</strong>&nbsp;50 , Apr-07, Tipperary &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Sara Neligan</strong>&nbsp;31, Jun-07, Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Mary Sleator</strong>&nbsp;82, Jul-07, Wicklow &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Jean Gilbert</strong>&nbsp;46, Aug-07, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sharon Coughlan</strong>&nbsp;37, Sep-07, Longford &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Amanda Jenkins</strong>&nbsp;27 , Oct-07 , Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Manuela Riedo</strong>&nbsp;17, Oct-07, Galway &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Joanne Mangan</strong>&nbsp;20 , Oct-07, Tipperary &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Marion O&rsquo;Leary</strong>&nbsp;53, Oct-07, Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Ciara N&iacute; Chathmhaoil</strong>&nbsp;22, Nov-07, Carlow &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Sylvia Roche</strong>&nbsp;Kelly 33, Dec-07, Limerick &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Marioara Rostas</strong>&nbsp;19, Jan-08, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Lorraine Flood</strong>&nbsp;(Children: Mark, 6; Julie, 5) 38 , Apr-08 , Wexford &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Lillian Scanlon</strong>&nbsp;45, May-08, Westmeath (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Nicola Vonkova</strong>&nbsp;19 , Jul-08, Galway &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Kezia Gomes Rosa</strong>&nbsp;26, Aug-08, Roscommon &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Yvonne O&rsquo;Shea</strong>&nbsp;40, Nov-08 , Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Carmel Breen</strong>&nbsp;57, Nov-08, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Noeleen Brennan</strong>&nbsp;38, Nov-08, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Celine Cawley</strong>&nbsp;46, Dec-08, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Rebecca Hoban</strong>&nbsp;28, Dec-08, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sharon Whelan</strong>&nbsp;(Children:&nbsp;Zsara, 7; Nadia, 2) 30, Dec-08, Kilkenny &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Anne Corcoran</strong>&nbsp;60, Jan-09, Cork &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Joan Vickers</strong>&nbsp;43, Apr-09, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Tracey O&rsquo;Brien</strong>&nbsp;31, Jun-09, Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Carmel Marrinan</strong>&nbsp;61, Jul-09 , Mayo &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Eugenia Bratis</strong>&nbsp;35, Aug-09, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Brenda Ahern</strong>&nbsp;30, Sep-09, Waterford &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Lisa Doyle</strong>&nbsp;24, Sep-09, Carlow &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Rebecca French</strong>&nbsp;30, Oct-09 , Wexford &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Joselita De Silva</strong>&nbsp;33, Oct-09 , Offaly &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Loradena Pricajan</strong>&nbsp;36, Jan-10, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Catherine Smart</strong>&nbsp;57, Apr-10 , Cork &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Breda Cummins</strong>&nbsp;31, May-10, Kildare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Helen Donegan</strong>&nbsp;30, May-10, Kildare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sarah Hines</strong>&nbsp;(Children: Reece, 3; Amy, 5 months ) 25, Nov-10 , Limerick &mdash; Alicia Brough 20, Nov-10, Limerick &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Ana Butautiene</strong>&nbsp;56 , Dec-10, Dublin (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Breda Waters</strong>&nbsp;28, Jan-11, Limerick &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Marie Greene</strong>&nbsp;37, Feb-11, Westmeath &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Katarzyna Barowiak</strong>&nbsp;25 , Mar-11, Kerry &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Noreen Kelly Eadon</strong>&nbsp;46, Mar-11, Mayo &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Deirdre McCarthy</strong>&nbsp;43, Mar-11, Clare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Diane Burroughs</strong>&nbsp;30 , Apr-11, Laois &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Ann Henry</strong>&nbsp;49, Sep-11, Roscommon &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Rudo Mawere</strong>&nbsp;26, Jan-12, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Veronica Vollrath</strong>&nbsp;83 , Jan-12, Waterford (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Melanie McCarthy McNamara</strong>&nbsp;16 , Feb-12, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sarah Regan</strong>&nbsp;30, Feb-12, Roscommon &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mary Ryan</strong>&nbsp;37, May-12 , Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Siobhan Stapleton</strong>&nbsp;51, May-12, Kilkenny &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Jacqueline McDonagh</strong>&nbsp;34, Aug-12 , Louth &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Elaine O&rsquo;Hara</strong>&nbsp;36, Aug-12 , Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Elizabeth Duff</strong>&nbsp;47, Aug-12, Kildare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Anna Finnegan</strong>&nbsp;26, Sep-12, Dublin (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Aoife Phelan</strong>&nbsp;30, Oct-12, Laois &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Olivia Dunlea O&rsquo;Brien</strong>&nbsp;36, Feb-13 , Cork &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Deirdre Keenan</strong>&nbsp;51, Feb-13, Carlow &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Jolanta Lubiene</strong>&nbsp;(Child: Enrika, 8) 27, Jun-13, Kerry &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Aleksandra Sarzynska</strong>&nbsp;32, Aug-13, Meath (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Patricia Kierans</strong>&nbsp;54, Sep-13, Cavan &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Brigid Bernadette Cash</strong>&nbsp;20, Oct-13, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Susan Dunne</strong>&nbsp;53, Nov-13 , Kerry (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Sara Staunton</strong>&nbsp;28, Dec-13 , Mayo &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Sonia Blount</strong>&nbsp;31, Feb-14, Dublin (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Marie Carroll</strong>&nbsp;58, Mar-14 , Dublin (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mary Dargan</strong>&nbsp;66, Mar-14, Dublin &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Mairead Moran</strong>&nbsp;26, May-14, Kilkenny &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Lynn Cassidy</strong>&nbsp;50, Jun-14 , Wicklow &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Antra Ozolina</strong>&nbsp;49, Jun-14, Cavan &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Carol McAuley</strong>&nbsp;54, Aug-14, Dublin &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Marie O&rsquo;Brien</strong>&nbsp;55, Sep-14 , Waterford (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Angelique Belling</strong>&nbsp;27, Dec-14, Clare &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Valerie Greaney</strong>&nbsp;49, Dec-14 , Cork &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Jane Braidwood</strong>&nbsp;65, Jan-15, Dublin (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Anne Shortall</strong>&nbsp;47, Apr-15, Wicklow (Awaiting trial) &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Marie Quigley</strong>&nbsp;68, Jul-15, Louth &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Natalie McGuiness</strong>&nbsp;23, Oct-15 , Sligo (Awaiting trial) &mdash;<strong>&nbsp;Brigid Maguire</strong>&nbsp;43, Nov-15, Westmeath (Awaiting trial) &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Clodagh Hawe</strong>&nbsp;(Children: Liam, 14; Niall, 11; Ryan, 6) 39 , Aug-16 , Cavan &mdash;&nbsp;<strong>Kitty Fitzgerald</strong>&nbsp;72 , Nov-16 , Mayo</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 25th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/special-report-20-years-of-the-femicide-watch-project-432252.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/special-report-20-years-of-the-femicide-watch-project-432252.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-25 13:45:02',NULL,'special-report-20-years-of-the-femicide-watch-project'),(1742,'\'My life is a living hell\', says homeless rape victim Aisling left with nowhere to turn','<p>\r\n	A brave woman who claims she was raped and fled her hometown in fear of her assailant has been sleeping rough in Dublin, where she has been beaten and bullied.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Courageous Aisling Connolly (28) has waived her right to anonymity to raise awareness of the fact there is no State link-up service for women who become homeless as a result of rape.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She has been sleeping rough on Dublin&#39;s streets through the recent freezing conditions and opened up in the hope someone will urgently help her and ensure that this will never happen to another woman going through such trauma.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It doesn&#39;t surprise me things have worked out this way. In Ireland, rape is acceptable. In this country, victims like me are punished. My life is a living hell,&quot; Aisling told the Herald.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Scared</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Aisling, from Longford town, was raped in the Midlands in July. Gardai are investigating the incident.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She fled days after the rape amidst fears of encountering her rapist again.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I don&#39;t want to talk about the person who raped me, but I will say I&#39;m very scared of him and people he knows,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I was raped in July. I went to the gardai and they brought me to the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in Mullingar.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I wanted to go home but I couldn&#39;t, so I needed to find somewhere else to go, but I didn&#39;t have anywhere.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I asked the gardai did they have a place for me to go but they said they didn&#39;t have the power to do that, so I went to Dublin and I&#39;ve been homeless ever since.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I arrived in Dublin without my clothes, they were all left at home. I didn&#39;t even have a phone charger with me.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s disgusting what&#39;s been done to me. The person who raped me is probably sitting at home on the sofa all warm and I&#39;m being punished for the rape. I&#39;ve been going through hell.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Aisling, who grew up in foster care, came to Dublin thinking she had somewhere to stay, but that plan didn&#39;t work out and she has been homeless since.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After initially living in hostels, she left the services as she claimed she was bullied and assaulted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She has spent recent weeks living on the city centre streets, but managed to get a hostel last night as she could not bear another night in the cold.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s so cold here on the streets, it would make you cry,&quot; she said. &quot;I don&#39;t matter anymore. I feel like anyone can do what they want to me now - rape me, beat me, rob me and it&#39;s OK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;People who walk by me think I must have done something wrong to be homeless but I haven&#39;t. I came to Dublin, where I&#39;ve just been sleeping around this city, but I know it&#39;s not safe and it isn&#39;t right I&#39;m living like this.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I thought Dublin would have more facilities to help me but that&#39;s not how it worked out at all. I moved away for my safety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I lived in Dublin years ago, so I thought it was the best choice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;But I don&#39;t have anywhere to go. I stayed in hostels and was beat up and bullied, so I am afraid to go back to them.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Aisling said she doesn&#39;t have a family support network to offer her a helping hand.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her apartment in Longford was her safe haven until the rape.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Beaten</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Many times I&#39;ve asked the hostels for help and I tell them I&#39;ve been beaten up in them before and they tell me this is all they have,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I end up with people who are off their heads on drugs, who will attack you for little or nothing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They are street smart and tough and they see I&#39;m not street smart and think I&#39;m weak. They demand cigarettes off me and, if I don&#39;t give them to them, they fight with me.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said homeless life is cruel. &quot;I end up having a choice of taking a hostel and running the risk of being beaten up or taking the streets, where it&#39;s freezing, so cold you can&#39;t sleep, but at least I can walk away from trouble.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I&#39;m not saying all homeless people are bad, they&#39;re not, but some have hurt me,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I couldn&#39;t get into a hostel one night, so I went to look for somewhere to sleep on Henry Street.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This girl asked me for a smoke but I didn&#39;t have any to give her, so she started to beat me up while two guys tried to take my bag off my back.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 25th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/my-life-is-a-living-hell-says-homeless-rape-victim-aisling-left-with-nowhere-to-turn-35244120.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/my-life-is-a-living-hell-says-homeless-rape-victim-aisling-left-with-nowhere-to-turn-35244120.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-25 13:49:04',NULL,'my-life-is-a-living-hell-says-homeless-rape-victim-aisling-left-with-nowhere-to-turn'),(1743,'Christmas bonus for asylum seekers in direct provision is €16','<p>\r\n	More than 1,000 in system are &lsquo;effectively unable to participate&rsquo; in festive season</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Over 1,000 asylum seekers will get their Christmas &ldquo;bonus&rdquo; this week &ndash; of &euro;16.23 for adults and &euro;13.26 for their children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These asylum seekers are among 1.2 million welfare recipients who will get the &ldquo;bonus&rdquo;, worth 85 per cent of their weekly allowance, along with their regular payment, between now and Friday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to figures from the Department of Social Protection, some 1,170 recipients of the direct provision allowance &ndash; of &euro;19.10 per week for adults and &euro;15.60 for children, will be entitled to the &ldquo;bonus&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As with several other schemes &ndash; including jobseeker&rsquo;s allowance and the back to education allowance &ndash; recipients of the DP allowance must have been eligible for the payment for 15 months to qualify for the bonus.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The weekly allowance for asylum seekers and their children, and the &ldquo;bonus&rdquo;, are so low that families in direct provision are &ldquo;effectively unable to participate in Christmas&rdquo; according to Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children&rsquo;s Rights Alliance</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We know children in direct provision try to hide the fact that they live there because they are so ashamed of the poverty. Christmas makes the reality of that poverty even more stark for them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This would be the ideal time for the Government to follow through on recommendations made in their own working group report, that the allowance for children of asylum seekers be increased to &euro;29.80 per week.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Working group report</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report, from the working group chaired by former justice Dr Bryan McMahon, recommended the weekly allowance for children be increased by &euro;20.20 from &euro;9.60 for children, to the rate paid in respect of child dependents of other welfare recipients. The allowance for children was increased, but by &euro;6 only.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report also recommended the allowance for adults be increased to &euro;38.74. It remains &euro;19.10.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fr Peter McVerry, founder of the Peter McVerry Trust, said the count identifies &ldquo;only about half the real number of people sleeping rough each night&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t include the 70 people who are sleeping on mats each night in the Merchants Quay cafe, who are unable to get an emergency bed. It doesn&rsquo;t include the people sleeping in tents in the Phoenix Park, or the people sleeping in derelict buildings, or on benches in parks.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition to those adults sleeping rough and the 70 in Merchants Quay, the most recent data for October show during the week of October 24th-30th there were 2,065 children, 1,421 parents and 1,660 adults without child dependents in emergency accommodation in Dublin, giving a total official homeless population of more than 5,350.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Three new emergency hostels are due to open on Friday, December 9th, in Dublin 7 and Dublin 8, providing an additional 220 beds for homeless adults &ndash; an average of 73 beds in each.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Though these beds are welcome, a spokesman for the Peter McVerry Trust said it would be preferable if smaller hostels were opened more regularly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is an argument that the [homelessness] sector should open a smaller, new hostel every month to cope with the net increase, instead of these big hostels every winter. We are meant to be moving away from big institutional settings, but it seems we&rsquo;re going back to that.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Seven adults without children were becoming homeless each week in Dublin, he said, and the trend should be more closely monitored.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Really there should be a rough-sleeper count every month, not just twice a year, to stay on top of what&rsquo;s happening on the ground.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The DRHE said the street count was necessary to confirm &ldquo;a minimum number of people sleeping rough on the night in question in the Dublin region.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;[It] assists us in measuring the effectiveness of the regional strategy, in addition to planning for services.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 28th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/christmas-bonus-for-asylum-seekers-in-direct-provision-is-16-1.2884410\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/christmas-bonus-for-asylum-seekers-in-direct-provision-is-16-1.2884410</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-28 09:33:14',NULL,'christmas-bonus-for-asylum-seekers-in-direct-provision-is-€16'),(1744,'‘I was 42, a mother, on anti-depressants. I could not proceed with this pregnancy’','<p>\r\n	Broadside: Twice as many women over 40 have surprise pregnancies as women in their teens and 20s. It&rsquo;s not just the young who have to make hard reproductive decisions</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Every decision I&rsquo;ve made about my reproductive health has affected my life; every pill, every sexual encounter. It is the same for all women: decisions about reproductive health have power, from contraception to if or when to have children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But our decisions are controlled by our choices, a word often bandied about recklessly, especially with regard to women&rsquo;s reproduction. It sometimes implies a sort of freedom from care, the word &ldquo;choice&rdquo; giving us carte blanche to make decisions that lead to happiness. The dictionary definition of choice is &ldquo;the power to make a decision&rdquo;. Choice is about need, the need to be able to make decisions that allow us to live our lives to their fullest potential. When choice is denied, power over our lives is denied.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The reproductive decision that affected me more than any other was the agonising one I took to terminate a pregnancy. I&rsquo;m not going to sugarcoat or excuse it. I live with it every day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	I was 35 when I had my first beautiful baby, who was quickly followed by my second 19 months later. Because of my age, I wasted no time trying for my third, thinking that if I was going to drown in nappies, I might as well drown in style.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But all those planned reproductive decisions suddenly went haywire when I miscarried. Sometimes the unplanned happens. Devastatingly, I went on to lose two more babies. Tests revealed that I had a chromosome disorder and that my babies, especially if they were boys, were at risk of severe medical issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	By the time these results came back, I was already two weeks pregnant. My longed-for third baby was now a gamble. There was a 50 per cent chance it would be a girl, and even within that bet I still had a strong chance of miscarrying or having a severely disabled child. Every day of that pregnancy was lived in fear. When Ruby was finally born, I relaxed, knowing that all those years of trying to get pregnant, of getting pregnant, of having babies or losing babies, were over.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Except they weren&rsquo;t. The unplanned happened.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Four days after Ruby was born, my mum had a catastrophic stroke and my world turned on its axis. I spent the next few months spoonfeeding my new baby and my mother, changing their nappies. Perhaps not surprisingly, I was diagnosed with postnatal depression, struggling not only to cope with the emotional and physical challenges of raising three children under six, along with helping to care for my mum, but the mental challenges of just getting through the day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	My decision-making skills were annihilated by grief and depression, but then I had to make the worst decision of all. I discovered I was pregnant. This obviously wasn&rsquo;t an immaculate conception. My husband at the time had agreed to have a vasectomy, but hadn&rsquo;t yet got around to it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	I&rsquo;m an adult who should have taken better responsibility for contraception. My initial reaction to news of the pregnancy was happiness. It&rsquo;s an incredible feeling to know there is life beginning inside you. But the reality of my situation soon overpowered that feeling. I was a 42-year-old mother of three, on antidepressants, barely able to cope with my life as it was, floored by grief and overwhelmed by childcare and parent care. I had lost three precious babies and had fought so hard for my third child, and here I was now in the terrible situation of being pregnant but knowing, for my own sanity and the wellbeing of my three children, that I could not proceed with this pregnancy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	My reproductive journey had been full of such highs and terrible lows, but this was unbearable. I knew, though, that it wasn&rsquo;t just about me. It wasn&rsquo;t about choosing a child over another. It was about survival, mine and my children&rsquo;s. It was Sophie&rsquo;s choice, a choice between two unbearable options.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But that decision involved other decisions. Which flight to get? Who should travel with me, and who should stay with my children? I felt like a criminal, having to leave my own country, my own children, in order to protect us all. But after all those plans were made, the unplanned happened again. I miscarried the day before I was due to fly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It takes nothing away from the decision I had made. There was no relief with that miscarriage. Just a numbness.