(1785,'Families urged to talk about organ donation','<p>\r\n	The decision on donating a loved one&rsquo;s organs is so much easier to make if those involved have already discussed the issue, writes Jessica Casey</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;We all think if we&rsquo;re on the donor register and we have the cards, we&rsquo;re covered. In reality, we are more likely to need a transplant than to donate,&rdquo; says Emma Corrigan, Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland co-ordinator.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In her role, Ms Corrigan meets with families who find themselves in intensive care units and emergency departments, unexpectedly facing the loss of a loved one.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A lot of these situations are sudden and absolute tragedies. They didn&rsquo;t expect to sit in that room, they didn&rsquo;t expect to get that news.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Nobody knew this would happen to them.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year, 233 transplantations were carried out here from 81 deceased donors, according to figures available from the Irish Kidney Association. Without the consent of the donor&rsquo;s next of kin, these transplants would not have been possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Research from the UK suggests families are much more likely to give their consent to organ donation if they know their loved ones wishes, according to national projects manager with the Irish Kidney Association, Colin White.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In an intensive care unit after you have been declared brain stem dead, your next of kin will be approached. If you have had that chat, it makes it so much easier for them.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Most organ donations are from donors who have been declared brain stem dead, according to the HSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Donations can also take place after a cardiac death and certain organs like kidneys can be donated through a live organ donation, usually involving a family member.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One donor can help several people, as a single donor can choose to give a number of organs like their kidney, liver, heart, lungs, small bowel and pancreas and tissues like corneas, bone, skin, heart valves, tendons and cartilage.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Families facing the loss of a loved one can feel totally powerless, says Mr White.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A common feeling is &lsquo;I wish I could do something&rsquo;. It&rsquo;s a great legacy to leave your family. I have known families who have lost a loved one, but the lives of two or three or four, even five people have been transformed,&rdquo; he says, adding donor recipients are particularly grateful around celebrations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;People are aware, this is another Christmas I get to enjoy with my loved ones because of the generosity of a complete stranger.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And organ donation has a ripple effect, he said, with the lease of life given to the next generation when recipients go on to have children, and for the children get to spend more time with a parent after they receive a transplant.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When you work with people who are chronically ill who are given a second chance and you witness that, it&rsquo;s incredibly profound. So many inspiring stories, and equally heartbreaking ones, but the joy you hear when they&rsquo;re got the call, the joy they feel when they&rsquo;ve been given that gift.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It&rsquo;s a privilege to work with the families of organ donors, says Ms Corrigan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;They are sitting there and their lives have changed irreparably in just a day and while they are sitting there, they decide they can help strangers, completely altruistically &mdash; yet we can&rsquo;t help them with their loss. They change lives forever, in such a positive way. The families are phenomenal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Parents dealing with losing their children &mdash; there&rsquo;s no words. They feel they want something positive to come out of it. Very quickly they&rsquo;ll say things like, &lsquo;He&rsquo;d a good heart, I want his heart to go to someone&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Next year, it will be 50 years since the first human heart transplant, according to Gerry Scully, secretary of the Irish Heart and Lung Transplant Association.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It can almost be like a raffle to get a match for those on transplant lists, Mr Scully said, adding that patients can have their expectations raised to go on to be bitterly disappointed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;As it is now, you can come up in an ambulance, with whistles and bells, to get there to be told you&rsquo;re not suitable.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In countries like Portugal, Belgium and Switzerland, an opt-out system is in place, where those who do not wish to donate their organs instead opt out of any potential procedures, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s grand having the organ donation card, but you need to have the conversation about your wishes with your family. At the end of the day, your family has the final say.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, organ donation is not right for every family, Ms Corrigan said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s an option, it&rsquo;s putting that option to the family. For some people, a no is right for them and that&rsquo;s absolutely fine. It&rsquo;s about allowing people and families to make that decision themselves.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But if you do wish to donate your organs after you pass away, having the conversation with your family is pivotal, Ms Corrigan says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;People have to talk about it. It makes such a difference to a family in an acute tragedy.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Kidney Association is encouraging families to talk about their wishes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Our core message is when families get together over the festive period, have the chat.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>&lsquo;It&rsquo;s finding a positive in such a horrific situation&rsquo;</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When I was 20 weeks pregnant, at the 21 week scan when you&rsquo;re wondering if its a boy or a girl, that&rsquo;s when we were told we were in trouble.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Clidhna Costello remembers when she was told her five-year-old son Tadhg McElroy wouldn&rsquo;t be viable with life. &ldquo;When he was born and we heard him cry, we were shocked,&rdquo; she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But it wasn&rsquo;t long before Clidhna and Tadhg&rsquo;s father Terry McElroy were told their son was extremely ill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We were told one of his kidneys had burst and the other one was on the way out.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Their son&rsquo;s life was saved when a catheter was inserted when he was three days old. Tadhg then went on to start treatment for dialysis at six months old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We spent so much time in the hospital, we knew the nurses and the taxi drivers who were bringing us there better than our own friends,&rdquo; says Ms Costello.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When her son was one and a half, Ms Costello started looking into the screening process for live donor kidney transplants.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When she got the phonecall to tell her she was a viable match for her son, the nurse asked her if she would need to take some time to consider everything before proceeding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She remembers laughing and telling them &mdash; &ldquo;&lsquo;I don&rsquo;t need to, can we just move on?&rsquo; I just broke down in tears, I couldn&rsquo;t believe it.&rdquo; However, she says her family had heard about others going through the process for over a year to be told they could no longer proceed as a match wouldn&rsquo;t be possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We were well aware it could be pulled out from under our feet,&rdquo;she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Leaving her son in Temple St before the procedure was the worst, she says, adding that the procedure was &ldquo;very scary, very sore but it worked&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If you saw Tadgh today, you wouldn&rsquo;t know he had been sick. He&rsquo;s started school and we didn&rsquo;t think he&rsquo;d be able to start. If he didn&rsquo;t have that transplant, he&rsquo;d be a different child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a different world, like night and day for our family. We missed so many events, weddings because we couldn&rsquo;t make plans.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After her operation, Ms Costello was &ldquo;blessed&rdquo; with two new additions to their family, twins Donagh and Caoila. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re fabulous. I had worried if I&rsquo;d be able to go on to have children,&rdquo; says Ms Costello.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Costello says the family has a video of Tadgh aged two asking his mother for twins, like his friend has.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;m really glad I didn&rsquo;t disappoint &rdquo;she says adding that twins don&rsquo;t run in the family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We just got lucky!&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sadly, the family has been affected by kidney failure twice, as soon after Tadgh&rsquo;s transplant Mr McElroy&rsquo;s mother Evelyn was told she needed a kidney transplant.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Just as he was getting a transplant, she went into kidney failure,&rdquo; says Mr McElroy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Obviously we were very lucky that Clidhna was a match, because it&rsquo;s not easy. Unfortunately none of my family are a match for my mother.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After the family&rsquo;s experience with organ donation, they are stronger advocates for donor cards.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve seen the benefits and we&rsquo;ve seen a lot of other patients benefit from donor cards,&rdquo; says Mr McElroy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always carried a card, I can&rsquo;t encourage it enough.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Costello says: &ldquo;The problem is, if you don&rsquo;t speak to your family about your wishes, you might as well not have the card.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s finding a positive in such a horrific situation. It&rsquo;s not something you think about but the difference it makes.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>&lsquo;Everybody needs to consider it&rsquo;</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In August 2015, mother of three teenagers Gina Lenehan suffered a massive heart attack completely &ldquo;out of the blue&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I was fit and healthy, it was just one of those things that can happen,&rdquo; she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A coronary artery dissection, a tear in the wall of the artery, left her heart damaged beyond repair.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t remember any of this, I remember being in the ambulance but I don&rsquo;t remember leaving it,&rdquo;she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After she was rushed to St James&rsquo;s Hospital, Ms Lenehan was put on life support in the hope it would help improve her situation. However, &ldquo;the prognosis wasn&rsquo;t good&rdquo;, she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It was coming very close, my husband knew the conversation that was coming.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Doctors told her family she needed a heart transplant to survive and while she was in hospital, a heart became available.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The timing was miraculous,&rdquo; says Ms Lenehan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I was a match, I feel like one of the luckiest people alive, I genuinely feel like that.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Lenehan says she recovered very well after her transplant, although she suffered with muscle myopathy after the procedure and was only able to move her big toe at first.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She says she thanks her donor and their family every day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Everyday you think of them, everyday they are there with you. I couldn&rsquo;t imagine what that decision would be like. It&rsquo;s amazing a family considered it while they were grieving. I get upset when I think of the donor&rsquo;s family and the decision they had to make.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s such a selfless thing to do, it&rsquo;s unbelievable.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Lenehan says it struck her recently when was signing her son&rsquo;s 14th birthday card.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I wouldn&rsquo;t be writing that, if it wasn&rsquo;t for my donor&rsquo;s family.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As a pharmacist, Ms Lenehan says organ donation was something that was close to her in her line of work, both promoting it and working with people waiting on transplants.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, after her transplant, she says she is even more aware of the importance of promoting organ donation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve everything to look forward to, thanks to my donor. You do look at life a little different, you do get annoyed by the same little things of course, but life is precious.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Everybody needs to consider it.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Isabel educates through social media</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Isabel Terry has been waiting for a rare transplant surgery since 2009, as she requires both a heart and a double lung transplant.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The 41-year-old from Bishopstown, Cork, was born with pulmonary atresia, a congenital heart defect.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Between 1975 and 2001, Ms Terry had three open heart surgeries, before being sent to for a heart transplant assessment in 2003.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After being added to the transplant list, Ms Terry had five unsuccessful calls for surgery over the next five years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After becoming ill in 2009, tests in the Mater Hospital showed that Ms Terry also required a lung transplant.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As the surgery had never been carried out in Ireland, she was sent to Newcastle, where further assessments showed she needed a double lung transplant as well as a heart.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since being added to the list in Newcastle, Ms Terry has had one unsuccessful match.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Terry started her Facebook page &lsquo;Life on the List&rsquo; using her own experience of her life waiting on the transplant list as a way of educating people about organ donation, without any &ldquo;morbid talk&rdquo;, she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Through the page, Ms Terry encourages her readers to take a selfie of themselves and their organ donor cards and post them to social media.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The page and the selfie makes it light hearted,&rdquo;she says, adding that it also helps to get people to talk about their wishes with their family as well as dispelling any myths about organ donation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A lot of people don&rsquo;t know even if you have the card, your next of kin can still say no. Or some people think if you are over a certain age you can&rsquo;t donate.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Terry says she requires oxygen 24 hours a day, which means she is limited in what she can do.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t socialise much, it&rsquo;s hard waiting for the phone to ring. That&rsquo;s why I set up the page. I hope I get the call but it&rsquo;s a rare surgery.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;ll be happy if I can bring awareness to people about the importance of organ donor cards.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If anything, God forbid happened your next of kin at that time it must be horrific but knowing that conversation took place can make things easier.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	See Twitter @isabelslifeonthelist and Facebook: facebook.com/isabelslifeonthelist</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>&lsquo;She saved three men&rsquo;s lives &mdash; my dad is just so proud&rsquo;</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2006, Pauline Brierton on a train in Australia on her way to the cinema when she got the call that her mother Mary Gallagher was in hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Pauline and her brother had only been in the country a few weeks when they were told their mother had suffered a brain haemorrhage and they would need to come home immediately.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There was really nothing anyone could do, the damage was too severe,&rdquo; says Ms Brierton.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her mother was only 53 years old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It was such a blur. I don&rsquo;t remember anything from that trip home until we got to the airport, where my cousin was waiting to drive us to Letterkenny hospital,&rdquo; says Ms Brierton.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After doctors and nurses approached her family in the hospital about the procedure, Ms Brierton&rsquo;s family made the decision to donate Ms Gallagher&rsquo;s organs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her liver and her kidneys were given to three men on the transplant waiting list.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;She saved three men&rsquo;s lives,&rdquo; says Ms Brierton.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After the donation, the family received an anonymous letter from one of the men who received a kidney as a result of their family&rsquo;s decision.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;He told us about his dialysis, how he couldn&rsquo;t play with his kids, I got the impression from his letter they were toddlers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;He couldn&rsquo;t thank us enough, from the bottom of his heart.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;He said after his transplant he was fighting fit and had a whole new lease of life, to be with his wife and children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The grief and shock we went through, it was so severe but this made is so much easier.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;And it was great for us, but it was amazing for my dad. He was so proud.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Anytime anyone came into the house, my father would show them the letter and say &lsquo;Look at what she did, look who she helped&rsquo; He was just so proud.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;She passed away nearly 11 years now, I miss her everyday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;You never get over the loss, but the letter helped, and that she saved three men&rsquo;s lives is just so lovely.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;More people need to have that chat [about organ donation], more people need to talk about it.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>DONORS</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To become an organ donor, you can freetext the word DONOR to 50050 or download the Organ Donor app available on Android and iPhone.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To request a donor card visit www.ika.ie/card.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you do decide to become an organ donor, remember to let your loved ones know your decision.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 5th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/families-urged-to-talk-about-organ-donation-437728.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/families-urged-to-talk-about-organ-donation-437728.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-05 09:48:03',NULL,'families-urged-to-talk-about-organ-donation'),(1786,'High-risk practices at psychiatric hospital in Kilkenny','<p>\r\n	Mental Health Commission finds issues in seven of 11 areas inspected at St Luke&rsquo;s</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	High-risk practices were identified in the areas of medication management, privacy and consent to treatment during a recent inspection of psychiatric facilities at St Luke&rsquo;s Hospital Kilkenny.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The 44-bed hospital was found to be non-compliant in seven out of 11 areas inspected during an unannounced visit by Mental Health Commission officials in July.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Inspectors found that while the hospital had a clearly defined policy on privacy, there was &ldquo;no documented evidence that staff had read and understood the policy&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A number of privacy screening curtains had been missing for three weeks on one ward by the time of the visit, which was deemed to have &ldquo;potentially compromised the privacy of the residents&rdquo; there.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite a regular cleaning schedule, areas of the hospital were deemed to be dirty, and mould was observed in two bathrooms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Seclusion area</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also found that a seclusion area used to separate residents during disruptive episodes was found to be &ldquo;malodorous and required immediate intervention to remain suitable for purpose&rdquo;. Once alerted, management pledged to address the issue imminently.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Elsewhere, a consent-to-treatment form did not have the correct name of the consultant psychiatrist who signed it printed on the form, and issues were raised with the management of medication at the facility.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Records of residents&rsquo; allergies or sensitivities to certain medications were not systematically recorded, and allergy sections on administration records were left blank in many instances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The registration number of the practitioner who gave the prescriptions was missing from many medications.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite these shortcomings staff demonstrated evidence of good practice in the areas of bed management, fostering residents&rsquo; creativity and discharge processes, and residents who met inspectors praised staff and &ldquo;commented favourably on the treatment&rdquo; in the hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report was one of five published by the Mental Health Commission on Thursday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 5th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/high-risk-practices-at-psychiatric-hospital-in-kilkenny-1.2926690\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/high-risk-practices-at-psychiatric-hospital-in-kilkenny-1.2926690</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-06 09:27:12',NULL,'high-risk-practices-at-psychiatric-hospital-in-kilkenny'),(1787,'Parents warned of January diet talk around children','<p>\r\n	January is a month full of discussion about diets, weight-loss and body transformations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But Bodywhys, an organisation which works with people who have eating disorders, has warned adults to keep diet talk away from young ears.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is better not to dwell on the specific ins and outs of diets and weight loss or to verbalise food talk in a negative way in front of young children,&rdquo; Barry Murphy, communications officer with the group said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&#39;s important not to talk about food in a way that suggests that there is guilt involved or in a way that gives the impression that you&#39;re &#39;policing&#39; your own food or diet behaviour using a very rigid approach.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are ways to incorporate a new healthy regime into the family home without causing difficulties for children around food however.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When talking about food, focus on health rather than weight or appearance. A positive approach might be to let children know that some foods are healthier than others. Try saying instead some foods make them strong and mean they will have lots of energy, stay in a good mood and can enjoy things whereas some food which taste nice don&#39;t make you strong and can be bad for your teeth,&rdquo; Mr Murphy said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Try to approach food in a balanced way rather than promoting an overly black and white approach towards specific types of food. You can complement the children on making healthy choices. Healthy eating should be a whole family approach.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Studies also show that children who have a healthy body image tend to make healthier food choices and exercise more.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is a lot of emphasis on appearance in the media and the beauty ideals that are promoted are unrealistic and often unhealthy - a slim physique for girls and a muscular look for boys,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But there are ways for parents to promote positive body images in children and teens, and again it starts with how parents discuss their own image.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Be aware of how you speak about your own body. Ensure you do not make negative comments about other people&#39;s bodies or your own in a way that is degrading,&rdquo; Mr Murphy said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Also be conscious of positive comments you make about bodies to ensure you do not inadvertently endorse media ideals</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Reflecting on your own attitudes to weight and body shape and adjusting your comments and behaviours can help to ensure you do not pass any negative attitudes you might have on to your children.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 5th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/life/family/parenting/parents-warned-of-january-diet-talk-around-children-35344335.html\">http://www.independent.ie/life/family/parenting/parents-warned-of-january-diet-talk-around-children-35344335.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-06 09:31:10',NULL,'parents-warned-of-january-diet-talk-around-children'),(1788,'Elderly and \'at risk groups\' urged to get vaccinated against flu','<p>\r\n	There are fears the trolley crisis could escalate further with a number of weeks to go until the peak of the flu season.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A meeting between the Health Minister and HSE Director General has taken place this evening aimed at resolving the hospital overcrowding crisis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE and the Department of Health are renewing their appeal for people in &#39;at risk groups&#39; to get vaccinated against seasonal influenza, especially those aged over 65.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	National Clinical Lead for Acute Hospitals Dr Colm Henry, says the current flu outbreak is leading to more older people to attending hospital: &quot;The impact on hospitals has seen a much greater than expected proportion of older people presented to hospitals, being admitted and requiring ongoing care at hospitals.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Older People, Helen McEntee TD, today has said it is important that older people are aware they are especially vulnerable to the particular strain of influenza prevalent in Ireland at the moment and issued a reminder that it is never too late to vaccinate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;People can access the vaccine easily by contacting their GP or pharmacist, and the HSE provides the flu and pneumococcal vaccine free of charge for all those over-65.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The vaccine and consultation are free for those with a Medical Card or GP Visit Card. People who don&#39;t have either a Medical Card or GP Visit Card may be charged a consultation fee.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Even if you have had the vaccine, and you develop symptoms, contact your GP immediately as they may prescribe antiviral medication, which can help keep you out of hospital.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Highlighting the supports that are available for older people in the health service, Minister McEntee said: &quot;I want to be very clear that there are services available, and that looking after our older people is a priority. &quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Confirmed influenza hospitalisation and influenza outbreaks are currently at high levels and are continuing to increase, with those aged 65 years and older most affected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Respiratory admissions reported from a sentinel hospital network are at very high levels.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is recommended that antivirals be considered for the treatment or prevention of influenza in high risk groups.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Any person over 65 years who has not received the flu vaccine this season is strongly advised to do so.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 5th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/elderly-and-at-risk-groups-urged-to-get-vaccinated-against-flu-771209.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/elderly-and-at-risk-groups-urged-to-get-vaccinated-against-flu-771209.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-06 09:32:42',NULL,'elderly-and-at-risk-groups-urged-to-get-vaccinated-against-flu'),(1789,'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, Dublin &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	Interviews are now taking place locally for the following vacancies:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Social Care Worker- Full Time North Dublin Semi-Independent</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=38\" target=\"_blank\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=38</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Social Care Worker - Full Time Kells, Co. Meath</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=35\" target=\"_blank\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=35</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Relief Social Care Workers &ndash; North Dublin Semi- Independent</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=22\" target=\"_blank\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=22</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Relief Social Care Workers- Kells, Co, Meath</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=43\" target=\"_blank\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=43</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Social Care Leader- Cork</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.daffodilcare.ie%2Fcareerdetails.php%3Fids%3D17&amp;h=9AQGZE6RkAQEuKm45O6sCymFNFdBpAmyfEJDNeGmTkLxNQw&amp;enc=AZMfzqvATBpxUoiHeP2Nf0toUfWPzXXjva88CCQBGyUcXw0DAXZBRuosZ45-tsqOChw0fX1P5JaEE7YnfjBiVIn9tpBQ3w-oWKJHhjDLo2Dw7NplHipuFw0QC8_2OEXxnc4o9Kl9yAXw8JGQDLuBCS0wRBdgQYOSNkWi4VlY46DkdQ&amp;s=1\" target=\"_blank\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=17</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-06 09:53:43',NULL,'jobs-bulletin-daffodil-care-services'),(1790,'Prisoners swallowed batteries and blades, records show','<p>\r\n	Prison Service figures show why inmates go to hospital, and which jails are involved</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prisoners were hospitalised after swallowing or otherwise ingesting everything from batteries and parts of an electric razor to glass and the contents of an ice pack, new records show.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Figures released to The Irish Times by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) also reveal that almost half of all inmates taken to hospital following an actual or suspected assault came from Mountjoy Prison.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of the 73 hospitalisations due to injuries from assaults, fights and altercations involving prisoners between January 2014 and September 2016, 34 were from Mountjoy. It includes one confirmed stabbing incident.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The data, compiled for the first time last year on foot of a Freedom of Information request from The Irish Times, probably underestimates the number of hospitalisations caused by attacks in prisons across the State as it is not possible to categorise every injury correctly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For instance, cuts were cited as the reason for 18 hospital transfers from Mountjoy during the 33-month period. These could have been caused by accidents, self-infliction or by slash attacks using improvised weapons known as &ldquo;shivs&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 53 hospitalisations due to lacerations from all of the State&rsquo;s prisons over the period. The most serious resulted in disfigurements to the face and eyes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Allegations of sexual assault accounted for just one hospitalisation, in Cork in June 2015. One prisoner was given emergency treatment on the fourth day of a hunger strike in Limerick in December of that year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Swallowing blades</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Elsewhere, prisons nationwide report 34 people going to hospital for drug-related incidents including overdoses and needle injuries, most from Mountjoy and Limerick.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mountjoy also had the highest number (21) of hospitalisations due to self-harm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Outside treatment was sought for five attempted suicides in the State&rsquo;s largest prison, with a further five suicide attempts at other detention facilities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hospitalisation after swallowing blades, contraband or other potentially harmful substances were common across the State&rsquo;s prisons. It appeared to be a particular issue in Limerick where 15 people were taken to hospital due to swallowing/ingestion incidents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prisoners often attempt to smuggle drugs and weapons into or around the buildings by swallowing or hiding them in body cavities, and blade swallowing of blades was also noted as a method of attempted self-harm in some cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Inmates from across the country were taken to hospital 41 times after swallowing or ingesting items or substances over the 33 months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Midlands Prison in Portlaoise registered by far the highest number of people being taken to hospital of any facility around the State over the last three years with 4,256 permitted absences &ndash; nearly twice the number from Mountjoy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prisoners at Arbour Hill had the most repeat hospital visits with 163 inmates accounting for 1,062 absences, an average of almost seven each. Rejections of medical transfer requests were extremely rare with around 1 per cent of the 16,000 recorded nationwide turned down.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish TImes on the 9th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/prisoners-swallowed-batteries-and-blades-records-show-1.2929375\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/prisoners-swallowed-batteries-and-blades-records-show-1.2929375</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-09 09:12:00',NULL,'prisoners-swallowed-batteries-and-blades-records-show'),(1791,'HSE launches website to advise people on fighting flu and other winter bugs','<p>\r\n	As people head back to school or work after Christmas, a new website has been launched to help anyone feeling unwell.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The website, undertheweather.ie has been developed by the HSE in partnership with GPs and pharmacists.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It aims to guide people on how to deal with a wide range of common conditions like cold, flu, sore throats or tummy bugs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cork GP, Dr Nuala O&#39;Connor, said: &quot;The easy-to-read content, videos and advice from GPs and pharmacists we developed for undertheweather.ie will guide you on how to treat the condition yourself and how to get better &ndash; and also when you need to ask for expert help.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Sometimes people feel they need to visit a GP for common illnesses, or when a cold or cough last more than a few days.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The site explains how long common viral illness can last, and aims to give you the confidence to get better at home, without unnecessary antibiotics.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Here are some of the facts that the site promotes:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* A cough, while irritating, can often last up to three weeks &ndash; many people feel this is a concern but it is quite normal</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* Influenza is quite a serious illness that can keep you off your feet for a week or two &ndash; but it doesn&rsquo;t respond to antibiotics. We treat the flu with rest, fluids, over the counter medicines. Keep an eye on older people or those with long-term illness, who might experience complications and need to see the doctor</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* Earaches and sore throats can be very painful, but again, the vast majority don&rsquo;t respond to an antibiotic. We treat them with over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen, and most resolve by themselves within a few days</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 9th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/hse-launches-website-to-advise-people-on-fighting-flu-and-other-winter-bugs-771581.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/hse-launches-website-to-advise-people-on-fighting-flu-and-other-winter-bugs-771581.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-09 09:13:40',NULL,'hse-launches-website-to-advise-people-on-fighting-flu-and-other-winter-bugs'),(1792,'Transgender youth hit by lack of services','<p>\r\n	As the number of Irish children seeking medical help over gender identity rises nine-fold, support groups and families say children&rsquo;s distress is being exacerbated by the lack of a treatment framework here.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite growing acceptance, research shows the transgender community is at greater risk of stress, self- harm, bullying, isolation, and depression, and transgender children often have a complex range of needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Between April 2015 and April 2016, 27 Irish children were referred to the UK&rsquo;s Tavistock and Portman Foundation NHS Trust in London for help while, in 2012/2013, that figure stood at just three.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Due to this increase, Tavistock started running a satellite clinic at Our Lady&rsquo;s Hospital in Crumlin four times a year, but families must seek help under the treatment abroad scheme to access the Dublin clinic.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Research shows just 20% of children who seek help before adolescence go on to have sex reassignment while, conversely, 80% of those who seek help during puberty go on to change sex.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Clinical psychologist at the Tavistock Polly Carmichael said the figures presenting in Ireland are &ldquo;without doubt&rdquo; an underestimate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The concern is that there could be a lot of unmet need amongst young people [in Ireland] as there is not really a pathway,&rdquo; said Dr Carmichael.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Kirsty Donohue from Lucan, Co Dublin, is a mother of a 15-year-old trans boy, Dylan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We were battling for 20 months to get a gender dysphoria diagnosis as demand for the Tavistock clinic has soared,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;Now we could be waiting 6-7 months for hormone blockers to pause puberty. The system needs to move much, much faster.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One of the country&rsquo;s experts in gender dysphoria in children, consultant psychiatrist, Aileen Murtagh, who works at St Patrick&rsquo;s Mental Health Services said: &ldquo;The HSE has been consulting with a range of professional organisations, advocates, clinicians and families in proposing a service development model for transgender children, adolescents and adults.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is currently being finalised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Ideally, a national specialist service for young people and adults is required which would also provide consultation and training to local services to up-skill local clinicians in meeting the needs of these young people and their families.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 9th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/transgender-youth-hit-by-lack-of-services-438247.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/transgender-youth-hit-by-lack-of-services-438247.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-09 09:15:07',NULL,'transgender-youth-hit-by-lack-of-services'),(1793,'Out-of-hours social work service ‘too restrictive’','<p>\r\n	Tusla&rsquo;s long-awaited after- hours and weekend social work service is &ldquo;too restrictive&rdquo; and needs to be expanded, according to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It says children, especially those in care, and professionals working with children, should be able to directly access social workers at night and weekends without going through the G&aacute;rda Sioch&aacute;na.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At present, all emergency calls for social work help must be made to the garda&iacute;, who then either contact a national social work call centre or local on-call social workers, depending on where in the country the caller is ringing from.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ISPCC said that while the out-of-hours social work service developed by Tusla in 2015 was an improvement, it is &ldquo;not a long-term solution&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child last year said: &ldquo;In practice, the out-of-hours social work emergency service is insufficient and there are insufficient accessible counselling services for children affected by abuse.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	ISPCC head of advocacy, Mary Nicholson said: &ldquo;Children and those concerned about a child should have direct access to a social worker out of hours. Having to contact a garda station to seek support is unacceptable. Furthermore, children who are brought into the care system should have access to a social worker/multi-disciplinary support, irrespective of the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A properly resourced 24-hour professional social care service, that includes a crisis response mechanism to respond to emergency situations as they arise, is required. The current system is so restricted that people often have nowhere to turn to. We know through our Childline service that the majority of over 400,000 calls we received last year were received outside the hours of 9-5, Monday to Friday.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, a senior social worker has said &ldquo;daytime social work service should be bolstered before Tusla consider bolstering the out of hours service&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Yes, we need to broaden the range of professionals who can contact on-call social workers to expand beyond just garda&iacute;,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But to replicate day services at night would be a waste of scarce resources.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to a Tusla source, three out-of-hours schemes operate across the country. In the greater Dublin area of Dublin, Kildare, and Wicklow, the Crisis Intervention Scheme allows ambulance and hospital staff, as well as garda&iacute;, to contact the on-call social work team.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Cork, garda&iacute; act as the sole &lsquo;gatekeeper&rsquo; and are at the end of the emergency phoneline for children. They then contact the duty on-call social work team. In the rest of the country, if a person contacts the garda social work line, the garda then contacts the national social work call centre which acts as a triage or advice service and can forward the call to the local on-call social work team.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the various schemes, children can all be placed in emergency care at night or over the weekend if necessary.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The out-of-hours scheme was introduced in 2015 after agreement was reached with social worker unions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 10<sup>th</sup> January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/out-of-hours-social-work-service-too-restrictive-438388.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/out-of-hours-social-work-service-too-restrictive-438388.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-10 11:36:24',NULL,'out-of-hours-social-work-service-‘too-restrictive’'),(1794,'How helping child abusers can keep kids safe','<p>\r\n	Therapy and monitoring has been shown to reduce risk of reoffending by up to 70%</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Most people who sexually abuse a child will never see the inside of a Garda interviewing room, let alone a jail cell.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Only 4 per cent of allegations lead to a conviction, but some of the child sex abusers living in our families and communities have been caught and are attending therapy. What does this involve? Why would a therapist choose to work with people who have caused such harm to a child? And are we rewarding sex abusers and pushing their victims to one side?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Eileen Finnegan is clinical director of One in Four, a therapy and advocacy service for adult survivors of child sex abuse. She is also manager of Phoenix, a treatment programme for sex offenders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve had to dig deep to have understanding for perpetrators,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;But the Phoenix programme is about a systemic approach to preventing child sex abuse. If an offender is facing me, they have their back to children and, [if the offender has] good supervision and community support, I can see children playing free.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Outside of the Phoenix programme, the Northside Inter-Agency Project works with teenagers who sexually abuse younger children, while a number of private psychologists offer treatments that have been proven to lower the risk of reoffending. In all cases, they are seeking to manage risk and will inform Tusla and the Garda about their clients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Effect of porn</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Offenders tend to be people who have had difficulties around puberty, sex and forming appropriate relationships. They are often marginalised, emasculated, lonely and isolated. Pornography, combined with poor sex education in schools, is a growing factor &ndash; especially where the abuser is a teenager or young man. Very few child sex abusers are paedophiles in the sense of being exclusively attracted to pre-pubescent children; most abuse for power and control.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last month, Taoiseach Enda Kenny called for a national conversation on how pornography is affecting young people. A growing number of child sex offenders are teenage boys or young men who have been exposed to pornography but have had few, or no, relationships and little sex education. These young men have free access to pornography and may eventually find themselves looking at child sexual abuse material (many people call this &ldquo;child pornography&rdquo;, but therapists prefer to call it what it is).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Getting behind what has caused someone &ndash; usually a male &ndash; to offend is crucial. In at least 80 per cent of cases, the abuser knows their victim. Most often the abuser is a family member. Between a quarter and a third of abuse is carried out by a teenager against their younger sibling, cousin or neighbour.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Family monitoring</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Managing risk ideally means involving the abuser&rsquo;s family and getting them to monitor the abuser&rsquo;s behaviour. &ldquo;This is a huge ask for families, especially as we are asking them to do this when a train has just crashed through their lives,&rdquo; Finnegan acknowledges.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Abusers stay in therapy for a number of years. Offenders on the Phoenix programme can expect to engage in individual and group therapy for at least four or five years; young offenders on NIAP&rsquo;s programme will do so for at least two. Different organisations may use slightly varied approaches, but psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy generally have the best results, therapists say.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In all cases, offenders will be challenged to explore what led them to abuse in the first place. Then, they are helped to understand how much they have harmed their victim and to understand the risk factors that might cause them to reoffend.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Ireland, the probation service runs a programme called Circles of Support and Accountability in which volunteers monitor convicted offenders in their community and report concerns to the authorities. Studies have shown it can reduce reoffending by up to 70 per cent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Once somebody offends, they will always have the potential to do it again,&rdquo; says Finnegan. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not punitive, but if they want to re-engage in society, they have to accept that they will be monitored forever and that life will never be the same for them again.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	***</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Working with victims</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Survivors of child abuse have expressed understandable concern that resources may be spent on treating child sex offenders while services for victims are grossly underfunded. In the past four years, four people have taken their own lives while on One in Four&rsquo;s waiting list. This is a preventable tragedy which could be solved by adequate funding, the organisation says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It shouldn&rsquo;t be an either/or choice: We need to support victims by making therapy more widely available at the same time as we work to prevent future victims by working with abusers and potential abusers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Keith O&rsquo;Reilly, director of St Clare&rsquo;s Unit which works with child victims of abuse, says that all the therapy in the world won&rsquo;t help a victim if a family doesn&rsquo;t acknowledge that the abuse has happened and take steps to keep them safe. St Clare&rsquo;s sees about 60 children a year, all from north Dublin city and county. Here, therapists meet the children and, in an effort to get at the truth, explain that it is okay to correct an adult&rsquo;s orders or version of events. The children may be interviewed on three or four occasions before a clinical judgment is formed. Therapy may follow. This will be very different for a four-year-old than for a 16-year-old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Children have spoken about how the relationship with the abuser led to more attention than they have ever had,&rdquo; says O&rsquo;Reilly. &ldquo;We work this through in a therapeutic framework. They may also be worried about how their parents are coping. And where an abuser does go to prison, the child may feel responsible; we have to help them explore this feeling.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Most cases never end up in court. Because of this, therapists are increasingly looking at restorative justice programmes, where victims can explain the impact the abuse has had on them and the abuser can accept responsibility.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This article was supported by the Mary Raftery Journalism Fund</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	RESOURCES: HELP AND SUPPORT</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article you can contact:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One in Four at oneinfour.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cari (Monday-Friday, 9.30am-5.30pm) at helpline@cari.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Samaritans on freephone: 116123 or jo@samaritans.org</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	HSE counselling services on 1800-235234</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Rape Crisis Helpline on 1800-778888</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Childline on 1800-666666</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children on 01-6794944</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For details of sexual assault treatment units, see hse.ie/satu</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	You can report concerns to Tusla, and learn more about how the support process works, at tusla.ie/children-first/how-do-i-report-abuse</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To report online child sex abuse material, see hotline.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Department of Justice&rsquo;s Office for Internet Safety is at internetsafety.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by The Irish Times on the 9<sup>th</sup> January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/how-helping-child-abusers-can-keep-kids-safe-1.2910536</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-10 11:38:36',NULL,'how-helping-child-abusers-can-keep-kids-safe'),(1795,'Process to relocate children from Calais \'Jungle\' begins','<p>\r\n	Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone will bring a memo to Cabinet today to start the process of bringing children who were previously based in the Calais refugee camps in France to Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the minister&#39;s plans, it is initially proposed that 40 unaccompanied minors will be relocated to Ireland after being assessed in France.