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Twice as many women over 40 have surprise pregnancies as women in their teens and 20s. Sometimes the unplanned happens, and it&rsquo;s not just the young who have to make perhaps the most difficult reproductive decision of all. We need the choice to make the best decisions we can.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 28th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/i-was-42-a-mother-on-anti-depressants-i-could-not-proceed-with-this-pregnancy-1.2880767\">http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/i-was-42-a-mother-on-anti-depressants-i-could-not-proceed-with-this-pregnancy-1.2880767</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-28 09:35:11',NULL,'‘i-was-42-a-mother-on-anti-depressants-i-could-not-proceed-with-this-pregnancy’'),(1745,'Number sleeping rough in Dublin up more than 50% in a year','<p>\r\n	About 140 counted on city&rsquo;s streets, but Peter McVerry says true number is twice that</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Figures to be published today are expected to show the number of rough sleepers in Dublin has increased by about 40 per cent in seven months, and by more than 50 per cent in a year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The count was conducted by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) last week. Sources say about 140 individuals were found to be sleeping on the streets and in doorways. This compares with 102 found during the spring count on April 24th and with 91 found in the winter 2015 count, conducted on November 30th, 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Though the numbers have increased, they remain some way lower than the 168 found sleeping rough in Dublin in the winter 2014 count. Conducted on November 11th, 2014, it was three weeks before the death of homeless man Jonathan Corrie (43) in a doorway near Leinster House. His death caused outrage at the numbers sleeping rough and led to an &ldquo;emergency summit&rdquo; of stakeholders and NGOs, chaired by then minister for the environment, Alan Kelly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Measures taken included the opening of additional emergency beds, leading numbers to fall to 105 the following spring.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fr Peter McVerry, founder of the Peter McVerry Trust, said the count identifies &ldquo;only about half the real number of people sleeping rough each night&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t include the 70 people who are sleeping on mats each night in the Merchants Quay cafe, who are unable to get an emergency bed. It doesn&rsquo;t include the people sleeping in tents in the Phoenix Park, or the people sleeping in derelict buildings, or on benches in parks.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition to those adults sleeping rough and the 70 in Merchants Quay, the most recent data for October show during the week of October 24th-30th there were 2,065 children, 1,421 parents and 1,660 adults without child dependents in emergency accommodation in Dublin, giving a total official homeless population of more than 5,350.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Three new emergency hostels are due to open on Friday, December 9th, in Dublin 7 and Dublin 8, providing an additional 220 beds for homeless adults &ndash; an average of 73 beds in each.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Though these beds are welcome, a spokesman for the Peter McVerry Trust said it would be preferable if smaller hostels were opened more regularly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is an argument that the [homelessness] sector should open a smaller, new hostel every month to cope with the net increase, instead of these big hostels every winter. We are meant to be moving away from big institutional settings, but it seems we&rsquo;re going back to that.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Seven adults without children were becoming homeless each week in Dublin, he said, and the trend should be more closely monitored.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Really there should be a rough-sleeper count every month, not just twice a year, to stay on top of what&rsquo;s happening on the ground.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The DRHE said the street count was necessary to confirm &ldquo;a minimum number of people sleeping rough on the night in question in the Dublin region.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;[It] assists us in measuring the effectiveness of the regional strategy, in addition to planning for services.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 28th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/number-sleeping-rough-in-dublin-up-more-than-50-in-a-year-1.2884388\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/number-sleeping-rough-in-dublin-up-more-than-50-in-a-year-1.2884388</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-28 00:00:00',NULL,'number-sleeping-rough-in-dublin-up-more-than-50%-in-a-year'),(1746,'Sexually abused children wait 18 months for therapy','<p>\r\n	Children who have been sexually abused are being forced to wait up to 18 months for therapy because of a shortage of funding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cari (Children At Risk in Ireland) has demanded the Government step in with one-off funding of &euro;200,000 to clear a crippling backlog.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cari also said it had seen a growth in the number of children aged 12 and under who have been referred to it because of sexualised behaviour, but where there is no evidence of abuse &mdash; pointing to the possible influence of pornography and inappropriate content online.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cari will launch its annual report today, highlighting lengthening waiting times for therapy because of a backlog caused by a funding shortfall and warning that unless it is tackled, it may have to close off its services to vulnerable children until it can reduce the number of young people on its waiting list.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The organisation&rsquo;s chief executive, Mary Flaherty, said there are currently 92 children on its waiting list for therapy, a similar number to a year ago and at a time when Cari has capacity to deal with 50 children a year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cari has centres in Dublin and Limerick and offers services to young people aged between five and 17, although it did see a three-year-old last year who is no longer on its list.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;About a quarter of all referrals are under-12s who have sexualised behaviour,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;The trouble with that group is they should not be waiting at all.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Flaherty said ideally children should not wait longer than six months between assessment and receiving therapy, yet Cari&rsquo;s waiting times had extended from eight or nine months to as long as 18 months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If Tusla does not provide additional funding for 2017, Cari may have to think of the unthinkable and consider closing the waiting list until waiting times are reduced to a clinically approved level,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It managed an 18% increase in appointments in 2015 and said the numbers waiting for therapy had also increased &mdash; a trend that has continued into 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The annual report will also highlight the work of Cari&rsquo;s child accompaniment support service and shows &ldquo;excessive&rdquo; and &ldquo;unnecessary&rdquo; court delays for children in criminal trials who are victims.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 29th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/sexually-abused-children-wait-18-months-for-therapy-432803.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/sexually-abused-children-wait-18-months-for-therapy-432803.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-29 09:32:57',NULL,'sexually-abused-children-wait-18-months-for-therapy'),(1747,'Dunnes stocks clothes for kids with extra needs','<p>\r\n	Santa has come early to the parents of children with special needs, who have praised a Meath mum after her plea resulted in a new Irish range of affordable specialist clothing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dunnes Stores has begun stocking the range of clothes for children with additional needs after the appeal by Kells resident Alva Cullen.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The sleepsuits, bodysuits, and bibs can now be bought online for children from 3-14 years old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alva was moved to email the retail giant last April after hearing of a friend who spent a fortune importing clothes for her child, while another was learning to sew in order to make accessible garments.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The new clothing range has been described as &ldquo;liberating&rdquo; and &ldquo;cost-effective&rdquo; by the Special Needs Parents Association, which says that parents are &ldquo;hugely excited&rdquo; about it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alva says the clothing will be a &ldquo;godsend&rdquo; for parents of children affected by a multitude of disabilities and medical issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I was sitting having a cup of tea one morning and thinking of a friend who told me she was learning to sew to make clothes for her child,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Another friend horrified me in revealing she spent &pound;99 on just three sleepsuits for her child from the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I just thought I must be able to do something.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Specialist and more accessible clothing is often a struggle for parents who have children who are peg fed, have incontinence issues, have shunts in their head, tracheostomies, and many other other medical problems.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Getting on and off conventional clothing on children with additional needs is a nightmare and often undignified for the child if in public.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Senior management from Dunnes Stores replied to my email immediately and promised to look into it. They&rsquo;ve come up trumps.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I was so delighted with the speed they worked at and, although only newly introduced, I understand they are planning to expand the range even further.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alva, whose daughter Sorcha has Down syndrome, is the chairwoman of the local voluntary Special Hands Group, which has 160 members in and around north Meath.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Although my own daughter doesn&rsquo;t need specialist clothing, I can see at first hand those parents whose lives will be made so much easier by this new range,&rdquo; said Alva.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Lorraine Dempsey of the Special Needs Parents Association said it was like an early Christmas present.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I would say Santa has come early for children with additional needs but Santa is only for Christmas, these clothes are for all year around,&rdquo; said Lorraine.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be buying the range. I have a 13-year-old daughter, Rianna, and her bibs normally cost &euro;12 each to buy. Unfortunately once something associates itself with disabilities, the price multiplies by 10. Now we can get clothes from Dunnes Stores for our children and parents are hugely excited about that. It&rsquo;s liberating and cost-effective.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 29th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/dunnes-stocks-clothes-for-kids-with-extra-needs-432767.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/dunnes-stocks-clothes-for-kids-with-extra-needs-432767.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-29 09:34:26',NULL,'dunnes-stocks-clothes-for-kids-with-extra-needs'),(1748,'If your parent has a drink problem, you could be spending Christmas walking on eggshells','<p>\r\n	If you are a child of alcoholic parents &ndash; including if you are an adult or teenage &ldquo;child&rdquo; &ndash; this time of year can bring with it an escalation in stress.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The pressure to drink is intense and, if a parent has a drink problem, the result for everybody else can be a Christmas spent walking on eggshells, or worse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A UK charity, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics, publishes advice each spring for those affected, but I think it&rsquo;s worth repeating in the lead-in to Christmas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	That&rsquo;s because children of alcoholics really need to take care of themselves for the sake of their own future. A survey by the association, which had 4,000 respondents, found that compared with those who are not affected by the problem, children of alcoholics are themselves more likely to become dependent on alcohol; and more likely to take their own lives, be exposed to domestic violence, or to develop problems with eating.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	That&rsquo;s why I think that this is important to read if you are the adult child of an alcoholic. You need to guard yourself against the effects of what you experienced when you had far less autonomy than you have now.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Here are seven (edited) pieces of advice which the association gives to children of alcoholics and, as you can see, much of it is about attitudes towards yourself and your parents, and actions you can take for your own wellbeing:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	1. I didn&rsquo;t cause it &ldquo;Children can often feel guilty that they have not been able to help their parent to stop drinking, feeling in some way that they have caused it. Please be assured that someone else&rsquo;s drinking is not your fault; you did not cause it.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	2. I can&rsquo;t cure it &ldquo;You had no control over the problem starting and you can&rsquo;t make it stop. Only your parent can take responsibility for their behaviour; but you can look after you.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	3. I can&rsquo;t control it &ldquo;Your parent&rsquo;s behaviour is not your fault and you can&rsquo;t control their drinking. Look after yourself and avoid getting into an argument when they are drinking.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	4. I can take care of myself &ldquo;Sometimes when a family member has a drink problem, you can spend so much time worrying about them that you forget to look after your own needs. Find someone you can talk to who understands the problem. Talking about your feelings is not being disloyal to your family . . . &rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	5. I can communicate my feelings &ldquo;Alcohol problems in the family can result in a lot of complicated, confusing and upsetting feelings. It is really important not to bottle things up. Talking and writing about your feelings can help you make sense of them.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	6. I can make healthy choices &ldquo;Remember you are important too. Living in a family where alcohol is a problem can be stressful so looking after you is vital. Find time for things that you enjoy. Sometimes worries can take over, and taking a break can help.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	7. I can celebrate myself &ldquo;Remember that you are important. Try to think about what makes you happy and to remember things you&rsquo;ve done that you feel proud of.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	I should add that I am not trying to demonise the parent or parents in these situations. Many alcoholic parents are actually loving parents who genuinely care about their children and want to do the best by them. But the alcohol has got a grip on them and at this time of year especially there is a danger that the alcohol will rule the roost.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	By the way, the British parliament now has an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Children of Alcoholics, chaired by Liam Byrne MP who is a patron of the association. His own story as a child of an alcoholic father who was the son of Irish immigrants is well worth reading and is on his website at bit.ly/liambyrnestory</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The national association has useful downloadable information at this link: bit.ly/kidsirishtimes</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And, as for that parliamentary committee, an idea for the Oireachtas?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	pomorain@yahoo.com @PadraigMorain</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 29th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/if-your-parent-has-a-drink-problem-you-could-be-spending-christmas-walking-on-eggshells-1.2879140\">http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/if-your-parent-has-a-drink-problem-you-could-be-spending-christmas-walking-on-eggshells-1.2879140</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-29 09:36:00',NULL,'if-your-parent-has-a-drink-problem-you-could-be-spending-christmas-walking-on-eggshells'),(1749,'Tusla asked to fund clearance of child therapy backlog','<p>\r\n	The Child and Family Agency has said it is open to redirecting funding into the areas of most need but could not confirm that an organisation helping sexually abused children will get the money it says it needs to clear a therapy backlog.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children At Risk in Ireland (Cari) yesterday launched its 2015 annual report by calling on Tusla to provide one-off funding of &euro;200,000 to help clear a backlog which has resulted in 92 young people waiting for therapy, with waiting times between assessment and therapy now as long as 18 months for some children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cari said delays in providing services were particularly acute at a time when there has been a growth in referrals of younger children under 12 displaying dangerously sexualised behaviour.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the annual report: &ldquo;Despite the improved output, waiting lists remain stubbornly high as we have a backlog from the recession and our capacity has not yet reached pre-recession level. In early 2015, Cari approached Tusla for additional funding to meet the needs of these children who were either affected by sexual abuse or were under-12s exhibiting sexually harmful behaviours.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Cari has met with, not only refusal, but requests to move to new locations without any additional resources. We remain locked in this dispute as we go to press in 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Meantime, many of these children were getting no service during all that time and others were left with no choice but to access private or non-specialised services. Our campaign for specialised therapeutic services for children affected by child sexual abuse will not let up until we are satisfied that children have access to the same range of specialized services that are available to adults.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In its response, Tusla said it was discussing funding details with funded agencies as part of its annual process to determine funding arrangements for next year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to a spokesperson: &ldquo;As part of this, Tusla is engaged in on-going discussions and meetings with Cari and it would be inappropriate to comment at this time on the content of these discussions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;&lsquo;Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures&rsquo;, the national policy framework for children, requires that resources be directed where they can be most effective and meet the greatest need. Tusla is currently developing a commissioning strategy to ensure a clearly defined approach to deciding how to use all resources available to the agency.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The spokesperson said Tusla&rsquo;s approach to commissioning is based on an analysis of needs. In all, more than 260 families were supported by Cari last year, with an increase in demand for all its services in 2015 bar its helpline. A wage freeze for staff in place since 2008 remained in place and while state funding reduced by a further 8% in 2015, it still represented 50% of Cari&rsquo;s income.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 30th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/tusla-asked-to-fund-clearance-of-child-therapy-backlog-432900.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/tusla-asked-to-fund-clearance-of-child-therapy-backlog-432900.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-30 09:59:52',NULL,'tusla-asked-to-fund-clearance-of-child-therapy-backlog'),(1750,'Lack of facilities delays releases','<p>\r\n	Long-term inmates are being kept in prison despite being eligible for parole because there are no facilities on the outside to support them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year three prisoners serving life sentences were denied early release because vital community supports were not available. All three have been in prison for over 17 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Parole Board believed the three prisoners should be recommended to the minister for justice as meeting the criteria for release. However, the recommendations were not made because two of them had serious psychiatric difficulties and one had an intellectual disability.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It was not possible to recommend them for temporary release because the essential community supports were not available,&rdquo; said the chairman of the Parole Board, John Costello.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;As hundreds of prisoners have serious psychiatric or intellectual disability problems, this is going to become a more regular occurrence.,&rdquo; he wrote in the board&rsquo;s 2015 annual report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Costello cited Trinity College professor of psychiatry, Brendan Kelly, who called prisons &ldquo;toxic for the mentally ill&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) suggested Ireland could be in breach of the UN&rsquo;s standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners. Rule 110 states that &ldquo;steps should be taken, by arrangement with the appropriate agencies to ensure, if necessary, the continuation of psychiatric treatment after release and the provision of social-psychiatric after-care&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Imprisonment should not be used as respite, nor as a means of providing an individual with access to services, such as counselling,&rdquo; the IPRT stated. &ldquo;Individuals should not be imprisoned or further punished because of their mental health issues.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Parole Board deals with prisoners serving life sentences or sentences over eight years. Last year it heard 76 new cases, the highest number since it was established in 2001. It interviews prisoners and can recommend to the minister for justice that they be released on supervised &ldquo;temporary release&rdquo; which can be revoked if the offender fails to fulfil specified conditions. Victims can make written submissions to the board before a recommendation is made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;On many occasions these letters reveal enormous pain and suffering caused to victims,&rdquo; said Mr Costello. &ldquo;These letters are seriously considered by the board members before deciding on a recommendation.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The board mainly deals with prisoners serving sentences for murder (45%) and sexual offences (19%). The minister for justice can reject a recommendation for early release but rarely does so in practice. In 2015, the minister accepted 88 of the board&rsquo;s 89 recommendations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of the 76 new prisoners invited to seek parole in 2015, 34 declined. The vast majority of those who refused were eligible for 25% remission from their sentences which is almost always a much simpler and quicker path to early release than seeking parole.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 30th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/lack-of-facilities-delays-releases-432917.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/lack-of-facilities-delays-releases-432917.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-30 10:05:59',NULL,'lack-of-facilities-delays-releases'),(1751,'Desperate couples at risk of exploitation - fertility expert','<p>\r\n	The Government needs to hasten plans to regulate fertility clinics in Ireland to avoid the potential &quot;financial exploitation&quot; of patients, it was claimed yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr John Waterstone, medical director of Cork Fertility Centre, was responding to allegations that UK clinics are charging for costly &quot;add on&quot; treatments which are of no benefit in improving a woman&#39;s chances of having a baby.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fertility clinics are not regulated in Ireland, despite pledges by several governments.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This Government has promised to regulate clinics, but the drafting of the scheme in the controversial area will not be completed until 2017.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It then faces more delays as it is submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for pre-legislative scrutiny.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The BBC &#39;Panorama&#39; programme claimed &quot;add-ons&quot; in UK clinics include a wide variety of treatments such as pre-implantation genetic screening - where the chromosomes of conceived embryos are checked for genetic conditions - and transfer of a &quot;mock&quot; embryo, as well as various drug treatments for blood clotting and immunity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They reviewed 38 interventions offered by private clinics, and found most of them aren&#39;t supported by good evidence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The NHS watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), only provides clear recommendations for the use of 13 of these treatments. Most of these should only be used in specific circumstances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Systematic reviews have been carried out for 27 interventions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But there is only evidence that a handful actually improve live birth rates.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Even then, the underlying studies behind the reviews have quality issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Waterstone said that the Health Department needs to be aware that an aspect of assisted reproduction (AR), which urgently requires regulation, is the potential &quot;financial exploitation&quot; of patients desperate to have a baby.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The increasing commercialisation of AR everywhere has not been addressed sufficiently by regulatory systems in other jurisdictions, but needs to be in Ireland,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is all too easy to attract unsuspecting patients by quoting inflated and unsubstantiated &#39;success&#39; rates and then relieve them of several thousand more euro than they had anticipated spending in the course of an IVF treatment cycle.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This can be achieved by suggesting a variety of add-on adjuncts to routine treatment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Such tests and treatments which are not warranted medically but are all expensive, he added. &quot;None are likely to increase the chance of taking home a baby,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Helen Browne, of the National Infertility Support and Information Group, urged people in this country to do their research in advance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ethics</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said more people may now go to the UK because of the sterling difference.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesman for the Department of Health said overcharging claims had not come to its attention.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the Medical Council&#39;s guide to professional conduct and ethics sets out the principles of professional practice all doctors registered with the council are now expected to follow - and this includes a duty of care to all patients fertility clinic patients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 30th November 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/desperate-couples-at-risk-of-exploitation-fertility-expert-35256095.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/desperate-couples-at-risk-of-exploitation-fertility-expert-35256095.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-30 10:07:31',NULL,'desperate-couples-at-risk-of-exploitation-fertility-expert'),(1752,'Jobs Bulletin - Daffodil Care Services','<p>\r\n	Join the team at Daffodil Care Services, providing a range of residential and community based services through a national network of registered children&rsquo;s residential centres, semi-independent residential care and community based outreach support.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Daffodil Care are now hiring full time and relief Social Care Leaders and Social Care Workers based in their mainstream and semi-independent residential services in Cork, South Tipperary &amp; Meath.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you would like to be a part of the team that has a track record in developing therapeutic services and providing unrivalled career development opportunities and training for their staff, then Daffodil Care Services could be the career move you are looking for.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Send your CV to recruitment@daffodilcare.ie or call 0818 903 984 for further information.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Interviews are now taking place locally for the following vacancies:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Relief Social Care Worker Kells, Co. Meath x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=43\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=43</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Social Care Leader, South Tipperary x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=18\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=18</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Full Time Social Care Worker, South Tipperary x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=36\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=36</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Relief Social Care Worker, South Tipperary x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=27\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=27</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Social Care Leader, North Mallow, Cork x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=40\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=40</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Full Time Social Care Worker, North Mallow, Cork x1</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=24\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=24</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-11-30 13:29:43',NULL,'jobs-bulletin-daffodil-care-services'),(1753,'Hundreds in foster care to become eligible for adoption','<p>\r\n	Bill will give High Court revised criteria to approve adoption without parental consent</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hundreds of children currently in foster care will become eligible for adoption under proposed legislation before the D&aacute;il, according to Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Dr Katherine Zappone.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Minister will tell a seminar at the Adoption Authority of Ireland on Thursday morning that the legislation will allow the High Court to approve adoptions for children in foster care for 18 months or more with their applicant carers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At the end of September, of the 6,329 children in care, 5,905 were in foster care and 30 per cent were living with relatives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under current legislation, it is very difficult for foster carers to adopt children in their charge. So far this year, 18 children in foster care have been adopted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If the Adoption Amendment Bill is passed, the High Court will have revised criteria under which it can authorise adoption without parental consent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These include when parents have failed in their duty towards a child for three years; when there is no reasonable prospect of parents caring for a child; and when children have spent at least 18 months living with the applicants.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone will tell the seminar the adoption of children from long-term foster care may serve to offer some &ldquo;a second chance to enjoy the stability of a caring and loving family in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Exciting opportunity</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Each case is of course unique and adoption may not be deemed an appropriate measure for every child in long-term foster care. However, this change does offer a real and exciting opportunity for families who may feel they and a foster child are living in limbo,&rdquo; she will say.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The legislation, which has cleared report stage in the D&aacute;il and will next be considered by the Seanad, also includes changes to the age limit for adoption.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It includes the right for any child to be adopted, irrespective of the marital status of parents, where parents give their consent and through the High Court when parents do not consent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also provides for the adoption of a child by a step-parent without the current requirement for the a birth parent partner to also adopt the child. And it will provide for civil partners and cohabiting couples to be eligible to apply to jointly adopt a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chairman of the Adoption Authority Dr Geoffrey Shannon, who will also speak at the conference, has said the authority &ldquo;continues to highlight the rights and best interests of children, and seeks to ensure that the voice of the child is heard in all adoption matters&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said in domestic adoption from long-term foster care, &ldquo;most children are of an age and level of maturity where they are consulted about the proposed adoption&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 1st December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/hundreds-in-foster-care-to-become-eligible-for-adoption-1.2888351\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/hundreds-in-foster-care-to-become-eligible-for-adoption-1.2888351</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-01 09:34:38',NULL,'hundreds-in-foster-care-to-become-eligible-for-adoption'),(1754,'Aleppo sliding \'into hell\' amid massacre fear','<p>\r\n	Aleppo is experiencing a &quot;descent into hell&quot; amid warnings the city could witness one of the biggest massacres since World War II as President Bashar al-Assad&#39;s troops continue their brutal offensive.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After four months of siege and a bombing campaign which has brought rebel-held east Aleppo to its knees, civilians are fleeing across the front line in their thousands to escape Mr Assad&#39;s attempts to crush the city&#39;s rebels for good.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A sweeping advance by the Russian-backed Syrian army and allied militias has displaced thousands of people, the UN said, leaving residents unsure where to turn to for safety as the frontline fighting rapidly moves and rebels struggle to maintain control of key neighbourhoods. The true figure once those who have fled to government areas is included is likely to be much higher.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the humanitarian crisis in New York yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;France and its partners cannot remain silent in the face of what could be one of the biggest massacres of civilian population since World War II,&quot; the French UN ambassador, Francois Delattre, said ahead of that meeting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Russia, meanwhile, claimed the air strikes and ground assault on east Aleppo have managed to &quot;liberate&quot; the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Half of the territory in parts of eastern Aleppo occupied by militants in recent years has been completely freed,&quot; Russian defence ministry spokesman Maj Gen Igor Konashenkov said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Most importantly, more than 80,000 Syrians have been liberated, tens of thousands children. Many received for the first time water, food, medical care from Russian humanitarian centres.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Our Western counterparts are showing surprising blindness when it is time to assess the real situation in Aleppo.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Activists on the ground, for their part, have condemned what they see as a continued silence from Western politicians in the face of what a World Food Programme spokesperson described as the city&#39;s &quot;slow descent into hell&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Doctor Abdul, working out of a makeshift facility, said that the decimated medical services - east Aleppo has approximately 30 doctors left - were struggling to cope.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another sent pictures to &#39;The Independent&#39; of what he said were the bodies of casualties from overnight still lying on the streets.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Wissam Zarqa, a teacher and rebel activist, also sent WhatsApp recordings to journalists saying that while the opposition has managed to accommodate hundreds of fleeing families, tripling the occupancy of some buildings, the fate of many of those who crossed into government-held areas or stayed put as the Syrian army retook their neighbourhoods is unknown.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He is worried about two people he knows well who have been arrested. &quot;Hopefully they will be OK but I am not optimistic about that now,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fear of arrest and interrogation by the army or Syria&#39;s infamous mukhabarat, or secret police, has long been one of the major factors stopping the 250,000 people trapped inside east Aleppo from leaving, despite regime and Russia exhortations it is safe do so.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Approximately 400,000 people have died in the Syrian conflict to date, the UN estimates, with more than half of the country&#39;s population driven from their homes. (&copy; Independent News Service)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 1st December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/aleppo-sliding-into-hell-amid-massacre-fear-35258768.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/aleppo-sliding-into-hell-amid-massacre-fear-35258768.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-01 09:36:34',NULL,'aleppo-sliding-into-hell-amid-massacre-fear'),(1755,'Warning of hidden danger on farms as quad accident kills pensioner','<p>\r\n	Father whose son drowned highlights unseen perils</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A farmer who lost his six-year-old son in a drowning tragedy has warned landowners that farms hold invisible dangers, particularly for children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Padraig Higgins was speaking as Cork County Council launched a special farm safety campaign to highlight dangers for children and to try to reduce the spiralling number of lives being lost on Irish farms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tragically, the safety appeal was issued as yet another man died in an Irish farm accident.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The victim, named locally as Tom Hales (83), died when the quad bike he was operating on land in Ballineen in west Cork apparently overturned and crushed him.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Hales suffered critical injuries in the accident on Tuesday morning and died despite desperate efforts to stabilise his condition. The pensioner was out inspecting his land when the tragedy occurred.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He was the 18th person to die in a farm accident in Ireland this year. Three deaths have occurred over the past month. Last year, four children died in farm accidents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Higgins said the death of a child was very traumatic and admitted his family was still haunted by the 2008 death of his youngest son James.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The little boy fell into a soak pit and drowned as he was walking from his family home in Offaly to his grandfather&#39;s house nearby to show off his new pair of glasses.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There was a hole dug in the garden for a soak pit and there was some water in it and we saw the little green knitted cap that he would have been wearing normally and it was floating around on the top of it,&quot; Mr Higgins said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is an awful thing to lose any member of your family like that - but to lose a child, because they are so innocent and they don&#39;t understand the dangers on the farm, is really difficult. The knock-on effect is that when we have family events or that kind of thing, we know there is one missing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;He was six when he died and Santa had only been a couple of weeks before that. Santa has not come since then.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Christmas can be a very lonely time because we know that James should still be with us. You need to see the dangers on a farm. It is the same with all farmers. But you don&#39;t see the dangers - you are so used to something sticking out you just walk around it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;With new eyes coming onto the farm and pointing out the dangers - it actually costs very little money to sort these things out.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Higgins is now a campaigner with the Irish Farmers&#39; Association (IFA) to promote farm safety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mayor of Co Cork, Councillor Seamus McGrath, said that the onus was on everyone to help raise the issue of safety on farms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Safety not just on farms but in rural settings is vitally important,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;People need to be conscious of the dangers associated with machinery, dealing with animals and things like slurry pits.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If you start by educating children about the dangers on farms, hopefully that is where you start in terms of reducing the tragic statistics.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cork County Council safety officer Caroline Casey said safety lessons learned at a young age stayed with people for life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We need to instil the skills of safety evaluation at an early age. As children get older, hopefully they can risk assess for various situations they come across,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by Farm Ireland, Independent.ie on the 1st December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/business/farming/warning-of-hidden-danger-on-farms-as-quad-accident-kills-pensioner-35258778.html\">http://www.independent.ie/business/farming/warning-of-hidden-danger-on-farms-as-quad-accident-kills-pensioner-35258778.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-01 09:42:08',NULL,'warning-of-hidden-danger-on-farms-as-quad-accident-kills-pensioner'),(1756,'Vulnerable \'left open to abuse\' by vetting flaw','<p>\r\n	Criminals who secured convictions in other jurisdictions are being allowed access to children and other vulnerable groups because of a loophole in vetting procedures, Fianna F&aacute;il has warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Laois TD Se&aacute;n Fleming last night said he is deeply concerned by a response he received from Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald in relation to the rules surrounding vetting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The system at present leaves it wide open to abuse,&quot; Mr Fleming told the Irish Independent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the letter, seen by the Irish Independent, Ms Fitzgerald confirmed that garda&iacute; do not vet applicants who have been convicted outside of the Republic or the North.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Fitzgerald said: &quot;I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the National Vetting Bureau conducts vetting checks in respect of the information held in the criminal database in this jurisdiction.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The National Vetting Bureau also has in place a reciprocal arrangement with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in respect of addresses in Northern Ireland which are held or have been held by vetting applicants.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The National Vetting Bureau does not make any requirements of vetting applicants to provide evidence of criminal records from any other jurisdiction.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last night, Mr Fleming expressed deep concern that criminals could be able to secure jobs that give them direct access to children or elderly people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said that the law surrounding vetting must be made more robust.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There is clearly no mechanism to vet people who have lived in other jurisdictions and who have come to reside in Ireland,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;From the public&#39;s perspective, there is a general understanding that if someone gets Garda vetting, then they are suitable to take up their new roles. That is clearly not the case. At the very minimum Interpol should be consulted.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 7th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/vulnerable-left-open-to-abuse-by-vetting-flaw-35274896.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/vulnerable-left-open-to-abuse-by-vetting-flaw-35274896.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-07 13:52:19',NULL,'vulnerable-left-open-to-abuse-by-vetting-flaw'),(1757,'Labour seeks State apology for those criminalised for being gay','<p>\r\n	Labour has called on the Taoiseach to apologise on behalf of the State to gay and lesbian people who were jailed and criminalised in Ireland under &ldquo;chilling&rdquo; laws before 1993.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Senators Ged Nash and Ivana Bacik made the request as they launched an opposition bill seeking to &ldquo;address the historic wrong by the State&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Until 1993, homosexuality was illegal in Ireland, with roughly 2,000 people brought before the courts under the controversial rules over the first seven decades of Irish independence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking to reporters outside the D&aacute;il, Labour&rsquo;s equality spokesperson Mr Nash said the reality is these people have never received a formal apology for what happened.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He added that while Enda Kenny was not responsible for the situation he, as sitting Taoiseach, should apologise on the State&rsquo;s behalf.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve come a long way in the last 23 years since homosexuality was decriminalised, but we still have a long way to go,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;What we&rsquo;re trying to do here is address an historic wrong that was committed through the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Nobody can remove the wrongs, but this is a very important gesture. There are a considerable number of LGBT citizens who haven&rsquo;t been able to live and love in the climate we have in Ireland today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There are probably a couple of thousand, many who are still alive and some who sadly are not.