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A timeframe for their relocation has not yet been agreed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last November, the D&aacute;il passed an all-party motion mandating the Government to help up to 200 unaccompanied minors who had been affected by the dismantling of the &lsquo;Jungle&rsquo; refugee camp in Calais in October.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone also plans to set up a National Project Office to focus on the needs of the children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officials from the minister&#39;s office, and also the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, last week travelled to France to meet their counterparts to discuss several legal issues and the validation processes for the unaccompanied children to come to Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood Tusla will provide new places for the unaccompanied children, which it is estimated will cost &euro;10m.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 10<sup>th</sup> January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0110/843806-calais-unaccompanied-minors/</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-10 11:40:03',NULL,'process-to-relocate-children-from-calais-jungle-begins'),(1796,'Apollo House occupiers to ask court to allow them stay','<p>\r\n	Eighteen who remain say Dublin City Council failed to provide suitable accommodation</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Home Sweet Home (HSH), the coalition of homeless people and activists occupying Apollo House in Dublin city centre, will on Wednesday morning ask the High Court to allow them stay.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They had been due to leave the vacant office building by noon on Wednesday, following an order by the High Court on December 21st.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite efforts to find alternative accommodation for all staying there before the deadline, 18 people were still sleeping there on Tuesday night.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Pat Doyle, chief executive of the Peter McVerry Trust, said some 65 residents had taken up its offers of alternative accommodation. He was confident accommodation would be found for the remaining 18.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A number of these had returned from emergency accommodation offered by Dublin City Council which they said was not suitable due to drug use on site, according to a spokesman.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The activists said they have &ldquo;no option&rdquo; but to seek a further stay following the council&rsquo;s &ldquo;failure&rdquo; to provide suitable accommodation for everyone in Apollo House.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Angered by Coveney comments</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They are also angered by comments from Minister for Housing Simon Coveney on Tuesday where he suggested the group&rsquo;s actions had not secured any new homelessness services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We are very concerned that an agreement entered into in good faith is now being reneged on,&rdquo; said a HSH spokesman.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Activists said contacts with Mr Coveney over the weekend resulted in a number of &ldquo;new commitments&rdquo;, including two new emergency hostels in Dublin, the end of the use of hotels and B&amp;Bs for families by July and that no one would have to leave Apollo House until their short- and long-term housing needs were provided.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking on RT&Eacute; radio on Tuesday Mr Coveney said: &ldquo;Some of the information that was given out yesterday I wouldn&rsquo;t necessarily agree with . . . The extra two emergency shelters that we are providing in the coming weeks and months, were agreed in advance of me meeting the HSH campaign actually.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the commitment to end hotel and B&amp;B accommodation for families was not new and that he hoped the Apollo House building would be vacant by noon on Wednesday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a Facebook post on Tuesday, HSH member Brendan Ogle described Mr Coveney&rsquo;s comments as a &ldquo;debasement of politics&rdquo; and a &ldquo;debasement of truth&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the Apollo House residents would leave when &ldquo;their human needs have been met&rdquo; and not to meet the Minister&rsquo;s &ldquo;political ones&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a statement last night Mr Coveney reiterated an agreement was made after meeting with HSH activists at the weekend to &ldquo;facilitate a transition to alternative accommodation in the coming days&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He had welcomed the progress towards ending the occupation of Apollo House.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	HSH has been occupying the Nama-managed building since December 15th. Receivers, Mazars, sought an eviction order at the High Court.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 11th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/apollo-house-occupiers-to-ask-court-to-allow-them-stay-1.2932310\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/apollo-house-occupiers-to-ask-court-to-allow-them-stay-1.2932310</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-11 09:58:37',NULL,'apollo-house-occupiers-to-ask-court-to-allow-them-stay'),(1797,'Eighty-four minors received in-patient psychiatric hospital care last year','<p>\r\n	Seventeen children, aged between 13 and 14, were resident in Irish psychiatric hospitals, for a range of mental health disorders, last year, census figures show.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Eighty-four under-18s received psychiatric in- patient care for conditions such as depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and neuroses.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The majority of young patients were aged 16 or under, with 17 patients aged between 13 and 14 years. Almost two-thirds of young in-patients were female.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Twenty-two under-18s had a primary diagnosis of a depressive disorder, while 14 patients had a diagnosis of an eating disorder.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Schizophrenia and neuroses were also among the conditions for which young people received treatment last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures, published by the Health Research Board, were collated from a national census of psychiatric hospitals and units around the country on March 31, 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This census is undertaken every three years, and the previous two were held in 2013 and 2010.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The latest census shows that there were 2,480 resident in-patients in psychiatric units and hospitals on March 31, 2016. That&rsquo;s seven more than in 2013. One-third (about 800) of patients had a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia; 422 patients had a depressive disorder; 300 had an organic mental disorder, and 124 patients had an intellectual disability.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Males accounted for more than half of all patients, while one-in-three were 65 years and over. 17% of in-patients (422) were involuntary admissions, compared to 13% in 2010 and 15%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, one-third of patients were long-stay and had been in hospital continuously for one year or more.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Health Research Board also outlined details of censuses taken over the last 50 years. The data shows an 88% drop in in-patient numbers since 1963 and a 62% drop in involuntary hospitalisations since 1971. The board said that the increased figure of 84 child and teenage residents last year, compared to the 43 in 2010 and 64 in 2013, was &ldquo;largely a reflection of increased capacity in child and adolescent in-patient services&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Health Research Board chief Dr Graham Love said: &ldquo;These data are crucial to increase our understanding of service demand in this area and to inform decisions about service planning.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 11th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/eighty-four-minors-received-in-patient-psychiatric-hospital-care-last-year-438568.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/eighty-four-minors-received-in-patient-psychiatric-hospital-care-last-year-438568.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-11 10:00:53',NULL,'eighty-four-minors-received-in-patient-psychiatric-hospital-care-last-year'),(1798,'Car insurance gone up? Insurers will soon have to tell you why','<p>\r\n	New laws will be in place by the end of the year to ensure that insurance companies tell customers why they are paying more.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Insurers will soon be required to explain to drivers why their car insurance premiums have increased.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The recommendation is one of many made in a report published this afternoon by a special government working group set up to examine the high cost of car insurance premiums.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report from the Cost of Insurance Working Group covered several key areas, such as improving data availability reducing the costs in the claims process, with a view to bringing down high car premium costs for consumers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The&nbsp; report states the Department of Finance will engage with the insurance industry to establish a common protocol to communicate to customers the reasons for the large increases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report states the new protocols must be agreed by the end of the summer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Legislation</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In order to ensure insurance companies comply with the new system, legislation is needed to underpin the new rules. The department states new laws will be in place by the end of 2017.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While insurance companies will be mandated to explain why they are increasing their customer&rsquo;s premiums, Minister of State for financial services Eoghan Murphy explained that the government can&rsquo;t interfere in the premiums set by insurers under EU law, stating the premium price must be based on risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The new measures being introduced will mean &ldquo;insurance companies must explain to the driver why their premium might have gone up &ndash; even in the situation where they might not have any additional penalty points or they haven&rsquo;t had a claim made against them &ndash; to explain exactly why they got that increase.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We hope the protections will help them better understand the increase, and give them more time to shop around in terms of getting a better price,&rdquo; said Murphy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year, it was widely reported that some motorists were seeing their car insurance quotes increase from anything between 50% &ndash; 300% in some cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Attention to the issue resulted in the establishment of the working group, which met 12 times over the course of last year, in which it embarked on a consultation process with numerous stakeholders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform also published a report on the rising cost of car insurance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Today&rsquo;s publication makes over 30 recommendations in total, one of which is that a standard protocol should be put in place by insurance companies &ldquo;to ensure greater consistency of treatment for returning emigrants&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Uninsured drivers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report also commits to addressing the increase in uninsured drivers on the roads. Murphy told TheJournal.ie this afternoon that the rise in uninsured drivers on the road is linked to the rise in premiums.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was reported last month the number of uninsured cars on Irish roads has nearly doubled to over 150,000 in the space of five years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A new uninsured drivers database is to be established which will allow gardai check insurance compliance by using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ANPR system had to be disabled in 2014 due to the &ldquo;unreliability of insurance data&rdquo;, finds the report. Over 100, garda cars are equipped with ANPR technology.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report states the insurance industry indicated to the minister in November that it will be in a position to roll out the new database in respect to all privately owned vehicles by the third quarter of this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Emigrants</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Emigrants returning home are also mentioned in the report. It states that it should be standard protocol by insurance companies &ldquo;to ensure greater consistency of treatment for returning emigrants&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many returning emigrants have complained of the fact that insurance companies often do not take experience driving abroad into account.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For example, an emigrant who had lived in, and been driving in, the UK for five years may not be able to immediately get a no claims bonus upon their return to Ireland, even if they had no claims during their time abroad.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The report recommends that insurers &ldquo;implement policies to accept driver experience from abroad when a person has previous driving experience in Ireland and is coming from a country that drives on the left side of the road.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The deadline for this measure to be implemented is the second quarter of this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Personal injuries commission</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The working group also recommends the establishment of a personal injuries commission to offer guidance on compensation claims.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns has been appointed as&nbsp;Chairperson of the new commission.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A new national claims&nbsp;database is also to be established to address the lack of transparency in the claims area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While Murphy admitted &ldquo;there is no silver bullet to reduce the cost of insurance, insofar as no one recommendation will solve the problem on its own&rdquo;, he said he believed the action plan would &ldquo;deliver fairer premiums for consumers&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il Spokesperson on Transport Robert Troy said people right across the country have being grappling with rising motor insurance costs in recent years and the government have been slow to move on the issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The cost of car insurance has risen by a minimum of 51% since January 2011 and the situation is even worse for those looking to insure vehicles associated with their business. These increases are unsustainable. Exorbitant insurance costs are putting enormous pressure on household budgets and are costing jobs,&rdquo; explained Troy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he is &ldquo;deeply concerned&rdquo; with the timeline being reported regarding the implementation of the committee&rsquo;s proposals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It has been suggested that it could take as long as 18 months before certain measures, such as the creation of detailed databases to combat fraud, are implemented. This indicates that the Government simply is not giving this crisis the attention it needs.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 10th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/car-insurance-report-3179584-Jan2017/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/car-insurance-report-3179584-Jan2017/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-11 10:04:20',NULL,'car-insurance-gone-up-insurers-will-soon-have-to-tell-you-why'),(1799,'Child protection vetting for 32,000 teachers this year','<p>\r\n	Richard Bruton says move is an &lsquo;important milestone&rsquo; to ensure safe school environments</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 32,000 teachers who qualified a decade or more ago must pass child-protection vetting checks by the Garda in the next year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Until recently, only recently-recruited teachers and those moving schools have been required to obtain Garda clearance, which is administered by the Teaching Council.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, legislation has now been commenced which provides a legal basis for the retrospective vetting of all registered teachers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This means that thousands of teachers hired before 2006 &ndash; when vetting became mandatory for new applicants &ndash; face Garda checks for child-protection reasons.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Those affected are typically permanent teachers who have been in the same school for the past decade or more.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The council, the regulatory body for the profession, says vetting will take place over the coming year on a phased basis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Any teachers who have not been vetted will receive a letter from the council shortly or over the coming months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Vetting rules</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This letter will provide information on the vetting rules and the disclosures, if any that must be made in order to get or renew certification and lay deadlines by which applications must be made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition to a check for criminal offences, Garda vetting involves a search of &ldquo;soft information&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the Department of Justice, this is &ldquo;information other than criminal convictions held by the Garda that leads to a bona-fide belief that a person poses a threat to children or vulnerable persons&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The council will start with those who have never been vetted. Once this is complete, there will be periodic revetting of all registered teachers on an ongoing basis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Education Richard Bruton has said the move to vet all teachers is an &ldquo;important milestone&rdquo; in helping to ensure children are properly protected in the school environment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under new rules, a teacher will face a fitness-to-teach inquiry if information in a vetting disclosure indicates a risk of harm to a child or vulnerable adult.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The council may also seek a vetting disclosure for such an inquiry in cases where the nature of a complaint raises a child-protection concern.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In all, about 65 per cent of the 92,000 teachers registered with the council have been vetted, a figure which is steadily increasing over time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Child protection groups have welcomed the move, but say vetting procedures in other areas still required attention.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Underperformance</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although creche and preschool staff have to be vetted, individual childminders and sole traders do not and campaigners say this is placing children at risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Separately, long-awaited hearings into complaints about serious misconduct and underperformance by teachers may take place by the end of this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The last remaining legal obstacle in the way of hearings was removed last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under these changes, the council will have the power to remove a teacher from its register where it deems the person unfit to teach, including where this is for child-protection reasons.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The council will also be charged with investigating underperformance or conduct issues on foot of complaints from students, parents and teachers, among others.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Only issues &ldquo;of sufficient gravity&rdquo; will result in an inquiry. Those against whom decisions are made may be suspended from the register or receive a sanction of &ldquo;advice, admonishment or censure&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The fitness-to-teach hearings, which have been promised for well over a decade, will be held in public by default.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, a witness or teacher who is the subject of the complaint may apply to have some or all of the hearing heard in private.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 11th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/child-protection-vetting-for-32-000-teachers-this-year-1.2933592\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/child-protection-vetting-for-32-000-teachers-this-year-1.2933592</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-12 09:44:43',NULL,'child-protection-vetting-for-32000-teachers-this-year'),(1800,'Call for self-harm risk assessments to be carried out in A&E departments','<p>\r\n	A new report has found that young people with the highest risk for repeated self-harm were 15 to 19-year-old females and males in their early 20s, resulting in calls for risk assessments for anyone presenting at emergency departments with self-harm injuries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The study, entitled Risk of repeated self-harm and associated factors in children, adolescents and young adults and led by Marco Bennardi of the National Suicide Research Foundation alongside Dr Ella Arensman of the NSRF and others, was published in the BMC Psychiatry journal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Taking data on consecutive self-harm presentations from the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland, it analysed a total sample of 28,700 individuals involving 42,642 presentations between 2007 and 2014.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the report: &ldquo;Repetition of self-harm occurred in 19.2% of individuals during the first year following a first presentation, of whom the majority (62.7%) engaged in one repeated act. Overall, the risk of repeated self-harm was similar between males and females. However, in the 20 to 24-year-old age group males were at higher risk than females.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said that among females, adolescents aged 15 to 19 years old were at higher risk than young emerging adults aged 20&ndash;24.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also found that the risk of repeated self-harm increased significantly with the number of previous self-harm episodes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report also found that the risk of repeat self-harming was higher among those who did not undergo a mental health assessment when they presented with their physical injuries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the report: &ldquo;To prevent risk of repeated self-harm in young people, all individuals presenting at emergency departments due to self-harm should be provided with a risk assessment including psychosocial characteristics, history of self-harm and time between first presentations.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A separate study in which Dr Arensman and Marco Bennardi were also involved, examined 121 consecutive suicides between 2007 and 2012 in Cork city and county, with a comparison made between 15 to 24-year-olds and 25 to 34-year-old individuals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It found that alcohol and/or drugs were detected through toxicological analysis for the majority of the total sample (79.5%), with the older age group more likely to have those substances in their system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to this report: &ldquo;Younger individuals who died between Saturday and Monday were more likely to have had alcohol before dying. Substance abuse histories were similar in the two age groups.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition to other recommendations, the authors of the report said: &ldquo;Based on this research it is recommended that strategies to reduce substance abuse be applied among 25-34-year-old individuals at risk of suicide.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to Dr Arensman: &ldquo;I still don&rsquo;t think it is a coincidence we are seeing ongoing challenges with alcohol and drug abuses because one of our earlier studies showed a significant number of young people use or abuse alcohol or drugs as a coping strategy.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, Dr Arensman said that schools who had engaged with programmes aimed at suicide prevention and reducing self-harm had seen improvements and that it was pushing for a further roll-out of programmes such as those associated with Connecting for Life, the national strategy to reduce suicide.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	www.childline.ie or call 1800 66 66 66 www.samaritans.ie or call 116 123</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 12th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/call-for-self-harm-risk-assessments-to-be-carried-out-in-ae-departments-438721.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/call-for-self-harm-risk-assessments-to-be-carried-out-in-ae-departments-438721.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-12 09:46:04',NULL,'call-for-self-harm-risk-assessments-to-be-carried-out-in-ae-departments'),(1801,'Call for appt of child psychologist before refugees arrive in Roscommon','<p>\r\n	TDs and Senators from Co Roscommon, who today met with Department of Justice to discuss controversial proposals to house 80 refugees of Syrian origin in a disused hotel in the county, have called for the appointment of a full-time child psychologist for the county.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	TDs Eugene Murphy and Michael Fitzmaurice and Senators Maura Hopkins, Frank Feighan and John O&#39;Mahony met with Minister of State at the Department of Justice David Stanton and his officials in Leinster House.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Murphy said the position of child psychologist had been vacant in Roscommon for some time and would need to be filled before any of the children who had been through the trauma of the Syrian conflict actually came to live here.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was confirmed to the Oireachtas members that 36 children under the age of 13 would be coming to live in the hotel in Ballaghaderreen in March.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Thirteen of the children will be under 4 years of age, 19 of them will between the age of 5 and 12 and four of the children will be 13 years old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Oireachtas members told Mr Stanton that the department needed to open lines of communication with the local community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Stanton confirmed that a contract has been signed with the owners of the hotel and that a new national community fund would be set up to allow local community groups to get involved in integration projects.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Senator Maura Hopkins said she had been assured Department of Justice officials would be calling to the hotel every week to see how the services for the refugees are working out and if and when changes needed to be made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 11th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0111/844269-roscommon-refugees-tds/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0111/844269-roscommon-refugees-tds/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-12 09:47:08',NULL,'call-for-appt-of-child-psychologist-before-refugees-arrive-in-roscommon'),(1802,'\'He would punch me, pull my hair and drag me along the floor\' - Irish mother describes horrific domestic abuse','<p>\r\n	Warning: Readers may find elements of this story distressing</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An Irish mother-of-three has opened up about her experience with domestic abuse after she was left &quot;traumatised&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Vicki Mooney (39) who set up a plus-size model agency in 2014, said she wanted to speak out in an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence and shared pictures of her with a broken nose, black eye and bruised body.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said being reminded of those images &ldquo;shocks me to the core&rdquo; as she has since moved on from the relationship. The relationship has since ended, but Ms Mooney said seeing the images still has a huge impact.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;He would punch me, pull my hair and drag me along the floor. It was traumatising,&quot; she told Independent.ie.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Mooney described the relationship, which lasted for several months in 2016, as a &quot;toxic relationship&quot; and said she has been contacted by a number of women in similar situations since she first shared her story on TV3&#39;s Elaine.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since appearing on the show, Ms Mooney said several woman have reached out to her who are in similar situations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They said they were all too afraid to press charges as well because they were terrified of the man.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Thinking about it opens up so many wounds and it&#39;s very frightening to be in that situation,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said she never got a barring order against her former partner as she had &quot;no trust in the justice system&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;When I weighed up what I would gain and what I would have to go through, I decided to drop the charges. I have three children and they would have to give witness statements and I didn&#39;t want to put them through that again. It was traumatic for them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I also had no trust in the justice system that anything would be done.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When Ms Mooney first appeared on the TV3 chat show, she said seeing those pictures &quot;shocks me to the core&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It breaks my heart to think I ended up like that &ndash; that somebody thought it was okay to hit me that hard and that much, that my nose burst and I couldn&rsquo;t see my face,&rdquo; she explained.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When that happened to me, I had a complete mind fog &ndash; it was a very toxic situation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t feel as if I could talk to anybody about it. When people asked why I had bruises, I was embarrassed. I was ashamed. I was ashamed to speak.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When that happened, I remember someone said to me, &lsquo;You look like you have no soul in your eyes&rsquo; and I hadn&rsquo;t. I&rsquo;d lost myself through that.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Mooney said her children gave her the courage to leave her ex-boyfriend, who is not the father to any of&nbsp; her children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Coming out the other side of it, my children &ndash; my three beautiful children - because when there is a fist coming to your face and you quite literally can&rsquo;t see with blood, you don&rsquo;t know if it&rsquo;s going to end. Only for my children being there, I don&rsquo;t know how I would have come out,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Mooney, said she &ldquo;tried her best to fight back&rdquo; when she was attacked.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She emphasised the importance of reaching out for help, either with a friend or a domestic violence service like Women&#39;s Aid and hopes sharing her story will give other people in similar situations the strength to leave an abusive environment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Walking away from it was so easy. For me, it was black and white,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When I say that now, there are thousands of women and men at home seeing these images and think, &lsquo;How do I do that? Where do I get the strength from to do that?&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is your choice. You decide, &lsquo;I&rsquo;m going to call Woman&rsquo;s Aid. I&rsquo;m going to talk to my friend&rsquo;. When someone asks how you are and how you got the bruise, you decide and that&rsquo;s what I did.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s a very long process, but when you end up in a situation with somebody and it&rsquo;s&hellip; when there&rsquo;s that toxic energy and somebody can actually physically do that, that&rsquo;s when you go, &lsquo;I need to make a change&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<em>If you find the above content distressing or you need help, please contact Women&#39;s Aid on 1800 341 900 or by logging onto their website which can be found</em>&nbsp;<em><a href=\"https://www.womensaid.ie/\">here</a>.</em></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 12th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/he-would-punch-me-pull-my-hair-and-drag-me-along-the-floor-irish-mother-describes-horrific-domestic-abuse-35362726.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/he-would-punch-me-pull-my-hair-and-drag-me-along-the-floor-irish-mother-describes-horrific-domestic-abuse-35362726.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-13 10:52:06',NULL,'he-would-punch-me-pull-my-hair-and-drag-me-along-the-floor-irish-mother-describes-horrific-domestic-abuse'),(1803,'Home Sweet Home intent on continuing homeless discussion','<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Citizens&rsquo; intervention&rsquo; mobilised public anger and despair into something practical</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It had its supporters and detractors, but perhaps the most remarkable thing about Apollo House is that it took so long to happen.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than four years into the worst housing and homelessness crisis in the history of the State, the self-styled &ldquo;citizens&rsquo; intervention&rdquo; was made on December 15th.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A coalition of homeless people, housing activists, artists and trade-unionists entered the empty Nama-managed office building in Dublin city centre, saying it was &ldquo;scandalous&rdquo; that so many buildings lay empty while so many people had no home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Naming itself Home Sweet Home (HSH), it opened Apollo House to the homeless. It was a radical move.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 28 days later, there were emotional scenes on Poolbeg Street as the activists and the last of the homeless residents left the building in compliance with a High Court order. They were proud of all they had achieved, they said. &ldquo;We did it,&rdquo; said one person. &ldquo;We did what we set out to do.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There had been tears too at the High Court 24 hours earlier, when Mr Justice Paul Gilligan would not hear their application for a further stay on his eviction order of December 21st. HSH had wanted to argue alternative emergency accommodation on offer to residents was unsuitable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Justice Gilligan was clear, however. The quality of emergency accommodation was matter for policy and politics. At issue in his court was the illegality of their &ldquo;trespass&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While he had sympathy for the HSH aims, he had to &ldquo;apply the law in respect of private property&rdquo;. If the situation was &ldquo;allowed to drag on&rdquo; people could believe the courts would take a benign view of illegal trespass. This would be &ldquo;an intolerable situation in a democratic state&rdquo;, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although HSH was disappointed and even vowed to defy the order, Mr Justice Gilligan&rsquo;s words represented vindication of sorts. He had set out clearly that in Ireland 2017, the rights of private property trump the needs of vulnerable people who had found a place they called home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Priorities</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Whether one agrees with this assessment or not, it was an important component in the Apollo House project &ndash; to illustrate the extent to which, the HSH said, Government policies prioritising the interests of property and profit over the social needs of people were contributing to the homelessness crisis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some, notably Independent Dublin city councillor Mannix Flynn on radio on Wednesday, criticised HSH, saying it was simply &ldquo;exploiting&rdquo; homeless people for political aims.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Home Sweet Home story, however, is more nuanced.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As they left the office-block yesterday, the HSH listed its achievements &ndash; among them that 76 people who had been sleeping rough had now moved to six-month beds, that two new shelters will open in coming months and more beds will be provided for homeless couples. These are important practical achievements.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Protest, as successive Governments might, about their efforts to solve the crisis, the continuously increasing numbers tell a different story.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When former housing minister Jan O&rsquo;Sullivan published her plan to &ldquo;end homelessness&rdquo; in May 2014, the homeless population was estimated at 2,700.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Six months later, when Alan Kelly published his Social Housing 2020 strategy, there were 3,607 people in emergency accommodation, including 887 children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Personal crisis</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last July, Minister for Housing Simon Coveney published the Rebuilding Ireland strategy. By then, the number of homeless people had reached 6,525, including 2,348 children. The most recent data, for November 2016, show further increases, to 6,985 homeless including 2,549 children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And yet it has proved almost impossible to draw large numbers to protest about housing. While water-charges protests attracted tens of thousands through 2014/15, housing protests have rarely had more than a few hundred. Perhaps this is because housing vulnerability is such a personal crisis affecting each individual or family differently.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Apollo House mobilised public anger and despair into something practical, and political. The HSH message, that putting empty buildings and profit before the most basic needs of our people was wrong, resonated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 4,000 people signed up to volunteer, while donations of beds, furniture, kitchen equipment, clothes, food, hair-cuts, medical expertise and more flooded in. Social media were abuzz with support and calls for similar actions to occupy Nama buildings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Apollo House is over. But Home Sweet Home says it will be a &ldquo;permanent intervention in the nation&rsquo;s housing policy and discussion&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If it achieves this, and brings the Irish public with it, it may have been worth the wait.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 13th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/home-sweet-home-intent-on-continuing-homeless-discussion-1.2935129\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/home-sweet-home-intent-on-continuing-homeless-discussion-1.2935129</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-13 10:54:11',NULL,'home-sweet-home-intent-on-continuing-homeless-discussion'),(1804,'Rules governing ‘voice of the child’ experts in family court cases to be set','<p>\r\n	Government to provide clarity on appointment of experts who report child&rsquo;s view to court</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New rules to regulate the appointment of experts to hear the voice of the child in private family law cases are to be introduced shortly, the Department of Justice has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The new regulations will provide &ldquo;clarity&rdquo; around the appointment of the experts, a spokesman for the department said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since January 2016, under the Children and Family Relationships Act, in cases such as custody, access, divorce and separation, courts are obliged to hear the voice of the child, provided he or she can express an opinion. The child can be heard either in person or through an expert.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But though the law has allowed for the appointment of such experts, the Government has not brought forward regulations to provide clarity on the appointment of such experts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At present, in private family law cases, judges are either hearing children in their chambers or, where parents can afford to pay, are appointing experts to hear the voice of the child and report to the court.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Pilot scheme</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Legal Aid Board has also been running a pilot scheme to fund the appointment of experts, but only for people on very low incomes. And there have been problems finding experts willing to carry out the work for the price offered by the board. While experts have been charging up to &euro;2,000, the board has been offering in the region of &euro;350 per client.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Dublin District Family Court last November, during a case on custody and access, Judge Gerald Furlong said the board&rsquo;s scheme was &ldquo;not working out&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he was experiencing difficulty in getting reports under the scheme because &ldquo;few people want to take them up for that price&rdquo;. He said he would not wish to impose additional costs on parents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Hopefully, eventually there will be a panel I will refer to,&rdquo; the judge said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the meantime, it is likely that family law cases involving the welfare of children will take longer, as judges will have no choice but to speak to children themselves before making any decisions on custody, access, guardianship and other matters affecting them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesman for the Department of Justice said the regulations were at a very advanced stage.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Qualifications</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Separately, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has said there are no regulations that require experts appointed under Section 47 of the Guardianship of Infants Act to hold specific qualifications. These experts are often appointed to assess and report to the court on children and their families in contentious separation and divorce cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Responding to a D&aacute;il question tabled by Clare Daly, the Minister said the people engaged in this process are usually qualified and practising psychologists or psychiatrists. And they are required to act in accordance with the standards and codes of conduct of their professional bodies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She also said a right does not exist under the act to request a second opinion once one of these experts has issued a Section 47 report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 13th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/rules-governing-voice-of-the-child-experts-in-family-court-cases-to-be-set-1.2934704\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/rules-governing-voice-of-the-child-experts-in-family-court-cases-to-be-set-1.2934704</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-13 11:14:17',NULL,'rules-governing-‘voice-of-the-child’-experts-in-family-court-cases-to-be-set'),(1805,'Kelly’s flat sizes ‘too small to be wheelchair accessible’','<p>\r\n	Dublin City Council architect unable to design such apartments within size restrictions</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minimum apartment sizes, introduced a year ago by former minister for the environment Alan Kelly, are too small to be wheelchair accessible, according to Dublin City Council&rsquo;s architects&rsquo; division.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The council had set the minimum size of public or private one-bed apartments at 55sq m (592sq ft), two-bed apartments at 90sq m (969sq ft) and three-bed apartments at 100sq m (1,076sq ft).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kelly had blamed excessive size standards for deterring construction and in December 2015 set new standards which set one-bed apartments at 45sq m (484sq ft), two-bed apartments at 73sq m (786sq ft) and three-bed apartments at 90sq m (969sq ft).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Deputy city architect Brian Swan said he has attempted to design accessible apartments within the minimum size restrictions, but has been unable to do so.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If you widen a corridor or you make a bathroom bigger, it comes out of one of the other rooms and then they drop below standard because everything is operating at the minimum,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Where under the previous standards the scale was sufficient that that impact was acceptable, when you are building to the minimums your envelope is already set.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The chairman of the council&rsquo;s housing committee, Sinn F&eacute;in councillor Daith&iacute; Doolan, said the council&rsquo;s ability to provide accessible homes had been undermined.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Botched proposal</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The problem Dublin City Council finds itself in is a direct result of former minister Alan Kelly&rsquo;s botched proposal to reduce sizes for apartments.&rdquo; He said he would be seeking an urgent meeting with Minister for Housing Simon Coveney on the matter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We now need a speedy response from Minister Coveney. In Dublin a majority of future housing will be apartments. We don&rsquo;t want to have to have a battle over funding for every development to make apartments bigger.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The reality that most housing in the city would in future be in apartment blocks raised issues not just with accommodating the needs of disabled people now, but would re-emerge when architects were trying to adapt homes in the future, Mr Swan said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Disability and age are very correlated issues. When you move from the idea of mainly building housing schemes to building apartments the opportunity isn&rsquo;t there for coming along and building extensions, you have to put things in at the start.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The reduction of the minimum size of apartments that could be built in Dublin and elsewhere raised concerns at the time because it was not coupled with a reduction of the minimum size of rooms within the apartment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland&nbsp;has said this would make the apartments impossible to design.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kelly said at the time that the architects&rsquo; claims were not true.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 16th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/kelly-s-flat-sizes-too-small-to-be-wheelchair-accessible-1.2937867\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/kelly-s-flat-sizes-too-small-to-be-wheelchair-accessible-1.2937867</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-16 09:56:49',NULL,'kelly’s-flat-sizes-‘too-small-to-be-wheelchair-accessible’'),(1806,'Cost of legal guardians for children to be probed by the PAC','<p>\r\n	The cost of legal representatives for children in family law cases and the sale of the government jet will be among the issues to be probed by the D&aacute;il&#39;s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the coming weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	TDs will also look into staff costs in the prison service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While the committee has been focused on examining Project Eagle, the sale of Nama&#39;s Northern loan book, in recent months, it is moving onto other matters this week with a meeting on the Guardian ad Litem service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	PAC chairman Se&aacute;n Fleming said the system of court-appointed guardians comes at a &quot;substantial cost to the State&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The committee meeting comes after the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&amp;AG) published a chapter on the Guardian ad Litem service in its 2015 report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The C&amp;AG found that fees for the guardians - that represent children&#39;s interests in court cases - are higher than hourly rates in other jurisdictions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The overall cost of the service was &euro;9.1m in 2015, the C&amp;AG found.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It&#39;s been reported that Children Minister Katherine Zappone plans to overhaul the system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officials from her department are due to appear before the PAC on Thursday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Fleming said the PAC will also look into the sale of the government jet at a meeting in the coming weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A report by the C&amp;AG found that Gulfstream IV jet - which used to ferry ministers to meetings abroad - was sold for &euro;350,000 less than it was worth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The aircraft was sold in 2015 for &euro;418,000 with the government taking the decision to sell due to escalating repair costs, the report said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Fleming said TDs will examine if the best option for disposing of the jet was taken or whether other alternatives could have bee used.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The PAC will also probe annualised hours in the Irish Prison Service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The system replacing overtime was introduced in 2005 but the C&amp;AG found that savings have fallen short of what was expected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The C&amp;AG published a report on the matter last summer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 16th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/cost-of-legal-guardians-for-children-to-be-probed-by-the-pac-35370051.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/cost-of-legal-guardians-for-children-to-be-probed-by-the-pac-35370051.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-16 09:58:05',NULL,'cost-of-legal-guardians-for-children-to-be-probed-by-the-pac'),(1807,'Gardai have yet to interview kids in creche \'sex assault\'','<p>\r\n	Gardai investigating the alleged sexual assault of two children at a creche have not yet interviewed either of the kids at the centre of the probe.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The employee who the shocking allegations were made against has also not been arrested or formally interviewed by investigating officers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood that the person has not worked at the creche since a complaint was received by gardai in Co Kildare.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This investigation was always going to be a slow burner and so it has proved,&quot; a source said last night.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Complaints</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The alleged victims have yet to be spoken to by specialist investigators and there have been no arrests so far.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;In fact, there are no plans for an arrest in the near future.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The investigation started around four weeks ago when officers received separate complaints that two children had been sexually assaulted at the Co Kildare creche by a staff member.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood that the creche has complied with all relevant child protection measures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai confirmed at the time that they were investigating the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The investigation is being led by Garda Superintendent Gerry Wall.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai will share information regarding any child protection concerns with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tusla will assess the level of reported child protection concerns and determine if any action needs to be taken.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This can involve a decision to remove a childcare worker, who is not vetted by gardai, if deemed appropriate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokeswoman for Tusla said that it would not comment on individual cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is to protect the confidentiality and privacy of the children and families with whom we work,&quot; the spokeswoman said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Vetting</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under regulations updated this year, childcare services have to carry out Garda vetting of staff and also a reference check.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This must also extend to unpaid workers and volunteers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There must also be police vetting from abroad of employees who have lived outside the jurisdiction for six months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Garda vetting must be retained for five years from the date of employment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by Herald.ie on the 16th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.herald.ie/news/gardai-have-yet-to-interview-kids-in-creche-sex-assault-35369697.html\">http://www.herald.ie/news/gardai-have-yet-to-interview-kids-in-creche-sex-assault-35369697.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-16 09:59:42',NULL,'gardai-have-yet-to-interview-kids-in-creche-sex-assault'),(1808,'Dossier of distress reveals suffering and indignity in hospitals','<p>\r\n	Delayed diagnosis, toilets that don&#39;t flush, showers with no curtain and call bells that are not answered when urgent assistance is needed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These are among the many complaints about hospitals lodged by the public with the country&#39;s patient safety watchdog in recent months - making up a dossier of distress.