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Both senators said they are &ldquo;anxious&rdquo; to receive all-party backing to the apology plan, which is outlined in the Conviction for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While admitting they have yet to receive confirmation of formal support for the bill, published yesterday, they do not believe any rival party is likely to be opposed to the move.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 7th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/labour-seeks-state-apology-for-those-criminalised-for-being-gay-434003.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/labour-seeks-state-apology-for-those-criminalised-for-being-gay-434003.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-07 13:53:43',NULL,'labour-seeks-state-apology-for-those-criminalised-for-being-gay'),(1758,'McGrath raises Govt\'s UN disability ratification delay at Cabinet','<p>\r\n	Minister of State Finian McGrath has revealed that he raised the controversy about blockages to the Republic ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities at yesterday&#39;s Cabinet meeting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Independent Alliance Minister with Responsibility for People with Disabilities has told RT&Eacute; News that &quot;very shortly&quot; the Government aims to publish legislation that would bring it closer to guaranteeing compliance with the Convention.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But Mr McGrath conceded that it is unlikely that his earlier promise of ratification before Christmas will be fulfilled, but he is determined that will happen &quot;at an early date&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His statement came after people with disabilities protested outside Leinster House for the second time over his admission last week that he could not fulfil his promise, of last August, to ensure the UN Convention was signed by Christmas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The protesters are angry that this is the only EU member state not to have ratified the document which guarantees equality to people with disabilities and the right to highlight statutory discrimination at a UN monitoring committee.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 7th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1207/837085-ireland-un-convention/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/1207/837085-ireland-un-convention/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-07 14:08:46',NULL,'mcgrath-raises-govts-un-disability-ratification-delay-at-cabinet'),(1759,'State’s five-year creativity plan includes children’s music skills','<p>\r\n	Strategy will place creative and cultural infrastructure &lsquo;at the centre of Irish life&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Every child in the country will be given the opportunity to develop their musical creativity and skills as part of an ambitious new five-year Government plan to be announced by the Taoiseach on Thursday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Creative Ireland/Cl&aacute;r &Eacute;ire Ild&aacute;nach, an initiative running from 2017 to 2022 which aims to &ldquo;place culture at the heart of Irish life&rdquo;, will be launched by Enda Kenny and Cabinet Ministers Heather Humphreys and Paschal Donohoe at the National Gallery in Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The plan is based on five key pillars: enabling the creative potential of every child in the country; enabling creativity in every community; investing in creative and cultural infrastructure; building Ireland as a centre of excellence for media production; and &ldquo;unifying our global reputation&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition to the proposal for access to music education, other items on the agenda include a new annual cultural day, &ldquo;Cruinni&uacute; na C&aacute;sca&rdquo;, to be held nationwide on Easter Monday each year, replicating this year&rsquo;s successful Reflecting the Rising event.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	State bodies</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Taoiseach will chair a new Government committee dedicated to achieving the objectives of the plan and comprising all relevant Ministers. Agencies such as the IDA and Enterprise Ireland, as well as cultural funding bodies such as the Arts Council, Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland will all be involved.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A programme office is being set up within the Department of Arts under the leadership of John Concannon, a former head of marketing at F&aacute;ilte Ireland who directed the 1916 centenary programme. This office will drive collaboration between different organisations and agencies. It will have an initial budget allocation of &euro;5 million, some of which will go towards cultural events such as Cruinni&uacute; na C&aacute;sca.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Local authorities will have to outline five-year plans for how they will improve cultural programmes in their counties and cities. It is understood the Government will outline a template for councils that will guide them for the duration of the plan between 2017 and 2022.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The councils will be given some extra funding by Ms Humphreys, and they will then appoint a &ldquo;culture team&rdquo; to implement cultural plans locally. Every council will have to publish their own cultural plan next year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The plan will seek to make Ireland an international &ldquo;centre of excellence&rdquo; in media such as television and film production. It is understood this will involve closer co-operation between RT&Eacute;, the Irish Film Board, independent producers and others.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 8th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/state-s-five-year-creativity-plan-includes-children-s-music-skills-1.2897229\">http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/state-s-five-year-creativity-plan-includes-children-s-music-skills-1.2897229</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-08 10:48:54',NULL,'state’s-five-year-creativity-plan-includes-children’s-music-skills'),(1760,'Terminally ill children should be asked about \'bucket list\'','<p>\r\n	Children and young people who are dying should be asked if they have a &#39;bucket list&#39; of wishes they want to accomplish, health officials have said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Medics or care workers developing care plans for terminally-ill children should ask about their &quot;life ambitions and wishes&quot;, according to guidance from the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Watchdogs said it might be appropriate to ask youngsters what they want to be done with their social media accounts after their deaths.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Young people or their families should be asked about what they hope to achieve in life, including ambitions for social activities, relationships and educational attainment, the guideline suggests.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dying teenagers might want to complete their GCSEs or make specific wishes on who should be given their personal belongings, according to Dr Emily Harrop, a paediatric palliative care consultant who helped to develop the guideline.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The child or a parent, depending on the child&#39;s age, should also be asked about life ambitions, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;When we start a conversation about end-of-life planning, rather than introduce that with a very closed question or a very negative question, we often start by asking for things like &#39;What do you hope for? What do you aspire to do for yourself? What would you hope your child to achieve?&#39;,&quot; Dr Harrop said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;To lose a child is a tragic, life-changing event. But the care given to a child and their family during this difficult time can offer great comfort, if done properly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is incredible what you get back actually. It&#39;s rarely as simple as you&#39;d think.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is always very, very individual.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;On one level, it opens a conversation you need to have and on the next level, it promotes you to think about them as an individual, not just as a person whose medical or social care you are delivering.&quot; (&copy; Daily Telegraph London)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 8<sup>th</sup> December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://Children and young people who are dying should be asked if they have a \'bucket list\' of wishes they want to accomplish, health officials have said.  Medics or care workers developing care plans for terminally-ill children should ask about their &quot;life ambitions and wishes&quot;, according to guidance from the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).  Watchdogs said it might be appropriate to ask youngsters what they want to be done with their social media accounts after their deaths.  Young people or their families should be asked about what they hope to achieve in life, including ambitions for social activities, relationships and educational attainment, the guideline suggests.  Dying teenagers might want to complete their GCSEs or make specific wishes on who should be given their personal belongings, according to Dr Emily Harrop, a paediatric palliative care consultant who helped to develop the guideline.  The child or a parent, depending on the child\'s age, should also be asked about life ambitions, she said.  &quot;When we start a conversation about end-of-life planning, rather than introduce that with a very closed question or a very negative question, we often start by asking for things like \'What do you hope for? What do you aspire to do for yourself? What would you hope your child to achieve?\',&quot; Dr Harrop said.  &quot;To lose a child is a tragic, life-changing event. But the care given to a child and their family during this difficult time can offer great comfort, if done properly. &quot;It is incredible what you get back actually. It\'s rarely as simple as you\'d think.  &quot;It is always very, very individual. &quot;On one level, it opens a conversation you need to have and on the next level, it promotes you to think about them as an individual, not just as a person whose medical or social care you are delivering.&quot; (© Daily Telegraph London)  (Published by the Irish Independent on the 8th December 2016) http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/terminally-ill-children-should-be-asked-about-bucket-list-35277661.html\">http://Children and young people who are dying should be asked if they have a &#39;bucket list&#39; of wishes they want to accomplish, health officials have said. Medics or care workers developing care plans for terminally-ill children should ask about their &quot;life ambitions and wishes&quot;, according to guidance from the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice). Watchdogs said it might be appropriate to ask youngsters what they want to be done with their social media accounts after their deaths. Young people or their families should be asked about what they hope to achieve in life, including ambitions for social activities, relationships and educational attainment, the guideline suggests. Dying teenagers might want to complete their GCSEs or make specific wishes on who should be given their personal belongings, according to Dr Emily Harrop, a paediatric palliative care consultant who helped to develop the guideline. The child or a parent, depending on the child&#39;s age, should also be asked about life ambitions, she said. &quot;When we start a conversation about end-of-life planning, rather than introduce that with a very closed question or a very negative question, we often start by asking for things like &#39;What do you hope for? What do you aspire to do for yourself? What would you hope your child to achieve?&#39;,&quot; Dr Harrop said. &quot;To lose a child is a tragic, life-changing event. But the care given to a child and their family during this difficult time can offer great comfort, if done properly. &quot;It is incredible what you get back actually. It&#39;s rarely as simple as you&#39;d think. &quot;It is always very, very individual. &quot;On one level, it opens a conversation you need to have and on the next level, it promotes you to think about them as an individual, not just as a person whose medical or social care you are delivering.&quot; (&copy; Daily Telegraph London) (Published by the Irish Independent on the 8th December 2016) http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/terminally-ill-children-should-be-asked-about-bucket-list-35277661.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-08 10:50:40',NULL,'terminally-ill-children-should-be-asked-about-bucket-list'),(1761,'Orkambi controversy: Maker of cystic fibrosis drug ‘ripping off taxpayer’','<p>\r\n	Taoiseach Enda Kenny has accused the maker of a life-saving cystic fibrosis drug of &ldquo;ripping off the taxpayer&rdquo; amid growing concern over the &ldquo;excessive&rdquo; price tag it is demanding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kenny made the claim as he said the Government is willing to enter negotiations with the pharmaceutical firm involved to ensure patients are able to access the medication &mdash; if the company agrees to significantly lower its price.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking during D&aacute;il leaders&rsquo; questions, Mr Kenny repeatedly came under fire from Fianna F&aacute;il leader Miche&aacute;l Martin and Sinn F&eacute;in leader Gerry Adams over the controversy surrounding the cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite being proven to save lives, the drug is not available publicly in Ireland as its maker Vertex wants the State to pay it &euro;160,000 a year for every person they help instead of the &euro;30,000 HSE recommended figure.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Addressing the issue in the D&aacute;il, Mr Kenny said Vertex was &ldquo;ripping off the taxpayer&rdquo; by demanding the price must be paid if Irish patients want to get the drug.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Insisting that the US-based pharmaceutical firm is failing to put the lives of people before its own profits, he said the Government fully supports the HSE&rsquo;s view that the &euro;30,000 figure is appropriate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Vertex are ripping off the taxpayer here. It is not a political process that determines the value and the impact of the drug, that has been decided by those qualified in clinical practice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Clearly, this company are using cystic fibrosis patients to say we have a drug that enhances your quality of life, but the charge being put forward by the company is grossly excessive.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The clinical person in charge of this [for the HSE&rsquo;s pharmaco-economics group, Prof Michael Barry] has been very clear on this.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The position was heavily criticised by Miche&aacute;l Martin, who said it was vital Mr Kenny ended the &ldquo;Mexican stand-off&rdquo; between the Government and Vertex for the benefit of patients whose lives are at risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Urging the Taoiseach to &ldquo;ensure there are negotiations&rdquo;, he said while the &ldquo;easiest thing to do is attack big bad pharma, it doesn&rsquo;t resolve this&rdquo; and that &ldquo;nobody believes&rdquo; the &euro;30,000 HSE figure is credible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This hasn&rsquo;t been handled well, it is not good enough. You can&rsquo;t get a deal if it&rsquo;s just hostility and bad blood on both sides,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After similar concerns were raised by Mr Adams, who said the Government &ldquo;knows the price of everything and the value of nothing&rdquo;, Mr Kenny said he continued to believe Vertex was &ldquo;ripping off&rdquo; the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, he added that if the company is willing to reduce its price, the Government will negotiate in a bid to secure the lifesaving drug for the 500 people in Ireland with cystic fibrosis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Prof Barry pointed out that in his view Orkambi is not cost-effective at almost &euro;160,000 per patient per year, he estimated the cost at &euro;30,000,&rdquo; said Mr Kenny.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is a big difference. If they [Vertex] are willing to come down from &euro;160,000 a year, let&rsquo;s see what they&rsquo;re talking about.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Taoiseach Enda Kenny has accused the maker of a life-saving cystic fibrosis drug of &ldquo;ripping off the taxpayer&rdquo; amid growing concern over the &ldquo;excessive&rdquo; price tag it is demanding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kenny made the claim as he said the Government is willing to enter negotiations with the pharmaceutical firm involved to ensure patients are able to access the medication &mdash; if the company agrees to significantly lower its price.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking during D&aacute;il leaders&rsquo; questions, Mr Kenny repeatedly came under fire from Fianna F&aacute;il leader Miche&aacute;l Martin and Sinn F&eacute;in leader Gerry Adams over the controversy surrounding the cystic fibrosis drug Orkambi.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite being proven to save lives, the drug is not available publicly in Ireland as its maker Vertex wants the State to pay it &euro;160,000 a year for every person they help instead of the &euro;30,000 HSE recommended figure.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Addressing the issue in the D&aacute;il, Mr Kenny said Vertex was &ldquo;ripping off the taxpayer&rdquo; by demanding the price must be paid if Irish patients want to get the drug.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Insisting that the US-based pharmaceutical firm is failing to put the lives of people before its own profits, he said the Government fully supports the HSE&rsquo;s view that the &euro;30,000 figure is appropriate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Vertex are ripping off the taxpayer here. It is not a political process that determines the value and the impact of the drug, that has been decided by those qualified in clinical practice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Clearly, this company are using cystic fibrosis patients to say we have a drug that enhances your quality of life, but the charge being put forward by the company is grossly excessive.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The clinical person in charge of this [for the HSE&rsquo;s pharmaco-economics group, Prof Michael Barry] has been very clear on this.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The position was heavily criticised by Miche&aacute;l Martin, who said it was vital Mr Kenny ended the &ldquo;Mexican stand-off&rdquo; between the Government and Vertex for the benefit of patients whose lives are at risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Urging the Taoiseach to &ldquo;ensure there are negotiations&rdquo;, he said while the &ldquo;easiest thing to do is attack big bad pharma, it doesn&rsquo;t resolve this&rdquo; and that &ldquo;nobody believes&rdquo; the &euro;30,000 HSE figure is credible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This hasn&rsquo;t been handled well, it is not good enough. You can&rsquo;t get a deal if it&rsquo;s just hostility and bad blood on both sides,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After similar concerns were raised by Mr Adams, who said the Government &ldquo;knows the price of everything and the value of nothing&rdquo;, Mr Kenny said he continued to believe Vertex was &ldquo;ripping off&rdquo; the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, he added that if the company is willing to reduce its price, the Government will negotiate in a bid to secure the lifesaving drug for the 500 people in Ireland with cystic fibrosis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Prof Barry pointed out that in his view Orkambi is not cost-effective at almost &euro;160,000 per patient per year, he estimated the cost at &euro;30,000,&rdquo; said Mr Kenny.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is a big difference. If they [Vertex] are willing to come down from &euro;160,000 a year, let&rsquo;s see what they&rsquo;re talking about.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mother&rsquo;s plea: I don&rsquo;t want to bury another child</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A mother has made an emotional plea outside Leinster House for her teenage son to be given a groundbreaking drug to treat cystic fibrosis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I do not want to bury another child,&rdquo; said Phil Dunphy, from Rathangan, Co Kildare.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Dunphy&rsquo;s daughter, Sarah, a law graduate, was just 23 when she died in March 2014. She was considered a suitable candidate for Orkambi but did not get it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Sarah has a younger brother, Shane, aged 19, who needs Orkambi. I want that opportunity for him. I do not want to bury another child,&rdquo; said Ms Dunphy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She had joined hundreds of protesters outside D&aacute;il &Eacute;ireann to express their frustration and upset about the delay in securing approval for the drug.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Around 550 people with CF would be eligible for the therapy if reimbursement was approved in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The drug manufacturer, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, initially sought &euro;159,000 per patient per year but claims it has substantially reduced its asking price in talks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Health Minister Simon Harris, issued a statement last night saying he was pleased that Vertex had told the HSE it wanted to restart drug price negotiations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris said Vertex must return to the table with a &ldquo;significantly&rdquo; better offer. However, he was pleased that negotiations would start again.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minister attended a meeting of EU health ministers in Lisbon yesterday on drug price negotiations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	During the meeting he raised the &ldquo;unacceptably high price&rdquo; Vertex had put on Orkambi, making it inaccessible, not just for Ireland&rsquo;s CF patients but for other patients around Europe.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I want to see CF patients receive access to the best treatments possible. That remains my priority,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The protest outside Leinster House was organised by Jillian McNulty from Longford, who has CF and is receiving Orkambi as part of a clinical trial.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	About 40 people with CF in Ireland are receiving the treatment as part of a trial or compassionate use programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms McNulty&rsquo;s brother, Derek, also had CF. He was just five years old when he died in 1975.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Dunphy said her daughter, Sarah, should have been given the same opportunity as Ms McNulty to have the treatment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;She wasn&rsquo;t, and she&rsquo;s gone,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms McNulty said she had campaigned for the past two years for people like her to be able to get Orkambi. It had transformed her life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If we do not have word by January we will stage another protest then. We will get Orkambi and our tears then will be tears of joy.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Protesters left purple roses outside the D&aacute;il.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 8th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/orkambi-controversy-maker-of-cystic-fibrosis-drug-ripping-off-taxpayer-434199.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/orkambi-controversy-maker-of-cystic-fibrosis-drug-ripping-off-taxpayer-434199.