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Conditions in overcrowded emergency departments led to a large catalogue of grievances to the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They included concerns about lack of privacy and dignity as patients endured hours on trolleys, the complaints obtained under Freedom of Information revealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The revelations come as hospitals are braced for another week of overcrowding with 417 waiting for a bed across the country yesterday morning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The worst-hit were hospitals in Letterkenny, Limerick, Kilkenny, Portlaoise and Drogheda with overcrowding set to increase mid-week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The behind-the-scenes plight of people that emerged in complaints to Hiqa included claims that a patient&#39;s fluid intake was not monitored.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although fresh water was provided, they were given no glass to drink it from.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The failure of staff to wash their hands between patients and worries about cross-infection also featured in the list of allegations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Unexplained injuries to a patient and frustration at lack of staff led to an alert to the watchdog.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other failures highlighted included a failure to recognise a patient was deteriorating due to overcrowding and empty hand-gel containers, which are used to prevent infection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was also alleged there was a delay in pain relief being administered due to lack of staff, slow access to medical records and incomplete documents, medication presses left unlocked and soiled bedclothes left on a chair.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Overcrowding</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, new figures yesterday revealed more than 37,000 operations or hospital procedures were cancelled during 2016 - up almost 13,000 compared to 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many of the cancellations were over lack of beds due to overcrowding, according to information obtained in a parliamentary reply by Fianna Fail TD Billy Kelleher.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The highest number - 5,272 - was, made at University Hospital Galway which this week has had to bring in GPs to treat some patients in its emergency department over a lack of junior doctors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 2,249 procedures cancelled in Mayo General and 1,654 in Sligo General.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As demand grows for more people to be cared for at home, Minister for Older People Helen McEntee said a consultation process will be launched with the aim of setting up a statutory home-care scheme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This would be along the lines of the Fair Deal nursing home scheme, where people have their income and medical need assessed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They would pay a portion of the fees and the State would subsidise the rest.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 17th Janauary 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/dossier-of-distress-reveals-suffering-and-indignity-in-hospitals-35373044.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/dossier-of-distress-reveals-suffering-and-indignity-in-hospitals-35373044.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-17 11:10:50',NULL,'dossier-of-distress-reveals-suffering-and-indignity-in-hospitals'),(1809,'ASTI teachers face redundancy if deal is rejected','<p>\r\n	Some members of the secondary teachers&#39; union are staring redundancy in the face if the union rejects the latest proposals on pay and junior cycle reform.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The issue has come to a head after two schools in Athlone, Co Westmeath, were amalgamated in September and concerns arose that up to 12 teachers are at risk of losing their job.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	St Aloysius College and St Joseph&#39;s College will merge into the new, co-educational 800-pupil Col&aacute;iste Chiar&aacute;in.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Normally, teachers who become surplus to requirements because of an amalgamation, or a school closure, are offered redeployment. But while the Association of Secondary Teachers&#39; Ireland (ASTI) is outside the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA), its members have no such protection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	ASTI members will ballot this month on proposals incorporating the LRA, a top-up pay deal for newly-qualified teachers, along with junior cycle reforms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the event of a rejection, the Department of Education will take a hardline approach, underpinned by FEMPI legislation, introduced as an emergency measure to impose cuts in pay and conditions during the financial crisis, but still on the statute books.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ASTI is the only union outside the LRA and, last month, its 180-member executive committee recommended another No vote on the deal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to sources, there were signs of a softening of attitudes on the part of some members at a meeting of the executive last Saturday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If rejected, the union has not ruled out a return to one-day strikes and withdrawal from supervision and substitution duties, which closed 500 schools for up to three days last term.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Saturday&#39;s meeting agreed to ballot members on further industrial action, if the Government uses FEMPI legislation to make ASTI teachers redundant.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The potential job losses arising from amalgamation in Athlone was among the issues raised in the discussion.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	ASTI president Ed Byrne said the threat to make ASTI teachers redundant because it had not signed up to the LRA was &quot;an abuse of power&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 17/01/2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/asti-teachers-face-redundancy-if-deal-is-rejected-35373000.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/asti-teachers-face-redundancy-if-deal-is-rejected-35373000.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-17 11:12:47',NULL,'asti-teachers-face-redundancy-if-deal-is-rejected'),(1810,'Graphic images show injuries suffered by man after vape pipe explodes in face','<p>\r\n	A father-of-three had to be rushed to hospital after the vape pipe he was smoking exploded in his face, leaving him with second degree burns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Andrew Hall was getting ready for work when the incident happened and took to Facebook to warn other smokers how dangerous electronic cigarettes can be.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I&#39;ve lost at least seven teeth, have second degree burns to the face and neck and have been pulling chunks of plastic, teeth and foreign objects from my mouth, throat and lips. I was lucky that there wasn&#39;t a huge amount of damage to the room in my house I was in as well,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Hall, originally from Oregon, America, is currently in the Intensive Care Unit of his local hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He says the explosion shattered his bathroom sink and left scorch marks on the wall and the ceiling.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Posting on Facebook from his hospital bed, he said: &quot;I did not do anything I wasn&rsquo;t supposed to (battery was in right, always had the shop put it together when I first bought it and add things and maintenance it the right way while taking their advice) but it exploded in my face.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I vape (I know, terrible and uncool) but I no longer do and I hope to possibly sway those that do to maybe reevaluate or find other methods of smoking.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fire chiefs have previously issued safety warnings following a spate of incidents involving vape pipes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In August, British man David Thomson (62) was killed when an e-cigarette on charge exploded and ignited oxygen equipment he was believed to have been using. It was thought to be to be the first fatality from a fire involving an e-cigarette in the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other incidents have resulted in people being hurt, while there have been reports of users&#39; houses being badly damaged.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 17/01/2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/north-america/graphic-images-show-injuries-suffered-by-man-after-vape-pipe-explodes-in-face-35372522.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/north-america/graphic-images-show-injuries-suffered-by-man-after-vape-pipe-explodes-in-face-35372522.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-17 11:14:40',NULL,'graphic-images-show-injuries-suffered-by-man-after-vape-pipe-explodes-in-face'),(1811,'How to educate our youth about pornography addiction and dangers','<p>\r\n	Men as young as 20 have erectile dysfunction, desensitised by their use of porn, which can easily become an addiction, says Gwen Loughman</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	How to educate our youth about pornography addiction and dangers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Men as young as 20 have erectile dysfunction, desensitised by their use of porn, which can easily become an addiction, says Gwen Loughman</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	THE dark side of the internet is pornography. &ldquo;Pornography has become very much an epidemic in our society,&rdquo; says Nuala Deering, relationship and psychosexual therapist with Relationships Ireland. &ldquo;We are not addressing it as we should. It is unregulated and freely available to any age group who has internet access. We cannot stem the tide of pornography, but we can educate and help families prepare their children to deal with a world of unprecedented change.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cyber-sex addiction is predicted to be the next tsunami in mental health. Men in their late teens and early twenties have scant recollection, if any, of plastic-covered lad mags on the top shelves of newsagents. The erotic world is seconds away with the touch of a button.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These young men are presenting with what once was the older man&rsquo;s affliction: erectile dysfunction. These are physically healthy young men, with no medical issues, but their use of pornography, which sometimes becomes an addiction, is having a debilitating effect on their sexual relationships.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr June Clyne, psychosexual and relationship therapist (www.sextherapyireland.com), sees an increasing number of men in her practice reporting difficulties getting, and keeping, an erection, when intimate with their partners.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Men in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and so on, present with problems in erectile functioning. For some, they do not have a problem getting an erection, but have difficulty with keeping one.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Clyne says many relationships have ended because of porn. &ldquo;Internet pornography use is becoming increasingly socially acceptable, so, maybe, this is one of the reasons why people are slow to connect their pornography viewing with their sexual difficulties. After all, &lsquo;isn&rsquo;t everyone watching it&rsquo;?&rdquo; She says that online pornography offers short-term pleasure, but results in long term problems, including erectile dysfunction, which may necessitate the early use of Viagra.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nuala Deering says men of 19 and 20 who are experiencing erectile problems are often aware their use of porn has desensitised them and many of them want Viagra. &ldquo;They may, initially, get a prescription from their GP, but often obtain it online, which is not safe practice. Erectile dysfunction is very distressing at such a young age and Viagra can be seen as a quick-fix and give confidence in the short-term. However, long-term dependency on Viagra is not sustainable and it is advisable to seek professional help to deal with any underlying issues.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Clyne agrees. &ldquo;We need to look at the reasons why people are viewing porn. Is it boredom, low confidence, easy availability/accessibility, suppressing emotions? Is it that we have become so used to connecting to screens, and so isolated, that we don&rsquo;t know how, or where, to approach a &lsquo;real&rsquo; person? And for those already in relationships, a disconnect? The good news is that research is showing dopamine levels in the brain can return to normal levels in as little as three months, after abstaining from viewing online porn. I would suggest that if anyone is having difficulty in quitting porn, that they look for professional support from someone knowledgeable in this area.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Can pornography in moderation be educational for young people?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	June Clyne doesn&rsquo;t think so. &ldquo;Really, this is not the education they need. There are other sex educational sites online that are not pornographic. I am not &lsquo;anti&rsquo; porn, but the more I see of the damage it causes the more it leaves me questioning if there is any value in it, outside of financial income for a select number.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nuala Deering says: &ldquo;With young people, their script around sexuality, pleasure, and what a relationship is about is developed at an early age. This is difficult to change. Without appropriate and adequate public information for safe sexuality, young people can blindly stumble into sexual dysfunctions, relationship problems, and sex addiction.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	How do we educate our youth about the dangers of pornography and its potential for addiction?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Deirdre Seery, CEO of The Sexual Health Centre, Peters Street, Cork, says their drop-in clinic offers sexual education to young people. They can ask questions and have them answered by professionals. She says talking to young teens isn&rsquo;t rocket science. &ldquo;They have a natural curiosity about sex and many 13- and 14-year-olds use the internet in complete innocence.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is why parents should talk to their teenagers about sex.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Teenagers are harder to influence than younger children. It&rsquo;s impossible to chaperone their every movement, hence their access to pornography. An older teen should be able to hear, and know, about the dark underbelly of pornography. How can a parent impart this information in a productive way?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Who can the parents reach out to when all else fails and their teen continues to use, and be fascinated by, pornography?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Catherine Hallissey, education and child psychologist, says if teens really want to view pornography, they will find a way. She says it is a mammoth task and that, even with limits in place, parents cannot hold sway over what might be seen outside the home. She has outlined an action plan for parents and teens alike.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>1.</strong>&nbsp;Sex and sexuality is not a one-time talk. Be open, and start a conversation early, with &lsquo;a little and often&rsquo; time-frame, rather than a deluge of information in one session and at a later age.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>2.</strong>&nbsp;It is wise to have limits. However, the primary focus should be on building your relationship with your child, so they have the emotional skills and resilience to cope with their developing sexuality as they get older.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>3.</strong>&nbsp;Remember, sexual curiosity is normal and healthy and porn is one, albeit troublesome, way to satisfy that curiosity. Teens can often be overwhelmed by what they come across. When this happens, you want them to feel they can come to you.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>4.</strong>&nbsp;Your conversations should not be focused on &lsquo;porn is bad&rsquo;. Explore what your teen thinks and feels about porn. Let them know the dangers in a non-judgemental way.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>5.&nbsp;</strong>When talking about these issues, use a calm, neutral voice. No lectures, no blame, no shame. Do not engage in power struggles. Practice your talk in advance! Do your best to never be visibly shocked. This will increase the likelihood that your child will continue to talk to you.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 17th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/how-to-educate-our-youth-about-pornography-addiction-and-dangers-439395.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/how-to-educate-our-youth-about-pornography-addiction-and-dangers-439395.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-18 10:10:20',NULL,'how-to-educate-our-youth-about-pornography-addiction-and-dangers'),(1812,'\'We\'re the first generation to face decision on care for our parents\' - RTÉ\'s Brendan Courtney','<p>\r\n	Brendan Courtney has been inundated with stories from members of the public who share his family&#39;s heartbreaking struggle to care for his elderly father.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The RT&Eacute; presenter revealed how his family has battled to gain access for his father Frank (75) to the State&#39;s complex Fair Deal scheme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brendan (43), from Tallaght in Dublin, said his family were &quot;overwhelmed, honoured and humbled&quot; at the reaction to the documentary shown on Monday night, &#39;We Need To Talk About Dad&#39;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He welcomed a commitment from the Department of Health to put together a public consultation process on care for the elderly that came after the programme was aired.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I really hope my dad&#39;s documentary effects change with the Fair Deal scheme and that families start the conversation earlier to think about planning,&quot; Brendan said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I feel very good about it, dad is really happy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I fought for him, as all my family did, because we are a tight-knit working-class Dublin family - that&#39;s what we do.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The former &#39;Off The Rails&#39; host said that after the documentary aired, his father Frank thanked him for helping to highlight the issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;He rubbed my face and said: &#39;I can&#39;t believe you said you love me on TV. I love you enough for the both of us&#39;,&quot; Brendan said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;He&#39;s a kind, loving, gentle giant and my parents did something very special for me growing up.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;My parents showed me every day that they loved me unconditionally and I was very lucky that no matter what, I knew they adored and loved me.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There was vast public support for Brendan and his family after the documentary, for shining a light on the troubling issue. Brendan said: &quot;I&#39;m overwhelmed, humbled and honoured that so many people have shared their stories with me since it aired.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	During the show, Brendan became emotional as he discussed caring for his father at home or bringing him to a care home after Frank suffered a stroke, leaving him paralysed as a result.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fight</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The family discussed options, including remortgaging their homes, to access the appropriate care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Frank is currently being looked after in a facility offering him round-the-clock care but it was a long fight.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;He&#39;s being very well looked after where he is now and he will remain there now,&quot; Brendan said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We&#39;ve looked at ways to take from the house for a downstairs loo but we will see what happens now.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I feel we did the right thing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This documentary has started a conversation we needed to have in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I believe my generation is the first in Ireland to have actual choice, to be in a situation where planning is an option.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;My parents&#39; generation didn&#39;t even have options for planning children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We are the first generation to have this talk and be in this position where we can make decisions, but the decisions shouldn&#39;t be made so tough.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brendan said that across the country, older people are &quot;happier being cared for at home&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;No one has been in touch from the Government since the documentary aired but the Department of Health released a commitment to put together a consultation to talk about home care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Our situation is we are fortunate he&#39;s in the facility he&#39;s in now.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We&#39;ve come through a tough time but he&#39;s comfortable.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 18th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/were-the-first-generation-to-face-decision-on-care-for-our-parents-rts-brendan-courtney-35376598.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/were-the-first-generation-to-face-decision-on-care-for-our-parents-rts-brendan-courtney-35376598.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-18 10:12:32',NULL,'were-the-first-generation-to-face-decision-on-care-for-our-parents-rtã‰s-brendan-courtney'),(1813,'Harris lifts ban on gay men donating blood','<p>\r\n	The ban on gay men who want to donate blood has been lifted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gay men will from this week be able to donate blood if they meet the other blood donor selection criteria - including a one-year deferral for men who have sex with men.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Health Minister Simon Harris announced that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has introduced the change to the blood donor deferral policy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, from yesterday there are stricter rules in place for donors who have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease. They cannot give a blood donation for five years after completing treatment for the infection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris said: &quot;The IBTS provides a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system and has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both donors and recipients of blood and blood products. Furthermore, the IBTS will continue to keep all deferral policies under active review.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The change to a one-year deferral for a man who had sex with men is supported by the most current scientific evidence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ireland is in line with similar policies in the UK, Canada and elsewhere.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Only 3pc of the eligible population of Ireland are active blood donors - yet one-in-four people will require a blood transfusion at some time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 17th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/harris-lifts-ban-on-gay-men-donating-blood-35373043.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/harris-lifts-ban-on-gay-men-donating-blood-35373043.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-18 10:15:06',NULL,'harris-lifts-ban-on-gay-men-donating-blood'),(1814,'CPR and First Aid training','<p>\r\n	If you want to read one good news story today, let this be it. 10 rounds of CPR before he got a response; never give up! Well done Christy!<img alt=\"\" src=\"/user_files/images/Christy Griffin.jpg\" style=\"width: 250px; height: 285px; float: right; margin: 10px;\" /></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;When asked to write this piece I was a little bit apprehensive as I don&rsquo;t take praise easily. My name is Christy. Late last June, I updated my First Aid skills with Social Care Training Ireland as part of my work as a Social Care Worker with Daffodil Care Services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The week leading up to Christmas week, I was with an elderly relative doing a few odd jobs around his house. A great man for the cup of tea, we went inside and had a cup. As we finished up and went to go from the kitchen to the sitting room he collapsed straight in front of me. At first I was in shock but then my First Aid training kicked in and I went into the steps that I had previously learned, checking for signs of breathing and heartbeat; to my shock there was neither. I immediately rang for an ambulance and began CPR. I remember thinking how will I explain it to my family if &ldquo;I cannot get him back&rdquo;. I was determined to keep going until the ambulance arrived, after about five rounds of CPR I was starting to lose hope but kept going, and it payed off; on the tenth round of CPR I got a response and had a heartbeat and then my relative started to breathe for himself again, the relief was indescribable. I put him in the recovery position and waited for paramedics to arrive. It was only when he had gone to hospital and I had time to think that it hit me, I started to shake and cry all at the same time: tears of joy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The above event brought my First Aid training right back to me. For successful recovery, the first two steps required are early Access, and early CPR. This was oh so true in this case as if my elderly relative had been on his own, he would not have survived. Before this event I had refreshed my Occupational First Aid training under the expert eye of Bernie Breen, one of the instructors with Social Care Training Ireland. Bernie is a first responder in her own community, so who better to learn from? I suppose the lesson to be learned from the above event is the importance of being confident in knowing basic First Aid and how you can make a massive difference in someone&rsquo;s life. It&rsquo;s not about self-praise but about giving someone a fighting chance that they may never have got without your help. This is not an advert for Social Care Training Ireland but I owe them at least a mention. I have been involved in First Aid for a long time, but the training that I received from Bernie was second to none; it helped build on the confidence that I already had and it certainly paid off. Thank you Bernie. I almost forgot, my elderly relative came home Christmas Eve and is fine and is still giving me a hard time because I broke two of his ribs while doing CPR!</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	I would urge every member of the public to learn CPR as you never know when you may need to put it to good use. I know I said this was not an advert but you could do a lot worse than to give Social Care Training Ireland a call; they do not only train Social Care workers, it&rsquo;s only one string to their bow.&quot;</p>\r\n','public','',0,'2017-01-18 16:47:01',NULL,'cpr-and-first-aid-training'),(1815,'Homeless deadline impossible to hit, Coveney is warned','<p>\r\n	Rehousing families in hotels by June &#39;won&#39;t happen&#39;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Simon Coveney has been warned his pledge to end the use of hotels as accommodation for homeless families by June cannot be achieved.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il TD Barry Cowen said the housing department &quot;can&#39;t square that circle&quot; in the absence of promised rapid-build housing, much of which won&#39;t be delivered until 2018.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Ruth Coppinger questioned if Mr Coveney hoped to resolve the situation this year or next, adding this June &quot;seems like an absolute impossibility&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The June promise was contained in Mr Coveney&#39;s &#39;Rebuilding Ireland&#39; strategy to tackle the housing crisis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Coveney previously vowed that despite a view that he was &quot;crazy&quot; to pledge an end to homeless families in hotels, he is &quot;going to make that happen&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But concerns about hitting the deadline came as Department of Housing secretary general John McCarthy briefed an Oireachtas committee on progress in the plan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McCarthy said that in addition to the Housing Assistant Payment (HAP), a &quot;key element&quot; of the plan to end the use of hotels for homeless families is the provision of 1,500 rapid-build homes by the end of 2018.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Cowen seized on figures provided by Mr McCarthy showing there were 4,436 adults in emergency accommodation in November 2016. He asked how many homeless children are in hotels. And with just 2,000 people taken out of homelessness last year, he questioned if thousands of people in hotels could be reduced to zero by June.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He put it to Mr McCarthy that if one of the tools used to achieve this is rapid-build housing that won&#39;t be fully delivered until the end of next year, &quot;unfortunately you can&#39;t square that circle&quot;. He argued just 22 rapid-build homes were completed last year and he accused the department of a &quot;lack of urgency&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McCarthy said there were 2,549 children in emergency accommodation among 1,200 families. He said 700 of these families are in hotels in Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He clarified that the pledge is to rehouse families living in commercial hotels, not all homeless individuals. But he told Mr Cowen: &quot;You made a valid point in relation to my reference about the whole rapid-build programme being completed by 2018 and how that gels with the mid-year target that we have for hotels.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 19th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/homeless-deadline-impossible-to-hit-coveney-is-warned-35379712.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/homeless-deadline-impossible-to-hit-coveney-is-warned-35379712.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-19 09:40:26',NULL,'homeless-deadline-impossible-to-hit-coveney-is-warned'),(1816,'Bruton may highlight suicide services in student journals','<p>\r\n	TD suggests move in light of Ireland&rsquo;s youth suicide rate being one of highest in Europe</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Education Richard Bruton is to consider highlighting in student journals the services provided by Pieta House for those contemplating suicide or self-harm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The suggestion was made by AAA-PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett, who said it was a cost-free, simple and practical proposal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is a tragic fact, but a fact nonetheless, that this country has one of the highest rate of youth suicide in Europe and also a very high incidence of self-harm among young people,&rsquo;&rsquo; said Mr Boyd Barrett.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is a complex, multifaceted problem to address.&rsquo;&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Bruton said he would ask his officials to look at the possibility of doing what Mr Boyd Barrett suggested.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;By way of context, it is down to individual schools to decide what material they put into their journals,&rsquo;&rsquo; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is not a central direction in respect of the material in journals that schools put together.&rsquo;&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Guidelines</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The department, he said, provided guidelines for primary and post-primary schools and emphasised the importance of connection to resources outside the school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is consistent with what deputy Boyd Barrett said that we should look at how young people can get access to that information,&rsquo;&rsquo; Mr Bruton added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the HSE and his department had been involved in advertising websites with links to Pieta House and other services of a similar nature.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is merit in doing that, but I am conscious that schools ultimately are the leaders in the way in which they deal with the needs of the children in their care and they design the precise way they will implement the guidelines the department sets,&rsquo;&rsquo; Mr Bruton added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;That said, I am very keen to increase the impact of what we are doing in this area.&rsquo;&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Boyd Barrett said he welcomed the Minister&rsquo;s &ldquo;positive response&rsquo;&rsquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 18th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/bruton-may-highlight-suicide-services-in-student-journals-1.2942152\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/bruton-may-highlight-suicide-services-in-student-journals-1.2942152</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-19 09:41:54',NULL,'bruton-may-highlight-suicide-services-in-student-journals'),(1817,'Leading consultant dismisses \'scare story\' about families leaving elderly in hospitals','<p>\r\n	A leading consultant has dismissed what he has described as a &#39;scare story&#39; about families leaving elderly relatives in hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Des O&#39;Neill from Tallaght Hospital in Dublin says the claims in today&#39;s Irish Times are being blown out of proportion.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the Fair Deal scheme, a patient&#39;s assets are used to fund a nursing home place.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	advertisement</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The paper says it has seen HSE emails where people are accused of leaving OAPs in hospital beds, rather than sending them to a nursing home - to protect their inheritance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, Consultant Geriatrician Des O&#39;Neill says that hardly never happens.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr O&#39;Neill said: &quot;This almost certainly has elements of a scare story about it, I mean this is an absolute minority as we see it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;But what&#39;s interesting is this headline in a way, because unless there has been a ward of court or power of attorney, they don&#39;t actually have a specific say-so over a person&#39;s assets.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 18th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/leading-consultant-dismisses-scare-story-about-families-leaving-elderly-in-hospitals-772956.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/leading-consultant-dismisses-scare-story-about-families-leaving-elderly-in-hospitals-772956.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-19 09:44:50',NULL,'leading-consultant-dismisses-scare-story-about-families-leaving-elderly-in-hospitals'),(1818,'80% of carers who were denied allowance win payments on appeal','<p>\r\n	New figures show while the numbers of families turned down for the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) has fallen, almost 80% of applications that were rejected were later granted the payment on appeal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	DCA is a monthly payment worth &euro;309 to a family and is made to the carer of a child with a severe disability who lives at home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The previously high rate of rejection of applications led to a number of families bringing court actions in a bid to secure the payment, and last year the matter was the subject of a High Court ruling.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Latest figures from the Department of Social Protection shows 7,434 applications were made last year and that 6,679 were fully processed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of those, 1,683 were deemed not to satisfy the qualifying criteria &mdash; just over 25% &mdash; a fall from the 33% of applications rejected at the same stage in 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the figures also show that almost 80% of cases that were appealed were subsequently granted. Of the 1,344 appeals processed last year, 1,065 were either allowed or there was a revised decision following further correspondence or receipt of additional information.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another 18 appeals were partially allowed and just 250 were disallowed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While the average time taken to process an initial DCA application averages just over 14 weeks, it takes between 24 weeks and 30 weeks for appeals to be dealt with.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 416 appeals pending decision by the end of last year, and 2,077 initial applications awaiting a decision.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The high rate of refusals later granted on appeal and the time it takes to reach those decisions have been the focus of attention from the DCA Warriors group, which now has almost 12,000 members.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Margaret Lennon of the DCA Warriors group said it was &ldquo;very alarming&rdquo; that the refusal rates were still high when taken alongside the very high rate of refused applications later granted on appeal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;My view has not changed since the outset,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A lot of parents coming into the system with children with medical conditions or additional education needs, there is no process to ever inform them they are entitled to apply for DCA.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Lennon said that, in any referral for an assessment of need, parents could be informed at that stage that their child might qualify for the payment. She also said many parents who are successful in securing the payment do not have it backdated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Solicitor Gareth Noble of KOD Lyons has been involved in court actions on behalf of families seeking the DCA payment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said: &ldquo;The figures published shows the advancements made in relation to refusal rates.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This success has occurred to a large extent as a result of parental pressure and greater awareness on behalf of the public in relation to this scheme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The department are no longer in a position to studiously avoid making accountable decisions as a result of important legal determinations that required decision makers to engage with the evidence actually presented by applicants rather than issue standard rejection letters.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The number of successful appeals also raises serious concerns around the efficacy of the initial decision making process and the delays for having decisions considered and appeals reached remain stubbornly high.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 23rd January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/80-of-carers-who-were-denied-allowance-win-payments-on-appeal-440285.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/80-of-carers-who-were-denied-allowance-win-payments-on-appeal-440285.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-23 11:18:15',NULL,'80%-of-carers-who-were-denied-allowance-win-payments-on-appeal'),(1819,'Quick smear test saved mum’s life','<p>\r\n	Two minutes of slight discomfort saved the life of Esther Hope when a routine smear test for cervical cancer came back with an abnormal result.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The 36-year-old mother of two was &ldquo;harassed&rdquo; by friends to get a smear test in 2012. Fortunately, she relented.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It was after I had my second boy, a friend of mine had been harassing me to get my smear [test] done. I eventually made an appointment, not expecting anything, but I got a letter saying there was an abnormality and that I needed to get a biopsy done and then couple of weeks later I was called and told the result was high grade-three pre-cancerous.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We were told that between six months and a year it would be full cancerous, you would have had to get chemo and everything. It was quite shocking, because I had two young kids,&rdquo; she told the Irish Examiner.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Also, during the time between waiting for the results of her biopsy and possible treatment, Esther and her husband Gareth attended the funeral of a woman of the same age who died as a result of cervical cancer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Following Esther&rsquo;s biopsy results, she went for what is known as the &ldquo;LLETZ procedure&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It burns all the cells. I was very grateful that my husband came with me for all the procedures, they numb you by injecting you around the area, you aren&rsquo;t knocked out,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She had regular check-ups to make sure nothing had grown back and now she is back to the usual interval of three-year check-ups.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The way I see it is, it&rsquo;s literally two minutes of slight discomfort that will save your life. You&rsquo;ve got peace of mind. I&rsquo;d rather have what I went through rather than chemo, or worse, the removal of organs,&rdquo; said Esther.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;So, if there is a problem you find out early enough so you can do something about it,&rdquo; she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Esther&rsquo;s husband is also outspoken about the need to get tested and attending the funeral of the young woman remains in his mind.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;What brought it home to me was the funeral. By not finding out early enough we were standing at a grave and looking over at a dad like me.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;These things, you can&rsquo;t leave them unchecked. The whole family is involved. I still see this man every day dropping his kids to school living as a single parent,&rdquo; said Gareth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While speaking out as a man about women&rsquo;s health would be uncomfortable for some, he said it should not be treated as a &ldquo;dark secret&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not something that should be shamed, it shouldn&rsquo;t be a dark secret.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t go around talking about it to women, exactly, but if I&rsquo;m with Esther and she&rsquo;s talking about it, I&rsquo;ve often echoed her thoughts,&rdquo; said Gareth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yesterday marked the start of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, which runs until next Saturday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Pearl of Wisdom campaign was launched by broadcaster Maura Derrane, It is supported by the national screening programme CervicalCheck, and the Irish Family Planning Association.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	See www.cervicalcheck.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 23<sup>rd</sup> January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/quick-smear-test-saved-mums-life-440314.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/quick-smear-test-saved-mums-life-440314.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-23 11:20:51',NULL,'quick-smear-test-saved-mum’s-life'),(1820,'Cabinet to approve ‘Grace’ sex abuse inquiry','<p>\r\n	The Cabinet will finally approve terms of reference this week for a State inquiry into the &lsquo;Grace&rsquo; foster home sex-abuse scandal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Delayed for a year, the inquiry can now proceed, with Garda Commissioner N&oacute;ir&iacute;n O&rsquo;Sullivan saying the HSE can publish two internal reports into the scandal, clearing the way for the inquiry.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At a meeting of the senior management in the Department of Health in the past few days, Health Minister Simon Harris demanded delivery of the terms of reference from his officials, following criticism of the delays.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris was called on to intervene after criticisms from within government about Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath&rsquo;s handling of the matter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGrath, who was also at the meeting, became frustrated at the delays and insisted terms of reference must go to the Cabinet &ldquo;by the end of January&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Both Mr Harris and Mr McGrath have said that, without the two HSE reports being published, any inquiry would face substantial additional burdens.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE has begun making the reports ready for publication, with redactions of sensitive material.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It will draw up three versions of the reports: An accessible version for people with disabilities at the home; another for their families; and a third for general publication.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The two internal reports will be available in February.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Once approved by Cabinet, the terms of reference will be passed through both the D&aacute;il and Seanad, in February, to allow the inquiry to be up and running by March 1.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There has been frustration within the Government at the lack of progress in delivering the inquiry into what is one of the most shocking abuse scandals in recent times.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE director general, Tony O&rsquo;Brien, has met with Ms O&rsquo;Sullivan about the publication of the two reports.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	HSE bosses are also due to meet the local superintendent in Waterford, whose request not to publish had been the basis of the HSE&rsquo;s refusal to do so.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Grace scandal concerns the rape, physical abuse, and neglect of up to 47 children and young adults, at a foster home in Waterford over a 20-year period. In Grace&rsquo;s case, she languished in the home for 14 years before she was removed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE had long-refused to publish the two reports, saying that garda&iacute; had warned that doing so would jeopardise ongoing investigations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms O&rsquo;Sullivan had been asked by Waterford TD,John Deasy to clarify her position over the reports&rsquo; publication. Mr Deasy had grown impatient at the delays.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Deasy, in his letters to the Garda Commissioner, said he feared the inquiry would be allowed to &ldquo;linger endlessly in limbo&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 23<sup>rd</sup> January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/cabinet-to-approve-grace-sex-abuse-inquiry-440319.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/cabinet-to-approve-grace-sex-abuse-inquiry-440319.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-23 11:22:13',NULL,'cabinet-to-approve-‘grace’-sex-abuse-inquiry'),(1821,'Five people died in prison custody last year','<p>\r\n	The cause of death in all five cases is yet to be determined.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Five inmates died in the custody of the Irish Prison Service (IPS) last year, records released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The cause of death in all five cases has yet to be determined by a coroner. Inquests will be held later this year, and investigations will also be carried out by the inspector of prisons.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It brings the number of prisoners who have died in custody to 105 since 2005, while dozens more have died on temporary release from Irish jails.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Decrease</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The five deaths that occurred in detention centres last year represents a marked decrease compared to the number of fatalities recorded during the previous year, however.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A total of 14 prisoners died in custody in 2015, while a further eight inmates died while on temporary release from the State&rsquo;s network of 14 prisons and places of detention that year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The number of prisoners who died while on temporary release during 2016, if any, is not yet available.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of the 105 fatalities that occurred in prison custody since 2005, 16 have been classified as death by suicide; while the cause of death has yet to be determined pending inquests in at least 25 cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A total of eight prisoners died in custody in 2014, nine died in 2013, five died in 2012, and six deaths were recorded in 2011. Some 20 prisoners died on temporary release in the three years prior to 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Investigation</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since 2012, the death of any prisoner in custody or on temporary release is subject to an independent investigation by the inspector of prisons. Each prison also has a local suicide prevention group that examines the circumstances of each death and makes recommendations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesperson for the IPS said that every death, as well as every incident of self-harm, is examined by the suicide prevention group in the relevant prison.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The groups are chaired by prison governors and include doctors, psychiatrists, and chaplains.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Their examinations fully cover the background and circumstances of each death. Their objective is to identify, where possible, measures which might be implemented to contribute to a reduction in the risk of deaths in future,&rdquo; the IPS said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, the National Suicide and Harm Prevention Steering Group&hellip; provides a forum for collating the reports of the local suicide prevention committees and disseminating significant findings throughout the prison system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The reports of the inspector of prisons are also considered in detail by the IPS and action plans are developed with regard to the implementation of the recommendations. Prison staff are regularly reminded of the need to adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and protocols.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Any failure to adhere to SOPs is investigated by the governor, and the governor will then take appropriate action including disciplinary action if required,&rdquo; the spokesperson added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 25th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/five-inmates-custody-deaths-3202554-Jan2017/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/five-inmates-custody-deaths-3202554-Jan2017/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-25 09:50:05',NULL,'five-people-died-in-prison-custody-last-year'),(1822,'Judges consider asylum seekers’ right to work','<p>\r\n	A seven-judge Supreme Court is hearing an important appeal concerning asylum seekers&rsquo; right to work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The appeal is by a Burmese man who lived in Direct Provision for more than eight years before getting refugee status. The case is against the Minister for Justice, with the Attorney General and Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission as notice parties.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The man argued that, while living in Direct Provision on a &euro;19 weekly allowance, he suffered depression and &ldquo;almost complete loss of autonomy&rdquo; and being allowed work was vital to his development, personal dignity, and &ldquo;sense of self-worth&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After coming here in late 2008, he was refused refugee status but appealed. After the High Court found errors in how his applications were decided, rehearings were held before the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, which last September granted him refugee status.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This means he can now legitimately seek work here. The State says the Supreme Court should therefore dismiss as pointless his appeal against the Court of Appeal&rsquo;s 2/1 rejection of his case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When the appeal opened yesterday, Michael Lynn SC, for the Burmese man, urged the court not to declare the case moot but instead decide the core issues. He argued that the Minister for Justice has discretion to let asylum seekers in a position similar to the man work, including on a temporary basis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Counsel disputed the Minister&rsquo;s claims that that could act as an incentive for others to enter the State. No &ldquo;sane person&rdquo; would want to live in Direct Provision for more than eight years, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Feichin McDonagh SC, for the Commission, argued that the Minister has discretion to permit an asylum seeker to work and there is no &ldquo;absolute&rdquo; legal bar on the Minister doing so.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Opposing the appeal, Nuala Butler SC, for the Minister, argued a non-Irish national present in the State on a conditional basis has no constitutional right to work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In exchanges with counsel, some of the judges asked why, if asylum seekers have constitutional rights including the right to bodily integrity and fair trial, they have no right to work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Butler said asylum seekers here have certain rights but not the same right to work as Irish citizens. The State was entitled to control permission to enter its territory and to control non-nationals while they are here, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She also said this case involved &ldquo;unusual&rdquo; and &ldquo;extraordinary&rdquo; delays which she said do not represent the experience of the majority of asylum seekers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Hard cases make bad law&rdquo; and the State is concerned that permitting a right to work to some asylum seekers would lead to migrants &ldquo;flooding&rdquo; into the State, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In dismissing his case, two Court of Appeal judges ruled the open-ended nature of the ban on work did not mean Section 9.4.b of the Refugee Act is unconstitutional and it rejected as &ldquo;too broad a proposition&rdquo; that non-Irish citizens enjoy the same general rights as Irish citizens.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Justice Gerard Hogan disagreed with his two colleagues and ruled the man has a personal right under Article 40.3 of the Constitution to work here and Section 9.4.b of the Refugee Act unconstitutionally struck at the &ldquo;very substance&rdquo; of that constitutional right.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Supreme Court appeal has been adjourned to resume on February 15.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 25th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/judges-consider-asylum-seekers-right-to-work-440631.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/judges-consider-asylum-seekers-right-to-work-440631.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-25 09:51:31',NULL,'judges-consider-asylum-seekers’-right-to-work'),(1823,'Childrens’ views taken into account in adoption legislation, Seanad told','<p>\r\n	All children eligible for adoption regardless of parents&rsquo; marital status, Minister says</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The views of children will be taken into account under new adoption legislation, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone has told the Seanad. She said she had amended the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 to enable the views of the child to be heard and to ensure that their best interests were protected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The new sections detail the factors and circumstances relevant to the child that the authority or court shall have regard to in determining the child&rsquo;s best interests in any matter, application or proceeding before them,&rsquo;&rsquo; Ms Zappone said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said the factors included the child&rsquo;s age, the child&rsquo;s physical, psychological and emotional needs, and the likely effect of adoption. They would also include, added Ms Zappone, the child&rsquo;s views on his or her proposed adoption, social, intellectual and educational needs, upbringing and care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There would also be regard for the child&rsquo;s relationship with his or her parent/s, guardian or relatives, as well as any other relevant circumstances, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone said the children&rsquo;s referendum had provided children with constitutional rights and protections, and the Bill gave legislative effect to those.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All children were eligible for adoption, regardless of the marital status of their parents, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Bill also provides for ensuring that the best interests of the child, and the views of the child, are at the heart of adoption proceedings before the authority or the courts,&rsquo;&rsquo; she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone said adoption was first and foremost a child welfare measure, aimed at providing a new family for a child who could not be cared for by his or her parents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 25th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/childrens-views-taken-into-account-in-adoption-legislation-seanad-told-1.2949973\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/childrens-views-taken-into-account-in-adoption-legislation-seanad-told-1.2949973</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-25 09:52:47',NULL,'childrens’-views-taken-into-account-in-adoption-legislation-seanad-told'),(1824,'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	Daffodil Care Services are now hiring full time and relief Social Care Leaders and Social Care Workers based in our mainstream and semi-independent residential services in South Tipperary, Dublin &amp; Meath.</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	<br />\r\n	Send your CV to recruitment@daffodilcare.ie or call 0818 903 984 for further information.</p>\r\n<div>\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		Social Care Worker - Full Time - Semi Independent- North Dublin</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=38</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		&nbsp;</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		Social Care Worker - Full Time - North Dublin</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=20</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		&nbsp;</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		Social Care Worker - Full Time - Kells, Co. Meath</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=35</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		&nbsp;</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		Social Care Worker - Full Time- South Tipperary</p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=36</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-25 00:00:00',NULL,'jobs-bulletin-daffodil-care-services'),(1825,'89% of parents fear heavy school bags will injure children','<p>\r\n	Up to 89% of parents of primary school children are concerned that heavy school bags could be injuring their children&rsquo;s backs, according to the National Parents Council (Primary), writes Claire O&#39;Sullivan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The weight of school bags was the &ldquo;single biggest issue that parents contact the NPC about&rdquo;, said National Parents Council (Post Primary) director, Paul Beddy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nearly one-third of the 3,000 parents who responded to the NPC (Primary) survey said their children&rsquo;s schoolbags were so heavy that their children couldn&rsquo;t walk with them on their backs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The NPC also told the joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs that 38% of parents were extremely concerned about the weight of the bags and 31% were somewhat concerned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Four out of five parents would like information for children on how to best lift the bags and how to carry them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The committee was yesterday discussing the impact of heavy schoolbags and the possibility of introducing weight guidelines, as exist in other countries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, assistant professor of physiotherapy, Dr Sara Dockrell, said that guidelines in parts of Europe, the US, and Australia, which state that a full schoolbag shouldn&rsquo;t weigh more than 10% of a child&rsquo;s weight, were &ldquo;without merit&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t a fair method of assessment for a child who is obese,&rdquo; she said, adding that there is &ldquo;a lot of evidence that heavy school bags are not the main factor when considering musculoskeletal pain in children&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Dockrell recommended an education campaign for parents and children about how bags are best carried and about what type of bag to buy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Paul Beddy, of the NPC, recommended that a forum be established on the issue, &ldquo;involving all of the stakeholders&rdquo;, including teachers unions, management bodies, student representative bodies, and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We need a process and someone driving this, as we&rsquo;ve been talking about this for 19 years now and getting nowhere,&rdquo; Mr Beddy said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il deputy in Mayo, Lisa Chambers, called for legislation to ensure that the problem would eventually be solved, but Dr Dockrell said that legislation would require an acceptable guideline and she didn&rsquo;t see how &ldquo;guidelines could be established that could be stood over&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But the CEO of the NPC (Primary), &Aacute;ine Lynch, said that any forum about schoolbag weight had to be preceded by a discussion about over-reliance on school books in the classroom at the expense of other methods of learning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Dockrell said that e-education (or the use of iPads in the classroom) was not the solution, either, as research had shown that there was &ldquo;no difference in the weight of bags of children using iPads&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Technology,&rdquo; she said, &ldquo;was more harmful to musculoskeletal development than schoolbooks&rdquo;, as children could damage key muscle groups through the continued use of phones, tablets, and games consoles.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Game theory: play improves your child&rsquo;s concentration by 58%</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Irish primary schools reported a 58% improvement in children&rsquo;s behaviour and concentration during a pilot project that teaches good behaviour through play.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Principals also reported fewer children being sent to their office for poor conduct, and a drop in detention rates.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The primary school children learn how to regulate their emotions, express emotions, and manage behaviour, as part of a series of fun activities played in the classroom up to three times a day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Classes are divided into teams that are rewarded for behaviour that encourages learning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The PAX Good Behaviour Game (GBG) programme can be used on all school children, not just children who have diagnosed behavioural problems.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	GBG was piloted in 11 schools in the Midlands and in North Dublin, in 2015. Pupils from junior Infants to fourth class took part.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Margaret O&rsquo;Donnell, of St Patrick&rsquo;s College, Drumcondra, said, following the introduction of Pax GBG, that teachers reported lower stress levels, while children enjoyed school more. The relationship between teachers and pupils improved.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Pupils became more respectful to others, more skilled at resolving conflict, and were experiencing more feelings of happiness, both in themselves and in the classroom environment,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The PAX GBG has been developed internationally, and has 30 years of research and evidence of children&rsquo;s behaviour and learning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Midlands Area Partnership manager, Conor Owens, said: &ldquo;The findings were highly significant for Irish schools and the programme is highly cost-efficient and could be expanded&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 26<sup>th</sup> January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/89-of-parents-fear-heavy-school-bags-will-injure-children-774102.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/89-of-parents-fear-heavy-school-bags-will-injure-children-774102.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-26 09:31:34',NULL,'89%-of-parents-fear-heavy-school-bags-will-injure-children'),(1826,'Russia set to decriminalise some forms of domestic violence','<p>\r\n	The Russian parliament has passed the second reading of a controversial Bill to decriminalise some forms of domestic violence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The State Duma voted 385-2-1 to eliminate criminal liability for battery on family members that does not cause bodily harm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Bill that makes battery on a family member punishable by a fine or a 15-day day arrest has yet to be approved in the third reading.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	From the Duma, it would proceed to the upper house, largely a rubber-stamp body, and then to President Vladimir Putin&#39;s desk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Bill stems from a Supreme Court ruling to decriminalise battery that does not inflict bodily harm, but to retain criminal charges for those accused of battery against family members.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Conservative activists objected, arguing it was a threat to parents who might spank their children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Activists picketed the Duma on Wednesday morning to oppose the Bill, which has caused controversy and attracted more than 200,000 signatures online against it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Olga Batalina, one of the Bill&#39;s co-authors, rejected suggestions that it would sow impunity for those who beat up their families.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The Criminal Code still carries criminal responsibility for battery, but now it will be applicable only for repeat offenders,&quot; she told state television.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All those &quot;who terrorise their family members, who do it repeatedly ... will face criminal responsibility&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov would not comment on the Bill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A survey this month by state-run pollster VTsIOM showed that 19% of Russians said &quot;it can be acceptable&quot; to hit one&#39;s wife, husband or child &quot;in certain circumstances&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The nationwide poll by phone of 1,800 people was held from January 13-15. The survey had a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 25th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/russia-set-to-decriminalise-some-forms-of-domestic-violence-773999.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/russia-set-to-decriminalise-some-forms-of-domestic-violence-773999.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-26 09:33:29',NULL,'russia-set-to-decriminalise-some-forms-of-domestic-violence'),(1827,'Patients dying in corridors as consultant warns of \'broken morale\'','<p>\r\n	Patients are dying in hospital corridors as the trolley crisis rages. The stark picture of dangerous overcrowding and misery, due to the trolley crisis, was laid bare by medics and patient groups at the Oireachtas health committee yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It includes frail and elderly people having to endure the indignity of queuing for one toilet with 20 others.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Emergency departments are so under pressure that patients&#39; ECG exams of the heart are being done in public.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other patients must shout out intimate details in a noisy corridor, consultant Dr Emily O&#39;Conor revealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;You take a patient history on the corridor but there is no place to lie them for an abdominal exam. You circle the department for any spot to provide a bit of privacy. You find space but another patient takes it and you start again...&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Years of this kind of work &quot;breaks morale&quot;, Dr O&#39;Conor, president of the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Patient Focus said it was receiving harrowing reports of patients whose illness was misdiagnosed and one of a man &quot;found dead on a hospital corridor&quot; being used as a &quot;virtual ward&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other complaints include patients getting no proper food or enduring &quot;forced incontinence&quot; because no member of staff is available to take them to the toilet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Committee members were told of the urgent need for more beds, more emergency consultants who can provide round-the-clock on-site cover and better community services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While overcrowding has stabilised in some of the worst Dublin hospitals it has escalated to critical levels in areas such as Tullamore and Kilkenny.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Promised modular buildings where some patients could be cared for also need to be opened up.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr O&#39;Conor said some nursing homes were sending elderly patients at the end-of-life stage to hospital when they should be allowed to pass away at the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It should be possible to give antibiotics in nursing homes to avoid hospital admission. She suggested doing surgery over seven days instead of five would relieve patient surges on Monday and Tuesday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The practice of discharging patients over weekends, to free up space, had improved but it could be better, Dr O&#39;Conor added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 26th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/patients-dying-in-corridors-as-consultant-warns-of-broken-morale-35399314.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/patients-dying-in-corridors-as-consultant-warns-of-broken-morale-35399314.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-26 09:35:10',NULL,'patients-dying-in-corridors-as-consultant-warns-of-broken-morale'),(1828,'Complaint to gardaí over Bessborough file alterations','<p>\r\n	A participant in the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home vaccine trial has made a formal Garda complaint after it emerged files relating to the trial were altered in 2002.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In November, the Irish Examiner revealed the files of mothers and children used in the 1960/61 4-in-1 vaccine trial were altered in 2002 &mdash; just weeks after the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse sought discovery of records from the religious order running the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mari Steed was born in Bessborough in 1960 and subsequently adopted in the US.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her natural mother&rsquo;s file is one of those listed as having been changed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Earlier this month, Ms Steed made a formal complaint to the garda&iacute; and Data Protection Commissioner concerning the matter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the Garda complaint, which has been seen by the Irish Examiner, she states she has also informed the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes of the complaint as it has requested her to provide documentation to it relating to her participation in the vaccine trial.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I have notified the commission that I wish to file formal charges against the order and will then submit testimony as directed and aided by my legal counsel, and where it does not impact my own legal rights to pursue this matter further,&rdquo; states the complaint.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A document obtained by the Irish Examiner last year under Freedom of Information revealed that alterations 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	The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) had sought discovery of these 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	The changes made to files include:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n		The alteration of discharge dates of mothers (by a period of one year and two years);</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		The changing of discharge dates of children;</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		The changing of admission dates of mothers;</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		The alteration of the age of a mother (by two years);</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		The alteration of dates of adoption;</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		The changing of baptism dates and location of baptism;</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		The insertion of certain named locations and information into admission books.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>\r\n	In November, 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. In a series of statements, the order said it wished to &ldquo;categorically state that no documents were altered&rdquo;.</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. This is entirely untrue; and we will continue to deal directly with the official commission on all such matters,&rdquo; said a statement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 30th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/complaint-to-gardai-over-bessborough-file-alterations-441354.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/complaint-to-gardai-over-bessborough-file-alterations-441354.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-30 15:08:30',NULL,'complaint-to-gardaã­-over-bessborough-file-alterations'),(1829,'Lack of units to treat abused children is adding to family trauma','<p>\r\n	The lack of dedicated sexual assault treatment units for children is adding &ldquo;immensely&rdquo; to the trauma of families trying to deal with child sex abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children&rsquo;s charity Cari said it was &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; that there was only one such facility in the entire country, located in Galway, forcing the bulk of families to struggle in the dark for help.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cari chief executive Mary Flaherty said the needs were &ldquo;enormous&rdquo; and said there should be at least the same level of service as adults have, for whom there are six Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATU) nationwide.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Maeve Eogan of the Dublin SATU in the Rotunda Hospital said a parent of a child, or in many cases a garda acting on their behalf, would have to make &ldquo;up to nine phone calls&rdquo; to track down a medical professional who might fit the child into the end of their clinic.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The country&rsquo;s six SATUs are only allowed to treat children over 14, while the Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Services (CASATS) in Galway can treat any child under 16.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The service treated 73 children in 2015, compared to 64 in 2014. Three of the children were aged one, six were aged two, seven were aged three and 11 were aged four (the highest number for any age). In all, almost 40% were aged four or under.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Children&rsquo;s Hospital Group statement confirmed the facility would open with the hospital in 2021. It said an advanced nurse practitioner had been appointed and will work with the HSE to develop the service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Contacts: Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour helpline: 1800 77 88 88; Cari 1890 92 45 67.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 30<sup>th</sup> January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/lack-of-units-to-treat-abused-children-is-adding-to-family-trauma-441364.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/lack-of-units-to-treat-abused-children-is-adding-to-family-trauma-441364.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-30 15:10:05',NULL,'lack-of-units-to-treat-abused-children-is-adding-to-family-trauma'),(1830,'Only half of teen girls get the cancer vaccine','<p>\r\n	Only half of the teenage girls entitled to receive a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer started getting the jab last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The National Immunisation Advisory Committee says it is &ldquo;gravely concerned&rdquo;. Vaccination rates are now far below the recommended 80% target.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Over the last two years, there has been a 15% fall in the uptake of the vaccine, which protects against two types of viruses &mdash; HPV 16 and 18. These are the cause of 70% of cervical cancers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Controversy over alleged side-effects of the vaccine have dramatically reduced uptake in recent years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	HPV (human papillomavirus) causes 6,500 pre-cancers and cancers in men and women every year. Cervical cancer occurs when the cells of the cervix are infected with one or more high-risk HPV types.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Every year, 300 women in Ireland are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and one in three will die.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chairwoman of the NIAC, Dr Karina Butler, said the vaccine, offered through a school-based programme, is more effective the earlier it is given.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We encourage all parents to have their daughters complete the recommended schedule of HPV vaccines: a two-dose HPV vaccine series before age 15, or three doses in those older than 15,&rdquo; Dr Butler said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We also encourage all healthcare providers to be advocates for cancer prevention by making strong recommendations for childhood HPV vaccination. It is so tragic to see a young woman, often at the age when her family is still young, battling for her life against what is now a vaccine-preventable cancer,&rdquo; said Dr Butler.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Consultant obstetrician and gynaecological oncologist, Prof Donal Brennan, said cervical cancer is a devastating diagnosis for women and their families.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prof Brennan said treatment could include radical surgery, or a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Although sometimes successful, these treatments can have many long-term consequences, including loss of fertility, and bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The vaccine also protects against other cancers, such as anal, oropharyngeal (mouth and throat), and other genital cancers affecting men and women.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Studies in Australia and the United States show that within six to eight years of introducing the vaccine, the prevalence of HPV 16 and 18 infections among young women decreased by between 86% and 90%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The World Health Organisation and European Medicines Agency have found no evidence to link the vaccine to chronic fatigue syndrome in young girls, and say it is safer to get the vaccine than to decline it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, 15% of women were found to be HPV-positive, in a screening study now underway in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, just 5% of the 6,000 women who tested positive had the two subtypes associated with 70% of cervical cancers, and which are targeted by the vaccine.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The study, funded by the Health Research Board, is being conducted in partnership with CrevicalCheck, the national cervical screening programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is examining the role of HPV testing as a primary screening test and exploring the use of different biomarkers for stratifying HPV-positive women into different risk categories.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Altogether, 13,000 women attending for their routine CervicalCheck smear test will be recruited for the study.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 29th January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/only-half-of-teen-girls-get-the-cancer-vaccine-441181.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/only-half-of-teen-girls-get-the-cancer-vaccine-441181.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-30 15:12:17',NULL,'only-half-of-teen-girls-get-the-cancer-vaccine'),(1831,'Young man with severe anorexia is made a ward of court','<p>\r\n	Parents fear his condition might deteriorate if there is further delay getting a bed in UK</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A young man with severe anorexia nervosa has been made a ward of court after being found to lack the necessary mental capacity to make informed decisions about his health and welfare.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Now in his 20s, the man has had anorexia since his teens and his current condition is such he is to be moved to a specialist eating disorder unit in the UK as soon as a bed becomes available.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His case is believed to be the first before the courts here concerning a male with anorexia. The disorder has involved him sometimes being hospitalised for long periods, his condition is regarded as severe and he was deemed last month to be detainable under provisions of the Mental Health Acts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His parents told the&nbsp;High Court&nbsp;on Monday they are anxious their son be moved to the UK as soon as possible and fear his condition might deteriorate if there is further delay getting a bed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was initially hoped he would get a bed by the end of December, they were then told the end of this month and now it appeared it would be two more months, his mother said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His father said the young man wants to engage with his treatment, wants to move to the UK unit and wants &ldquo;to get better&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Peter Finlay SC, for the HSE, said it is awaiting a reply from two particular units in the UK concerning whether a bed might be made available earlier than 7-8 weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The President of the High Court, Mr&nbsp;Justice Peter Kelly, made orders taking the man into wardship on foot of uncontradicted medical and psychiatric evidence as to his lack of capacity and after being told the man has withdrawn his objection to wardship.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge noted the man was still objecting to his parents being provided with his medical information.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Because of the finding the man lacks capacity and his being made a ward of court, the judge said he would direct the parents be given the relevant medical information and be kept up to date about their son&rsquo;s condition.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Finlay&nbsp;said, in the circumstances, the HSE was not objecting to the parents being provided with the information.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge also made orders permitting the man&rsquo;s transfer to the UK as soon as a bed becomes available there.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While the man&rsquo;s parents had suggested, as an interim measure until a UK place is available, that their son be moved to a particular hospital unit here, it was considered that would not benefit him, the judge said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge directed that the man remain in the unit where he is currently placed. He also ordered nothing can be published that might identify the man or the unit.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 31st January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/young-man-with-severe-anorexia-is-made-a-ward-of-court-1.2956785\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/high-court/young-man-with-severe-anorexia-is-made-a-ward-of-court-1.2956785</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-31 14:25:19',NULL,'young-man-with-severe-anorexia-is-made-a-ward-of-court'),(1832,'255 football sexual abuse claims probed among 77 london clubs','<p>\r\n	Officers investigating non-recent sexual abuse at football clubs in London have said they are looking into 255 allegations involving 77 clubs or teams, including the capital&#39;s five Premier League clubs, the Metropolitan Police said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The investigative team, with officers from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said on Monday they have received 255 separate allegations of historical sexual abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood all five of London&#39;s Premier League teams - Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace and West Ham - are involved in the investigation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: &quot;The allegations are connected with individuals at 77 named clubs or teams.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The breakdown for those clubs is: five in the Premiership (Premier League), three against Championship clubs, three against clubs in Leagues One and Two and there have also been 66 other named clubs which would include non-league or non-professional or amateur teams.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Detective Chief Superintendent Ivan Balhatchet, of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: &quot;The Met take all allegations seriously, and specialist officers will work through the information passed to them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Anyone who has been the victim of sexual assault should contact their local force, or call the NSPCC helpline on 0800 023 2642.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The Met will not be giving a commentary as this investigation develops and is not discussing the names of the clubs involved, or the number of allegations against each club.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Earlier this month, the National Police Chiefs&#39; Council (NPCC), which is co-ordinating the nationwide police investigation Operation Hydrant, said more than 500 complainants and 184 potential suspects had been identified by police investigating football&#39;s child sex abuse scandal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The inquiry involves up to 248 football clubs, spanning all tiers of the game from the Premier League down to amateur level.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Latest figures show the total number of potential victims standing at 526, with 97 per cent identified as male. Their ages span from 20 to four.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesman for Crystal Palace said: &quot;We have had no contact from the Metropolitan Police so we have no idea whether these allegations relate to Crystal Palace FC. Clearly, should we be contacted, we will co-operate fully with any inquiry and give every possible assistance to the police in their investigations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We urge anyone aware of any instances of abuse that have ever taken place at the club, or who has been a victim, to report it to the police or contact the FA&#39;s NSPCC helpline.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesman for Tottenham Hotspur said: &quot;We have not been contacted regarding any allegations.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Arsenal declined to comment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chelsea have previously said the club is assisting the Metropolitan Police and the Football Association with their investigations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A West Ham United spokesman said: &quot;West Ham United has not had any contact from the Metropolitan Police Service to date, so is not aware if the allegations relate to the club.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If approached, we will of course co-operate fully with this wide-ranging investigation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;West Ham United follow the principles of the NSPCC Child Protection in Sport Unit&#39;s national safeguarding standards and would encourage anyone aware of historic abuse to report it to the police or the Football Association&#39;s NSPCC helpline immediately.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 31st January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/255-football-sexual-abuse-claims-probed-among-77-london-clubs-774773.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/255-football-sexual-abuse-claims-probed-among-77-london-clubs-774773.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-31 14:30:00',NULL,'255-football-sexual-abuse-claims-probed-among-77-london-clubs'),(1833,'US Boy Scouts announces it will accept transgender children','<p>\r\n	The Boy Scouts of America has announced it will allow transgender children who identify as boys to enrol in its boys only programmes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The organisation said it has made the decision to base enrolment in boys only programmes on the gender a child or parent lists on the application to become a scout.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Boy Scouts had previously relied on the gender listed on a child&#39;s birth certificate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokeswoman for the organisation said it had made the decision based on states and communities changing how gender is defined.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Kristie Maldonado said she had mixed emotions when a Boy Scouts official called to tell her about its decision.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her son, Joe, was asked to leave his New Jersey scout troop last autumn after parents and leaders found out he is transgender.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 31st January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/north-america/us-boy-scouts-announces-it-will-accept-transgender-children-35411727.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/north-america/us-boy-scouts-announces-it-will-accept-transgender-children-35411727.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-01-31 14:47:32',NULL,'us-boy-scouts-announces-it-will-accept-transgender-children'),(1834,'Irish human rights chief Logan \'numb and shocked\' by US actions','<p>\r\n	The Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has said it is imperative that Ireland speaks up and shows moral leadership in protecting migrant and refugee children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Emily Logan has also described being left &quot;numb and shocked&quot; by President Donald Trump&#39;s travel ban.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking at a seminar in Dublin on Ireland&#39;s Response to the Global Refugee and Migration Crisis, Ms Logan said: &quot;We have felt fear and insecurity in this period of uncertainty following Brexit and just these past days been left numb and shocked at the divisive and negative developments emerging in particular from the new administration in the US&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Logan said the UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, estimates that children make up 52% of all Syrian refugees.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said a number of these have become icons of war and conflict including three-year-old Alan Kurdi, whose lifeless body was photographed face down at the water&#39;s edge on a beach in Turkey in 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Logan said &quot;the current difficulties at European level, presents an opportunity for Ireland to show the same moral leadership, and to arrest the disturbing and growing European trend of regression from fundamental human rights values&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She has welcomed the introduction of the single procedure, which reduces the previous prolonged delays in the asylum adjudication process that have led to protracted periods of residence in direct provision centres.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But Ms Logan said the eligibility of family members remains a particular area of concern which is likely to cause considerable hardship to refugee families.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said the Commission will continue to seek reform to ensure that a full range of family relationships are fully vindicated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The eligibility of families is restricted to certain family members - spouses, civil partners and children,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Where the applicant is under 18 years of age, their parents, and siblings under 18 who are unmarried. No other family members will be eligible for family reunification.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 1st February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0201/849195-logan-human-rights/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0201/849195-logan-human-rights/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-01 10:41:51',NULL,'irish-human-rights-chief-logan-numb-and-shocked-by-us-actions'),(1835,'Housing committee to discuss derelict sites, vacant property','<p>\r\n	Returning underused spaces to use part of plan to tackle homelessness, says Bailey</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Joint Committee on Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is meeting on Wednesday to discuss vacant housing, derelict sites and underused spaces.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the first session of the meeting, beginning at 9.30am, the committee will hear from Dr Lorcan Sirr and Peter McVerry Trust representatives. Later, representatives from the Housing Agency and County and City Management Association will appear.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ahead of the meeting, committee chairwoman Maria Bailey said the focus will be &ldquo;to examine how current programmes and schemes are addressing the issues of vacant housing and derelict sites&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Returning these sites to productive use is one part of the suite of measures put in place to tackle the housing and homelessness problem. Our witnesses. . . will provide a valuable insight from their areas of expertise on this important issue,&rdquo; she said in a statement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 1st February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/housing-committee-to-discuss-derelict-sites-vacant-property-1.2959099\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/housing-committee-to-discuss-derelict-sites-vacant-property-1.2959099</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-01 10:46:34',NULL,'housing-committee-to-discuss-derelict-sites-vacant-property'),(1836,'Reporting of child care case prohibited again at Dublin District Court','<p>\r\n	Judge accepted that if publication occurred, a trial could be delayed or prevented</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An order, sought by the&nbsp;Director of Public Prosecutions&nbsp;(DPP) to prevent publication of details about a child care case, has been extended again at the Dublin District Child Care Court.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<em>The Irish Times</em>&nbsp;has been prohibited from reporting the case since May 2014, for reasons including that publication might be prejudicial to criminal proceedings. Applications to prevent publication have been made at different times by An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na and the Child and Family Agency, as well as the DPP.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On Tuesday, counsel for the DPP told Judge Brendan Toale two people had now been charged at the Dublin District Court in connection with the case. She said reporting of the child care proceedings at this stage could prejudice their trial.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Counsel for&nbsp;<em>The Irish Times</em>&nbsp;argued there was a public interest in the publication of child care proceedings and a long line of authorities in which courts emphasised that a trial judge was capable of adequately informing juries about pre-trial publicity. He said orders of prohibition were extremely rare.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Giving his decision, Judge Toale said he accepted the possibility existed that if publication occurred, a trial could be delayed or permanently prevented.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Extending the reporting restriction until December, the judge said the case could be brought back to court sooner if the trial concluded earlier, if the charges were dropped, or if publication was allowed in the criminal courts of the evidence he was restricting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 31st January 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/district-court/reporting-of-child-care-case-prohibited-again-at-dublin-district-court-1.2958369\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/district-court/reporting-of-child-care-case-prohibited-again-at-dublin-district-court-1.2958369</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-01 10:51:34',NULL,'reporting-of-child-care-case-prohibited-again-at-dublin-district-court'),(1837,'Young people’s criminal records ‘should be wiped at 25’','<p>\r\n	Report on how to regenerate Dublin&rsquo;s inner city to be submitted to Government next week</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Young people&rsquo;s criminal records should be wiped once they reach 25, the former chair of the Workplace Relations Commission has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Kieran Mulvey was briefing residents of Dublin&rsquo;s northeast inner-city on his report about what needs to be done to regenerate the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He was appointed by Government last July, in the wake of a series of so-called &ldquo;gangland&rdquo; murders, to compile a report for a ministerial taskforce chaired by Taoiseach Enda Kenny on the community&rsquo;s needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The area has some of the highest poverty rates in the State since the decline of the docks in the late 1960s. Since the 1980s, it has been harshly hit by successive drugs crises which have devastated many young lives through addiction, Aids and involvement in criminality.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Mulvey, whose final report will be submitted to Government next week, said the lack of employment opportunities for young people meant many were attracted to the drugs trade.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Employment</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Then they are into the culture and into using the product. Your access to employment ends as soon as an employer sees a criminal record on a CV. We have to change that and take crime off the record [committed while] people were aged 18 to 25. We have to believe errors committed in youth can be forgotten and overcome. We have to help people into employment and not condemn them to repeated visits to Mountjoy.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The main issues Mr Mulvey said needed to be tackled were housing conditions, corporate responsibilities of the business community, policing, education, the physical environment and the role of Nama in investing in the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He suggested the name &ldquo;northeast inner-city&rdquo; be changed, arguing it had negative connotations. &ldquo;The narrative has to change. It has to be made more positive&rdquo;. He said cities in other countries had changed the names of areas that had had negative reputations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were great physical assets, he said, a rich history and important heritage in the area which should be &ldquo;mined and maximised&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Several speakers expressed anger that the Rutland Street School building may not now be refurbished as a community facility &ndash; despite a long-standing commitment to do so &ndash; because Dublin City Council said it would not be &ldquo;cost-effective&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Housing conditions</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sinn F&eacute;in&rsquo;s deputy leader Mary-Lou McDonald said the promise to the community by the Taoiseach must be &ldquo;made good&rdquo;. Mr Mulvey agreed it was an &ldquo;iconic building&rdquo; and said he would champion the issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms McDonald also raised housing conditions, saying it was no good expecting children to do well in school if they were returning to a flat where there was no room for a table, where &ldquo;there is so much damp the poor child can barely breathe and where their mother is up to her eyes with stress.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;That child is facing disadvantages and challenges which may never be overcome.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Mulvey agreed, saying, &ldquo;I cannot believe, in the second decade of the 21st century, we have some of the housing conditions we have in the inner-city&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was also &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; that people felt &ldquo;unsafe&rdquo; in the area. He said Fitzgibbon Street Garda station should be reopened and more CCTV should be installed throughout the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He would &ldquo;really tackle&rdquo; the business community. The days of &ldquo;corporate responsibility&rdquo;, meaning free football jerseys or fixing a school wall were over. He wants to see businesses working with local schools and colleges and offering quality jobs to suitably qualified local people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 1st February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/young-people-s-criminal-records-should-be-wiped-at-25-1.2959725\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/young-people-s-criminal-records-should-be-wiped-at-25-1.2959725</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-02 09:55:16',NULL,'young-people’s-criminal-records-‘should-be-wiped-at-25’'),(1838,'Fitzgerald says keeping child refugees in cages unacceptable','<p>\r\n	Minister criticises Greek decision to put unaccompanied children in cages</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Keeping children in cages is unacceptable, T&aacute;naiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was referring to instances she had seen in Greece where authorities, trying to cope with large numbers of unaccompanied children arriving from Syria and other areas of conflict, had accommodated them in cages.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This was, they said, for their own safety, but that is not a good response by any stretch. Solidarity is very important. Greece and Italy cannot do it on their own.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking at a conference on Ireland&rsquo;s response to the global refugee crisis, hosted by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), Ms Fitzgerald said there were about 65 million people forcibly displaced worldwide, of which 21 million were refugees. Children under 18 make up half the refugee population.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The scale of the problem demands a global response. Sadly we are seeing such a disappointing and disproportionate response to the biggest challenge of our time from some quarters.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was always struck, she said, that the hopes parents had for their children were the same the world over. &ldquo;They want them to do well.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Frontline</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She had recently been in Dublin Airport welcoming refugees arriving from Greece. &ldquo;The very first thing mothers asked was, &lsquo;When can my children start school?&rsquo; The very first thing they asked.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ireland could be proud of its contribution, she said, which was &ldquo;multi-faceted&rdquo;. Though Ireland was not &ldquo;on the frontline&rdquo; like Greece and Italy, it was contributing to the search-and-rescue mission in the Mediterranean as well as &euro;7.5 million to the UN refugee agency and &euro;1.2 million to refugee programmes in South Sudan this year. It is also giving &euro;3 million, from 2016-2020, to the EU&rsquo;s emergency trust fund for Africa.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 80 people were arriving here from refugee camps every month, with 86 due in the next fortnight from Greece. Ireland would meet its commitment under the EU programme to relocate 1,100 refugees from Greece by September, it was pointed out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	IHREC chief commissioner Emily Logan said at least 10,000 unaccompanied children had disappeared in Europe since arriving from conflict zones such as Syria.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Sadly, there are a number of children who have become icons of war and conflict. We remember the lifeless body of three-year-old Alan Kurdi face down at the water&rsquo;s edge on a beach in Turkey.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Vulnerability</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We remember the image of five-year-old Omran Daqneesh, sitting in the back of an ambulance, staring numbly and coated in dirt and blood &ndash; reminding the world of its numbness to the tragedy ripping apart Syria&rsquo;s ancient city of Aleppo and the devastating effects of conflict and war on children and families.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These images emphasised the &ldquo;vulnerability of children&rdquo; and the reality that they were &ldquo;entirely reliant on others for support&rdquo;, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ireland&rsquo;s family reunification programme was too restrictive and this was &ldquo;likely to cause considerable hardship for refugee families&rdquo;, Ms Logan added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The eligibility of families is restricted to certain family members &ndash; spouses, civil partners and children. Where the applicant is under 18 years of age, their parents, and siblings under 18 who are unmarried. No other family members will be eligible for family reunification.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was an area the commission would continue to campaign on, she said, &ldquo;in line with our earlier recommendations to ensure that a full range of family relationships, as protected by the European Convention on Human Rights, are fully vindicated&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 1st February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/fitzgerald-says-keeping-child-refugees-in-cages-unacceptable-1.2959947\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/fitzgerald-says-keeping-child-refugees-in-cages-unacceptable-1.2959947</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-02 09:57:03',NULL,'fitzgerald-says-keeping-child-refugees-in-cages-unacceptable'),(1839,'Sugary supplement drinks \'ruining elderly people\'s teeth\'','<p>\r\n	Growing numbers of elderly people are ending up needlessly losing their teeth and suffering painful infections because of the rising use of high-sugar supplement drinks, dentists have warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The sugary drinks, which were given to older people to build up their strength, were helping to ruin their teeth, said Dr Anne Twomey, a dentist in Carrigaline in Cork.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The older person may be on several medications which cause dry mouth and the damage happens as a result of the high sugar. They may also not be brushing their teeth.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This trend has only emerged in the past five to 10 years and comes as more older people live longer with their own teeth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A decade ago, they would nearly all have had dentures, she pointed out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s a perfect storm. It is exacerbated by visitors to hospitals and nursing homes bringing them sugary treats,&quot; said Dr Twomey, who is vice-president of the Irish Dental Association.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They may not be able to brush their teeth themselves and there is nobody brushing for them,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It can mean an older person&#39;s remaining teeth are wiped out in about three months. &quot;By the time I see them, they may have just dirty black roots left,&quot; said Dr Twomey.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The knock-on effect is that they are losing teeth, which, in turn means they are less able to enjoy a variety of healthy foods, such as fruit.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I am not saying the sugary supplements should not be used but there are alternatives that also need to be included in the diet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;These could include super milk with added vitamins and home-made soup. We need to strike a balance.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Twomey, who first highlighted her concerns in the &#39;Journal of the Irish Dental Association&#39;, cited one patient who was 75 years old and very frail.