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-08 10:53:12',NULL,'orkambi-controversy-maker-of-cystic-fibrosis-drug-‘ripping-off-taxpayer’'),(1762,'Homeless charity \'blown away\' as 7,500 shoeboxes of goods donated to help \'Fill A Tram\'','<p>\r\n	Massive appeal for baby food and nappies for homeless children this Christmas</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A charity collecting show boxes filled with goods for homeless people has been &quot;blown away by the fantastic support&quot; their appeal has received.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Inner City Helping the Homeless called on the public to make their donations at Connolly Station as part of their Fill A Tram initiative.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	By the time the collection closed at the inner city donation point at 7pm, over 7,500 shoeboxes has been counted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Thank you so so much,&quot; the charity said following the incredibly successful collection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, the Capuchin Centre in Dublin is appealing for baby food and nappies to be donated for homeless children this Christmas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity regularly doles out food and supply packs to homeless and disadvantaged people every day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alan Bailey, volunteer co-ordinator at the centre, told Independent.ie that in the past year they have noticed an uptake in the number of parents looking for nappies, baby food and baby clothes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s something that has raised its head in the last year, a lot of families are staying in hotels. Every Monday at lunchtime is our official distribution date and we distribute baby food and nappies to around 90 families,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t it a savage indictment in this day and age to think that there are families queuing for nappies&hellip;It&rsquo;s a frightening thought.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity is also distributing 800 hot meals a day from its centre in Dublin 7.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 8th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/homeless-charity-blown-away-as-7500-shoeboxes-of-goods-donated-to-help-fill-a-tram-35278777.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/homeless-charity-blown-away-as-7500-shoeboxes-of-goods-donated-to-help-fill-a-tram-35278777.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-09 10:43:17',NULL,'homeless-charity-blown-away-as-7500-shoeboxes-of-goods-donated-to-help-fill-a-tram'),(1763,'150,000 \'face extermination\' as Aleppo on brink','<p>\r\n	US and Russia urged to broker mass evacuation from war-ravaged city</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The United States and Russia must broker an evacuation from east Aleppo, UN Syria humanitarian adviser Jan Egeland said yesterday, as a local politician warned that 150,000 people there faced &quot;extermination&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Five months of negotiations over aid plans had produced &quot;nothing&quot;, Mr Egeland said, and it was up to the US and Russia to try to coordinate a deal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The member states that are supposed to help us get access to civilians in the crossfire are poles apart in how they regard what is happening in Syria,&quot; he told reporters after a weekly Syria humanitarian meeting led by the US and Russia.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	US secretary of state John Kerry said after talks in Hamburg with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov that he was &quot;hopeful&quot; about reaching an agreement but he was awaiting &quot;certain feedback and input&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Opposition groups in eastern Aleppo were simply asking for a pause in the fighting to allow people to leave, with no strings attached, Mr Egeland said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hungry</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Russia wants eastern Aleppo&#39;s citizens to leave via four humanitarian corridors, although it will not let food go in to supply the hungry population.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Russia said they will definitely be discussing with us how to organise the evacuations, but they are not any more promising any pause [in fighting],&quot; Mr Egeland added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 800 people had been killed and between 3,000 and 3,500 wounded in the past 26 days, while those still trapped awaited an effective death sentence and needed safe passage, Aleppo council president Brita Haji Hassan said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Today 150,000 people are threatened with extermination,&quot; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Unicef volunteer was shot dead in a &quot;child-friendly space&quot; and a mortar hit another UN location, with no casualties, but both sites temporarily suspended work, the UN said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nearly 150 sick and disabled civilians were evacuated overnight from a hospital in Aleppo&#39;s old city, the first major medical evacuation, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UN described east Aleppo&#39;s health situation as &quot;catastrophic&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 1,500 people needed medical evacuation, including 500 &quot;seriously wounded&quot;, said Tawfik Chamaa, of the Union of Syrian Medical Relief Organisations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UN estimates about 33,000 people have been displaced in the past 10 days, including about 20,000 going into government-held areas. But Syria&#39;s government said 30,000 had been registered in government-held zones alone.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Russia wants rebels and their families to be evacuated to the rebel-held town of Idlib, but the rebels want evacuees to go to northern Aleppo province.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Egeland said the local council in Idlib had informed the UN that the town could not receive any more people because it was already too full of displaced people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile in Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said victory in the battle for Aleppo would be a &quot;big gain&quot; for his government but that it would not end the civil war.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His comments came as his troops were pushing further into the rebel-held enclave in eastern Aleppo, in swift advances that were hardly possible earlier in the bitter conflict, now in its sixth year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Deeply divided since 2012 between Syrian government and rebel-controlled areas, more than three-quarters of the rebel section has now fallen under the government&#39;s control, including the symbolically important ancient Aleppo quarters.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yesterday, opposition activists said intensive bombings took place in the al-Sukkari and Kallaseh neighbourhoods in the area still held by rebels.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	State TV said the troops were about to storm the two districts. Al-Sukkari is in the southern part of eastern Aleppo, an area that has become home to the majority of the displaced civilians who stayed behind. Kallaseh is near the old city.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Disabled</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) said meanwhile that it had evacuated 148 disabled civilians and others in need of urgent care from a facility in Aleppo&#39;s old city after fighting had calmed down there.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ICRC said in a statement yesterday that the evacuation was undertaken jointly with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and was completed late on Wednesday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The people had been trapped in a facility that was originally a home for the elderly and included mental health patients, elderly orphans and patients with physical disabilities. Some were injured civilians who had sought refuge there.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They were forgotten,&quot; said Pawel Krzysiek, ICRC communication co-ordinator in Damascus. The evacuees were taken to hospital and shelters in the western, government-held part of Aleppo.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 9th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/150000-face-extermination-as-aleppo-on-brink-35280600.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/150000-face-extermination-as-aleppo-on-brink-35280600.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-09 10:44:28',NULL,'150000-face-extermination-as-aleppo-on-brink'),(1764,'Inside Oberstown: Education and responsibility clouded by violence','<p>\r\n	Staff at Ireland&rsquo;s main detention centre for young people set to strike next month</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The youth detention centre in Oberstown, north Dublin, stands on a 25-acre campus in countryside near Lusk. Surrounded by high railings and imposing, heavy metal gates, it is a place that rarely attracts positive headlines.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Oberstown can hold 48 inmates. This week it had 36 within its fences. All of the boys are aged between 15 and 17. The majority are from outside Dublin. Half of them have been detained by the courts. Half are on remand.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some have committed assaults, burglaries and &ldquo;some awful offences&rdquo;, says the facility&rsquo;s director Pat Bergin. They are accommodated in ten-bed units or &ldquo;houses&rdquo;. Each has their own small, en suite bedroom, but they share living and eating quarters.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Oberstown has a school, astro-turf pitches, gardens, gyms, a kitchen which produces over 300 meals a day for staff and residents, as well as offices, a GP surgery, a dental surgery and family meeting rooms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	School principal Martin Treacy says the &ldquo;vast majority&rdquo; of the young people &ldquo;love school, and even complain there isn&rsquo;t enough&rdquo;. Classes are small &ndash; three to a lesson. All State exam subjects are taught. Some are doing Fetac apprenticeship courses.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;They really do love school here &ndash; the structure, the sense of achievement they get. I think for some it&rsquo;s the first time they&rsquo;ve had the chance to breathe and focus in a school setting and to create their own learning trajectory,&rdquo; says Treacy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Most of the lads want get what they can from being here,&rdquo; says Bergin. Oberstown has a student council, where the boys can give their opinions about issues, including the charities to benefit from fundraising events. Project work and &ldquo;student of the week&rdquo; certificates adorn the walls.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Serious uncertainty</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This week, however, some of the State&rsquo;s most troubled young people face serious uncertainty as staff at the centre, worried about their personal security and other issues, prepare for an all-out strike next month.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If education is clearly Oberstown&rsquo;s greatest highlight, then it is equally apparent that violence is its most dire challenge.In recent months, some of the inmates rioted, setting fire to a roof and taking over units of accommodation for up to 12 hours at a time</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The most recent figures from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs reveal there were more than 100 violent incidents at Oberstown last year, about half of which were classified as &ldquo;critical&rdquo;. There were 3,005 sick days taken by 65 staff, who are members of the Impact trade union. Management is in denial about the risks faced daily by staff, the union maintains.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last month 128 staff &ndash; including care workers, supervising officers and middle-management &ndash; voted by 94 per cent to take industrial action, citing increasing violence and demanding protective clothing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If the strike goes ahead on January, then all of the inmates in Oberstown face being guarded not by the care-workers who normally work there, but by garda&iacute;. However, it is clear, too, that some of them may even be released early.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the eyes of some, the issues at Oberstown reflect fundamental disagreements about how best to care for children in the custody of the State with claim and counter-claim being made by management and staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All the boys are &ldquo;very damaged . . . some from the care system originally, chaotic families that needed support. They will probably have been exposed to physical, emotional or sexual abuse&rdquo;, says Bergin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On 29th August, when staff cover was down 60 per cent due to a one-day strike, some boys got out of their accommodation and broke into another unit to allow others to escape. Significant damage was done and a fire broke out, leaving three units uninhabitable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In September another unit, known as Cuan Beag, was seriously damaged when an inmate gained possession of a care-worker&rsquo;s keys. He released other boys from their rooms and together they removed doors from hinges, broke windows and smashed furniture. Staff vacated the building and relinquished control for about 12 hours.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On Halloween night garda&iacute; were called to the campus when two boys escaped from their unit and sat on a roof for three hours, refusing to come down.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There would be &ldquo;no repeat&rdquo; of such events, says Bergin, during the planned strike, as &ldquo;conversations&rdquo; were underway with agencies, including An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na, about securing the campus. He was also considering temporary or early release for some of the boys.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Out of control&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, one care worker who spoke to The Irish Times says things are now &ldquo;so out of control&rdquo; in Oberstown that they are worried about what might happen over Christmas, following charges that an attempt to kidnap a staff member was unearthed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Management and staff at the facility are fundamentally divided on how inmates should be handled when they become aggressive. In the past, the source says, staff intervened when a child was becoming aggressive to physically restrain them, take them to their room, and &ldquo;let them scream it out&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, some of the staff claim that violent outbreaks in Oberstown have grown worse under Bergin due to the &ldquo;mismanagement of violent and aggressive behaviour&rdquo;. Staff, they claim, have lost &ldquo;lost confidence&rdquo; in senior management.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since his arrival three year ago, Bergin has directed staff not to restrain inmates as they had been doing. A number had been disciplined for incorrectly restraining detainees and last year one was dismissed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Staff are afraid of losing their jobs if we intervene, so we have to stand back and let the child act out &ndash; that&rsquo;s how Cuan Beag got wrecked,&rdquo; the source says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We need to be allowed to step in at the first sign of trouble, to talk them down and restrain them for their own and others&rsquo; safety. Generally when you do that, they know it&rsquo;s going to happen and they generally go off to their room anyway.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is abusive the worker says, to allow young people &ndash; many of whom had experienced extreme trauma in earlier childhood &ndash; to get so out of control. It gave them a &ldquo;false sense of themselves&rdquo; and a belief they could &ldquo;take things and smash them and no one cares&rdquo;. The majority of the young people were &ldquo;terrified&rdquo; by these events.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;So we are creating monsters. These children are not monsters. What kind of opinion do people have of these boys who smashed up a unit? But current policy validates that behaviour.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;What will happen is when they leave us they think they&rsquo;re so powerful, that they can walk down the street, punch the head off anybody and just be violent, or do whatever and nobody cares.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While &ldquo;only a handful of kids [were] acting out,&rdquo; the source says, some felt pressurised to join in, which was &ldquo;further abuse&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Physical intervention</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Bergin, however, says he wants staff to intervene early, physically if necessary. The methods used, though, must be in line with international best practise known as Management of Actual or Potential Aggression.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Staff had been carrying young people face down and holding them face down on the ground. &ldquo;That had to stop&rdquo; he says. He issued a directive to that effect to all staff in November of last year, following an inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). The Hiqa report said such practices as &ldquo;lifting a child in a way that would be dangerous for the child&rdquo; and some &ldquo;methods of physical restraint&rdquo; must &ldquo;cease with immediate effect&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Questioned about the staff&rsquo;s demands for protective clothing, Bergin is insistent. It will not be provided. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re talking about armoured vests, shields and helmets. This is not a prison. It is a child detention centre.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All staff are being trained in the best practise programme, he says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, Bergin says that when all units were returned to use, those held on remand in Oberstown will be separated from those who are there because they have been convicted by the courts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Separating remand and detained children would help stabilise conditions, he says. &ldquo;The lads with detention orders tend to settle better &ndash; they are more invested in the place and the staff.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He hopes the strike could be averted and the dispute referred to the Workplace Relations Commission before Christmas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The care worker, however, says: &ldquo;We need to go on strike now for our own sense of self-worth and for the public to know staff are demoralised and not able to do the job they are employed to do.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	What the first week of 2017 holds for the centre&rsquo;s young residents remains unclear.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 8th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/inside-oberstown-education-and-responsibility-clouded-by-violence-1.2898319\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/inside-oberstown-education-and-responsibility-clouded-by-violence-1.2898319</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-09 10:48:59',NULL,'inside-oberstown-education-and-responsibility-clouded-by-violence'),(1765,'131 refugees from Greek camps expected by Christmas','<p>\r\n	The Minister for Children has said that another 131 refugees from the Greek camps will be received in Ireland before Christmas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, Katherine Zappone said it was anticipated that the full number - 2,600 - of refugees, coming from Greece and Italy under the resettlement programme, will be arrive in Ireland by the end of 2017.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ireland agreed last year to accept in total4,000 refugees and migrants fleeing to Europe&rsquo;s borders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone, who is on a three-day official visit to Greece, said that approximately 80 refugees a month will be received in Ireland from now on.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking on RT&Eacute;&rsquo;s Morning Ireland, Ms Zappone said: &quot;Our officials have assured us that before Christmas we will be receiving another 131 refugees, and that we would anticipate having the full number of refugees coming from Greece and Italy, in the resettlement programme, by the end of 2017. That&#39;s about 2,600 of the 4,000.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that while Ireland wants to be true to its refugee commitments, one of the key issues was to do with housing and accommodating those in need.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone also said that she was in favour of stopping direct provision but added the same challenges around housing and communities remained in re-homing those already in direct provision.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 12th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/video/2016/1211/838130-opposition-parties-renew-call-for-resignation-of-foster/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/video/2016/1211/838130-opposition-parties-renew-call-for-resignation-of-foster/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-12 10:31:45',NULL,'131-refugees-from-greek-camps-expected-by-christmas'),(1766,'Gardai failed to inform HSE about potential risk to children from serving officer now being investigated over alleged sex assault on girl (11)','<p>\r\n	Woman who claims she was raped by Garda officer says he admitted child sex fantasies</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Garda&iacute; failed to inform HSE services about a potential threat posed to young children by a serving garda member after an alleged rape victim made a complaint three years ago.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The officer is now under investigation for alleged child sex offences with an 11-year-old in recent weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A mother, who claims she was raped by the garda, has told Independent.ie that during her alleged ordeal in August 2013 the officer admitted child sex fantasies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She contacted a senior garda member immediately after the incident and raised concerns for the safety of named children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A number of days later she repeated those concerns when she verbally reported her rape allegations to a second senior officer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, in a letter from the office of Tanaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald sent to the woman in August 2016, a senior civil servant acknowledged that this information was not passed on to HSE child and family services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Furthermore, the letter confirms that the District Officer in the garda division &ldquo;failed to retain in writing a record of the decision and the justification for not initially reporting the alleged child protection issues in compliance with the HQ directive&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It has emerged that a new investigation has been launched into the same garda member by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) over fresh allegations that he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood that this latest complaint relates to an incident that took place in the last number of weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking on condition of anonymity, the original accuser said she knew the garda for seven years previous to the alleged attack on her through her work with a local management agency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She explained that she arranged to meet him in the car park of a bar and shopping centre after he contacted her claiming to have &ldquo;important information&rdquo; in August 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, she claims that when she went to meet him, he held her down and raped her in his car.