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She weighed just 40kg and had end-stage Parkinson&#39;s disease and mild dementia.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nursing staff were unclear if she had a toothache and she was distressed. It emerged the woman&#39;s teeth were only cleaned twice a day with a sponge. Dr Twomey had to carry out phased tooth extractions on the woman.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;A week later, the woman was unrecognisable as she was sitting eating her dinner. She now has an electric toothbrush I have shown assistants how to use. The HSE is reneging in its duty to provide adequate care for nursing home patients,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that training programmes for healthcare assistants in nursing homes in oral care should be mandatory and meaningful.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;A low-sugar message should be sent out to all. These patients did not reach old age on a high sugar diet.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Visitors should be encouraged to bring non-food gifts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Patients&#39; bedrooms in nursing homes can often resemble a sweet shop. Irish people have a tradition of bringing a food gift when visiting,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 2nd February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/sugary-supplement-drinks-ruining-elderly-peoples-teeth-35417050.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/sugary-supplement-drinks-ruining-elderly-peoples-teeth-35417050.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-02 09:58:49',NULL,'sugary-supplement-drinks-ruining-elderly-peoples-teeth'),(1840,'State paid €39m to house Dublin homeless in hotels in 2016','<p>\r\n	New data shows total cost of emergency accommodation in the city last year was &euro;50m</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Almost &euro;39 million was spent accommodating homeless families in hotels and B&amp;Bs in Dublin last year, more than double the amount spent in 2015, figures from the Dublin Homeless Regional Executive show.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	With a monthly average of almost 700 families living in commercial hotels last year, the annual cost of accommodating one family in a hotel is more than &euro;55,000, or almost &euro;153 a room a night.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An average of just under 240 additional families were living in managed emergency accommodation where &ldquo;keyworkers&rdquo; or support staff are on site to assist families in moving on to more permanent accommodation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This accommodation, which is rented from the private sector, cost &euro;9.9 million last year, bringing the total cost of housing families in emergency accommodation to almost &euro;50 million.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In relation to hotel accommodation, the homeless executive, predicting the need for rooms for homeless families, &ldquo;block-booked&rdquo; hotels in advance, to a total of &euro;27.5 million.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, a further &euro;11.4 million was incurred through credit card bookings where the homeless family &ldquo;self accommodates&rdquo; by finding a hotel room the homeless executive then pays for by credit card.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Inhumane&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il councillor David Costello said continuing to keep families in hotels was both &ldquo;inhumane&rdquo; and wasteful.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Emergency accommodation was supposed to be a short-term measure.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, some families are spending in excess of 12 months living in hotels, in one room with no cooking or laundry facilities, and nowhere for children to do their homework or play,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The &ldquo;rapid-build&rdquo; housing designed to take homeless families out of hotels was proving far too slow to build, Mr Costello said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since the scheme was announced in 2015 just 22 modular or rapid-build houses have been built by Dublin City Council at Poppintree in Ballymun.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The council has another 130 under construction at five more sites in the city, which are due for completion this summer, but no other local authority has started constructing rapid build homes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The modular houses we were originally shown more than a year and a half ago, would have cost &euro;50,000 to &euro;55,000 &ndash; the same amount of money it&rsquo;s costing to keep one family in a hotel for a year,&rdquo; Mr Costello said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Unlike the rapid-build housing we are now building, which is very similar to traditional timber frame housing and is taking almost the same length of time to build, the modular houses arrive fully built and could be used immediately.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Lifespan</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While the housing currently being built for homeless families has a 60-year lifespan and was of a very high standard, a complementary solution such as the modular units which had a 30-year lifespan was needed to get families out of hotels as quickly as possible, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;These units would give families access to emergency accommodation with two to three bedrooms, kitchens, living space and laundry facilities and would allow for independent living and a homely environment in the short term. Continuing to have children living in hotels is inhumane.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Costello wants the council to establish a committee to find alternatives to hotels for homeless families. Minister for Housing Simon Coveney has promised the use of hotels and B&amp;Bs to accommodate families will end by July 1st.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 3rd February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/state-paid-39m-to-house-dublin-homeless-in-hotels-in-2016-1.2961272\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/state-paid-39m-to-house-dublin-homeless-in-hotels-in-2016-1.2961272</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-03 09:51:51',NULL,'state-paid-€39m-to-house-dublin-homeless-in-hotels-in-2016'),(1841,'HIQA wants to create national stroke units','<p>\r\n	A report says programmes should be set up at two hospitals</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has recommended establishing a national emergency service providing next generation stroke therapy in two hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	HIQA says this treatment would be in addition to the standard medical care for stroke.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The assessment found that endovascular treatment with mechanical thrombectomy - using tiny devices to physically retrieve clots from the brain - is safe and effective when provided in addition to the current standard medical care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This procedure needs to be carried out within six to 12 hours of onset of symptoms of an acute stroke.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr M&aacute;ir&iacute;n Ryan is HIQA&rsquo;s deputy chief executive and director of Health Technology Assessment (HTA).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said: &ldquo;Based on doing 268 procedures a year in carefully selected patients, an additional 57 patients are predicted to regain functional independence at 90 days after a stroke.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This represents a substantial improvement, with almost 60% regaining functional independence compared with less than 40% without the procedure.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Mechanical thrombectomy in conjunction with the current standard medical care is significantly more likely to result in patients who have had a stroke regaining functional independence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The evidence is conditional on the procedure being used with non-invasive arterial imaging, in selected patients, and when using newer stent-retriever devices to remove blood clots from the brain.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Small number of centres&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The findings have been presented as advice to Health Minister Simon Harris and the Health Service Executive (HSE).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	HIQA&rsquo;s HTA also found that an organised national service would need detailed planning to ensure it adheres to quality standards.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;An equitable, high quality and cost-effective national service can only be provided if the procedure is offered in a small number of centres that are adequately resourced and sited to maximise patient access, workforce expertise and geographical coverage&rdquo;, HIQA adds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Each year in Ireland an estimated 10,000 people have a stroke-related event and an estimated 2,000 people die as a result of stroke.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While approximately 30,000 people live with disabilities as a result of stroke.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mechanical thrombectomy procedures have been provided by specialist radiologists in Beaumont Hospital Dublin and Cork University Hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However,HIQA says the absence of an organised national service means access to the procedure is not equitable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The five-year budget impact of a national emergency mechanical thrombectomy service, compared to no service, is estimated at &euro;7.2m.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is made up of &euro;3.3m in the first year and annual running costs afterwards estimated at &euro;0.8 to &euro;1.2m - based on treating 268 patients each year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also says moving from the current ad hoc service, through which 200 patients were treated last year, to a national service would cost an additional &euro;2.8m over five years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by Newstalk on the 2nd February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.newstalk.com/HIQA-wants-to-create-national-stroke-units\">http://www.newstalk.com/HIQA-wants-to-create-national-stroke-units</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-03 09:53:25',NULL,'hiqa-wants-to-create-national-stroke-units'),(1842,'42% are refused disability allowance at first go','<p>\r\n	Figures show that two-thirds of applications for Disability Allowance that were initially rejected were later granted on appeal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures provided by the Department of Social Protection also show that 42% of initial applications for the payment were also refused, with the Disability Federation of Ireland querying the methods used in determining who receives Disability Allowance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As of the end of last year, 126,203 people were in receipt of Disability Allowance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Department of Social Protection received 23,804 DA applications last year, and 28,696 DA applications were decided upon in 2016, including a number of applications that were still on the books at the end of 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of those 28,696 applications, 16,669 were awarded and 12,027 were disallowed. The number refused accounts for 42% of all applications dealt with last year, although the comparable amount of applications refused in 2015 was actually closer to 50%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year another 947 applications were withdrawn and 68 people had their Disability Allowance terminated following a medical review.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As for some of those applications that were rejected, 4,285 Disability Allowance appeals were decided by the Social Welfare Appeals Office last year, of which 2,830 were allowed (66%), while 88 appeals were partially allowed and 1,367 were disallowed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Joan O&rsquo;Donnell, development manager with the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), said the figures indicate there is &ldquo;clearly a systematic problem&rdquo; in how Disability Allowance criteria are determined.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Year on year, we are seeing huge numbers of people applying for Disability Allowance &mdash; a payment that is not only means tested but extremely difficult to get,&rdquo; Ms O&rsquo;Donnell said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It points to the lack of other options for people left behind in the good times, and now that the economy is in better shape, they continue to find themselves living on a payment that is the same as jobseekers.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Regarding the 42% of applications that got turned down last year and the 66% of those who appealed subsequently and got the payment, she said: &ldquo;No one wants to live on welfare payments if they can be supported into work, or they have other options. There is clearly a systemic problem when so many people who need and are entitled to social protection by the State continue to get turned down.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;For those who can and want to work, effective supports must be put in place. For others this is not an option and the payments system needs to respond to their needs. We encourage people to fill out all parts of the form and give the Department of Social Protection all the information they need to process their claim.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We also encourage people to appeal if they are not successful the first time round.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last November a survey of 3,000 Disability Allowance recipients, conducted by the Department of Social Protection, found that the majority of recipients believed 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	It also showed difficulties for Disability Allowance recipients in accessing work and education.</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.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Access to medical cards was the most often mentioned support in achieving employment ambitions and goals, cited by 64% of respondents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 3rd February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/42-are-refused-disability-allowance-at-first-go-441920.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/42-are-refused-disability-allowance-at-first-go-441920.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-03 09:54:40',NULL,'42%-are-refused-disability-allowance-at-first-go'),(1843,'Garda domestic violence figures \'too low\'','<p>\r\n	There are concerns about how garda&iacute; are recording domestic violence after official figures show there were five times more incidents in Northern Ireland last year, a country with less than half the population of the Republic.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The previously unpublished statistics by garda&iacute; show officers responded to 5,988 incidents involving domestic violence in 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 4,640 incidents recorded in 2015 and 3,678 in 2014 when garda&iacute; first started tracking the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Northern Ireland, the PSNI recorded 28,811 domestic abuse incidents between October 2015 and September 2016. During the last Christmas period alone, there were 2,656 domestic violence reports to the force. Northern Ireland has nearly three million fewer people than the Republic.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Orla O&#39;Connor, director of the National Women&#39;s Council of Ireland (NWCI), said the Garda figures seemed too low to be reliable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I feel they are too low. I would have thought they would be higher. When you look at the comparative figures in Northern Ireland, I think we do have to question the Garda figures.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Garda spokesman said it would have to examine the apparent discrepancy between the figures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms O&#39;Connor welcomed the fact that garda&iacute; have started monitoring the issue and are releasing statistics for the first time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s definitely to be welcomed but we would like to see greater reporting by the guards and also a better breakdown of the data.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We need to find out things like the relationships between victims and offenders. We need more data than just these bare numbers.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Garda figures show a rise of 40pc of reported instances of domestic abuse between 2014 and 2016. A Garda spokesman said there could be several reasons for this.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The rise requires further study to determine whether they are due to better recording, increased reporting, more incidents of domestic violence or a combination of all three,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms O&#39;Connor agreed the huge increase did not necessarily mean more domestic violence was occurring.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It could be that more people are reporting it and guards are getting better at recording it,&quot; she said. &quot;If this is an indication of increased reporting of domestic violence instances, that is really to be welcomed because we know there is a massive under-reporting in Ireland.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the irish Independent on the 6th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-domestic-violence-figures-too-low-35425996.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-domestic-violence-figures-too-low-35425996.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-06 12:15:22',NULL,'garda-domestic-violence-figures-too-low'),(1844,'Just four detox beds for addicts aged 15 to 21','<p>\r\n	There are only four dedicated beds in the country to provide residential detox treatment for drug addicts aged 15 to 21.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The in-patient treatment for young people who have become ensnared in drug abuse is provided in the Aislinn Centre, Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Communities and National Drugs Strategy Minister Catherine Byrne said she recognised the dearth of detox facilities for the under-18s.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The difficulties experienced by under-18s in getting access to drug and alcohol treatment and the limited options available for detoxing from drugs were among a number of issues raised with me during the public consultation on the National Drugs Strategy,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is my intention to use additional funding to address gaps in service provision for under-18s and to provide more detox places in community and residential settings next year.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said during the drugs strategy meetings she was struck by the numbers of parents and grandparents who were at a loss over how to deal with a young person in their family involved in drug abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 6th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/just-four-detox-beds-for-addicts-aged-15-to-21-35425950.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/just-four-detox-beds-for-addicts-aged-15-to-21-35425950.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-06 12:23:44',NULL,'just-four-detox-beds-for-addicts-aged-15-to-21'),(1845,'Life in your years an issue as years in your life grow longer','<p>\r\n	Increased longevity is highlighting a range of problems from pensions to healthcare</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We are living longer than at any point in human history and if we can just avoid any Twitter-fuelled nuclear apocalypse over the next three years and 11 months or so, our life expectancy will most likely get longer in the decades ahead.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As many as 50 per cent of five-year-olds in Tokyo will live to blow at least 115 candles out on a birthday cake, and the same percentage of Irish children who were born in the past decade will make it to 100.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There is even likely to be a woman somewhere in Ireland who has already started drawing her pension who will be drawing it until after she celebrates her 120th birthday. That woman might even be you.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Living longer is a good news story but it is frequently presented entirely in negatives such as &ldquo;pensions time bomb&rdquo; and projections of a society too old and infirm to take care of itself.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While pensions are problematic and the spiralling cost of healthcare &ndash; and the inadequate State supports &ndash; create difficulties for many, living longer is, on balance, better than the alternative, and we might be well advised to stop thinking of ageing as a bad thing to be blamed on older people whom society deems useless once they pass a certain date.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Purchasing power</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	From most consumer perspectives, it makes economic sense to change the narrative. The over-55s represent 70 per cent of the wealth in the European Union and 80 per cent of the wealth in the United States. They buy more toys and consume more of almost all other goods than younger generations and they have more purchasing power and less reluctance to spend the money they have.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In other words, they are ideal consumers, yet they tend to be ignored by most ad companies and marketers, who tend to be obsessed with youth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Anne Connolly is the chief executive of the&nbsp;Ireland Smart Ageing Exchange, an independent network of businesses, academic institutions and government agencies developing and launching products targeted at the global smart ageing economy, so is well-placed to talk about how we need to reframe the conversation about our ageing society and the costs it comes with.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When it comes to managing the cost of ageing, the most important thing, she says, is for people to maintain good health for as long as possible. It seems obvious but it is worth highlighting nonetheless.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sometimes good health is blind luck but more often than not we have some control over where the dice falls. If we all exercised more, ate less sugar, quit smoking, drank less alcohol and reduced our stress levels, we&rsquo;d all be a lot better off for a lot longer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some costs, such as pensions, are harder to avoid. Connolly believes the end of mandatory retirement is overdue and she believes people will just have to accept the need to work longer than is currently the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	That acceptance is long overdue. A retirement age of 65 &ndash; or even 69 &ndash; has no place in the 21st century, not least because the 65-year cut-off point is almost entirely arbitrary and dates from Bismarck&rsquo;s day when, to reduce popular discontent, the Iron Chancellor agreed to introduce a state pension at 65, knowing full well that life expectancy was less than 65.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But people heading towards their mid-60s today can reasonably expect to live for 30 more years. That does cause problems. Before the crash there were six people working for every one person in retirement. By 2050 there will be only two people working for every retiree.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I think we will have to see an end to mandatory retirement in Ireland soon,&rdquo; Connolly says. &ldquo;When that happens change will come very quickly. There will be more gradualised retirement and more retraining for encore careers, and you might see somebody who has worked in banking for 40 years moving into teaching, for example. What we need to be thinking about as a society is the 100-year life in which the whole nature of the workforce changes. Our mindsets will have to change and that is a slow and gradual process,&rdquo; she continues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Pension policy</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For all its flaws, private pensions are a key part of the puzzle as the State will not fund an adequate lifestyle for all the retirees in the future &ndash; it doesn&rsquo;t even do it now.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The State pension is now &euro;230.30 a week, but if someone wants to spend their golden years travelling the world and doing all the costly things they put off earlier in life, they will need more than that.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The National Pension Policy Initiative of 1998 is dated but still a good guide to how much someone needs in retirement and how much it might cost to get to that point. It suggested an &ldquo;adequate&rdquo; gross retirement income of 50 per cent of gross pre-retirement income, so a person who wants a retirement income (including the State pension) of &euro;30,000 needs an annual private pension of &euro;18,000. That will require a fund of &euro;350,000. And that comes at a cost.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Someone who starts a pension at 25 will need to save &euro;238 every month. A person who starts 10 years later will have to find &euro;432, while someone who puts off their pension until 45 will need to put &euro;864 into their pot every month for 20 years to get to that number (which is based on 6 per cent growth per year).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Pensions aside the other big cost is how to care for an ageing society. An excellent Brendan Courtney documentary about finding care for his ageing father was broadcast on RT&Eacute; in January and started a national conversation and highlighted the difficulties people have accessing and paying for care in the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is easier to get the Fair Deal scheme than a home care package despite the fact that the home care package often costs half the price and has better outcomes,&rdquo; Connolly says. &ldquo;We need to put it on a statutory footing and merge the funding for both the Fair Deal scheme and the Home Care packages so that the money is coming from the same source rather having to separate disconnected pots.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Government spends about &euro;940 million each year on Fair Deal and it caters for about 23,000 people who pay a combined total of about &euro;200 million for their care. Just under 17,000 home-care packages are provided, with a typical package of support available under the scheme worth &euro;350-&euro;500 a week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On paper the home care package looks great but in reality it is anything but. It is not an automatic entitlement, for a start. It is hard to access, fraught with difficulties and some authorities plead ignorance when contacted for information &ndash; at least according to one reader who contacted us last week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For older people who need care, one option is private operators in the space. Home Instead, Bluebird Care and Care for Me are all such services and they all charge &euro;22-&euro;27 an hour for care, with some offering discounted rates through the night. Care For Me, for example, charges &euro;170 for a 10-hour stretch overnight and &euro;22-&euro;26 an hour for home care depending on the level of care required.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	People can avail of income tax relief of up to 40 per cent on up to &euro;75,000 a year, which means the &euro;170 falls to just over &euro;100 and the &euro;22 rate falls to just under &euro;13. If you arrange services or supports above the levels provided by the Health Service Executive, or if you do not qualify for a home care package, you will have to pay for the cost of those services yourself. So if you were paying for 14 hours of care privately, it would cost about &euro;30,000 a year when the tax breaks and the grant are factored in.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Professional care</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Anna McCabe knows from first-hand experience that while people always talk about the desirability of care in the home, it is not always practical. Her mother required nursing-home care after developing dementia and her father could not manage independent living after developing a severe disability in his late 70s. &ldquo;If professional care is required round the clock, then home care is much more expensive than nursing home care,&rdquo; she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Apart from the cost, care of a profoundly physically disabled person in a typical semidetached modest house is simply not practical. It is not just that minor adaptations are required. Rooms are not big enough for specialist chairs, hoists and other equipment needed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Furthermore, the presence of professional carers in the home 24/7 bring other dynamics that can cause problems people don&rsquo;t always realise in advance. They need somewhere to take a break, etc. They may need a bed if staying overnight. It is an invasion of family privacy exacerbated by the high turnover of staff so that you rarely get the same individual for a prolonged period of time. Many have poor English, which also contributes to this difficulty. While these issues may seem minor, over an extended time period they can become hugely burdensome.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She says that how we care for older people as a society is a conversation that needs to be had. However, just repeating the mantra that &ldquo;people want to stay at home&rdquo; without exploring the nuances involved is not the answer either.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 6th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/consumer/life-in-your-years-an-issue-as-years-in-your-life-grow-longer-1.2958091\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/consumer/life-in-your-years-an-issue-as-years-in-your-life-grow-longer-1.2958091</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-06 12:39:58',NULL,'life-in-your-years-an-issue-as-years-in-your-life-grow-longer'),(1846,'New figures show alarming rise in rates of adolescent self-harm','<p>\r\n	New figures show an alarming rise in the rates of adolescent self-harm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures from the National Suicide Research Foundation based on 2015 show there has been a 15% increase in male self-harm since 2007.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	St Patrick&#39;s Mental Health Services and Pieta House are urging parents, school-teachers and caregivers across Ireland to get educated on the subject of self-harm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	St Patrick&#39;s CEO Paul Gilligan, says people who are experiencing mental health issues should try and reach out for help and advice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The briefest of interventions can stop a person from self-harming so we would take anybody who is either thinking about self-harming or has indeed self-harmed to talk to somebody - a friend, a trusted person or indeed to use the many helplines that are there.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The 2017 Self-Harm Awareness Conference will be held in the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday March 1(Self-Injury Awareness Day) and will offer a mix of practical workshops and presentations relevant to teaching staff, community workers, parents and students.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Keynote speaker, Ombudsman for Children, Niall Muldoon, said, &ldquo;I am delighted to be part of this important event which sets out to further our understanding of self-harm by offering practical advice and support to those working with young people in schools or within the community. I am also looking forward to outlining the importance of upholding and prioritising the rights of children and young people in this situation&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For further information and to register to attend the Self-Harm Awareness Conference on March 1, visit www.stpatricks.ie/selfharm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 7th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/new-figures-show-alarming-rise-in-rates-of-adolescent-self-harm-775900.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/new-figures-show-alarming-rise-in-rates-of-adolescent-self-harm-775900.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-07 12:39:49',NULL,'new-figures-show-alarming-rise-in-rates-of-adolescent-self-harm'),(1847,'\'If it wasn\'t for respite care I\'d be on my own\'','<p>\r\n	Lynn McDonald&#39;s three-year-old daughter Daisy, who lives with Rett Syndrome, requires round-the-clock care. The mum of two tells our reporter how the support of two charities allows her give both her children the care they need</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Lynn McDonald&#39;s day can begin as early as 2am, when her daughter Daisy, who suffers from a rare disorder, wakes, needing urgent attention, and it rarely finishes before 11pm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Daisy, who celebrates her fourth birthday later this month, has an extreme form of Rett Syndrome (RTT), a rare neurodevelopmental life-limiting condition, which has left this beautiful little girl unable to move, eat, speak or even use her hands.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She communicates only with her eyes, has a moderate intellectual disability, and has had to have a feeding tube inserted into her intestine because her stomach doesn&#39;t work properly. Another tube releases the air which builds up in her stomach as a result of aerophagia, which causes her to continually gulp air, resulting in a bloated, distended stomach.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Even now, her mother explains, caring for Daisy is &quot;pretty much like caring for a newborn baby straight out of hospital.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Rett Syndrome affects girls almost exclusively, impacting on one in 10,000 births. The condition brings with it severe and multiple disabilities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Daisy, however, has an extreme form of the condition, explains Lynn, a mother of two and former chef who says her daughter wasn&#39;t formally diagnosed until she was one-year-old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As a newborn, Daisy looked perfectly normal, but had difficulty sucking, swallowing and even holding milk in her mouth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;She never babbled, held up her hands, rolled over, or tried to crawl. She had absent seizures at six months - although it looks like she&#39;s day-dreaming, the brain switches off.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;She was always a floppy baby. I knew all along that things were not right,&quot; Lynn adds, explaining that Daisy is also not a typical RTT case. Typically such a child develops normally to up to 20 or even 30 months, hitting the normal milestones before regressing. Daisy never reached any milestones.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;At nine months she was like a newborn baby. She did smile, but just lay there with very little interaction. She couldn&#39;t sit, roll, lift her head, and feeding was difficult.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sleep, recalls Lynn, a lone parent, was virtually non-existent:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There were long screaming periods of up to 12 hours. Daisy was in a lot of pain because RTT brings extreme digestive problems.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After Daisy&#39;s diagnosis, Lynn struggled on for three more months before her father Joe alerted her to the existence of the Jack and Jill Foundation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The organisation provides a home nursing care and respite service to children from birth to four years of age, who suffer from severe developmental delay as a result of brain damage, who may not be able to walk or talk, are tube-fed, oxygen-dependent, and in need of round-the-clock care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Set up in 1997 by Jonathan Irwin and his wife Anne Marie O&#39;Brien, founder of Lily O&#39;Brien&#39;s chocolates, the foundation&#39;s work is based on the couple&#39;s own devastating experience with their son Jack, who died that year aged 22 months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Jack and Jill operates 365 days a year, has no waiting list, and mobilises an army of some 1,000 nurses and carers around the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Over 20 years, and spearheaded by Jonathan&#39;s relentless fundraising, the group raised over &euro;35million while receiving just &euro;4.5million from the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It has supported over 2,000 children with a service that includes everything from financing and resourcing practical home nursing care and home visits by one of its liaison nurses, to making representations on the behalf of families to the government and HSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Very shortly after Lynn contacted the Jack and Jill Foundation, help arrived at the family home at Bohernabreena in Dublin in May 2014, in the form of two kind and capable nurses. Daisy was then 15-months-old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I was given 40 hours a month to use as needed, so I could choose a night&#39;s sleep or a few hours to go and do the shopping.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She now also had some quality time to spend with Ellie (8), her eldest daughter and a recipient of the Tallaght Under-18 Person of the Year Award for her work with her sister.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Those 40 hours every month let me do things I couldn&#39;t otherwise do.&quot; Lynn says she can bring Ellie to the cinema or majorettes, go shopping, or even just walk the dog. &quot;When you have a sick child and you are given the diagnosis you have to go home and get on with it - if it wasn&#39;t for Jack and Jill and the LauraLynn Children&#39;s Hospice, I&#39;d be on my own as far as the State is concerned.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although she does receive HSE support in the form of an on-call nurse up to three times a week, caring for Daisy is literally non-stop, she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Sleep deprivation is one of the hardest things to deal with and it can take over. That&#39;s where Jack and Jill comes in. They&#39;re great; the nurses are flexible so they will come when you need them,&quot; Lynn explains. &quot;Usually it&#39;s 11.30pm or midnight by the time I go to bed, but I cope as best I can.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The support from the Jack and Jill Foundation is a crucial buttress against the crippling demands of daily life for thousands of parents like Lynn, yet this organisation, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, gets less than 20pc of its budget from the HSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity, which is now planning to expand its service beyond the age of four, will be relying on public donations more than ever to keep going.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We have to raise &euro;3.5 million or &euro;10,000 every single day, including Saturdays and Sundays, to finance Jack and Jill and allow us to expand the services,&quot; explains new CEO Hugo Jellett, who took up the role in early January. The organisation&#39;s core funding from the HSE is about &euro;585,000.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;A lot of our work is a collaborative effort with the HSE. Back 20 years ago there was no help, but since then Jack and Jill&#39;s existence has put it up to the HSE that more needs to be done. Services have steadily improved,&quot; he says. &quot;If we get a call for help from a mum or dad we can get a nurse or carer into that house by the end of the week.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* For more information visit jackandjill.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	SUPPORT JACK &amp; JILL</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Funding is an ever-present concern for the organisation, which says every &euro;16 donation to Jack &amp; Jill funds one hour of home nursing care for a sick child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Foundation is constantly running fundraising events, such as:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&bull; The RT&Eacute; Concert Orchestra&#39;s Jack &amp; Jill Foundation Charity Gala is scheduled for the National Concert Hall on February 8. This special performance of classical and popular music (tickets available fromrte.ie/co, priced from &euro;12 to &euro;39.50), will feature soloists Niall O&#39;Sullivan (trumpeter) and vocalists Sh&oacute;na Henneberry and Simon Morgan, who will perform a programme of film and classical favourites.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&bull; On February 16 a series of Afternoon Tea fundraising events kicks off in The Merrion Hotel, followed by events in venues all over the country right through to November. The organisation is also seeking Lego donations from the public, which it puts on sale.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&bull; In April, it will hold an exciting lucky bag-style exhibition and sale of 1,500 specially created postcards, (some by very famous artists) at Dublin&#39;s Solomon Gallery - termed, &#39;Incognito&#39;, it gives members of the public the opportunity to pick up some potentially valuable artwork at very low prices. See incognito.ie.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 7th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/health-features/if-it-wasnt-for-respite-care-id-be-on-my-own-35421390.html\">http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/health-features/if-it-wasnt-for-respite-care-id-be-on-my-own-35421390.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-07 12:42:05',NULL,'if-it-wasnt-for-respite-care-id-be-on-my-own'),(1848,'Flight attendant saves young girl from human trafficking','<p>\r\n	A flight attendant rescued a victim of human trafficking after she spotted the girl looking &ldquo;dishevelled&rdquo; on a plane accompanied by a well-dressed man.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sheila Frederick, 49, was working on an Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to San Francisco when she noticed the girl, who looked around 14 or 15 years old, and immediately knew something was wrong, according to 10 News.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Something in the back of my mind said something was not right. He was well-dressed. That&rsquo;s what got me because I thought why is he well-dressed and she is looking all dishevelled and out of sorts?&rdquo; Ms Frederick told the programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When she tried to speak with the two passengers, the man reportedly became defensive and the girl wouldn&#39;t engage in conversation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Frederick said she subsequently left a note for the teenager in the plane&#39;s toilet, which she later responded to with the message: &ldquo;I need help.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The flight attendant informed pilots who were then able to communicate the message to police in San Francisco, and the man was arrested when the flight landed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It comes amid increased efforts since 2009 to train American flight staff to recognise signs of human trafficking and flag them up.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Common signs include someone who appears to be being controlled, is battered or won&rsquo;t answer questions or make eye contact.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Emphasising the importance of such training, Ms Frederick added: &ldquo;I&#39;ve been a flight attendant for 10 years and it&#39;s like I am going all the way back to when I was in training and I was like, I could have seen these young girls and young boys and didn&#39;t even know.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	US Immigration and Customs Enforcement are reported to have arrested 2,000 human traffickers and identified 400 victims last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 6th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/north-america/flight-attendant-saves-young-girl-from-human-trafficking-35428340.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/north-america/flight-attendant-saves-young-girl-from-human-trafficking-35428340.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-07 12:43:45',NULL,'flight-attendant-saves-young-girl-from-human-trafficking'),(1849,'Supervised injecting facilities approved at Cabinet','<p>\r\n	The Cabinet has approved the introduction of legislation to establish supervised injecting facilities for drug users.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Facilities would be staffed by medics trained to deal with overdoses where users can access sterile needles and rooms to inject drugs they have brought with them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It would effectively legalise possession of heroin in the unit, but it would still be illegal to sell or supply drugs inside or outside the facility.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first pilot injecting centre is due to be opened in Dublin city centre in the autumn.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The locations of the other facilities have not yet been decided.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The legislation is expected to be introduced in the D&aacute;il in the coming weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Department of Health said the experience from 90 facilities around the world showed a reduction in fatal overdoses and transmission of blood-borne diseases, less drug-related litter and no increase in drug usage or drug-related crime.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking on RT&Eacute;&#39;s News at One, Minister of State Catherine Byrne said that injection centres should not result in more drug use or drug related crime.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, she said they would reduce the risk of fatal overdose and blood borne viruses.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Byrne said there is already a cohort of people injecting openly in Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said the centres provide a safe place for people who were already using drugs in the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Independent Alliance Minister of State Finian McGrath is supportive of the policy, but believes such facilities should be located in all affected regions and not just Dublin city centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Amid reports that garda&iacute; have concerns about the establishment of injecting centres, a spokesman for An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na yesterday said they will support whatever policy and legislation is introduced in this area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Health Simon Harris said in a statement after the Cabinet meeting: &quot;I know people have concerns about where this first pilot facility will be located, but I want to assure you that no decisions have been made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The HSE will be undertaking a process of consultation, including with local stakeholders and communities. Any decision on the location of the pilot facility will be informed by the outcome of this consultation process.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A company representing businesses and cultural centres in Temple Bar said the decision effectively is a decriminalisation of drug use in certain areas of Dublin city.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Temple Bar Company said it does not believe a measured approach has been taken, saying that injection centres are implemented as part of a unified approach to tackling addiction in other countries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said in other countries, &quot;adequate policing is in place to manage additional numbers of addicts into these areas and drugs are safely dispensed and medically supervised unlike the Government&#39;s proposals where people will carry drugs to and from centres&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Separately, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe brought a memo to Cabinet on a new approach to review certain day-to-day expenditure by Government departments over a period.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Cabinet discussed the locations of ministerial trips for St Patrick&#39;s Day and it is expected there will be a focus on Brexit and European locations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	D&aacute;il to vote on Fianna F&aacute;&iacute;l pension bill on Thursday</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il&#39;s Willie O&#39;Dea launched a private members&#39; bill to ensure workers in defined benefit pension schemes are protected from their employers attempting to wind up the scheme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Unlike a separate bill from the Labour Party, he said his bill was not retrospective as legal advice he received suggested it was not constitutionally possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When asked if it would deal with the pension situation at INM, he said his bill was not geared at any specific company.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Social Protection, Leo Varadkar, said the provisions proposed in the bill would have significant and far reaching consequences for defined benefit pension schemes in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said such schemes have been facing huge challenges over the last two decades due to volatility in stock markets, increasing liabilities arising from demographic pressures of increasing life expectancy, low interest rates and regulatory requirements.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the cost of providing benefits has increased at a rate that has not been covered by the investment returns earned by these pension schemes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Varadkar said that he discussed the bill with the Attorney General and has concerns about the constitutionality of the bill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Labour&#39;s Willie Penrose suggested convening a forum to discuss how to legislate to protect workers in defined benefit pension schemes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he had previously proposed legislation in this area and he welcomed Mr O&#39;Dea&#39;s proposals. He also warned the Government against parking the legislation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, the Anti-Austerity Alliance and People Before Profit group said while they welcomed the fact that some kind of bill was before the house. Deputy Brid Smith said there were huge weaknesses in Mr O&#39;Dea&#39;s proposals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr O&#39;Dea accused the minister of &quot;meaningless jargon&quot; and said Fianna F&aacute;il will be pushing the bill to a vote on Thursday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sinn F&eacute;in TDs indicated that they will support the bill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 7th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0207/850692-politics/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0207/850692-politics/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-08 10:03:31',NULL,'supervised-injecting-facilities-approved-at-cabinet'),(1850,'New initiative to boost migrant integration','<p>\r\n	Community groups around the country are being encouraged to make a greater effort to welcome migrants and refugees, with the launch of a new initiative to boost integration.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Migration Integration Strategy will give funding of up to &euro;5,000 to local organisations that work with families and individuals that have made Ireland their home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As well as supporting such groups, the strategy sets a number of targets for State agencies over the next four years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These include the provision of information in different languages, interpretation facilities and enhanced processes to identify and report racist behaviour.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is envisaged that by 2020 at least 1% of staff in the civil service will come from the European Economic Area).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Government says this will lead to a more representative civil service but there are no plans to remove a recruitment bar on non-EEA nationals at this time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Communities Integration Fund of &euro;500,000 will be open to sports organisations and voluntary groups to allow them to promote greater migrant integration.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, the first group of asylum seekers who are to be accommodated in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon are arriving on a flight to Ireland this evening. Another group will arrive next week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The group will initially stay in Balseskin Reception Centre which has a HSE medical centre on site.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 7th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0207/850863-diversity-integration-groups/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0207/850863-diversity-integration-groups/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-08 10:04:18',NULL,'new-initiative-to-boost-migrant-integration'),(1851,'Scheme to help children with disabilities enter childcare to be expanded','<p>\r\n	More than &euro;1.5m is to be invested in a scheme which helps children with disabilities enter childcare.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is announcing the expansion of the Access Inclusion Model today which ensures children with disabilities can fully participate in the free pre-school years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 18 new posts are to be created to offer help and support to children, parents and childcare providers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister Katherine Zappone says the scheme is hugely beneficial for children with disabilities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They do feel that they&#39;re part of what&#39;s going on, that they are being welcomed,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I&#39;ve had one of the parents come up to me to say that from the very moment her child walked into that pre-school service, with the support of this model and people additionally trained to know how to include the child into the setting that they just never looked back,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;And they&#39;re absolutely taking off in terms of their development and learning.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 8th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/scheme-to-help-children-with-disabilities-enter-childcare-to-be-expanded-776110.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/scheme-to-help-children-with-disabilities-enter-childcare-to-be-expanded-776110.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-08 10:05:22',NULL,'scheme-to-help-children-with-disabilities-enter-childcare-to-be-expanded'),(1852,'Last year worst for social housing construction since 1970s','<p>\r\n	AAA-PBP criticises promises made by Minister for Housing Simon Coveney as hollow</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fewer social houses were built last year than in 2015, making it the worst year for social housing construction since the 1970s.