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	During the alleged attack the mother claims that the garda described child fantasies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She explained: &ldquo;I said to myself &#39;if you get out of this car, you have to remember this is not just about you. There&#39;s a child in danger and you need to take in details he&#39;s saying so you can help her</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;He said &#39;what if I told you I was into young girls?&#39; He said &#39;18&#39; and he kept going down to 12. I said &#39;please, I don&#39;t want to hear any more&#39;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman claimed that the man mentioned an underage girl who he claimed to have sexually assaulted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Following the alleged incident the mother claims she contacted a senior garda officer, who was based in the same district as her alleged attacker, by text message.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She attended a sexual assault unit and the following week she met with a second senior garda and made a complaint about the attack.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She claims that at this meeting, and in the initial text message correspondence with the senior garda, she raised concerns about child welfare.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While the woman claims she made an oral report at the time it is understood that no written formal complaint was recorded.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I verbally told him [second senior officer] about what the individual guard had done to me and I also told him everything about the child side of it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;My words to him were: &#39;That&#39;s part of the child protection guidelines, I am now handing it over to you. So you are responsible and the responsibility for me is now off my shoulders&#39;. It never left me but I was giving it to someone else to follow.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the Tanaiste has now acknowledged, in her letter to the woman, that these concerns were not passed on to Tusla the child and family agency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The correspondence confirms that Tusla were only made aware of child protection concerns after the woman made a formal complaint to GSOC. The woman told Independent.ie that this was in early 2014 &ndash; around six months after the alleged rape.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter explains: &ldquo;It is understood that after you made your complaint to GSOC, they referred matters to Tusla which included details of the children identified as being subject to the investigation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;While it is a matter of concern that this contact did not take place at the earliest opportunity, the appropriate child protection body were made aware of your concerns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Tanaiste has been informed that GSOC met with Tulsa to discuss the child protection concerns and that there was subsequent contact by both GSOC and Tulsa with the families of the children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Nevertheless, the Tanaiste has referred back to GSOC the issue of the failure by the Gardai to contact the appropriate child protection agencies earlier.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is not clear at this point if the latest alleged victim was one of the children that the woman had initially alerted garda&iacute; to.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	GSOC carried out an investigation into the first alleged attack, and a file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) but a decision was made not to proceed with a trial.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Tanaiste met with the woman in October 2015 and wrote to her in August 2016, following the completion of a garda report into the matter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter from the Department of Justice confirmed that a disciplinary investigation was taken against a senior garda by GSOC.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Independent.ie understands that this was the officer who the woman contacted first by text message shortly after her alleged ordeal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter states: &ldquo;A number of breaches of discipline were investigated including failure to secure evidence, including CCTV, mobile phones and clothing, and failure to record the incident on the Garda PULSE system.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter says that on foot of this incident a notice was issued to all Chief Superintendents and Superintendents to &ldquo;remind them to adhere to the Garda Siochiana Policy on the Investigation of Sexual Crimes, Crimes against Children and Child Welfare&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter from the department states: &ldquo;On a general note, the Garda Siochana report states that the failure in this case was not an endemic issue and did not appear to be occurring on a systematic basis.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a second letter, sent in the last week from the Tanaiste&#39;s office to the woman, a senior civil servant states that following consideration of the garda reports into the matter the Tanaiste considered it appropriate to refer back to GSOC &quot;the failure by the Gardai to contact the appropriate child protection agencies earlier regarding the child protection concerns you had raised.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A directive to issue &ldquo;further instruction clarifying the policy on recording child protection referral decisions&quot; was given.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a statement a garda spokesman said: &ldquo;An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na takes its obligations in relation to child protection under Children First very seriously. All members have been informed of the critical need for them to ensure any relevant matters relating to child protection issues are reported to the relevant agency or agencies as quickly as possible in the correct manner.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;An Garda Siochana does not comment on internal disciplinary investigations into individual members or investigations by GSOC.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 11th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/exclusive-gardai-failed-to-inform-hse-about-potential-risk-to-children-from-serving-officer-now-being-investigated-over-alleged-sex-assault-on-girl-11-35285481.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/exclusive-gardai-failed-to-inform-hse-about-potential-risk-to-children-from-serving-officer-now-being-investigated-over-alleged-sex-assault-on-girl-11-35285481.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-12 10:43:55',NULL,'gardai-failed-to-inform-hse-about-potential-risk-to-children-from-serving-officer-now-being-investigated-over-alleged-sex-assault-on-girl-11'),(1767,'Girls \'aged seven or eight\' used as bombs in Nigerian market','<p>\r\n	&ldquo;She headed toward the poultry sellers, and then detonated her explosives belt.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Two young girls approximately seven or eight years old blew themselves up in a northeastern Nigerian market this morning, killing themselves and one other person and wounding 18 others, sources said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The girls were &ldquo;seven or eight&rdquo;, a local militia member in Maiduguri, Abdulkarim Jabo, told AFP.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The attack was not immediately claimed by Boko Haram but bore the hallmarks of the jihadists, who routinely use women and girls to carry out attacks, often in Borno state, the epicentre of their insurgency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Borno Governor Kashim Shettima, visiting victims in the hospital, confirmed the toll in the attack.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Maiduguri militiaman Jabo said he saw the girls immediately before the explosion.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;They got out of a rickshaw and walked right in front of me without showing the slightest sign of emotion,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I tried to speak with one of them, in Hausa and in English, but she didn&rsquo;t answer. I thought they were looking for their mother,&rdquo; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;She headed toward the poultry sellers, and then detonated her explosives belt.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Boko Haram jihadists have laid waste to northeast Nigeria since they took up arms against the government in 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At least 20,000 people have been killed and more than two and a half million more displaced by the unrest.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Rights groups say thousands of women and girls have been abducted by the group. In the most infamous incident, in 2014, more than 200 schoolgirls were taken in the remote town of Chibok.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The jihadists have used abducted females as sex slaves and human bombs, while boys are enlisted to fight.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Northeast Nigeria has been buffeted in recent weeks by devastating attacks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On Friday at least 45 people died and 33 others were wounded in another double attack carried out by female bombers at a marketplace in the town of Madagali.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In October another set of female bombers killed 17 people at a station near a camp for internally displaced persons.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In February 2015, Boko Haram used an eight-year-old to carry out an attack in Potiskum, in Yobe state, and a 10- and 18-year-old pair were involved in a failed July 2014 attack in Funtua, in northwestern Katsina state.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the TheJournal.ie on 11th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/nigeria-market-bombing-3133154-Dec2016/?google_editors_picks=true\">http://www.thejournal.ie/nigeria-market-bombing-3133154-Dec2016/?google_editors_picks=true</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-12 10:58:08',NULL,'girls-aged-seven-or-eight-used-as-bombs-in-nigerian-market'),(1768,'Baby left in buggy down a lane while mother smoked heroin','<p>\r\n	Incident is one of 20 cases detailed in report on court orders made under Child Care Act</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A baby boy was taken into care after a garda saw him in his buggy down a lane as his mother smoked heroin. The mother, who was under 18, was placed in a residential unit.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The case is among 20 childcare cases detailed in the latest report from the Child Care Law Reporting Project, led by Dr Carol Coulter. It publishes regular reports from the courts which make orders under the Child Care Act.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In one case, described as &ldquo;very sad&rdquo; in court, a full care order was granted in the case of an infant boy after a 14-month interim order expired. His young mother, who was homeless and had chronic addiction issues, had had a &ldquo;very tough start in life&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her baby son was taken into interim care after a garda saw him in his buggy down a lane as his mother smoked heroin. The mother, who was under 18, was placed in a residential unit. When 18, she had to leave and find private rented accommodation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Interim order</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court heard she had a &ldquo;beautiful relationship with her son and innate parenting skills&rdquo;. If she could deal with her addiction she could care for her son. The judge granted an interim order which would expire when she was 21, urging her to reform her life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fourteen months later, however, the young mother had become &ldquo;fully overwhelmed by her addiction&rdquo; and was sleeping in a tent. She had not engaged with drug services. The mother, who did not attend the hearing, had deteriorated rapidly after the care order.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The guardian ad litem said observing access between mother and her son &ldquo;was a pleasure&rdquo;, that &ldquo;he was so warm with her, loving like his mam&rdquo;, but &ldquo;she was overwhelmed&rdquo; and &ldquo;self-destructed&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge granted a full care order until the boy was 18 and asked the Child and Family Agency to encourage her to attend drug rehabilitation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These latest cases, published on Tuesday, include a number described as &ldquo;exceptionally long&rdquo; &ndash; including one lasting 2&frac12; years &ndash; raising serious questions about long delays interviewing children about alleged sexual abuse. They underlined the need for a dedicated family court to hear cases in a timely manner, said Dr Coulter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Appropriate</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In one case, after 68 days of hearings, the judge asked whether the District Court was appropriate to hear complex child-care cases. The case had been preceded by prolonged interim care order hearings before another judge.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Numerous witnesses had been called including social workers, psychologists, paediatricians, foster carers and neuroscientists. The case involved five children under the age of 18. Initially they were in care due to neglect but allegations of sexual abuse emerged. The judge found the abuse happened and the parents knew about it, and granted full care orders for all five children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The length of time involved raised, said the judge, &ldquo;serious questions about whether the District Court has the rules and procedures in place to handle such complex cases . . . district courts tend to go quite slowly.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another case saw supervision orders refused in a case involving an Irish couple who had fled to the UK to have their baby. British social workers planned to take the baby straight into care having assessed the mother to lack capacity and the father as aggressive.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court, however, heard the mother &ldquo;related to the child in a warm and caring way&rdquo; and the father, though he &ldquo;seemed odd&rdquo;, was able to parent. They had a good relationship with the social worker. The judge declined to make a supervision order.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 13th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/baby-left-in-buggy-down-a-lane-while-mother-smoked-heroin-1.2903142\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/baby-left-in-buggy-down-a-lane-while-mother-smoked-heroin-1.2903142</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-13 09:26:24',NULL,'baby-left-in-buggy-down-a-lane-while-mother-smoked-heroin'),(1769,'ISPCC: Kids regularly viewing age inappropriate material online','<p>\r\n	Irish parents are leaving children as young as five have unlimited access to the internet even though other children are admitting to distress because of what they are viewing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children are viewing age inappropriate, violent and/or pornagraphic material online regularly, according to a review of its cases by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Children (ISPCC).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity also found that young people are showing a clear lack of empathy online which they don&rsquo;t display in face to face interactions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In some cases, the ISPCC says &ldquo;children think that the purpose of social media is to taunt and insult others and that this is the normal behaviour online&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In their review, researchers found that staff across the ISPCC had &ldquo;extensive experience and knowledge of working with young people showing high levels of stress and anxiety created by reputational damage from sexting&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In some cases, children were the victims of &ldquo;sextortion&rdquo;with some being blackmailed for money or asked to send further intimate images or else the &ldquo;sextorter&rdquo; would release sexual images of them online or in apps.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Grooming was highlighted as a concern for parents calling the ISPCC Support Line. In one case, a parent phoned the service for support after they were made aware that their child was being groomed by an online paedophile ring.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Young people&rsquo;s sense of self is also increasingly linked to their online profile and popularity, according to the charity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The cyber world has added a new dimension to the development of identity for young people. Children and young people have always sought out validation and recognition of their identities but what is different today is how young people seek that validation and the level of exposure online,&rdquo; read the case review.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	ISPCC chief executive Grania Long said: &ldquo;Throughout the review, it became clear that a pattern of confusion was emerging for our service users. Children and young people felt unable to control inappropriate activities, they were unsure of where to turn to or how to address concerns. Parents were particularly feeling ill-equipped to deal with issues of safety online&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Cyber safety is the child protection issue of our time; we are only beginning to understand the scale and nature of harm and criminal behaviour towards children online. However, we also appreciate the positive impact that technology has on the lives of young people but our work has informed us that our education system and society are failing to prepare children to identify and understand online risks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ISPCC is calling on the Government to speed up the publication of proposals to reform criminal law in this area and to introduce a national statutory oversight system, to promote and support positive digital safety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The case review is being published as the ISPCC hosts a private conference in Dubin Castle about online safety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 13th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ispcc-kids-regularly-viewing-age-inappropriate-material-online-434969.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ispcc-kids-regularly-viewing-age-inappropriate-material-online-434969.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-13 09:27:59',NULL,'ispcc-kids-regularly-viewing-age-inappropriate-material-online'),(1770,'Rape Crisis Centre demand ‘thorough and speedy’ investigation after \'worrying\' garda reports','<p>\r\n	The Rape Crisis Centre has called for a &ldquo;speedy and thorough&rdquo; investigation after it was revealed that garda&iacute; failed to inform HSE child and family services about a potential threat to young children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On Sunday a mother, who claims she was raped by a garda, told Independent.ie that during her alleged ordeal the officer admitted child sex fantasies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman said she contacted a senior garda member immediately after her alleged rape in August 2013 and raised concerns for the safety of named children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A number of days later she repeated those concerns when she verbally reported her rape allegations to a second senior officer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, in a letter from the office of T&aacute;naiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald sent to the woman in August 2016, a senior civil servant acknowledged this information was not passed on to HSE child and family services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Furthermore, the letter confirms the District Officer in the garda division &quot;failed to retain in writing a record of the decision and the justification for not initially reporting the alleged child protection issues in compliance with the HQ directive&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An investigation was carried out into the first alleged attack by the Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) and a file was submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but a decision was made not to proceed with a trial.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A new investigation has been launched into the same garda member by GSOC over fresh allegations he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), said the reports were &ldquo;very worrying&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She told Independent.ie: &ldquo;At the moment these are the most serious allegations in relation to the gardai who are the frontline protectors of our society.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I am conscious that there is an investigation ongoing and that investigation has to go through because very serious allegations are being made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, she continued: &ldquo;Because the allegations are so serious it is really important that they are investigated thoroughly and speedily.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter from the Department of Justice confirmed that a disciplinary investigation was taken against a senior garda by GSOC.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Independent.ie understands that this was the officer who the woman contacted first by text message shortly after her alleged ordeal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter states: &ldquo;A number of breaches of discipline were investigated including failure to secure evidence, including CCTV, mobile phones and clothing, and failure to record the incident on the Garda PULSE system.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter says that on foot of this incident a notice was issued to all Chief Superintendents and Superintendents to &ldquo;remind them to adhere to the Garda Siochiana Policy on the Investigation of Sexual Crimes, Crimes against Children and Child Welfare&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Blackwell said it was a concern that the incident was not logged on PULSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Independent.ie has learned that the officer under investigation is currently suspended from An Garda S&iacute;ochana pending the outcome of a GSOC investigation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Anyone with concerns can contact the Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 778888</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 12th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/rape-crisis-centre-demand-thorough-and-speedy-investigation-after-worrying-garda-reports-35288803.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/rape-crisis-centre-demand-thorough-and-speedy-investigation-after-worrying-garda-reports-35288803.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-13 09:30:04',NULL,'rape-crisis-centre-demand-‘thorough-and-speedy’-investigation-after-worrying-garda-reports'),(1771,'Price of mental health treatment can cost the same as \'average Dublin rent\'','<p>\r\n	There have been calls to make psychoherapy accessible to all those who require it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Providing private mental health treatment can cost as much as renting a room in Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The pricing of weekly therapy sessions coupled with non-generic medications can see a sufferer&rsquo;s monthly totals hit over &euro;400.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When we checked the price of therapy sessions on the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy&rsquo;s website, we found that the price of a session fluctuated between &euro;55 and &euro;65.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Non-generic medications can also pose problems for patients with the medication cap set at &euro;144 a month. So weekly sessions at the higher end of the cost spectrum and monthly medication can run the average person &euro;404.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many therapists have &lsquo;affordable slots&rsquo; during their day where they can charge their clients a discounted rate. Prices can also be negotiated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, there are services dotted around the country which are offering hope to those who can&rsquo;t afford treatment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alan O&rsquo;Mara, the founder of Real Talks, believes cost should never get in the way of treatment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Cavan goalkeeper said that, although he was able to avail of counselling sessions provided by the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), he knows of those who find it difficult to get the help they need.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is through the talks he gives to schoolchildren and older groups across the country that he sees so many children come up and ask how to get help.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He told TheJournal.ie: &ldquo;In my opinion, there should be the likes of a Pieta House in every county in the country. Teenagers have come up to me and spoken about the cost of therapy but I always say there&rsquo;s another service out there. Private therapy can be expensive alright. It can be tough when you&rsquo;re in between. One one hand you&rsquo;re struggling to pay the rent and then you think you&rsquo;ve to pay hundreds in therapy fees. But you don&rsquo;t.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Pieta House does free counselling. I know loads of people who&rsquo;ve used their services. Centres like those are vital.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;For me, I had the GPA, so I was lucky. But you can&rsquo;t have a system where you&rsquo;re waiting months for help. That system isn&rsquo;t fit for purpose at the minute. A lot of the people I speak to know how to ask for help and that&rsquo;s great. What you don&rsquo;t need is someone asking for help and not being able to afford it. Money shouldn&rsquo;t stop you getting the help you need.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, despite the concerns over the pricing of therapy and medications, the&nbsp;College of Psychiatrists said that mental health services are free &ldquo;at the point of delivery&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Director of Communications for the college&nbsp;Dr John Hillery said comments made by Majella O&rsquo;Donnell over the price of therapy were wide of the mark. She said she was shocked to hear psychiatrists charging her friend &euro;300 for a session.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hillery said: &ldquo;While it is good to keep the highlight on improvements badly needed in some areas of mental health services, it is important the general public having read coverage of some of the points attributed to Mrs O&rsquo;Donnell will not be put off looking for help when it is needed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is more to do to bring our mental health services and supports up to the standard and availability as espoused in &lsquo;A Vision for Change&rsquo; but there are supports and help without cost in the public mental health services around the country despite this.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But Fine Gael TD Kate O&rsquo;Connell said she was concerned that the price of seeking care is heaping huge financial pressure on many struggling families.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that with the rise in the rate of acute depression during the recession, there is an onus on the patient to get better themselves.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	O&rsquo;Connell added: &ldquo;If one is not a medical card patient and presents with depression in the GP surgery, my experience is that the onus is on the patient to source a psychotherapist or a psychologist. I have heard that six months of counselling for people with a treatable depression could cost about &euro;5,000 in professional fees. I think that is an enormous barrier to getting oneself well.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 14th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/mental-health-pricing-hel-alan-omara-3136659-Dec2016/?utm_source=shortlink\">http://www.thejournal.ie/mental-health-pricing-hel-alan-omara-3136659-Dec2016/?utm_source=shortlink</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-14 09:49:44',NULL,'price-of-mental-health-treatment-can-cost-the-same-as-average-dublin-rent'),(1772,'Over 9,000 children are to be given medical cards','<p>\r\n	And pensioners will receive cheaper medicine.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Around 9,000 children will qualify for medical cards after cabinet agreement on new legislation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Health Minister Simon Harris tonight announced that children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance (DCA) would automatically qualify for a medical card.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The DCA is a monthly payment for a child under 16 who has a severe disability and &ldquo;who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age&rdquo;. The allowance isn&rsquo;t means tested.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Harris said the measure will be introduced in early 2017.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The latest figures show that this initiative will benefit approximately 9,000 very sick children who are not currently eligible for a medical card. As a result 33,000 children will be eligible for a full Medical Card. It is my intention to introduce this measure as early as possible in 2017.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The cabinet has also agreed to cut the prescription charge for over 70s by &euro;0.50 per item or &euro;5 per month to &euro;2 per item and &euro;20 maximum per month respectively from 1 March 2017.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This will see some 330,000 pensioners receive cheaper medicines.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 13th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/medical-cards-7-3138068-Dec2016/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/medical-cards-7-3138068-Dec2016/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-14 09:51:17',NULL,'over-9000-children-are-to-be-given-medical-cards'),(1773,'UN: 80,000 Nigerian children will starve to death','<p>\r\n	Nearly half a million children will face starvation in north-eastern Nigeria next year and 80,000 will die unless they receive treatment, amid the humanitarian crisis created by Boko Haram&#39;s Islamic uprising, the United Nations&#39; children&#39;s agency has warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;What is already a crisis can become a catastrophe,&quot; Unicef executive director Anthony Lake said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His statement said the 400,000 children at risk of starvation represented just a fraction of the suffering among some 2.6 million refugees in the seven-year uprising that has killed more than 20,000 people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If they do not receive the treatment they need, one in five of these children will die,&quot; Mr Lake said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Large areas of Borno state are completely inaccessible to any kind of humanitarian assistance. We are extremely concerned about the children trapped in these areas.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Boko Haram attacked a military-escorted humanitarian convoy in July about 45 miles from Maiduguri, the birthplace of the insurgency, wounding a Unicef worker, two other aid workers and two soldiers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A rocket-propelled grenade slammed into the windscreen of a bullet-proof vehicle, one that Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari has accused the agency of buying instead of spending money on people in need. Unicef said the vehicle was a donation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Lake spoke just days after Mr Buhari accused the UN and private international aid agencies of exaggerating the crisis to seek donations. Mr Buhari declared that Boko Haram was &quot;technically defeated&quot; a year ago and appeared to be fixed on maintaining that fiction.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While soldiers from a multinational force of Nigeria and neighbouring countries have pushed the extremists out of towns and many villages they occupied, attacks on military outposts and suicide bombings of soft targets continue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Associated Press news agency has reported since September that children already are dying of starvation in Maiduguri, the biggest city in Nigeria&#39;s north east that is easily accessible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Doctors Without Borders said in November that thousands of children already have died, including 10 to 25% of children admitted to its 110-bed Maiduguri emergency treatment centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nigeria&#39;s senate is investigating allegations that government agencies are diverting food aid that could help prevent those deaths.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Buhari was elected in March 2015 on a platform that pledged to finish off Boko Haram and halt endemic corruption.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 14th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/un-80000-nigerian-children-will-starve-to-death-35293184.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/un-80000-nigerian-children-will-starve-to-death-35293184.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-14 09:53:14',NULL,'un-80000-nigerian-children-will-starve-to-death'),(1774,'Woman (86) escapes from nursing home to be in house she loves','<p>\r\n	Case study: after she fell, Kay&rsquo;s family found a residential place for her but she got bored</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Kay (not her real name) went to a nursing home almost a year ago. Like many older people &ndash; she is 86 &ndash; she fell at home and her family grew concerned for her safety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;They were worried for me. I was on my own and they said it would only be for a few weeks, or so I thought.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Weeks turned into 10 months. Having lived independently at home, with weekly games of bridge and annual holidays with friends, she found herself becoming institutionalised in the nursing home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It was very nice and comfortable, but I felt terrible. I was going out of my head, there was nothing to do,&rdquo; says Kay, who had been living in Munster. The home was in Dublin, near where her daughters lived, but far from her own home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She asked to return home but both her family and the home refused to facilitate this. The nursing home threatened to call the garda&iacute; to restrain her if she attempted to leave.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The person in charge wouldn&rsquo;t let me leave. She locked the room and said I couldn&rsquo;t go until my family signed me out.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Discharged herself</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Kay says it suited her children for her to be in Dublin, near where they live, and they weren&rsquo;t pleased at her stance. &ldquo;Yet they didn&rsquo;t visit me all that often.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She went ahead and discharged herself earlier this month, and travelled home in a taxi, at a cost of &euro;360. Because she was not signed out by the nursing home, it refused to give her the necessary referral for home care that she had received before being admitted. She now pays for a small amount of private home care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Back in her own house, she says she is delighted to be able to meet friends and do her own shopping. She plans to take up bridge again. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to go back to a nursing home again. All I want is to be able to stay at home.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nursing Homes Ireland said it was unaware of the case, but said that any discharges have to be done under regulation. This states that a discharge should be agreed with a resident and &ldquo;where appropriate&rdquo; their family or carer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The person in charge has to ensure, as far as possible, that the resident is discharged in a planned and safe manner, and that the person being discharged has the equipment and health services to facilitate this.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 19th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/woman-86-escapes-from-nursing-home-to-be-in-house-she-loves-1.2910641\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/woman-86-escapes-from-nursing-home-to-be-in-house-she-loves-1.2910641</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-19 09:15:39',NULL,'woman-86-escapes-from-nursing-home-to-be-in-house-she-loves'),(1775,'Child protection underfunding adds to suffering','<p>\r\n	Child Care Law Reporting Project highlights lack of resources and pressure on social workers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Child Care Law Reporting Project has again provided us with an insight into the in-camera world of child protection proceedings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These reports on court proceedings offer a glimpse into the issues and problems in the sector. This might not be obvious from the coverage in most of the media, which has focused on the human tragedy in the cases, that leave us shocked and horrified.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There is, however, a chance to draw wider lessons that should not be lost. The Child Care Act puts a statutory responsibility on social workers &ldquo;to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yet the reports are filled with examples of how this role has been frustrated by funding difficulties and the resulting service limitations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The most disturbing example is a case where social workers sought an interim care order but withdrew the application due to lack of foster carers. The social workers attempted to put in place tight supervision arrangements but the arrangements failed and forced the application for the interim care order. There was a clear, identified and documented risk to a child that could not be acted on.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cruellest irony</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In recent years the workload of social workers involved in fostering has increased while resources to do the work have shrunk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Recruiting new foster carers takes time &ndash; time to recruit, time for assessment and approval, and time to train and support &ndash; time that is no longer as readily available.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This time for recruitment competes with the day to day work of supporting foster carers and placements, and ever increasing paperwork. The result of this pressure and lack of resources can be seen in this case &ndash; a child left in a dangerous situation because social workers were not given the resources to keep it safe.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is not the only example; throughout the report there are cases where funding or service limitations contributed to young people in care losing out. These include the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) arguing with foster carers in the high courts about whether a child needs braces and who will pay for them, arguments about paying for assessments for children, and a case where psychological intervention was &ldquo;urgently required&rdquo; but had still not been provided after six weeks. This led a judge to question the Child and Family Agency&rsquo;s understanding of &ldquo;urgent&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The case with the cruellest irony involved a mother whose addiction led to her child going into care in the same place she had been as a child. The reports describe how the mother had been in the residential unit but had to leave at 18. The lack of funding and support for aftercare pushed a vulnerable young women out of what had been her home and into independent living. This was said to have had a significant impact on her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Losing out</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While children at risk come into care for protection, this case shows the need to extend this protection to them when they are leaving care. When this case was reported by many news outlets, the focus was on the shocking details of her addiction, not the structural problems that made her situation worse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	None of this is surprising. In October 2015 a leaked Tusla briefing document for Cabinet said it was in a &ldquo;constant struggle&rdquo; to stay within budget and that it was &ldquo;in default of its statutory obligations&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report also spoke about how social work departments are intervening later, when problems have become more complex and more expensive, further reducing the agency&rsquo;s ability to intervene early enough. Add to this the cuts in the community and youth work sectors which so often plug gaps left by lack of funding and Ireland&rsquo;s ability to support the children who it need most is limited.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the last budget Tusla got an increased allocation which is to be welcomed, yet it does not meet the funding requirements laid out clearly by Tusla in the leaked briefing. Without proper funding the hard work of front line social workers is being frustrated and young people are losing out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are stark lessons in the Child Care Law Reporting Project&rsquo;s most recent publications, perhaps the biggest being that the things Tusla said would happen without adequate funding are happening.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<em>Patrick Costello is a former social worker, Green Party spokesperson for children and a member of Dublin City Council.</em></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 19th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/child-protection-underfunding-adds-to-suffering-1.2910586\">http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/child-protection-underfunding-adds-to-suffering-1.2910586</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-19 09:17:56',NULL,'child-protection-underfunding-adds-to-suffering'),(1776,'No prison visits on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day','<p>\r\n	The families of inmates will not be able to visit their loved ones on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day this year, the Irish Prison Service has confirmed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Prison Service said that no visits will be facilitated at any prison on Christmas Day this year, as it falls on a Sunday, when the facilities are usually closed to visitors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service (IPS) said that no visiting hours will be available on Christmas Day due to a lack of demand.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Not having visits on Christmas Eve is borne out of our experience of visitors not wanting to attend the prison on that day,&rdquo; said the IPS spokesman.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Overall, the governor is satisfied that there are ample visits opportunities over the festive period. They have also put on visits on two mornings to facilitate more visits.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A survey by the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) found that approximately 6,000 children have a parent in prison in Ireland on any given day. It said that last year, 204 prisoners &mdash; approximately 5% of those serving time in Irish prisons &mdash; were granted temporary release for Christmas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We would be concerned if there is any reduction in visiting hours, particularly at this time of year which is hard for those on the inside, but particularly so on their families and children on the outside,&rdquo; said F&iacute;ona N&iacute; Chinn&eacute;ide, deputy executive director of the IPRT.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms N&iacute; Chinn&eacute;ide said that while the transfer to the new Cork Prison has seen an improvement in visiting conditions, the IPRT is concerned that morning visits are no longer available to the families of inmates at the new facility.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In October, in response to a query from Wexford TD Mick Wallace, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald confirmed a change to the visiting hours at a number of prisons.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Irish Prison Service is making some changes to the visiting timetable across a number of prisons to facilitate the implementation of a number of initiatives that are included in the new strategic plan,&rdquo; said Ms Fitzgerald.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This includes a new enhanced approach to staff learning and development, increased access to services for prisoners and increased use of video-link for court appearances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;To facilitate these new initiatives, a new prison visiting timetable is being introduced across certain closed prisons this month.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;As a result, visits will no longer be held in the mornings, Monday to Friday, in Castlerea Prison, Cork Prison, and Limerick Prison,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 19th December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/no-prison-visits-on-christmas-eve-or-christmas-day-435797.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/no-prison-visits-on-christmas-eve-or-christmas-day-435797.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-19 09:19:38',NULL,'no-prison-visits-on-christmas-eve-or-christmas-day'),(1777,'Kids can easily choke on grapes','<p>\r\n	Grapes are &ldquo;ideally suited&rdquo; to block a young child&rsquo;s airway and are the third most common cause of food-related choking, after hot dogs and sweets, doctors have warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While there is &ldquo;widespread awareness&rdquo; of the choking risk posed by small toys, warning labels are &ldquo;routinely absent&rdquo; on some food packaging, according to an article in the peer-reviewed medical journal, Archives of Disease in Childhood.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Grapes may pose a greater risk in some cases compared with small hard objects or foods, because their smooth, malleable surface is more likely to &ldquo;form a tight seal&rdquo; in the child&rsquo;s throat, according to report authors Dr Jamie Cooper and Dr Amy Lumsden.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Aberdeen-based medics said: &ldquo;Grapes are a popular food with young children, but are ideally suited to cause obstruction of a paediatric airway and are the third most common cause of food-related fatal choking episodes after hotdogs and sweets.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The pliable nature of the fruit makes it &ldquo;very difficult to dislodge with first aid manoeuvres&rdquo;, they added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The paper cited three different case studies &mdash; including that of a 17-month-old boy who died after choking while eating sandwiches and fruit at home with his family &mdash; as evidence of the dangers that can be posed by the snacks parent choose to give their children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another involved a two-year-old child becoming unresponsive despite attempts to clear his airway with the Heimlich manoeuvre. Thankfully, he recovered after a paramedic performed a direct laryngoscopy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The article concluded: &ldquo;There is a general awareness of the need to supervise young children when they are eating, and to get small solid objects, and some foods such as nuts, promptly out of the mouths of small children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;But knowledge of the dangers posed by grapes and other similar foods is not widespread.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Halving or quartering grapes, or similar foods such as cherry tomatoes, was advised to avoid fatal choking.