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Figures published by the Department of Housing show that some 448 units of housing were built by local authorities and housing associations in 2016, 28 fewer than the 476 built in 2015. The 2015 figure had been the lowest in over 40 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The highest annual output was in 1975, when local authorities built 8,794 units of housing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The latest figures are contained in the second quarterly progress report on the Government&rsquo;s &ldquo;Rebuilding Ireland&rdquo; plan. The plan is made up of five &ldquo;pillars&rdquo; and was published in July 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Its second pillar, to accelerate social housing, says an additional 47,000 social homes will be provided through build, refurbishment and acquisition, up to 2021.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the progress report, some 18,300 units of social housing were provided during 2016. The vast majority of these (13,719) were in the private rented sector. Some 12,000 were through the housing assistance payment (HAP), a housing subsidy that is being introduced across the State to replace rent supplement. It is available in 28 local authority areas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although tenants may work while receiving HAP, it has been criticised because households who move to it from rent supplement are removed from the housing waiting list. They can apply to go on a &ldquo;transfer list&rdquo;, but critics argue households on the transfer list are far less likely to be housed in a council dwelling than those on a waiting list.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Long-term leases</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, some 1,100 households were housed through the rental accommodation scheme, where the local authority enters into a long-term lease with a private landlord. More than 700 were accommodated through leasing arrangements with private property owners.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Local authorities bought 1,813 units, while 2,300 long-term voids (vacant units) were brought back into use.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures drew criticism from Anti-Austerity Alliance TD Ruth Coppinger, who said promises made by Minister for Housing Simon Coveney to the homeless were &ldquo;hollow&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is not much evidence of rebuilding Ireland when less houses were built under this Minister than the last. The Minister has absolutely betrayed the over 7,000 homeless people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Despite all the fanfare, the special Oireachtas committee on housing and homelessness, and the glossy document launches, nothing has emerged under this Government, as their housing philosophy is exactly the same as the last &ndash; prioritise the private sector over public home-building,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However the progress report describes the &ldquo;pipeline&rdquo; of social housing as &ldquo;very positive&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In 2017 this construction programme will further ramp up with over 2,000 new local authority homes to be under construction this year, with further delivery happening under the rapid-build programme and turnkey construction projects.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 9th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/last-year-worst-for-social-housing-construction-since-1970s-1.2968497\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/last-year-worst-for-social-housing-construction-since-1970s-1.2968497</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-09 10:06:03',NULL,'last-year-worst-for-social-housing-construction-since-1970s'),(1853,'Minister reveals that over 6,000 children in State care','<p>\r\n	The number of children in care has risen by almost 20% during the past decade.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 6,276 children in the care of the State at the end of last November, according to figures released by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The majority of these are living in foster homes, while others are accommodated in state-run or private residential centres across the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures were provided by Children&rsquo;s Minister Katherine Zappone this week in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna F&aacute;il spokesperson Anne Rabbitte.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The number of children in care has risen by almost 20% during the past decade, although the most recent figures represent a reduction of 241 since 2014.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The latest figures from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicate that at the end of November 2016, there were 6,276 children in care,&rdquo; said Zappone.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A total of 325 of these children are accommodated in residential centres &ndash; 151 in state-run centres, and 174 run by private or voluntary organisations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Support</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Residential care is usually for older children, where their needs may not be met in foster care or where this is their preferred placement,&rdquo; said the Children&rsquo;s Minister in her response.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In general, these centres are based in domestic-style homes in the community, catering for two or three older children and staffed by social care workers to attend to the needs of the child.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Private residential centres are subject to registration and inspection by Tusla. There are as many as 100 such centres located across four Tusla administrative regions covering the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A child is placed in a residential setting only when they have an identified need that can be met by this service or for an intensive assessment or provision of specialist services,&rdquo; explained Zappone.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Breakdown</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Some of the young people in residential care will have come into care recently, while others may have experienced the breakdown of other care placements, including foster care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Specialist supports are also routinely made available, as needed, and many centres have specialised skillsets and therapeutic modalities.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	June Tinsley, head of advocacy with children&rsquo;s charity Barnardos Head said the system of service provision must be capable of meeting the needs of children in its care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This means all children and young people having a personalised care plan which is implementable, assigned social workers to offer consistent support to them and their foster families, availability and access to additional supports (when needed) and a clear aftercare plan to support the transition to independent adulthood,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Another crucial piece of the puzzle is supporting families sooner to prevent problems escalating which can in turn lead to children being removed from their care.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Offering parents support to improve their parenting capacity and skills is vital to enhancing children&rsquo;s outcomes. The value of early intervention supports should not be underestimated and should be invested in more widely.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 9th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/children-in-care-3-3230126-Feb2017/?utm_source=shortlink\">http://www.thejournal.ie/children-in-care-3-3230126-Feb2017/?utm_source=shortlink</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-09 10:07:37',NULL,'minister-reveals-that-over-6000-children-in-state-care'),(1854,'Schoolboy (13) left \'shaking like a leaf\' in \'abduction\' scare','<p>\r\n	Garda&iacute; are investigating a report of an attempted abduction of a teenager in north Co Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A man is understood to have tried to drag a 13-year-old boy into his car at around 7.45am on January 30 as he walked along Castleland Park link road in Balbriggan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The boy told teachers he was on his way to school when a black car pulled up and the male driver offered to take him to class.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When he refused, the teen said the man got out of the vehicle and tried to drag him by the shoulder into the car but he kicked him and escaped.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a second reported incident, there was a &quot;suspicious approach&quot; to a teenager at around 8am on February 3 on the same stretch of road. However, it is understood there was nothing to suggest this was sinister.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Schools in the area have sent text messages and letters to parents warning them about the incidents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Parents are warned to be careful after two suspected child abduction attempts near schools in Balbriggan in the last week,&quot; a post on the Balbriggan.info website said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Children are vulnerable and trusting and it is our job as parents to remind them of basic safety rules.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai confirmed they are investigating the January 30 incident.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s alleged that the man attempted to drag the youth into the car and this was unsuccessful,&quot; a spokesperson told the Herald.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The male youth then ran away and reported the incident to his school and onwards to Balbriggan gardai.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, on a private Facebook page, some people threatened to take action against any suspected offenders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A community notice was separately posted online to warn parents about the incidents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood there are no descriptions of the suspected abductor.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The father of the boy involved in the first incident alerted other parents on Facebook, warning: &quot;Some **** try to grab ***** up at Castlelands. Folks, tell your kids ta be extra careful out there.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This post was shared 145 times and friends responded to check that the child was safe, with the father responding that his son was &quot;shaking like a leaf&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai have said that &quot;no arrests or action will be made by anyone but An Garda Siochana&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We deal with all allegations of crimes very seriously and investigate them accordingly.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 9th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/schoolboy-13-left-shaking-like-a-leaf-in-abduction-scare-35436657.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/schoolboy-13-left-shaking-like-a-leaf-in-abduction-scare-35436657.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-09 10:09:13',NULL,'schoolboy-13-left-shaking-like-a-leaf-in-abduction-scare'),(1855,'‘Places a priority’ for children at risk','<p>\r\n	Intervention for children at risk should be made on the basis of identified need, rather than availability of places, according to the chairperson of the National Review Panel on the deaths of children known to care services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Helen Buckley was speaking at an event entitled &lsquo;Working with Complexity&rsquo; where attendees also heard that the role of domestic violence in childcare cases is too often unseen.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In one Tusla area, it had made 21 special care applications in recent years &mdash; each one involved domestic violence &mdash; but none of the young people came to the attention of social workers until they were aged 12 or 13.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Stephanie Holt, assistant professor at the School of Social Work in Trinity College Dublin, revealed that the same Tusla area is now spending more of its budget on community-based services that may have more chance of spotting domestic violence issues in the home at an earlier stage.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In her presentation at the day-long conference, organised by the Bessborough Centre in Cork, Dr Buckley said one conclusion from recent reviews was that there was rarely a cause and effect between services and causes of death.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that organisational variables influencing cases included availability of staff to fill posts and poor co-ordination, while community and family variables included domestic violence, mental illness, problematic family functioning and resistance to services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;All this makes for a complex system which is rarely static and where the pathway to outcomes is not always discernible,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Buckley said recent reviews and inquiries had shown the need for more strategic allocation of resources to support social work and to provide appropriate out-of-home placements, and consistency when it came to applying thresholds for intervention.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She referred to cases deemed to fall under the &lsquo;child welfare&rsquo; category when, in the eyes of some of the panel, so much damage had already been done.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She also said there was a need for protocols in respect of public health nurse services, saying &ldquo;they are beginning to feel very shoved aside by what is happening recently&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Buckley said data from the Child and Family Agency showed the demands on the system exceed its capacity and that staff retention and recruitment were major challenges.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, she also said that even in cases where all regulations were followed, challenging situations involving vulnerable children could still occur.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Holt, speaking on the issue of domestic violence, said it was rarely the presenting issue for those affected by it, with anxiety, depression and other issues presented instead &mdash; a situation she described as &ldquo;scratching the surface&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that the review of the 21 special care applications in the Tusla area had shown despite domestic violence having been a factor in the household, it had not come to light in early childhood and the cases had not met the threshold for intervention until they were in their early teens.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 10th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/places-a-priority-for-children-at-risk-442539.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/places-a-priority-for-children-at-risk-442539.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-10 10:13:27',NULL,'‘places-a-priority’-for-children-at-risk'),(1856,'Ireland banned 226 people from Muslim nations','<p>\r\n	Ireland last year refused entry to 226 individuals from the predominantly Muslim countries that are the subject of President Donald Trump&#39;s executive order banning entry to the US to individuals from those countries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	That is according to figures provided by T&aacute;naiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald that confirm the largest cohort refused &#39;leave to land&#39; at the country&#39;s ports of entry were from Somalia, currently battling an Islamic militant insurgency and a looming famine.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures show that last year, 53 Somalians were refused leave to land, while 37 from war-torn Syria were also refused leave to land. An additional 46 Iranians were refused entry by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, while 26 Iraqis and 47 Sudanese were also refused entry.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures provided by the T&aacute;naiste in a written D&aacute;il response to deputies Thomas Pringle and Richard Boyd Barrett show that 10 Libyans were refused &#39;leave to land&#39; along with seven Yemenis in 2016.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The T&aacute;naiste said that in respect of those seven nationalities refused leave to land, &quot;a total of 53 sought asylum and were admitted to the State to make a protection application&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Information on numbers refused permission to enter the State may be subject to revision over time where individual cases are examined further and the status of some cases may change,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, Nick Henderson said: &quot;It is a cause for concern to see these numbers. A considerable number of people from refugee producing countries were refused leave to land in Ireland.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 10th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ireland-banned-226-people-from-muslim-nations-35439033.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ireland-banned-226-people-from-muslim-nations-35439033.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-10 10:14:31',NULL,'ireland-banned-226-people-from-muslim-nations'),(1857,'Sweden shows how ban on paying for sex will combat abuse and human trafficking','<p>\r\n	Last week the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, which includes laws to criminalise the purchase of sex and ensure vulnerable women, children and men in prostitution can access support, was passed by D&aacute;il &Eacute;ireann. It is now just one hurdle away from enactment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Earlier this month, Detective Superintendent Kajsa Wahlberg, Swedish National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings, visited Ireland to discuss the impact of similar legislation in Sweden, the first country in the world to make paying for sex a criminal offence while simultaneously decriminalising the sale. She discusses the Swedish experience here.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Sweden, prostitution is widely seen as a form of violence against women - both a cause and a consequence of inequality between women and men. At its heart, the Sex Purchase Act, which has been in force since 1999, was designed to tackle this form of violence by discouraging men from paying for sex, while supporting those exploited through prostitution to exit and rebuild their lives. Access to effective support and exiting services for women exploited through the sex trade is essential to the success of the law.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We have found an important component of the work to prevent and combat prostitution and trafficking in human beings in Sweden is regular training of law enforcement, prosecutors and judges. The training focuses not only on adequate investigation techniques, but importantly also on attitudes, and underlying principles for legislation, policies and interventions regarding prostitution and trafficking.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is essential, as although prostitution might be a social problem, it is very much linked to criminal activities including trafficking in human beings, drugs, violence and even murder and money laundering. So behind the drive to reduce prostitution, is one to see a reduction in these criminal activities too.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We, the police, look upon women in prostitution as a group at risk. There might always be somebody around who plans to hurt these women. It is therefore important the women are not criminalised and subjected to any harassment and punishment. They must feel free to report all kinds of information to the police without being punished. The fact that the women are not criminalised removes the tension between the women in prostitution and the police.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chasing the buyers leads us to the victims and traffickers. In Stockholm, 75pc of women exploited in prostitution originate from foreign countries - many are victims of trafficking.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In April 2008, the government appointed a Special Inquiry to evaluate the implementation of the ban against the purchase of sexual services and its effects. It consulted with women and men involved in prostitution, and who have had experiences of prostitution, the police and prosecutions services, social workers, civil society, women&#39;s, human rights and victim support organisations, public authorities, and other key stakeholders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The findings were made public in 2010 and concluded (among other things) that:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There is a clear connection between prostitution and trafficking in human beings for sexual purposes;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The number of individuals exploited in street prostitution has halved since 1999;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite a significant increase in prostitution in the neighbouring countries during the past 10 years, there is no evidence of a similar increase in Sweden, which is reasonable to attribute to the criminalisation of the purchase of sexual services in Sweden;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Only 7.8pc of Swedish men have bought someone for prostitution purposes compared to 13.6pc of Swedish men before the legislation came into force.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Laws are not created solely for the purpose of sending people to prison or to fine them. Laws are created because we want people to refrain from certain harmful acts. The legislation came into being as one in a series of preventative laws and measures aimed specifically at the protection of vulnerable women and girls, men and boys against serious acts of sexual violence, but also to create a society where the culture of prostitution is changed into a culture where the human rights of all women and girls are protected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<em>Detective Superintendent Kajsa Wahlberg is Swedish National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings</em></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<em>(Published by the Irish Independent on the 10th February 2017)</em></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/sweden-shows-how-ban-on-paying-for-sex-will-combat-abuse-and-human-trafficking-35439064.html\"><em>http://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/sweden-shows-how-ban-on-paying-for-sex-will-combat-abuse-and-human-trafficking-35439064.html</em></a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-10 10:16:11',NULL,'sweden-shows-how-ban-on-paying-for-sex-will-combat-abuse-and-human-trafficking'),(1858,'Prisoner parenting course aims to prevent mothers and fathers from reoffending','<p>\r\n	Evidence shows that fathers who have positive relationship with their children are six times less likely to reoffend.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There have been calls for a new prisoner parenting programme to be rolled out to all prisons around the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The&nbsp;Family Links&nbsp;programme works to improve relationships between&nbsp;prisoners, their partners and children by developing a more family supportive environment within the prison itself.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Evidence shows that&nbsp;maintaining imprisoned fathers&rsquo; contact with their partners and children can reduce reoffending and protect children from getting involved in criminal activity in the future.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A total of 15 families with 28 children, whose father was in prison, have already taken part in a pilot project, which&nbsp;took place over 18 months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Family relationships&nbsp;</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald today launched a report by the University of Limerick into the impact of family relationships on multi-generational offending.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report, authored by Professor Orla Muldoon and&nbsp;Daragh&nbsp;Bradshaw, finds that&nbsp;imprisoned fathers who maintained a positive relationship with their children, are six times less likely to reoffend.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Family Links programme was developed in partnership between the Tallaght based Childhood Development Initiative (CDI), the Irish Prison Service (IPS), and the Parents Plus Charity. Its delivery was supported by the Bedford Row Family Agency in Limerick.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Four different training courses were rolled out for prison staff during the programme, particularly working with prison officers and prison education staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Formal parent education was delivered to the&nbsp;prisoners, while their partners received similar supports in the community and enhanced family visits took place.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fitzgerald said the programme should have an &ldquo;enormous impact&rdquo; on the prison service and society at large.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Family Links Initiative is highly innovative in many aspects: the engagement of multiple stakeholders in its delivery, the direct involvement of&nbsp;prisoners&rsquo; families and the evidence based approach all contribute to a potentially highly effective intervention,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She went on to say that intergenerational crime within families can be interrupted if the system can help change and support family relationships while a family member is in prison.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minister said the programme has already been trialled in Limerick Prison and Wheatfield Prison, and she hopes it can be rolled out to prisoners around the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Director General of the Irish Prison Service Michael Donnellan said &ldquo;an evidence based approach to improving&nbsp;prisoners&rsquo; relationship with their families, and the role model which fathers provide for their children, will reduce criminality and ultimately be of great benefit to society&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 13th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/family-prisoners-reoffending-3237518-Feb2017/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/family-prisoners-reoffending-3237518-Feb2017/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-14 16:01:08',NULL,'prisoner-parenting-course-aims-to-prevent-mothers-and-fathers-from-reoffending'),(1859,'Children\'s charities welcome Tusla investigation','<p>\r\n	The children&#39;s charity Barnardos has said it is inexcusable for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to leave child abuse cases unallocated and ignored.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Its spokesman said the practice increases the risk of harm to other children or of damaging the reputation of innocent people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Children Katherine Zappone to ask the Health Information and Quality Authority to undertake an investigation into Tusla&#39;s management of child abuse cases in the wake of revelations that the agency created and maintained false files alleging abuse involving Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe and members of his immediate family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yesterday, Ms Zappone said she had apologised to Sgt McCabe and his wife, Lorraine, when she met them last month.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minister also predicted that the Commission of Investigation which the Government was planning at that point would clear Sgt McCabe&#39;s name.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a statement, Barnardos said &quot;scrutiny of processes in how cases are handled is required to ensure lessons are learnt and high standards are kept to the fore&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardos CEO Fergus Finlay said it is crucial the investigation is thorough and concludes quickly to ensure confidence in Tusla is maintained.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Any failings must be addressed so it is important senior social work professionals play an active role in the investigation,&quot; Mr Finlay continued.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Reassurances must be given that any complaints received will be handled robustly, consistently and in a timely manner. It is inexcusable to leave cases unallocated and ignored, thereby increasing the risk of harm to other children or damaging the reputation of innocent people.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said Tusla had advanced the reform of Ireland&#39;s child welfare and protection system since its establishment in 2014 but that it has struggled from the start with inadequate resources.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Best practices and processes will always collapse if systems are over-burdened and under constant pressure,&quot; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;So the HIQA investigation will not achieve its objective unless the Government accept that our child protection system has the child at its heart and is resourced appropriately.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Earlier, the chief executive of the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children described the involvement of Tusla in the whistleblower scandal as &quot;extremely disappointing&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Grainia Long said there are questions that Tusla has to answer and it was important that things move extremely quickly in order to restore trust.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said she welcomed the investigation, which needs to start immediately, and should conclude within weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Long added that while she was happy that HIQA was setting the terms of reference, the involvement of child protection professionals in the investigation was really important because it was important to see if there were systemic issues within Tusla.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that she has confidence in Tusla but it has been set up with &#39;one hand tied behind its back&#39; and there are some basics that it is still not getting right.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Confidence, she said, needed to be built, earned and developed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 14th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0214/852586-tusla/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0214/852586-tusla/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-14 16:02:12',NULL,'childrens-charities-welcome-tusla-investigation'),(1860,'Children as young as 11 trapped in crime networks','<p>\r\n	New thinking is needed to free children as young as 11 who are trapped in criminal networks, a juvenile justice expert has urged.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Sean Redmond, a professor of youth justice at the University of Limerick, has just completed a four-year study of a criminal network using data from the Garda Pulse system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Lifting the Lid on Greentown&rsquo; looks at a criminal network operating in an anonymous community outside of Dublin. The location of the study was anonymised and renamed Greentown to prevent young people and the community from being identified.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The study, commissioned by the Department of Justice, found that criminal gangs are using drugs, alcohol, and the notion of status to entice children into a life of crime.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Redmond said the problems described in the report must be tackled, but fresh thinking was also needed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He recalled a teenager who had run into debt with a local drugs gang and decided to leave the area. &ldquo;The boy&rsquo;s mother contacted him after he left and pleaded with him to come back home and take his beating. Apparently, the local gang had made the parents&rsquo; life a living hell,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Redmond said the report, using Pulse data and the testimony of local garda&iacute;, tries to &ldquo;get under the bonnet&rdquo; of how children become engaged in criminal networks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report also seeks to identify the kind of drivers and motivations that entrap children into more prolific and more serious crime.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It points out that even though the children involved in the Greentown network represent a small minority, their activities, from a law enforcement perspective, posed a significant problem.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This small population of children in Greentown was, during 2010 and 2011, responsible for a significant level of serious crime, five times higher than equivalent national averages for burglary,&rdquo; the report states.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Garda analysts constructed a network map for the study using incident data to position 31 individuals, aged 11 to 36, who had been involved in either burglary or drugs for sale and supply in Greentown between 2010 and 2011.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Crucially, the map indicated relationships where two or more individuals were involved in the same offences.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The map was used as an essential reference tool to interview Greentown garda&iacute; about the activities and circumstances of the people identified.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report recommends designing a more effective programme of interventions for children involved in criminal networks. It also recommends repeating the study in other locations to gauge the degree to which the Greentown findings can be generalised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children&rsquo;s Minister Katherine Zappone and David Staunton, the junior justice minister, welcomed the report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Staunton confirmed that the department would fund the recommended follow-on research study.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 14th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/children-as-young-as-11-trapped-in-crime-networks-442870.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/children-as-young-as-11-trapped-in-crime-networks-442870.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-14 16:03:44',NULL,'children-as-young-as-11-trapped-in-crime-networks'),(1861,'Over 5,000 at-risk children have no social worker, Dáil hears','<p>\r\n	Labour&rsquo;s Jan O&rsquo;Sullivan says the reduction the number of such cases is &lsquo;inadequate&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 5,000 children who have been brought to the attention of child welfare and protection services have still not been allocated a social worker, it has emerged.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Children Katherine Zappone told the D&aacute;il on Tuesday there had been a 19 per cent reduction in the number of at-risk children without an allocated social worker since the end of 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, Labour spokeswoman on children, Jan O&rsquo;Sullivan, said the target for the end of 2016 had been a 60 per cent reduction in the number of such cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said the 19 per cent reduction &ldquo;is totally inadequate for the children who have had no social worker allocated to them, despite the fact they are at risk&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Minister said that, in December 2015, there were 6,718 children without an allocated social worker. By the end of 2016, there were 5,413 such cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone said cases were assessed and prioritised according to risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It will continue to be challenging to address the problem of unallocated cases, but we made good progress during 2016 and Tusla will continue to prioritise the issue in 2017.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that one of the key challenges was the recruitment of sufficient social workers and key support staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Minister said an addition &euro;4.2 million in funding had been provided to recruit almost 70 social workers and to deal with legislative issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone said she hoped an extra 200 social workers would be in place by the end of this year, bringing the total to 1,675 full-time workers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Minister said she had provided Tusla with an additional &euro;37 million this year, bringing its overall allocation to more than &euro;700 million.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She added that the 60 per cent reduction target had been &ldquo;self-imposed&rdquo;, but she was aware it had not been reached.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	McCabe case</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Referring to the case of Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe, and the Tusla file that had been created on him that included false allegations of sexual abuse, Ms O&rsquo;Sullivan asked the Minister about the closing of case files when there was no longer perceived to be a risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said: &ldquo;We really need to know how . . . incorrect data were still on the Garda system a year or so after it had been identified that they were not correct.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone told her that systems were now in place to deal with such an issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She reiterated that she had requested a full review of the systems and processes of Tusla in this regard, because she too was concerned about the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 15th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/over-5-000-at-risk-children-have-no-social-worker-d%C3%A1il-hears-1.2975925\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/over-5-000-at-risk-children-have-no-social-worker-d%C3%A1il-hears-1.2975925</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-15 11:08:05',NULL,'over-5000-at-risk-children-have-no-social-worker-dã¡il-hears'),(1862,'Handling of abuse allegation a big concern for child protection groups','<p>\r\n	Many are against waiting for a public inquiry to make answers public, writes Claire O&rsquo;Sullivan</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the past 24 hours, child protection and advocacy groups have been coming out one after another in response to the most recent McCabe scandal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, their focus isn&rsquo;t on the political fallout, but the shambolic handling of a child protection allegation against the country&rsquo;s most high-profile whistleblower by the child and family agency, Tusla.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tusla chief executive Fred McBride has confirmed he will appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs next Wednesday after its chairman, Fine Gael TD Jim Daly, urged people to realise that &ldquo;the relevant child protection issues to arise from this must now be prioritised&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Cork South West TD also called for an international expert &ldquo;to review the internal systems and practices within Tusla without delay&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On Monday, Children&rsquo;s Minister Katherine Zappone revealed that an independent statutory investigation, headed up by Hiqa, will be established to look at how Tusla manages child abuse allegations. That is a second investigation on top of the internal review the agency is already carrying out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sinn F&eacute;in&rsquo;s spokesman on children, Donnchadh &Oacute; Laoighaire, said it was vital to know if the &lsquo;clerical error&rsquo; that created the accusation against Sgt McCabe was &ldquo;a local weakness or a national systemic weakness&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay said it was &ldquo;inexcusable&rdquo; to leave cases unallocated and ignored.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children&rsquo;s Right&rsquo;s Alliance CEO Tanya Ward said Tusla and the garda&iacute; have &ldquo;sweeping legal powers&rdquo; and must be held accountable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We need to know that when a complaint is made to Tusla about a child that it will be properly investigated and that families will be treated fairly,&rdquo; said Ms Ward. &ldquo;Just like the garda&iacute;, Tusla has sweeping legal powers that empower them to intervene to keep children safe from abuse. Hiqa&rsquo;s inquiry must provide answers as to how many mistakes were made in this case. Why was the original complaint not effectively investigated? Why were fair procedures not applied to Maurice McCabe? What data protection procedures were in place? What oversight was in place?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	None of these groups or politicians think it is acceptable to wait for a public inquiry to provide answers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Also, if the McCabe file was a &lsquo;clerical error&rsquo;, how come a second garda whistleblower also suddenly found themselves facing social workers when a senior garda reported a domestic row to Tusla. After the family had assured social workers that there was no case to be answered and their children weren&rsquo;t at risk, a home visit was suddenly organised by Tusla after a garda rang a social worker&rsquo;s superior.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dozens of questions need to be answered about how the McCabe allegations were handled by the HSE via its counsellor, and then by Tusla (child protection services were looked after by the HSE until January 2014, when Tusla took them over):</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n		If a Tusla file with such grievous allegations was opened about the country&rsquo;s most high-profile whistleblower, why wasn&rsquo;t Sgt McCabe contacted or interviewed?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		As Sgt McCabe himself questioned this week, who were the garda&iacute; who made/received the phonecalls concerning the allegations?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Why did Tusla not assess if Sgt McCabe was any immediate risk to children?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Tusla created files on the McCabe children. Why didn&rsquo;t they interview them?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Did Tusla not query why Sgt McCabe hadn&rsquo;t been interviewed by the garda&iacute;?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Also, in early 2014, articles were appearing in newspapers in relation to an unnamed garda and child sex abuse allegations. Why did nobody in Tusla seek an update on this investigation?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		How many people and of what rank in Tusla knew about the file?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		How exactly was the &lsquo;clerical error&rsquo; discovered eight months later, in May 2014?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Why did they not tell Sgt McCabe about the error?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Why didn&rsquo;t they destroy the file?</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		When did Tusla tell the garda&iacute; about the error and who did they tell? A month after the error was found in June 2014, a Tusla memo says &ldquo;the superintendent in the jurisdiction referred to in the report was not yet aware of the clerical error and has been asked to a meeting with the commissioner in relation to the case&rdquo;;</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Why was the data commissioner not informed of the error?</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children&rsquo;s right activist and senator Gillian Van Turnhout teaches child protection policy to the Girl Guides. She is astonished that the counsellor, who made the initial complaint to HSE Child Protection Services, appeared to be in direct contact with the garda&iacute;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Everything about this, to date, rings alarm bells for me,&rdquo; said Ms Van Turnhout. &ldquo;Under Children First, they would not be directly in contact with the garda&iacute;, beyond possibly giving a witness statement, as it can be seen to aggravate the situation. Under data protection legislation, Tusla can&rsquo;t even provide specific information on the status of the complaint to the counsellor, unless it is relevant to their professional care of the child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Who made the sexual abuse allegation to the garda&iacute;? Was it a duty social worker, who had been previously contacted by the counsellor, as it should have been, or was it the counsellor?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 15th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/handling-of-abuse-allegation-a-big-concern-for-child-protection-groups-442969.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/analysis/handling-of-abuse-allegation-a-big-concern-for-child-protection-groups-442969.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-15 11:16:34',NULL,'handling-of-abuse-allegation-a-big-concern-for-child-protection-groups'),(1863,'More funding sought for creches in most disadvantaged areas','<p>\r\n	A cross-party representation of political figures in Cork is to make representations to the minister for children seeking a rise in funding for creches in the most disadvantaged parts of the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Seven creches looking after vulnerable toddlers across Cork City claim they are not receiving enough funding to re-open services next September due to changes to staff/child ratios which mean they must hire more staff that they cannot afford. Another six creches say they face closure in September of next year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Cork Early Years Alliance says its subvention per child needs to be doubled as its children have far greater needs than children in private creches.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is also arguing it should receive an increased staff grant and an acknowledgement that its work is also early intervention family support which is proven to reap dividends for the child and its wider family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Up to 225 children, aged one to three years, attend these early years community creches and the staff also provide wider support to their families, many of whom are disadvantaged by homelessness, addiction or mental health challenges.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The alliance outlined its predicament to TDs and councillors at the Imperial Hotel on Monday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We are to receive a payment of &euro;4.20 per hour per child but this figure does not take into account how complex our work is,&rdquo; said Niamh Sheridan, manager of the Togher Family Centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;An average of three children in each of the 13 services who will be affected by this funding gap over the next 19 months has a social worker and over half of them have been referred by mental health workers.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The creches who look set to close in September include Togher Family Centre; An Cliabhan in Ballyphehane; the Traveller Visibility Group creche at Shandon; Baile Beag in Mayfield; Glenfields Childcare in Ballyvolane; Mahon Community Development Project; and Before 5 creche in Churchfield.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The department said it is &ldquo;finalising a package of support for services who have engaged with Childcare Committees Ireland&rdquo; but the Cork Early Years Alliance says it has no guarantees of sufficient funding beyond September.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 15th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/more-funding-sought-for-creches-in-most-disadvantaged-areas-442913.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/more-funding-sought-for-creches-in-most-disadvantaged-areas-442913.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-15 11:18:20',NULL,'more-funding-sought-for-creches-in-most-disadvantaged-areas'),(1864,'Catch-up HPV vaccines offered as uptake declines','<p>\r\n	The Irish Cancer Society has warned parents not to be &ldquo;taken in by the fakery on social media&rdquo; in relation to the HPV vaccine, as figures show the uptake rate has fallen to 50%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Robert O&rsquo;Connor, head of research at the society, said information on the vaccine circulated via social media was &ldquo;post-truth&rdquo; and that parents should talk to health professionals rather than accepting what they read online.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is absolutely vital that people understand the importance of this vaccine in preventing cervical cancer,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It has been endorsed by &ldquo;thousands of regulatory bodies, the US Centre for Disease Control, and the World Health Organisation&rdquo;, he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Brenda Corcoran said the drop in uptake was of serious concern to public health officials.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Everyone involved in cancer control is very concerned about this,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	With initial figures for the 2016/2017 year indicating a drop to 50% in the uptake rate, down from 87% in 2014/2015, the HSE has written to parents offering their daughters a catch-up opportunity when the immunisation teams return to secondary schools next month to administer the second dose of the vaccine to first-year students.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For girls who did not avail of the September dose, Dr Corcoran said they can be given a second catch-up dose later in the year. She warned girls could miss out on other vital vaccines if they did not present for the HPV vaccine as a tetanus booster is administered with the first dose and a meningococcal C booster with the second.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Corcoran blamed the drop-off in uptake rates on lobby groups claiming that the vaccine caused serious health problems &ldquo;despite a lack of scientific evidence to back their claims&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said sometimes health issues surfaced in girls as they entered puberty, and that hormonal changes were to blame, rather than the vaccine.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is no increase in the rate of any long-term medical conditions in girls who have been vaccinated compared to those who haven&rsquo;t got the vaccine,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Each year in Ireland, around 300 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 90 die from the disease.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 6,500 women are diagnosed with precancerous abnormalities of the cervix caused by HPV.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For more information see www.hpv.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 16th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/catch-up-hpv-vaccines-offered-as-uptake-declines-443044.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/catch-up-hpv-vaccines-offered-as-uptake-declines-443044.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-16 10:27:17',NULL,'catch-up-hpv-vaccines-offered-as-uptake-declines'),(1865,'Ireland questioned on human rights of sex workers by UN','<p>\r\n	Institutional abuse and traveller ethnicity among issues raised by UN committee</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Government delegation to the United Nations has been criticised as &ldquo;vague and unhelpful&rdquo; in its responses to questions about abortion.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ireland was examined on Wednesday by a UN committee on women&rsquo;s rights, on compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It is the first time Ireland has faced questioning by the Geneva-based CEDAW committee since 2005.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The delegation also heard calls for an international inquiry into symphysiotomy, for guarantees to protect the human rights of sex-workers and for measures to protect lone parents from poverty.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The marginalisation of Traveller and Roma women, costs faced by women seeking emergency barring orders and the dramatic increase in the number of women being imprisoned, was also raised by the CEDAW committee, which is comprised of 23 human rights experts</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Committee member Patricia Schulz from Switzerland asked when a referendum on repealing article 40.3.3 of the Constitution (which guarantees to protect the equal right to life of the mother and the unborn) was likely and what kind of legislation would be enacted, if it were repealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Principal officer at the Department of Health Geraldine Luddy said the Citizens&rsquo; Assembly considering the issue would report to the Government in June. Its recommendations would be considered by an Oireachtas committee, which would report back to the D&aacute;il which would then decide, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;A Bill would have to be prepared and wording for a referendum and a date set,&rdquo; Ms Luddy said. &ldquo;The Government takes the human rights of women very seriously. We will have to wait over the next few months to see what happens.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Vague and unhelpful&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Niall Behan, chief executive of the Irish Family Planning Association, described the response as &ldquo;vague and unhelpful&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The State delegation could give no clarity about when an Oireachtas committee will begin consideration of the report, or how it will proceed. This is simply not good enough.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Schulz asked why there had been no &ldquo;adequate inquiry&rdquo; into the historical practice of symphysiotomy for women in childbirth. &ldquo;Will you proceed to a proper international investigation?&rdquo; she asked. She said it must include oral testimonies from affected women and investigate actions of doctors, church, government and the department of health at the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The dramatic increase in the number of women being sent to prison &ndash; from 155 in 1999 to 3,411 in 2015 &ndash; was raised. Noel Dowling, principal officer with the Department of Justice, said many women were imprisoned for non-payment of fines and for periods as short as four hours.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ruth Kaddari, from Israel, asked about changes to the One Parent Family Payment, which is paid mainly to single mothers, which have resulted in fathers being told they no longer have to pay maintenance to the Department of Social Protection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Does the department acknowledge this is a very unreasonable situation?&rdquo; asked Ms Kaddari. Mary O&rsquo;Sullivan of the department said the legislation was being reviewed and was &ldquo;complex&rdquo; .