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 21st December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kids-can-easily-choke-on-grapes-436108.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kids-can-easily-choke-on-grapes-436108.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-21 09:11:51',NULL,'kids-can-easily-choke-on-grapes'),(1778,'39 Chernobyl children to spend Christmas in Ireland','<p>\r\n	A group of 39 children with special needs will fly into Dublin from Chernobyl this afternoon before heading to homes all around the country for the best Christmas holiday of their lives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The very special visit follows an historic move by the UN this month, to designate an &#39;International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day&#39; for the future.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Adi Roche from Chernobyl Children International (pictured) says it&#39;s heart-warming that thirty years on - the survivors of the world&#39;s worst nuclear disaster are not being forgotten: &quot;I tried it one more time, last April at the General Assembly, not sure whether it would fall on deaf ears or not,</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;But the good news is, two weeks ago, United Nations have decided to allocate a UN international Chernobyl disaster day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is something that is of such significance on a global scale, it reminds the victims of Chernobyl that they are not forgotten.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by BreakingNews.ie on the 21st December 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/39-chernobyl-children-to-spend-christmas-in-ireland-769476.html\">https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/39-chernobyl-children-to-spend-christmas-in-ireland-769476.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-21 09:14:45',NULL,'39-chernobyl-children-to-spend-christmas-in-ireland'),(1779,'Gardaí investigate crèche sex assault allegations','<div>\r\n	<p>\r\n		The shocking allegations centre around a well-known cr&egrave;che in Co Kildare and specialist officers have been investigating the case since complaints were made last week.</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p>\r\n		It&#39;s understood that the complaints were made to Co Kildare garda&iacute; by two different parents in the past 10 days.</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		No arrests have been made in the case and the cr&egrave;che remains open.</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p>\r\n		Last night garda&iacute; confirmed that an investigation was under way involving Tusla.</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		Tusla is the State&#39;s child protection agency and is involved in multiple investigations in relation to alleged abuse of children.</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p>\r\n		&quot;An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na is investigating a complaint and is currently working with Tusla. The investigation is at an early stage and is of a sensitive nature and we are therefore not in a position to comment any further as this is an ongoing investigation,&quot; a spokesman said.</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		It is understood that all parents of children attending the cr&egrave;che have been informed of the allegations, but it is not known if the staff member has been suspended.</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p>\r\n		Sources said last night that the matter was being treated &quot;extremely seriously&quot;.</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit is expected to take a leading role in the investigation. This specialist unit leads the investigation of complex cases.</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p>\r\n		It is believed that specialist child interviewers will be needed to question children who attend the cr&egrave;che.</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		The exact nature of the allegations are unknown.</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p>\r\n		Under Children First Legislation introduced in 2014, there is a statutory obligation on certain professions to report child protection concerns to Tusla.</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		Garda&iacute;, medical practitioners, teachers, clergy members, social workers and others are required to report concerns.</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p>\r\n		Tusla does not comment on individual cases.</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		&nbsp;</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		(Published by the Irish Independent on the 21st December 2016)</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-investigate-crche-sex-assault-allegations-35310727.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-investigate-crche-sex-assault-allegations-35310727.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2016-12-21 09:15:45',NULL,'gardaã­-investigate-crã¨che-sex-assault-allegations'),(1780,'\'Frail elderly with flu better served staying in nursing homes,\' says minister','<p>\r\n	Health Minister Simon Harris has urged older people to stay in their nursing homes if they are suffering from flu-like symptoms as he faces the worst trolley crisis on record.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris said he would work with nursing homes to ensure they had the supports they needed to treat people with the flu and keep them out of overcrowded hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris said older people were especially susceptible to the current strain of flu, which resulted in 612 people languishing on trolleys in hospital wards yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There has been an almost 20pc rise in the number of patients aged over 75 going to hospitals in recent days with flu-like symptoms compared with the same period last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris said &quot;frail elderly&quot; people would be better served staying in nursing homes when they show flu symptoms as they will have private rooms and bathrooms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Perhaps they could be better cared for there with access to community supports, with access to doctors and nurses rather than being brought into an emergency department or a hospital where they may pick up further infections,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris&#39;s comments were among a number of initiatives he outlined aimed at tackling the overcrowding crisis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also committed to opening hospital diagnostic services until 8pm each day and said the HSE would review the length of stay of patients who were admitted during the Christmas break.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, he called for GPs to be given direct access to consultants to stop overcrowding in emergency departments.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite the record trolley figures, Mr Harris refused to call the crisis a national emergency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We can all come out with a soundbite or a buzz word to try to address the issue of the day but what is happening here is much more important,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Rather than having headlines about national emergencies or whatever else, the headline and message I would like to get out is the absolute importance of the vaccination and the absolute importance for all us as citizens doing everything we possibly can to minimise the spread of the flu.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minister said he was open to expanding the vaccination programme to allow more people avail of the flu jab for free. He also committed to carrying out a review of bed capacity in hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris held a crisis meeting with HSE director general Tony O&#39;Brien yesterday and will be seeking a progress report on the trolley crisis tomorrow.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is my job to set policy and fund that policy. It is the job of managers and the HSE that everything possible that can be done is being done. I have conveyed that message to them today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We need a redoubling of efforts by the HSE and of managers in every hospital site,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is interesting to see some hospitals doing very well in very difficult circumstances. I put that down to operational grip, to managers doing what they are paid to do and I want to see that practice expanded to other hospitals.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 4th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/frail-elderly-with-flu-better-served-staying-in-nursing-homes-says-minister-35340202.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/frail-elderly-with-flu-better-served-staying-in-nursing-homes-says-minister-35340202.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-04 09:26:48',NULL,'frail-elderly-with-flu-better-served-staying-in-nursing-homes-says-minister'),(1781,'Gamblers\' brain activity resembles patterns in drug addicts - research shows','<p>\r\n	Compulsive gamblers seek games of chance because of the same brain circuits that drive drug addiction, research has shown.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Scientists identified two brain areas that were highly active when gamblers felt the urge to make a bet or spin the wheel.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Both regions, known as the insula and nucleus accumbens, are involved in decision-making, reward sensations and impulse control, and have previously been linked to alcohol and drug cravings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The findings, reported in the journal Translational Psychiatry, could lead to new treatments for gambling addiction, say the researchers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Co-author Dr Henrietta Bowden-Jones, director of the National Problem Gambling Clinic at Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, said: &quot;Gambling addiction can have a devastating effect not just on patients, but also their families. It can result in people losing their job, and leave families and children homeless.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We know the condition may have a genetic component - and that the children of gambling addicts are at higher risk of gambling addiction themselves - but we still don&#39;t know the exact parts of the brain involved. This research identifies key brain areas, and opens avenues for targeted treatments that prevent cravings and relapse.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The scientists used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan the brains of 19 people with gambling addiction and the same number of healthy volunteers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brain activity was monitored while each participant was asked to view a selection of images that included a roulette wheel and betting shop.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In problem gamblers, the insula and nucleus accumbens brain regions were found to be highly active when seeing a gambling image was accompanied by craving.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A link was also seen with the brain&#39;s frontal lobe, which may help to control impulses. A weaker connection between this region and the nucleus accumbens was associated with a more intense urge to gamble.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Professor Anne Lingford-Hughes, another member of the team from Imperial College London, said: &quot;Weak connections between these regions have also been identified in drug addiction. The frontal lobe can help control impulsivity, therefore a weak link may contribute to people being unable to stop gambling, and ignoring the negative consequences of their actions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The connections may also be affected by mood - and be further weakened by stress, which may be why gambling addicts relapse during difficult periods in their life.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 3rd January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/gamblers-brain-activity-resembles-patterns-in-drug-addicts-research-shows-35338983.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/gamblers-brain-activity-resembles-patterns-in-drug-addicts-research-shows-35338983.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-04 09:28:17',NULL,'gamblers-brain-activity-resembles-patterns-in-drug-addicts-research-shows'),(1782,'A quick-thinking \'Christmas elf\' helped to save a man\'s life when his heart stopped on Christmas Eve','<p>\r\n	A quick-thinking &#39;Christmas elf&#39; has been hailed for saving the life on an elderly man on Christmas Eve after his heart stopped.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	St John&#39;s Ambulance volunteer Ciara O&#39;Callaghan (20) was working as in a card shop in Cork city centre, dressed festively as an elf, when she was called to assist the man who had taken ill nearby at around 2pm on Christmas Eve.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She realised that his heart had stopped immediately started CPR. Ciara was also able to use a defibrillator which was located nearby.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She continued CPR and gave the patient two shocks before the arrival of the paramedic crew.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The man is now recovering well in hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Someone came in shouting to see if anyone knew CPR and I just ran out,&quot; she told Independent.ie.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ciara, who has been a volunteer with St John&#39;s since she was 17, said her training kicked in instantly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was her first time performing CPR on a patient.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We&#39;ve practised it so many times in training that it just kicked in,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UCC student said the episode brought home for her the importance of CPR training and having a publicly accessible defibrillator.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It definitely gave him the best chance,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s a skill everyone should have because you never know when you&#39;ll need it. You just don&#39;t know what could happen and you could be the only person with the patient,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The defibrillator used in the rescue had recently been vandalised and the ambulance service has said &quot;it&#39;s timely replacement assisted in saving the life&quot; of the man in question St John&#39;s Ambulance said in a statement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It comes after three youths in Arklow vandalised a defibrillator worth around &euro;2,000 in the early hours, ripping it off the wall and smashing the life-saving device beyond repair.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The community in Arlkow has rallied and been donating money to replace the device, which is maintained by the Arklow First Responders volunteer group.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A garda investigation was launched following the incident which was captured on CCTV.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 3rd January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/a-quickthinking-christmas-elf-helped-to-save-a-mans-life-when-his-heart-stopped-on-christmas-eve-35338007.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/a-quickthinking-christmas-elf-helped-to-save-a-mans-life-when-his-heart-stopped-on-christmas-eve-35338007.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-04 09:33:42',NULL,'a-quick-thinking-christmas-elf-helped-to-save-a-mans-life-when-his-heart-stopped-on-christmas-eve'),(1783,'Council ordered to pay €40,000 to disabled former employee','<p>\r\n	Woman banned from eating with colleagues and forcibly retired on medical grounds</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A local authority has been ordered to pay &euro;40,000 to a disabled former employee who it was found to have been discriminated against.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Workplace Relations Commission found the council had twice discriminated against the woman &ndash; in banning her from eating and drinking with colleagues and also retiring her on medical grounds last year after failing to reasonably accommodate a way for her to stay on.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman &ndash; a wheelchair user &ndash; was diagnosed with a genetic neurodegenerative movement disorder, Friedreich&rsquo;s Ataxia, at the age of 12. She began working with the council as a clerical officer in 2000 and left last January.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A commission hearing was told the council&rsquo;s human resources department banned the woman from eating and drinking with colleagues in 2009. She was also banned from eating and drinking at her desk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman acknowledged that she had difficulties swallowing but said this was addressed by a therapist who recommended that she not eat dry foods and add a product to mashed food.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	No medical report</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said colleagues would ask why she was not having a cup of tea or food at the morning break and that &ldquo;this was a cause of embarrassment and humiliation&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, she did not want to cause an issue and did not raise the matter with the council at the time. She later argued that no medical report was ever put forward for the ban.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The council said that as the woman&rsquo;s claim relating to the ban dated back to 2009, she was out of time in bringing that part of her discrimination case. The commission said the council did not address the matter substantially in its submissions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Commission adjudication officer Gaye Cunningham said that while some evidence was given of physical problems with coughing, medical evidence outlining the requirement to instruct the woman not to eat or drink in the workplace was not.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The hearing was told the council retired the woman based on a medical report in spite of a consultant cardiologist and neurologist stating they did not have an issue with her working. They said the fact she was working was beneficial for the woman and disagreed with a physician for the council who said working posed a risk to the woman&rsquo;s health.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Coughing fits</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In its reply, the council said it requested a health and safety report in October 2015 on the basis that colleagues were becoming concerned for the woman&rsquo;s safety due to alarming coughing fits during which it would appear she had stopped breathing. Colleagues were not trained to deal with such scenarios and believed their own well-being was affected, it said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The council said it tried to accommodate the woman in the workplace at all times. The range of duties she was capable of undertaking were narrowed over time to take account of the progressive nature of her illnesses; and a hoist for lifting and a specially-adapted keyboard were provided.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the council formed the view it could provide no further accommodations that would meet its duty of care towards both the woman and other staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At the meeting where she was retired, the woman was given no right to appeal. Her family asked the council &ldquo;Is that it?&rdquo;, meaning is there no appeal?, and the council replied &ldquo;Yes, that&rsquo;s it.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The commission found the council made efforts over the years to accommodate the woman but said that overall it failed in its duty to provide reasonably to do so.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 4th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/council-ordered-to-pay-40-000-to-disabled-former-employee-1.2925833\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/council-ordered-to-pay-40-000-to-disabled-former-employee-1.2925833</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-05 09:43:15',NULL,'council-ordered-to-pay-€40000-to-disabled-former-employee'),(1784,'Barnardos welcomes extension of watchdog role to direct provision','<p>\r\n	Charity says Ombudsman for Children should be able to investigate issues</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity Barnardos has welcomed a plan to expand the role of the children&rsquo;s ombudsman so that it may take complaints from those in the State&rsquo;s direct provision system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Independents4Change TD Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice last month about her plans to introduce an independent complaints procedure for asylum seekers living in direct provision.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a reply to a parliamentary question, Minister of State for Justice David Stanton said the department was in discussion with the Attorney General as well as the offices of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children with a view to extending their remit.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This would allow both bodies to receive complaints from persons residing in State-provided accommodation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The extension of the remit of these offices will require legislative amendment and full and detailed consideration is being given to these amendments,&rdquo; Mr Stanton said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The type of complaints that will be accepted will be those relating to the services provided to protection applicants in their State-provided accommodation centre. Complaints relating to the international protection process itself will not fall within this arrangement.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Optimistic</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Minister said he was optimistic that the process could be concluded speedily to allow such individuals access to the independent watchdogs at the earliest opportunity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay said he welcomed the involvement of the Ombudsman in this area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Ombudsman for Children should be able to receive complaints about the welfare and rights of children in direct provision and should be able to investigate them,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ombudsman Peter Tyndall&rsquo;s office examines complaints from people who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies, including government departments, local authorities, the Health Service Executive and publicly funded third-level education bodies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon&rsquo;s office promotes the rights and welfare of children and young people up to 18 years old. It also deals with complaints made by or on behalf of children in relation to the actions of public organisations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has said it is specifically concerned about how children living in direct provision are treated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In January last year, Dr Muldoon told a UN committee examining the rights of children in Ireland that children in direct provision could make a complaint to a UN committee but not to any body in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	T&aacute;naiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald had committed in principle at that stage to allowing asylum-seeking children in direct provision to have complaints examined by the watchdog.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Separately, new procedures to speed up applications for asylum came into effect this week. They are aimed at significantly cutting the length of time asylum seekers spend in direct provision centres.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 4th January 2016)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/barnardos-welcomes-extension-of-watchdog-role-to-direct-provision-1.2925884\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/barnardos-welcomes-extension-of-watchdog-role-to-direct-provision-1.2925884</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-05 09:44:47',NULL,'barnardos-welcomes-extension-of-watchdog-role-to-direct-provision'),