</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Schulz was among a number who asked about the marginalised position of Traveller women. Deagl&aacute;n &Oacute; Briain, principal officer in the Department of Justice, agreed Travellers were &ldquo;the most marginalised&rdquo; group in society and said a strategy to address recognition of their ethnicity was &ldquo;close&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also committed to a review of legislation criminalising the purchase of sex, within three years of enactment, to assess its impact on the human rights of sex workers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 15th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/ireland-questioned-on-human-rights-of-sex-workers-by-un-1.2976579\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/ireland-questioned-on-human-rights-of-sex-workers-by-un-1.2976579</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-16 10:32:20',NULL,'ireland-questioned-on-human-rights-of-sex-workers-by-un'),(1866,'55% surge in children registered as homeless','<p>\r\n	Rates of child homelessness increased by 55% last year, despite government efforts to tackle the housing crisis, it has emerged, writes Evelyn Ring of the Irish Examiner.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The children&rsquo;s charity Barnardos said children were the invisible victims of the housing crisis</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last December, there were 2,505 children registered as homeless across Ireland, compared to 1,616 during the same month in 2015, a 55% increase.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Over the same 12 month period, adult homelessness across the country rose by 28%, so child homelessness is growing at double this rate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Barnardos chief executive, Fergus Finlay, said homeless children suffered terribly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Imagine packing your bag and going with your family to present to the authorities as homeless,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children became overwhelmed by the change in their lives and afraid of what their future contained.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Barnardos head of advocacy, June Tinsley, said the housing crisis was escalating at a ferocious pace and the effect of homelessness on children was profound.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It affects every aspect of their development: Mental and physical health, social and emotional development, their education, and their key relationships,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardos has called for a redoubling of efforts to ensure families are moved out of hotel accommodation and into more stable and appropriate accommodation as soon as possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Until we have a response that is adaptive, swift, and far-reaching, we will struggle to keep pace, and we will struggle to protect these children,&rdquo; said Ms Tinsley.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A mother living in overcrowded private accommodation says her daughter, who is only nine years old, has to share a single bed with her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I had to move in here after my relationship broke down. It was advertised as a flat, but it&rsquo;s a bedsit with only a single bed, a hot plate for cooking, and a small ensuite,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Imagine having to share a single bed with your mother when you&rsquo;re nine and having nowhere to play or do your homework except on the floor?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman contacted Barnardos, and they helped her daughter understand the situation and build up her self-confidence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve helped link her in with a local afterschool club. It&rsquo;s early days yet, but I hope she returns to being a happy, sociable child. She&rsquo;s only nine. She didn&rsquo;t ask for this.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another child said she had not told any of her school friends that she was living in a hotel because they might tease her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 16th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/55-surge-in-children-registered-as-homeless-777347.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/55-surge-in-children-registered-as-homeless-777347.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-16 10:34:32',NULL,'55%-surge-in-children-registered-as-homeless'),(1867,'Lack of child detention centre outside Dublin to be raised in EU court','<p>\r\n	The lack of a children&rsquo;s detention centre outside of Dublin is to be raised in the European Court of Human Rights by Cork County Council.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Councillors unanimously backed a motion to seek the court&rsquo;s views after calls to set up a detention centre in Co Cork were rejected by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The motion was tabled by former social worker Cllr Noel Collins, who has repeatedly criticised overcrowding at the only detention centre in the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The department said at present there were no plans to develop a detention centre in any other part of the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cllr Collins said councillors should reject the answer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he had visited the Oberstown detention centre in Lusk, Co Dublin last Christmas and was &ldquo;appalled&rdquo; by what he saw.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said there was serious overcrowding and frequent attacks on hard-pressed staff and as a result of what he saw he had already spoken to officials in the European Court of Human Rights.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a letter to the council, the department said that it provides (financial) &lsquo;support to families&rsquo; of young offenders who have to travel by bus or train to visit the facility.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cllr Collins said it was very unfair to drag families on long journeys from Cork and Kerry to Oberstown.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said a facility should be built in Cork, which would save families a lot of time travelling to and from Dublin and the money saved by the State in providing travelling expenses could be used to build the centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Commenting on the department&rsquo;s refusal to build centres outside of Dublin, he said: &ldquo;This doesn&rsquo;t paint a bright future for young people in Ireland.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cllr MaryLinehan Foley also said it was very unfair on families who had to travel such long distances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cllr Joe Harris said that there was formerly such a facility on Spike Island, in Cork harbour which worked well as a youth detention centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It used to hold courses to train young offenders to enable them reintegrate with society,&rdquo; Cllr Harris said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a disgrace and it&rsquo;s inhuman (having no facility outside of Oberstown) and travelling is putting savage pressure on families,&rdquo; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cllr Derry Cantry pointed out that the former Cork prison at Rathmore Road, which was closed around a year ago, would be an ideal location for a child detention centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cllr Collins said he was grateful for the support he had received from council colleagues who agreed that they would make formal communication with the European Court of Human Rights on the issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The department said it also supports families visiting the Oberstown centre by collecting them and dropping them back to the bus or train station while on visits.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said visiting hours had become more flexible, with weekend visits being allowed on a discretionary basis and also pointed out that a more lenient approach was taken to the duration of the visits being applied.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The department said exceptional needs payments, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, are made to visiting relatives when they don&rsquo;t have the money to pay for bus or rail travel themselves.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 17th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/lack-of-child-detention-centre-outside-dublin-to-be-raised-in-eu-court-443113.html\">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/lack-of-child-detention-centre-outside-dublin-to-be-raised-in-eu-court-443113.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-17 10:35:22',NULL,'lack-of-child-detention-centre-outside-dublin-to-be-raised-in-eu-court'),(1868,'New mothers’ mental health problems ignored, committee hears','<p>\r\n	Lack of provision for services &lsquo;not acceptable&rsquo;, says chair of obstetricians&rsquo; body</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are just three part-time perinatal psychiatrists in Ireland, all based in Dublin, and there is no mother-and-baby unit for severely depressed mothers, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health was told on Thursday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Retired obstetrician Dr Peter Boylan, chair of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said the lack of provision for mental health services for new mothers was &ldquo;not acceptable in 2017&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He contrasted the absence in the State of any mother-and-baby unit for women with postnatal mental health problems &ndash; despite the clinical evidence that such units are of benefit &ndash; with the situation in the UK, where there are 20 such units.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In its submission to the committee, which is examining the national maternity strategy for the next 10 years, the Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (Aims) Ireland said perinatal mental health was &ldquo;almost completely ignored in our maternity hospitals&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Birth trauma</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Aims Ireland estimated that 30 per cent of mothers experience mental health problem during or after pregnancy. Between a sixth and a third experience birth trauma.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yet new mothers having mental health difficulties are often given drug therapies which do not deal with the underlying issues and leave women vulnerable to similar difficulties in subsequent pregnancies, it said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Aims Ireland vice-chair Breda Kearns told the committee that former UK chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne had allocated &pound;1.2 billion (&euro;1.4 billion) for mental health services for mothers of new babies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said a recent London School of Economics study found mental health issues in mothers with newborn babies cost the UK &pound;8.1 billion (&euro;9.5 billion) a year and could have lifelong consequences for mother and child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Aims Ireland chair Krysia Lynch said research suggested 17-18 per cent of mothers experienced antenatal depression and 18-19 per cent experienced postnatal depression, though these were probably conservative figures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Women were very reluctant to admit they had perinatal issues, fearing their babies would be taken away from them, she told the committee.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;That is a known factor in the underestimation of the number of women with perinatal mental health problems.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Gross inequality&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Louise Kenny, professor of obstetrics at University College Cork, said there was a &ldquo;gross inequality&rdquo; nationwide in antenatal screening services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In other OECD countries the uptake of foetal anomaly scans performed at 19-22 weeks was close to 100 per cent, but 36 per cent of Irish women attending antenatal services in Ireland did not get one.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At present almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of all maternity units in the State offer the service selectively or not at all.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prof Kenny said the reasons why some hospitals offer foetal anomaly scans and others do not is a matter of governance. &ldquo;In maternity hospitals without ring-fenced budgets and robust independent governance, women&rsquo;s healthcare competes with other clinical priorities and international experience demonstrates that it is always the first to be cut.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said the number of consultants in maternity care in Ireland was the lowest in OECD countries at 3.66 per 10,000 deliveries. Another 100 consultants would need to be appointed to bring the State up to international norms, she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 16th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/new-mothers-mental-health-problems-ignored-committee-hears-1.2978467\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/new-mothers-mental-health-problems-ignored-committee-hears-1.2978467</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-17 10:39:14',NULL,'new-mothers’-mental-health-problems-ignored-committee-hears'),(1869,'Board of new children\'s hospital to explain escalating costs','<p>\r\n	The Public Accounts Committee is to invite the board of the new children&#39;s hospital to appear before it to explain the escalating costs involved in the project.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il TD Bobby Aylward said the projected costs had escalated to &euro;1.2bn before a sod had been turned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Previous estimates had put the cost at &euro;650m before the building is equipped.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Committee Chairperson Sean Fleming said the matter had been raised by Independent TD Mattie McGrath and members agreed to write to the board to invite them to appear before the committee.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Comptroller and Auditor General Seamus McCarthy told committee members that it should be clear where cost escalations occur and why.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, he also told the committee that the audit function was retrospective and his office could not get involved in decision-making.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 16th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0216/853074-childrens-hospital-public-accounts-committee/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0216/853074-childrens-hospital-public-accounts-committee/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-17 10:40:29',NULL,'board-of-new-childrens-hospital-to-explain-escalating-costs'),(1870,'Children of alcoholic parents calling helpline to hear bedtime stories','<p>\r\n	Children as young as five are ringing a helpline to hear bedtime stories because their alcoholic parents are too intoxicated to put them to bed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some of the youngsters call the counsellors at the UK&#39;s National Association for Children of Alcoholics (Nacoa) so regularly their favourite story books are kept by the phones.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to a parliamentary group there are 2.5 million children of alcoholics in the UK, with MPs branding it a &quot;secret scandal&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nocoa received 32,000 calls and emails from children last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hilary Henrqiues, the charity&#39;s chief executive, said on one occasion a counsellor had to help a five-year-old girl call 999 when her drug and alcohol addicted mother had locked herself in the bathroom overnight.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When paramedics arrived they found the woman had died.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another of their callers, a girl aged seven, rang while hiding from her drunk parents under her bed on Christmas day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was cold, scared and had received no presents and wanted to hear a story about her imaginary friend - a dog called Bruce.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Their regular callers often request classic Disney tales, while the Horrid Henry books and Roald Dahl are also popular, Ms Henriques said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The children like to hear a made-up story because this helps to get across the message that things can be different from the life they live at the moment, which is really the cornerstone of what we do - keep hope alive.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nacoa is marking Children of Alcoholics week following the launch of a manifesto by MPs calling on the Government to take action.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The all-parliamentary group, supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury, said their research uncovered a &quot;shocking picture of support for children of alcoholics&quot;, including an apparent absence of strategies to deal with the issue and a dearth of funding in many areas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by BreakingNews.ie on the 19th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/children-of-alcoholic-parents-calling-helpline-to-hear-bedtime-stories-777835.html\">http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/children-of-alcoholic-parents-calling-helpline-to-hear-bedtime-stories-777835.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-20 09:53:03',NULL,'children-of-alcoholic-parents-calling-helpline-to-hear-bedtime-stories'),(1871,'Gardaí launch \'Operation Enable\' to catch drivers using fake disabled parking permits','<p>\r\n	Garda&iacute; in the Traffic Corps are launching a nationwide clampdown on people parking in disabled spots without proper parking badges.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There has been an anecdotal increase in the number of people using the spaces despite not having a physical impairment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fines of up to &euro;2,000 can be imposed on motorists who don&rsquo;t adhere to the rules. There are also heavier fines for those who are caught using fraudulent badges.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In recent months, there has been a number of fake parking permits seized. The permits include a legitimate looking serial number and come with no expiry date, letting users get away with parking illegally for as long as possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The reverse side of some read:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This card holder entitles the holder to the special local parking facilities available in the Member State concerned.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When in use, the card is to be displayed at the front of the vehicle in such a way that the front of the card is clearly visible for checking purposes.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Transport Minister Shane Ross described how mobility is &ldquo;a central issue for people with disabilities in our society&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said: &ldquo;It is what makes the difference in enabling them to engage fully in all activities &ndash; be it work, shopping or social gatherings. Illegal use of disabled parking spaces is totally unacceptable. It is totally unacceptable that people who do not need them would take them.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ross noted that the spaces are not simply reserved areas, instead they are spaces with wider dimensions than standard parking spaces and are generally placed near to shops and other facilities to enable people with disabilities to access facilities which they would otherwise find difficult to reach.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And hitting out again at those who park in the abs without a permit, Ross added:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is a constant and rightful complaint among people with disabilities that they often drive up to a designated spot to find a car with no permit parked there.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It has been said that &lsquo;stupidity is not a handicap&rsquo;&nbsp; - so these drivers should park elsewhere and stay away from the spaces specially designated for permit holders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Previously, TheJournal.ie spoke to Niall McDonnell, who has been using a wheelchair since he was 22 after a motorcycle accident changed his life forever.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	McDonnell said your typical thoughtless driver, although meaning no harm, can be the difference between a good day and a bad one.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s no good having a car if you cannot park it because someone has parked too close to you. That&rsquo;s what so important about the parking bays, for chair users especially. They&rsquo;re vital to me.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;At the moment, there are fines in place for people who park in these bays and there are even stricter punishments for those who are using fake permits.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There would be those people who might be using their grandparent&rsquo;s expired permit then there are those that go out of their way to get a fraudulent one. There can be fines of up to &euro;2,000 for people who do this.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 20th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/operation-enable-disabled-car-parking-3240601-Feb2017/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/operation-enable-disabled-car-parking-3240601-Feb2017/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-20 10:03:51',NULL,'gardaã­-launch-operation-enable-to-catch-drivers-using-fake-disabled-parking-permits'),(1872,'Govt told of flight risk with relocated Calais child refugees','<p>\r\n	The Government has been advised that there is a significant risk that some of the 40 child refugees being relocated to Ireland from migrant camps in France may try to flee to the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The advice to the Minister for Children came from Tusla and officials in the Department of Justice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Internal government documents, obtained by RT&Eacute; News, show ministers were also warned that many refugees presenting as children may actually be adults.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tusla said if children who come to Ireland attempt to flee to the UK, they will be at an increased risk of trafficking or exploitation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Concerns have also been raised about how the UK may react.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Forty unaccompanied minors who were living in an unofficial camp in Calais are to be accommodated in Ireland in the coming weeks, after a D&aacute;il motion was passed last year raising concerns for their safety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It will cost around &euro;8m to accommodate 40 young people for a full year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All of them are boys aged 13 to 17, and government documents show that all of them were refused entry to the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, prepared a briefing note for the Government examining the risks associated with the move.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said there is a &quot;significant risk of flight once they have arrived in Ireland&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It warned that &quot;Tusla has limited capacity to respond to the trauma of the young persons presenting&quot; and said there is a high risk that &quot;a number of those presenting will be adults&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said there is a risk of &quot;trauma to the children due to multiple moves, and relocation to Ireland could result in the reduced possibility of reunification with parents and families due to being moved from France to Ireland, where relatives are on mainland Europe or the UK&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officials in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs said young people who attempt to leave Ireland to travel to the UK could potentially be &quot;exposed to unknown dangers&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The documents also show that officials warned the Minister for Children that meeting the demand for over 200 placements could require the diversion of social workers from their current child protection duties.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officials said this was &quot;high risk&quot; given the numbers of children already known to the system without a child protection service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They also warned of reputational risk for Tusla, and the Government.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	French officials estimate that around 20% of those staying at migrants camps in France and claiming to be children are actually adults.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Separate documents show the Minister for Justice was warned that &quot;based on the age profile, and their desired destination, it is considered that such a cohort, if brought to Ireland, may actually seek to flee the care arrangements made by Tusla in order to travel to the UK&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They would then become missing children. The potential consequences of such a scenario for Tusla and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs do not require elaboration,&quot; it said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tusla said a further 15 social workers would be required in order to assess each child coming to Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 19th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0219/853782-child-refugees-ireland-tusla/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0219/853782-child-refugees-ireland-tusla/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-20 10:05:59',NULL,'govt-told-of-flight-risk-with-relocated-calais-child-refugees'),(1873,'Impact of homelessness on kids \'catastrophic\'','<p>\r\n	The development of children is being hampered by growing up in emergency accommodation, it has been claimed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Children&#39;s Rights Alliance, published its annual report card yesterday, giving the government a D+ grade in their performance on children&#39;s rights - the lowest in six years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At the launch, the government was heavily criticised for how it is dealing with the homeless crisis and the rights of Travellers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report came shortly after it was revealed there were a total of 7,167 homeless adults and children in emergency accommodation across Ireland in January.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chief executive of the Children&#39;s Rights Alliance Tanya Ward said children are missing out on normal childhoods.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Ward said: &quot;The impact of this is catastrophic on every level from children&#39;s health, education and development.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Toddlers are experiencing delays in reaching developmental milestones, such as walking because they are living in such cramped conditions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Children have to travel long distances to school. Families have nowhere to store or cook food and are going hungry.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Some families are forced to live in unhygienic conditions with insect infestations, mould and used syringes left in bedrooms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Ward told the Irish Independent the fall from a C grade to a D in the space of a year is &quot;unacceptable&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She added: &quot;The reason why the government were given such a low grade is because things have seriously deteriorated for children, especially in the area of child homelessness.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Progress of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill has been stalled,&quot; she said. Recommendations from the McMahon report are yet to be put into action, leaving girls and boys in Direct Provision without their basic needs met.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Report Card reveals how just one 24-hour state service for victims of sexual assault under the age of 14 exists and is located in Galway.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The service has had to close temporarily twice in the last two years due to lack of funding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Child victims of crime also face significant delays in accessing counselling support services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 22nd February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/impact-of-homelessness-on-kids-catastrophic-35471572.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/impact-of-homelessness-on-kids-catastrophic-35471572.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-22 09:58:14',NULL,'impact-of-homelessness-on-kids-catastrophic'),(1874,'How should nursing homes approach sex lives of residents?','<p>\r\n	A recent study found that frequent sexual activity is the norm among older people</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nursing homes should be supporting intimacy and sexual activity among their residents, according to geriatric experts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A recent study - released last week as part of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing at Trinity College Dublin - found that frequent sexual activity is the norm among older people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The research found 59% of over 50s are sexually active - and of those, 69% are sexually active weekly or monthly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The researchers also found that being sexually active has positive implications for a person&rsquo;s health and their perception of ageing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Eileen O&#39;Keefe, clinical nurse manager at St Luke&rsquo;s nursing home in Cork, spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about their approach.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;People don&#39;t retire themselves as sexual beings, as they may do in their professional life,&quot; she explained. &quot;It&#39;s a key part of us as people - and that doesn&#39;t change as we get older.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;People are coming into long-term care for a variety of reasons, and it wouldn&#39;t be unusual to have people from their 50s up to their 90s residing in residential care.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Quality of life</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Our priority and our philosophy is meant to be that we embrace the whole person,&quot; Eileen observed. &quot;We very much focus on their quality of life and enabling them to do as much as they can - despite whatever limitations there are.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If we apply that to their physical care or their social care needs or their spirituality... sexuality is no different. The first place we need to start in residential care is we need to all agree and identify it&#39;s a basic human right and basic human need.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We need to be delivering care and supporting staff to make to make [residents] feel more confident in bringing up conversation. You can have all the facilities in the room - a single room and all that kind of thing - but if they feel too awkward or embarrassed to start the conversation, chances are we&#39;re giving the impression to the older person that this isn&#39;t something they&#39;re comfortable talking with.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Eileen also observed that, more generally, moving into long-term care can improve individual&#39;s quality of life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There&#39;s often a negative connotation when people are getting old... But for a lot of people [moving into long-term care] can actually enhance their quality of life, because it&#39;s supporting them. It&#39;s an opportunity to develop new relationships, new friendships... it&#39;s a sense of security for people.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She explained: &quot;I think we&#39;re all opening our horizons and ideas of sexuality [...] We have people who&#39;ve developed new relationships. We have people coming who are now identifying as lesbian or gay - if you look at the older population that&#39;s maybe something they could have comfortably done before.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There&#39;s going to be a lot more challenges coming down the line, and we need to make sure that we&#39;re ahead of it so that we can best enable to live to the fullest of their life while they&#39;re with is in long-term care,&quot; she concluded.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by Newstalk on the 21st February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.newstalk.com/How-can-nursing-homes-facilitate-sex-lives-of-residents\">http://www.newstalk.com/How-can-nursing-homes-facilitate-sex-lives-of-residents</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-22 10:03:02',NULL,'how-should-nursing-homes-approach-sex-lives-of-residents'),(1875,'Tusla staff \'ill-equipped to deal with historical abuse\'','<p>\r\n	The head of Tusla has issued a dire warning to politicians about the agency&#39;s capacity to deal with cases of &quot;historical&quot; sexual abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	CEO Fred McBride said his staff are not properly equipped to handle complaints made by adults - and revealed that Tusla has asked the Government to consider transferring responsibility for such cases to an outside body.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The agency boss said as a result of a recent court judgment, Tusla is required to support the alleged victim, ensure other children are not at harm and conduct &quot;forensic type interviews&quot; involving the alleged perpetrator.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is an extremely difficult balance to strike,&quot; according to the Tusla chief.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McBride will tell the Oireachtas Committee on Children today that Tusla requires greater legal powers if it is to deal with such allegations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;One particularly challenging area of work which has emerged over time is what we call &#39;historical allegations&#39;. That is where an adult comes forward to disclose information of abuse when they were a child, usually sexual abuse,&quot; according to Tusla&#39;s submission, seen by the Irish Independent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is especially challenging because of a lack of a clear legal framework around this area of work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We have lobbied the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and have made detailed depositions requesting that Tusla is provided with the statutory instruments under which we can undertake this work, or that it be given to an agency independent of Tusla which would allow our focus to remain that of child protection.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McBride will also strongly defend agency staff on the back of the &quot;copy-and-paste&quot; scandal surrounding Sgt Maurice McCabe and his family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He will say the events are &quot;not reflective of the high standards&quot; which staff at the Child and Family Agency hold themselves to.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He will reiterate the apology offered to the McCabe family, after it emerged a file containing false allegations of child rape against Sgt McCabe remained on the agency&#39;s database for two years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I think it is important to also point out that I have no knowledge, or evidence that Tusla staff acted with any malice of intent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I also wish to make clear to you that if I did receive such evidence or information I would intervene, personally, immediately and publicly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;But as we know mistakes were made and we look forward to working in concert with the Tribunal of Inquiry in addressing this matter in its totality.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McBride will state that Tusla will co-operate fully with the Tribunal into the alleged smear campaign and other allegations surrounding the treatment of Sgt McCabe.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It comes as Sgt McCabe snubbed an offer from Garda management to join a special unit tasked with making the force more transparent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The offer was extended by Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey at a recent meeting with Sgt McCabe&#39;s legal representatives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to sources, Deputy Commissioner Twomey asked whether Sgt McCabe would be interested in contributing to a unit tasked with devising Garda protocol on the area of transparency and accountability.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But the country&#39;s most high profile whistleblower turned down the offer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One source described as &quot;ironic&quot; the offer to &quot;all of a sudden&quot; seek the input from Sgt McCabe to make the force more accountable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last night, a Garda spokesman refused to be drawn on the matter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We don&#39;t comment on such meetings,&quot; the spokesman told the Irish Independent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 22nd February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/tusla-staff-illequipped-to-deal-with-historical-abuse-35471550.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/tusla-staff-illequipped-to-deal-with-historical-abuse-35471550.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-22 10:08:09',NULL,'tusla-staff-ill-equipped-to-deal-with-historical-abuse'),(1876,'ISPCC warns of cyber threat to children','<p>\r\n	Children are spending up to five hours a day online and engaging in dangerous activity such as sexting, with their parents unaware of the dangers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity ISPCC also warned the current school curriculum was simply not preparing children for the outside world and insisted there was a real need for both an Office of Digital Safety Commissioner and a National Cyber Safety Strategy for Children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ISPCC said children were spending First Communion money on smartphones and tablets, with levels of online activity soaring, as the age profile falls and that cyber safety was now &ldquo;the child protection issue of our time&rdquo;. The organisation&rsquo;s director of services, Caroline O&rsquo;Sullivan, said hours spent online affected children&rsquo;s social interaction, referring to the &ldquo;constant barrage of what they should be doing&rdquo; and questions posed by others, such as &ldquo;whether they are frigid, whether they are sluts&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said one case showed a parent realised her child was being groomed online by a paedophile only by spotting the signs in a computer&rsquo;s usage history. Ms O&rsquo;Sullivan said there was a huge need for education for both parents and children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She also said phones allowing notifications during the night meant children were not getting enough sleep, sexting was &ldquo;a huge issue&rdquo;, while another side of this was so-called &lsquo;sextortion&rsquo;, where the threat of sharing such an image was used against the victim.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	ISPCC chief executive Grainia Long emphasised the need for policy change, pointing to education, roles for different departments and Tusla, and the creation of new offences that reflect the online world, such as online harassment, though, she stressed they should not criminalise younger people unless in extreme cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 23rd February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ispcc-warns-of-cyber-threat-to-children-443569.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ispcc-warns-of-cyber-threat-to-children-443569.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-23 12:02:29',NULL,'ispcc-warns-of-cyber-threat-to-children'),(1877,'Delayed ‘Grace’ reports due next week, says Finian McGrath','<p>\r\n	Two previously unpublished reports into the &lsquo;Grace&rsquo; foster abuse sex scandal will be published early next week, Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath confirmed yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He told a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health that the reports were compiled by Conal Devine Associates and Resilience Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Can I say very, very clearly that the Government [is] totally committed to the establishment of a commission of inquiry and there is going to be no fudge on this issue,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We are all very committed to Grace, and any other victim by the way, in relation to any allegations of abuse. I intend to get the truth, justice and then action,&rdquo; the minister said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGrath said he has cleared the terms of reference with the Department of Health &ldquo;and that&rsquo;s basically on the move&rdquo;, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE previously refused to publish the two reports detailing what happened and who was responsible in the Grace case, with the decision resulting in a year-long delay to a promised state inquiry.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The HSE intends to publish the Resilience report and Conal Devine&rsquo;s report next Tuesday,&rdquo; said Mr McGrath. He said the terms of reference are with the attorney general&rsquo;s office at the moment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Also appearing before the committee, HSE director Tony O&rsquo;Brien announced that a drug used for the treatment of genetic emphysema &mdash; Repreeza &mdash; will not be funded by the HSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Based on a clear recommendation from the National Drugs Committee, it is not recommended for reimbursement on clinical grounds,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Alpha One Foundation, an advocacy group for people with Alpha-1 (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) or genetic emphysema expressed its huge disappointment with the decision.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Patients are devastated at this decision which, if left to stand, is likely to have a hugely detrimental impact on the future health of these patients,&rdquo; chief executive Kitty O&rsquo;Connor said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The decision not to fund the drug affects 17 patients who had continued to receive the therapy on a compassionate basis after participating in a clinical trial of the drug.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, a target of four months for the treatment of scoliosis has been set by the HSE, with a comprehensive plan in the process of being finalised, according to Mr O&rsquo;Brien.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the HSE is working with the National Treatment Purchase Fund to develop a plan that would see no patients waiting longer than 15 months by the end of October, according to Mr O&rsquo;Brien.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 23rd February 2017)&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/delayed-grace-reports-due-next-week-says-finian-mcgrath-443618.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/delayed-grace-reports-due-next-week-says-finian-mcgrath-443618.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-23 12:03:53',NULL,'delayed-‘grace’-reports-due-next-week-says-finian-mcgrath'),(1878,' Emphysema drug campaigners to meet with HSE','<p>\r\n	The campaign group for people with genetic emphysema is to meet the HSE today about the drug Respreeza.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Alpha One Foundation say they are devastated at the HSE decision not to fund the drug, which they say has been life-changing for people affected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Seventeen people here have been getting the drug under a compassionate-use programme, supported by the makers CSL Behring.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Professor Gerry McElvaney, a respiratory consultant at Beaumont Hospital and who has been involved in the care of patients, said Respreeza works and reduces chest infections and hospitalisations in patients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the HSE has declined to fund the drug as it was not seen as cost effective at the original price sought by the firm and would cost over &euro;100,000-a-year per patient.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also says there are clinical effectiveness issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The drug makers say they will continue to supply the drug on compassionate grounds for two more months, to allow for talks with the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The company has told RT&Eacute; News that it has provided the drug under the compassionate-use programme in the hope of a decision by the HSE for overall funding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said that the final price offered to the HSE was the lowest viable price and significantly lower than the price already accepted in many other European countries.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It had set a deadline of 28 February at which stage the provision of the drug would cease but this has been extended.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 23rd February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0223/854793-campaigners/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0223/854793-campaigners/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-23 12:25:52',NULL,'emphysema-drug-campaigners-to-meet-with-hse'),(1879,'Over 13,000 children suspended in a year','<p>\r\n	More than 13,000 children were suspended by post-primary schools, and 145 were expelled during the academic year 2013-14, the Minister for Children has revealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And in 2014, a total of &euro;280,000 was spent on 66 appeals processes in respect of decisions to expel or suspend pupils. These costs cover mediation fees, facilitators&#39; fees, and travel costs</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The most recent data was provided by Katherine Zappone this week in response to a parliamentary question in the D&aacute;il.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She revealed that 13,316 pupils were suspended for serious misbehaviour during the relevant period, and a further 145 were permanently expelled.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Schools have considerable autonomy in relation to discipline under current legislation. However, they are obliged to ensure that fair procedures are followed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Pupils may be suspended in cases of serious misbehaviour. In such cases, parents are notified and may appeal the decision to the school&#39;s board of management and ultimately, to the Department of Education.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In cases where a school is considering the expulsion of a pupil, an education welfare officer must be notified and attempts must be made to find a solution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The pupil may not be expelled for 20 days after the notification of an education welfare officer in order to allow time for the process to be exhausted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 24th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/over-13000-children-suspended-in-a-year-35478178.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/over-13000-children-suspended-in-a-year-35478178.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-24 12:16:03',NULL,'over-13000-children-suspended-in-a-year'),(1880,'Tusla loses appeal against release of children to mother','<p>\r\n	High Court finds parents&rsquo; rights to constitutional justice were &lsquo;fundamentally&rsquo; breached</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, against an order directing the phased release of two children into their mother&rsquo;s care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The High Court correctly found the parents&rsquo; rights to fair procedures and constitutional justice were &ldquo;fundamentally&rdquo; breached by how the District Court granted the interim care orders, including not allowing an adjournment to ensure they were fully legally represented, the Supreme Court said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The agency had agreed to a week-long adjournment and did not claim the children were in any immediate danger.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	By a six to one majority on Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, which centred on whether applications under article 40 of the Constitution for an inquiry into the legality of detention can ever be used in childcare matters.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The agency argued article 40 applications were not appropriate in childcare matters.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All seven judges &ldquo;deprecated&rdquo; use of article 40 applications in routine inter-parental care disputes but the majority held article 40 proceedings were appropriate in the &ldquo;exceptional&rdquo; circumstances of this case, involving &ldquo;fundamental&rdquo; denial of the parents&rsquo; rights to justice and fair procedures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Invalid hearing</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The interim care orders were made at an invalid hearing with the effect the children were held &ldquo;without legal mandate&rdquo; and, in the words of article 40, were not being detained in accordance with law, Mr Justice John MacMenamin said. The effective representation of parents was not only a vindication of their rights but also of the children&rsquo;s&rsquo; rights.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was important to note the continuity of childcare proceedings and to ensure the interim care applications proceed as if the invalid District Court order was never made, the judges stressed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Justice Donal O&rsquo;Donnell said this &ldquo;exceptional&rdquo; case did not provide the &ldquo;bright line rule&rdquo; sought by the agency over use of article 40 in childcare matters but article 40 should be applied only in cases of a fundamental defect which must be remedied by an order for release &ldquo;forthwith&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne said the outcome of the case might have been different had the agency sought emergency, rather than interim, care orders as interim orders may sometimes require a short adjournment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dissenting, Mr Justice Peter Charleton said the High Court erred in apparently taking the view a remedy in the 1991 Child Care Act providing against a &ldquo;chaotic&rdquo; release of the children was not applicable in this case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also queried whether children who are subject of care orders can &ldquo;truly&rdquo; be said to be deprived of their liberty.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Interim care orders</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The agency applied in late October 2015 to the District Court for interim care orders for the children, then aged 14 and five and living with their mother in various locations with no settled home. Both parents were said to have serious drug addiction issues, resulting in the children living in &ldquo;chaotic&rdquo; circumstances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The father is illiterate and neither parent had an opportunity to fully instruct lawyers or consider social work reports when the case came for hearing before the District Court.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The District Court judge, apparently due to concern for the children, refused to adjourn, heard the application and granted 29-day interim care orders. The mother then sought an article 40 inquiry into the legality of the children&rsquo;s detention and the father was separately represented in that hearing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The High Court dismissed the agency&rsquo;s argument article 40 was not appropriate, ruled what happened in the District Court breached the parents&rsquo; rights and directed a phased release of the children into the mother&rsquo;s custody.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The agency later successfully reapplied to the District Court for interim care orders. The parents have not appealed those and the children remain in foster care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 23rd February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/supreme-court/tusla-loses-appeal-against-release-of-children-to-mother-1.2987012\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/supreme-court/tusla-loses-appeal-against-release-of-children-to-mother-1.2987012</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-24 12:18:01',NULL,'tusla-loses-appeal-against-release-of-children-to-mother'),(1881,'Bid to make it harder to repossess homes','<div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<p>\r\n			A new bill that will enable courts to take home owners&#39; personal circumstances into consideration was brought before the D&aacute;il yesterday.</p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<p>\r\n			Kevin &#39;Boxer&#39; Moran TD said the bill allows courts to consider the circumstances and impact of home loss on residents in the household.</p>\r\n	</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<p>\r\n			&quot;This bill is about keeping people in their homes. This bill is to ensure there is a correct application of EU law by Irish courts when dealing with home repossession,&quot; Mr Moran said.</p>\r\n		<p>\r\n			&quot;On the week before Christmas there were around 25 repossessions taking place in Kerry, 50 in Tipperary, 85 in Athlone and more taking place in Waterford. There were 421 homes repossessed in the third quarter of 2016, according to figures released by the central bank.</p>\r\n	</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<p>\r\n			&quot;This has led to the unprecedented strain on the State&#39;s support housing sector,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n		<p>\r\n			He said some 30,000 households are at risk of home repossession, which could cause 100,000 people, including children, to become homeless.</p>\r\n	</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<p>\r\n			The bill will enable courts to consider the effect of the loss of a home on all the household members, in particular the impact on their physical and mental health.</p>\r\n		<p>\r\n			Courts will be able to examine any alternative arrangements that could prevent home loss.</p>\r\n	</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<p>\r\n			The courts will also be able to examine the effect repossession would have on children or the availability of suitable alternative accommodation that will allow the household to live together.</p>\r\n		<p>\r\n			&nbsp;</p>\r\n		<p>\r\n			(Published by the Irish Independent on the 24th February 2017)</p>\r\n		<p>\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/bid-to-make-it-harder-to-repossess-homes-35478120.html\">http://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/property-mortgages/bid-to-make-it-harder-to-repossess-homes-35478120.html</a></p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-24 12:29:26',NULL,'bid-to-make-it-harder-to-repossess-homes'),(1882,'No heads have rolled over breathtaking lack of protection for vulnerable children','<p>\r\n	The matters detailed in two reports being published by the HSE today should be a source of national shame.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Vulnerable children, many with intellectual disabilities, were allowed stay at a foster and respite home in the south east over a prolonged period despite huge safety concerns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Inexplicable decisions were taken in the case of one of those, a woman known as Grace, who lived there between 1989 and 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite the fact over &euro;500,000 was spent compiling the reports and on associated legal costs, many questions remain unanswered and no heads have rolled.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Experienced investigators were unable to uncover the reason why a decision to remove Grace from the home in 1996, after allegations of sexual abuse by the male foster carer emerged, was subsequently reversed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The health board decided no other children should be placed there, but for some reason it allowed Grace to remain for another 13 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At a later stage, the very fact she was still at the home seemed to have been forgotten by the health board, with prolonged periods where it appears there was no monitoring of the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A commission of investigation will now probe whether or not, in the words of Fine Gael TD John Deasy, &quot;a clique of HSE managers&quot; helped cover things up.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Like many recent scandals, these matters would not have come to light but for the bravery of whistleblowers who risked their careers to bring the case to attention via protected disclosures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One of the reports, by consultants Resilience Ireland, details how the home got multiple referrals from health authorities despite the fact there was no apparent approval for it to act as a foster home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	That report looked at the experiences of 34 other children who spent time at the home. The foster family applied to take children for respite breaks under a scheme set up in the 1970s.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But Resilience Ireland said they didn&#39;t think the foster family were ever approved to be full-time foster carers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The consultants also said they did not think that health services in the area carried out necessary checks, such as checks on who was living in the house, the sleeping arrangements and living conditions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said respite care was supposed to be for short periods, but at least three children, including Grace, spent lengthy periods there.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	About a third of the children placed there were referred by health services in the area. Other children came from special schools and other services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The lack of oversight over a service for such vulnerable people was breathtaking.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 28th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/no-heads-have-rolled-over-breathtaking-lack-of-protection-for-vulnerable-children-35488684.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/no-heads-have-rolled-over-breathtaking-lack-of-protection-for-vulnerable-children-35488684.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-28 09:27:21',NULL,'no-heads-have-rolled-over-breathtaking-lack-of-protection-for-vulnerable-children'),(1883,'Parents horrified as three-year-old girl abandoned in city park','<p>\r\n	A parent has described his horror after a three-year-old girl was left abandoned in a large park in Cork city at the weekend.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A man named Terry told the Neil Prendeville on Cork&#39;s Red FM show that he was at the park near the Lough in Cork City, when he noticed the young girl on her own.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;At around 4pm, I was with my fianc&eacute;e and our two-year-old son at the park.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It started raining and we noticed another family there with two boys. There was this young girl with them and we presumed she was part of the family. The parents and the two boys started to head away and left this young girl there.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We were baffled that there was nobody else in the area. This young girl was just left on her own. She was no more than three years old,&quot; Terry told Neil Prendeville.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said his family waited for 15 minutes in the heavy rain with the young girl but nobody showed up.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I went around the area to see if anybody was looking for the child but there was nobody there. We asked the little girl was she local but she couldn&#39;t tell us where she was living.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We asked where her mummy was and she said she was at home. We rang the guards and they said they&#39;d send a car straight away. We were told to stay put so the child&#39;s parents could find her if they went looking for her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We were waiting in the rain and it got very wet. We were worried about the girl but we were also worried about our own child.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Terry said he waited over an hour for gardai to come.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We didn&#39;t want to move the child. We were talking with her to keep her calm and we were getting our son to play with her. The girl didn&#39;t seem agitated or that it was out of the ordinary.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Terry said he was feeding the birds with his young son and when he offered some to the girl she &quot;scoffed the food&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;She started eating it herself. She would have ate the hand of me if I had any more. She didn&#39;t look as though she was cared for.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When the gardai arrived, Terry said they knew who the child was instantly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They knew who it was and they said it wasn&#39;t the first time something like this happened. It was the third time that this child was found. The child hadn&#39;t even been reported missing. They automatically knew who the child was when they saw her. The parents were on their last warning.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last week another caller phoned the Neil Prendeville show to say that a woman brought a child into the park and left her there.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The guard told me that there are no more warnings now for the parents and that the child would be taken into custody,&quot; Terry said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We were worrying about the child all night. With the weather on Saturday we were thinking about what would have happened to the child if we hadn&#39;t looked after her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The guards took the child into custody and waited until 9pm to notify the parents that they had the child. At that stage the parents still hadn&#39;t reported the child as missing. She could have been in the park until after 9pm that night. God knows how long she was at the park before 4pm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The guards were waiting to see if the parents were looking for her.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Terry said that when the guards notified the parents that the child was taken into custody, the little girl had a jack russell dog.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The parents turned around to the guards and said are you going to take the dog as well with ye? That&#39;s all they were worried about.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They didn&#39;t ask about the child at all.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The child is in foster care as far as I know. I&#39;m just glad she&#39;s being taken care of.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai confirmed to Independent.ie that relevant services were contacted in relation to the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We can confirm that a child was discovered in the playground close to the Lough in Cork City at approximately 5pm on the 25th February. The child was uninjured and the relevant services were contacted.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 27th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/parents-horrified-as-threeyearold-girl-abandoned-in-city-park-35487864.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/parents-horrified-as-threeyearold-girl-abandoned-in-city-park-35487864.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-28 09:29:21',NULL,'parents-horrified-as-three-year-old-girl-abandoned-in-city-park'),(1884,'Dentists call for regular teeth screenings in schools to avoid \'traumatic\' extractions','<p>\r\n	Thousands of children have teeth extracted under general anaesthetic each year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Dental Association has called for the introduction of a better-funded oral health programme for preschool children and the restoration of regular school screenings for primary school children nationwide.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The call follows the publication of a new study that shows a considerable number of children under the age of five require extractions under general anaesthetic and some children are having as many as nine teeth extracted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The study found that the cost of treatment &ndash; &euro;819 per patient &ndash; could be as much as eight times the cost of a preventive oral health promotion programme for the same group.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	TheJournal.ie has been highlighting deficiencies in the State&rsquo;s care for the health of its citizens&rsquo; teeth. Over the weekend, we revealed that cuts to dental check-ups in primary schools has led to children getting multiple teeth extracted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Earlier this month, we also reported on neglect of pensioners in nursing homes where people who have had their own teeth for most of their lives are losing them because of basic lack of dental care once they enter the care system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Now, a study of 347 preschool children in Cork, which has been published in the latest edition of Journal of the Irish Dental Association, has again highlighted the issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	10,000 children</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Michaela Dalton, President of the HSE Dental Surgeons group of the Irish Dental Association, said the findings showed prevention is not just a better option for patients, it is also much more cost-effective.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The first and most important point to make is that too many children in Ireland are having teeth extracted under general anaesthetic (GA). We believe the number is well over 10,000 every year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This study shows that the problem starts at a very young age for many children and that economically disadvantaged children are at a greater risk of requiring treatment. The study also found that children who underwent extractions under GA at an early age demonstrated poor oral health into adolescence.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Dental Association is calling on Health Minister Simon Harris to introduce preventive programmes targeting preschool-aged children and to provide a comprehensive preventive dental health programme for every child under 12.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Previously, Irish children received free dental check-ups in second, fourth and sixth class. However, austerity measures in the wake of the 2008 crash have seen massive cuts in services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When asked about dental screening programmes in schools and the frequency with which dentists visit schools, Harris last week said this is a service matter for the HSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a statement to TheJournal.ie, the HSE said it &ldquo;provides all children with a check-up and primary dental care at least once between the ages of 11 and 13 (sixth class)&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said the Public Dental Service (PDS) provides pain emergency treatment to all children under 16 years of age and &ldquo;routine dental examinations and care for school children at key stages of development&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The majority of HSE dental services also provide for children between the ages of six and eight years of age and the HSE is currently endeavouring to ensure equity of access to this age group in every area,&rdquo; the statement added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Staff shortages</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dalton said having teeth extracted under GA is &ldquo;a very traumatic event for a young person&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In the vast majority of cases it is preventable. The HSE often says it cannot introduce programmes due to lack of funds, but this study shows clearly that prevention is far more cost-effective than treatment.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;While the problem begins in preschool, it doesn&rsquo;t end there. In many parts of the country school screenings which should happen in second, fourth and sixth classes are just not happening due to chronic staff shortages in the Public Dental Service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In 2015, 16,000 [children] who were due to be screened did not receive an examination. Unless the staff shortages are addressed as a matter of urgency our young people and other vulnerable groups will continue to suffer the consequences of this neglect,&rdquo; Dalton said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by TheJournal.ie on the 28th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/dental-screenings-irish-schools-3262220-Feb2017/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/dental-screenings-irish-schools-3262220-Feb2017/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-02-28 09:32:00',NULL,'dentists-call-for-regular-teeth-screenings-in-schools-to-avoid-traumatic-extractions'),(1885,'15 ways to support a loved one with an eating disorder','<p>\r\n	Up to a staggering 200,000 people in Ireland are affected by eating disorders. To mark Eating Disorder Awareness Week, &Aacute;il&iacute;n Quinlan talks to Harriet Parsons, psychotherapist with BodyWhys, and with clinical psychologist Dr Malie Coyne, a lecturer at NUI Galway to address some of the common myths surrounding the issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Educate Yourself</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first thing to do if you suspect a loved one has an eating disorder, is to read up on the topic and learn what an eating disorder really is - because despite what you may initially assume, it&#39;s not just about food and weight, warns Harriet Parsons. &quot;It&#39;s important to inform yourself before you broach the subject with the person in question,&quot; adds Dr Malie Coyne.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;You need to find out what eating disorders are and what supports are out there,&quot; she explains.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>What are Eating Disorders?</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Eating disorders are extremely complex and potentially life-threatening conditions, characterised by severe disturbances in eating behaviour such as self-starvation - by fasting and/or food restriction, purging through self-induced vomiting, over-exercising, or laxative abuse or bingeing, which involves consuming quantities of food beyond what the body needs to satisfy hunger.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Prepare for the long haul</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While recovery is possible, progress may be slow, warns Harriet Parson: &quot;Progress in recovery from an eating disorder is not always a linear process. Generally there can be a &#39;two steps forward one back&#39; feel to it, and relapse is always part of the recovery process, so it is important not to fall into &#39;all or nothing&#39; thinking about recovery,&quot; she explains.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These disorders are very complicated because they affect every aspect of a person, she explains:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;His or her behaviour changes, their thinking becomes distorted and they are also physically affected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s all tied in with how they experience their emotions and express what they are feeling.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While a person may take a step forward in terms of eating something new for example, she says, their thinking may not be totally in line with this, and they may feel very conflicted about it so it&#39;s important to be careful about how we &#39;praise&#39; a person during recovery, because praising a step taken might be counterproductive if a person feels ambivalent about taking that step.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Understand that this is a mental health issue</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On the surface, an eating disorders may appear to be about a person changing how they feed themselves - but that&#39;s really just symptom of what is going on internally in terms of what they&#39; thinking or feeling about the world, Parsons explains. &quot;It&#39;s a mental health issue and a psychological disorder and that shapes how you approach the person and the way you tackle the problem.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Don&#39;t take it from a food perspective: &quot;The core message is that it is important to understand that essentially an eating disorder is a coping mechanism used by a person in order to feel they can cope with day to day issues.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you try to pressure a person with an eating disorder to change, explains Dr Coyne, you&#39;re effectively taking away something they depend on - the coping mechanism they use to manage daily life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Don&#39;t allow common myths to &shy;colour your thinking</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Such myths include claims that an eating disorder is a lifestyle choice or diet, that it only affects women, that it is a teenage issue, just a phase, and that it is a problem which will last forever.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The truth, says Harriet Parsons, is that an eating disorder is not a lifestyle choice - it&#39;s a compulsion. It&#39;s not a phase but a very serious mental health condition which affects both men and women of all ages. However, recovery is possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Talk to the person when and where you both feel comfortable</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Think about how you have this conversation. Pick your time carefully, advises Dr Coyne: &quot;Pick a time when you can speak to the person in private and without interruption - and a time when you are both calm.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Also give consideration to choosing a place which is conducive to a discussion of this kind, suggests Parsons.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Be honest about your concerns</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Tell the person why you&#39;re concerned and describe what you have observed that is making you concerned,&quot; explains Dr Coyne.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In other words, talk sensitively about what you see - for example that the person may be losing weight or is off-form, and explain that you are really concerned, because you have noticed that the person has been skipping meals or may, for example, no longer be meeting friends, explains Harriet Parsons.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Don&#39;t put all your focus on specific food behaviours</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you approach a conversation about a suspected eating disorder by putting all the focus on what the person is doing with food, you will only put him or her on the defensive, Parsons explains.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If you simply focus on food behaviours you risk getting into a power struggle and denial on their part.&quot; Don&#39;t just focus on what they are doing but also on how they are feeling and how they are in themselves, she emphasises.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Try to communicate that you&#39;re worried not just about what the person is doing but also how he or she is feeling and how they are focusing on life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Avoid judgement, criticism or ultimatums</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Being non-judgemental during a conversation about an eating disorder is crucial, believes Harriet Parsons. &quot;Often when we&#39;re really worried about someone, we can jump to conclusions and think that the other person is thinking the same way as we do, which is often not the case. This is because of the way an eating disorder can distort a person&#39;s thinking.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It&#39;s very important to avoid issuing ultimatums, advises Dr Coyne: &quot;They merely serve to break down communication,&quot; she explains.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Let the person know how concerned you are, and that you value them and will be there for them.&quot; However don&#39;t allow the conversation to deteriorate into an either/or situation, she counsels.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Be prepared for denial</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It cannot be overstated: An eating disorder is a coping mechanism to help somebody feel better and more in control - and a person will not willingly discard what is to them, a crucial form of support.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They will resist any attempt to take it away from them or make them change it in any way,&quot; explains Parsons. &quot;Resistance and denial are very real,&quot; she warns, adding that once you decide to approach someone, understand that you are doing so in the knowledge that this conversation will merely be the first of many.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Change will not occur overnight</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Because an eating disorder is essentially a coping mechanism, it really will take time for a person to feel they can let go of their compulsion and find a different way of managing their lives, explains Parsons.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There is no set time period for recovery. It is different for everybody, but it is always gradual. Relapse is part of recovery and is to be expected.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Acknowledge that you can&#39;t change someone&#39;s thoughts</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The hard part about supporting someone through recovery from an eating disorder is knowing that they have to make the changes themselves, Parsons explains.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;A helpful idea is to separate out the person from the eating disorder.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Try to get across the message that you understand that there are two sides in their head, she explains - the eating disorder and the person themselves.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The work of recovery is trying to build up the side of the head which is not the eating disorder so that the person will become strong enough to let go of the eating disorder side of their head.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Ask the person what he or she feels might be helpful</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is a really important part of supporting someone with an eating disorder,&quot; Parsons explains.&quot;The support required for someone with an eating disorder is collaborative because it is all about the role that control plays in an eating disorder.&quot; What that means, she says, is that you need to bring the person along with you - and you do that asking what he or she believes could be helpful for them - in other words, your approach should be &quot;how can I support you or what can I do for you,&quot; rather than &quot;I want you to do X, Y or Z.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Accept that an eating disorder is not anyone&#39;s fault</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is very normal for parents to think that it&#39;s their fault,&quot; says Parsons. Parents can feel guilty about what is happening to their loved one, but it&#39;s very important, she emphasises, to understand that there is never any one cause of an eating disorder.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There is always an accumulation of different risk factors which can include everything from a genetic predisposition to low self-esteem to personality traits such as being very sensitive or perfectionistic, to life events such as bullying, dieting, over evaluation of shape and weight in terms of self-worth.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Early intervention</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is really important - early intervention is the best chance of recovery for your loved one.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The earlier a person with an eating disorder gets help,&quot; explains Dr Coyne, &quot;the better for their physical and emotional health.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are different treatment options, says Harriet Parsons, adding that the family GP is often the first port of call, while the Bodywhys website provides information on the different treatment pathways. &quot;It is very important to say that different treatment approaches work for different people, so inform yourself.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong><em>*</em></strong>&nbsp;<em>For more information on this topic visit www.bodywhys.ie</em></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 28th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/mental-health/15-ways-to-support-a-loved-one-with-an-eating-disorder-35479667.html\">http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/mental-health/15-ways-to-support-a-loved-one-with-an-eating-disorder-35479667.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-01 11:28:17',NULL,'15-ways-to-support-a-loved-one-with-an-eating-disorder'),(1886,'Gardaí investigate allegation of toddler being offered for sale in Limerick','<p>\r\n	Garda&iacute; are investigating claims a child has been offered for sale in Limerick.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesman for the Garda Press Office confirmed gardai have begun an investigation into the claims.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Garda&iacute; at Roxboro Road are presently conducting enquiries into the circumstances of the reporting of the incident and possible child welfare issues,&quot; a spokesman at the Garda Press Office stated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The incident was brought to the attention of Garda&iacute; after concerns were raised by a number of people in online posts published on Facebook. The posts have since been deleted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is claimed the incident occurred around 5.10pm on February 15th last, outside a premises on the south side of Limerick city.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Garda&iacute; were alerted after members of the public expressed concern about claims a woman had been trying to sell or give away the child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The child at the centre of the claims is said to be a male toddler.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When asked if a child had been taken into care, or if Garda&iacute; had made any arrests, a garda press office spokesman responded: &quot;If criminality is deemed to be factor in this incident An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na will investigate the matter fully.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When asked if it was aware of the alleged incident, Tusla the Child and Famy Agency said: &ldquo;Tusla &ndash; Child and Family Agency does not comment on individual cases.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is to protect the privacy and wellbeing of the children and families with whom we work.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Tusla screens and assesses all child protection concerns received in line with &lsquo;Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children&#39;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 28th February 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/gardai-investigate-allegation-of-toddler-being-offered-for-sale-in-limerick-779297.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/gardai-investigate-allegation-of-toddler-being-offered-for-sale-in-limerick-779297.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-01 11:29:26',NULL,'gardaã­-investigate-allegation-of-toddler-being-offered-for-sale-in-limerick'),(1887,'Care staff in ‘Grace’ case to face disciplinary proceedings','<p>\r\n	Taoiseach: Treatment of woman in foster home &lsquo;a disgrace&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Disciplinary proceedings are to begin immediately into staff implicated in care failings identified in two reports on abuse allegations at a southeast foster home, the Health Service Executive has promised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE says the publication of the reports into the alleged abuse of &ldquo;Grace&rdquo; and other intellectually disabled people who stayed at the home has cleared the way for its disciplinary processes to get under way.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Devine report, published on Tuesday after a delay of five years, found no one in the HSE did anything about the concerns of day services, who reported bruising on Grace&rsquo;s body and evidence of sexualised behaviour. Grace stayed at the home for 14 years after an allegation of sexual abuse was made in relation to another resident, but no one in the HSE looked into the reasons why she was not moved many years earlier, it said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Just five of the 30-40 staff mentioned in the Devine report, and a separate Resilience Ireland report into other allegations about the foster home, are still working with the HSE, it confirmed on Tuesday. The remaining staff, who have retired or are working elsewhere, are not therefore subject to HSE disciplinary processes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tusla staff</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another six staff who figure in the reports are now working for the child and family agency, Tusla, and may be subject to that body&rsquo;s disciplinary processes. A Tusla spokeswoman said staff referred to in the report were identified to the agency by the HSE in the last two weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We have met with staff concerned to advise them of the publication of the reports and have completed an initial HR review process.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If any issues emerged as a result of a review of staff involvement, further HR processes would be invoked as necessary, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE was unable to say how long its investigation into staff would take. Existing policy in the health service provides for sanctions to be applied, where appropriate, ranging from admonishment up to dismissal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking at the launch of the two HSE commissioned reports in Kilkenny, officials suggested the Government needs to consider changes that would allow the HSE carry out speedier investigations of staff implicated in serious care failings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Apology</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the Dail, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said &ldquo;the very least&rdquo; the Dail could do was to apologise to Grace and her family. &ldquo;Her treatment is a disgrace to us and our country,&rdquo; he told TDs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	HSE officials also issued a &ldquo;heartfelt and unreserved&rdquo; apology, and admitted it was &ldquo;patently obvious&rdquo; Grace should have been moved earlier. However, they denied there was any evidence of a cover-up after whistleblowers raised their concerns through protected disclosure legislation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister of State with special responsibility for disability Finian McGrath said he would be bringing a memo to Cabinet next week to provide for the establishment of a commission of investigation into the issue. This will require the approval of the Oireachtas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGrath admitted the care provided to Grace and other residents of the foster home had not been &ldquo;of the quality which they had every right to expect&rdquo; but insisted the HSE has since improved the way it cares for vulnerable people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il TD John McGuiness, who with his Fine Gael counterpart John Deasy, highlighted the Grace case at the D&aacute;il public accounts committee, said the reports contained nothing new. &ldquo;They set out the procedures in place at the time but they do not address what exactly happened in relation to the whistleblowers &ndash; how they were treated, why they were obstructed and why the abuse went on for 21 years.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGuinness said he didn&rsquo;t accept there was no cover-up. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s frightening. Everything moves too slowly. At that time, no one cried stop and today no one is accepting responsibility.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 1st March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/care-staff-in-grace-case-to-face-disciplinary-proceedings-1.2992939\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/care-staff-in-grace-case-to-face-disciplinary-proceedings-1.2992939</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-01 11:31:14',NULL,'care-staff-in-‘grace’-case-to-face-disciplinary-proceedings'),(1888,'Abuse survivor Marie Collins quits Pope’s sex-abuse commission','<p>\r\n	Clerical abuse survivor and campaigner, Marie Collins, said she resigned from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors because a group of people in the Vatican had been obstructing its work, including not following recommendations from the Pope.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Collins had been a member of the 15-person commission for the past three years and was its only Irish representative.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But, yesterday, she said she had tendered her resignation to Pope Francis last month.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her work with the commission ended officially yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since the beginning of the commission, in March 2014, she had been impressed with the dedication of her colleagues and with the genuine wish by Pope Francis to deal with clerical sexual abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;However, despite the Holy Father approving all the recommendations made to him by the commission, there have been constant setbacks,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This has been directly due to the resistance by some members of the Vatican curia to the work of the commission.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The lack of co-operation, particularly by the dicastery most closely involved in dealing with cases of abuse, has been shameful.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She referred to what she called &ldquo;a simple recommendation, approved by Pope Francis&rdquo;, that went to the dicastery (a department of the Roman Curia) regarding &ldquo;a small change of procedure in the context of care for victims/survivors&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This recommendation was to do with facilitating and responding to communication from abuse survivors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, Ms Collins said that in January she had learned the change was refused, alongside a request for co-operation on &ldquo;a fundamental issue of commission work in regard to safeguarding&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said: &ldquo;For me, it is the last straw&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I just think that there is a small number of men in there who are not really in touch with things. Clericalism still abounds with that group.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know the reasons.&rdquo; Abuse victim support group, One In Four, said it was saddened that Ms Collins had stepped down and it appeared she had &ldquo;no option&rdquo; but to resign.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The organisation&rsquo;s executive director, Maeve Lewis, said of Ms Collins: &ldquo;She had real hopes that her participation on the Vatican Commission would lead to genuine change at the very top of the Catholic Church.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Her resignation, after three frustrating years, brings into question the sincerity of top-level Vatican personnel in responding to survivors of sexual abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Despite all the protestations of commitment to child protection, it appears that very little has really changed.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, paid tribute to Ms Collins and said victims and survivors owed her &ldquo;an enormous debt&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Collins has accepted an invitation from Cardinal Sean O&rsquo;Malley to continue to be part of training projects, including those for the curia and new bishops.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 2nd March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/abuse-survivor-marie-collins-quits-popes-sex-abuse-commission-444157.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/abuse-survivor-marie-collins-quits-popes-sex-abuse-commission-444157.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-02 00:00:00',NULL,'abuse-survivor-marie-collins-quits-pope’s-sex-abuse-commission'),(1889,'Ten people per week are diagnosed with HIV','<p>\r\n	HIV Ireland is marking its 30th anniversary by undertaking a national survey on stigma and HIV at a time when new diagnoses of the disease have reached a record level.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The survey, launched online yesterday, will reveal how living with HIV affects the day-to-day lives of sufferers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It will be followed by another on the general public&rsquo;s views on people with HIV and their knowledge and awareness of the disease.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 485 new HIV diagnoses confirmed in Ireland in 2015. According to provisional figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the number increased to 513 last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	HIV Ireland executive director Niall Mulligan said it was crucial the reasons behind the continued increase of new HIV diagnoses in Ireland were understood.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He pointed out that the number of new HIV diagnoses had increased by 35% since 2011.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Ireland now has an average of 10 people per week being diagnosed with HIV. Understanding more about people&rsquo;s personal experiences of living with HIV will help in response to this very real public health challenge in Ireland today,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The National HIV Stigma Survey will remain live for six weeks. Interim results are expected to be available for Irish AIDS Day on June 15, with the full report launched towards the end of the year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We know that stigma can be one of the key barriers to people accessing treatment or even getting tested,&rdquo; said Mr Mulligan. &ldquo;We want to know how it is impacting on people&rsquo;s lives and is it as bad as we think it is.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said it was 10 years since people living with HIV had been surveyed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;What we want to do is have a wider trawl and get the views of people we don&rsquo;t have contact with and find out if stigma and discrimination are still an issue for them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The general public also need to know that HIV is still a public health problem and learn more about what they can do to protect their personal health.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	www.hivireland.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	www.man2man.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	www.positivenow.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 2nd March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ten-people-per-week-are-diagnosed-with-hiv-444151.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/ten-people-per-week-are-diagnosed-with-hiv-444151.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-02 09:22:45',NULL,'ten-people-per-week-are-diagnosed-with-hiv'),(1890,'Hundreds of Irish Travellers left outside Leinster House as Taoiseach formally recognises ethnic status','<p>\r\n	Hundreds of Travellers have been left out of Leinster House for the historic recognition of their ethnic identity by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Just before Enda Kenny took to the D&aacute;il chamber this evening to deliver his speech recognising the ethinic status of Irish Travellers, a number of TDs asked for a break to allow more Travellers in to witness the moment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	TDs Brid Smith, Ruth Coppinger and Gerry Adams asked for the speech to be suspended to allow more of the large crowd inside.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, Ceann Comhairle Se&aacute;n &Oacute; Feargha&iacute;l said it was not a matter of space, but rather not having enough staff to manage the crowds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kenny began his speech by referencing a 17-year-old named Robbie, before speaking about meeting representation from the travelling community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Taoiseach Enda Kenny heralded a &ldquo;historic day for our Travellers and a proud day for Ireland&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There should be no surprise that a person can identify as Irish and as Traveller. This is a deep and personal issue for many Travellers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We all want the same for our children: to grow up and thrive in a society where everyone is free to be who they truly are. No one should have to hide their religion, their sexual orientation, their race or culture to be respected or even accepted in society.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;And across society, as we discussed, there are also darker elements that challenge the law of the land that must be tackled. The Traveller community is not immune to this.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I hope that today will create a new platform for positive engagement by the Traveller community and Government together in seeking sustainable solutions which are based on respect and on an honest dialogue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;That recent engagement and these Statements from all leaders in the House will further help generate mutual recognition and respect between the Traveller and settled communities,&rdquo; the Taoiseach said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Government&rsquo;s recognition of the Traveller ethnicity has been heralded as a &ldquo;grievous wrong that has been righted&rdquo; by the head of the Children&rsquo;s Rights Alliance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children&rsquo;s Rights Alliance said: &ldquo;Today is an extraordinary day for Ireland and momentous for the thousands of Traveller children who have suffered for too long from exclusion and discrimination.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Ward said &ldquo;Traveller children are more than three and a half times more likely to die in infancy than non-Travellers while they leave school an average of five years earlier than non-Travellers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Recognising Traveller ethnicity will not fix these problems overnight but it will help Ireland get to grips with the discrimination and disadvantage that many Traveller children face in their lives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It sends a clear message of respect for the rights of the Traveller community,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We applaud the many Traveller groups and individuals who have been steadfast in their advocacy for years to achieve this change.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In particular, we would like to acknowledge our member organisations, including Pavee Point, the Irish Traveller Movement and the Traveller Visibility Group for their incredible hard work and firm belief that this day would come.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Emily Logan, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said &ldquo;Recognition of Traveller ethnicity will be the catalyst for a rethink of how we focus resources on policies affecting Travellers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;For example, in accessing education, in accessing culturally-appropriate and safe accommodation and in accessing healthcare, amongst other priority areas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The State recognition of the ethnicity of our indigenous Traveller community puts Ireland back in step with Northern Ireland, the UK and other EU partners.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As well as responding to calls from regional and international monitoring bodies for human rights and equality including the Council of Europe and the United Nations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;With the unequivocal recognition of a distinct culture and identity, we can better anticipate and respond to the needs of the Traveller community living in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brigid Kelly Chair of the National Traveller Women&rsquo;s Forum&nbsp; said &ldquo;we have been working towards this for a long time now and we are confident that it will have a positive impact for the community and will also ensure that Travellers will now be automatically included in all State anti-racism/intercultural legislation and initiatives.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The group said it is an opportunity going forward to move away from the ideology of inferiority and build social solidarity between the Traveller and settled communities and ensure it is based on a strong foundation of mutual recognition and respect.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking on Morning Ireland earlier today, former director of the Irish Traveller Movement Brigid Quilligan said the traveller community was &quot;overjoyed&quot; at the news.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We want every Traveller in Ireland to be proud of who they are and to say that we&#39;re not a failed set of people. We have our own unique identity and we shouldn&#39;t take on all of the negative aspects of what people think about us,&quot; Ms Quilligan said on RTE Radio One.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We should be able to be proud and for that to happen our State needed to acknowledge our identity and our ethnicity and they&#39;re doing that today.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Former Minister of State for Communities, Culture and Equality Aodh&aacute;n O&#39;Riord&aacute;in said the State&#39;s recognition was an important day for members of the travelling community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s going to be a very emotional day today in Leinster House. We&#39;ve spent so long working on this,&quot; the Labour Senator said in a video posted on Twitter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Maybe today is a yes equality moment for our traveller brothers and sisters,&quot; he said, referencing 2015&#39;s marriage equality referendum.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 1st March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/hundreds-of-irish-travellers-left-outside-leinster-house-as-taoiseach-formally-recognises-ethnic-status-35494069.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/hundreds-of-irish-travellers-left-outside-leinster-house-as-taoiseach-formally-recognises-ethnic-status-35494069.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-02 09:25:23',NULL,'hundreds-of-irish-travellers-left-outside-leinster-house-as-taoiseach-formally-recognises-ethnic-status'),(1891,'Garda helpline offers ‘trained listeners’ for sex abuse victims','<p>\r\n	Lots of offenders unpunished due to abusers reluctance to go to police, says One in Four</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fewer than 10 per cent of sexual violence victims who contacted the One in Four organisation for help made a criminal complaint to the Garda but a new helpline service may increase the number, it said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One in Four, which supports men and women who have experienced child sexual abuse, said the fact a report of a sexual crime could be made via the new Garda phone service to a &ldquo;trained listener&rdquo; and victims could meet investigating garda&iacute; at a time of the victim&rsquo;s choosing represented progress.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Can you imagine having to walk into a Garda station; saying in a busy front office &lsquo;I want to tell somebody about a sexual crime&rsquo;?&rdquo; said One in Four executive director Maeve Lewis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Can you imagine then having to go through the very detailed statement that would have to be made; that will still have to be made? That is a very difficult thing to do.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Fewer than 10 per cent of One in Four clients make a complaint to the garda&iacute;, even with all the support we can give them,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Impunity</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;That means there are an awful lot of sex offenders walking around with impunity who can continue to abuse others.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her experience of those on sex offender treatment programmes showed that most sex offenders continued abusing until they were caught.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;m really hoping this is going to increase the number of people who do go and actually make a complaint to the garda&iacute; and potentially prosecute the offender and potentially make other children safer,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The new Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line was launched by Garda Commissioner N&oacute;ir&iacute;n O&rsquo;Sullivan on Thursday and will take calls relating to current and historical child sex abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was recommended by the Garda Inspectorate almost five years ago but Ms O&rsquo;Sullivan said the infrastructure, including specially trained interviewers and investigators, needed to be put in place first.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Those who call the line &ndash; 1800 555222 &ndash; would reach staff working on the service on a 24-hour basis &ldquo;seven days a week, 365 days a year&rdquo;. The service is aimed at creating a compassionate reporting environment and so victims would not need to contact Garda stations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Complaints of sexual abuse, by victims or third parties, would be taken in a sensitive manner and sent to other garda&iacute; for investigation in the relevant region of the State.Reports that required a 999 response would be treated as such.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 2nd March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/garda-helpline-offers-trained-listeners-for-sex-abuse-victims-1.2995923\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/garda-helpline-offers-trained-listeners-for-sex-abuse-victims-1.2995923</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-03 10:19:07',NULL,'garda-helpline-offers-‘trained-listeners’-for-sex-abuse-victims'),(1892,'Grace inquiry needs to \'look at what happened and how\'','<p>\r\n	A retired Supreme Court judge, who led a major investigation into the Kilkenny Incest case in the 1990s, has said child protection services have been continually under resourced.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking ahead of the publication next week of the terms of reference for an Commission of Investigation into a foster home in the southeast at the centre of abuse allegations, Catherine McGuinness said there has never been a complete commitment in following through on what needs to be done.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Government is set to launch an official inquiry into the foster home where 47 children were placed over two decades up to 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One of the children was &#39;Grace&#39; - a young woman with profound intellectual disabilities who was left in the home for almost 20 years, despite a succession of sexual abuse allegations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking on RT&Eacute;&#39;s Morning Ireland, Justice McGuinness advised those setting the terms of reference to look at accountability on two levels: what actually happened and how the situation was managed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This should not be a witch hunt for one social worker to blame, she said, but rather a look at the case in its entirety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Justice McGuinness led a major investigation in 1993 into child sexual abuse and the failure of authorities to act in the Kilkenny Incest case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were over 100 contacts between the victim and the health services but the system failed to protect her from or respond adequately to the horrific abuse she suffered.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her report led to a significant changes in the area of child care law, but Justice McGuinness said she is unsure&nbsp;as to why all the repeated recommendations, made over several years, have not been put in place.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said&nbsp;we are a country that is inclined to &quot;wring its hands in horror&quot;&nbsp;in response to terrible events&nbsp;but then put the events to the back of our minds.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When the child and family functions of the health&nbsp;service were&nbsp;separated into an independent&nbsp;entity Tusla in 2014,&nbsp;Justice McGuinness said the medical needs of children continued to be looked after by HSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Consequently, the two agencies are not joined-up, resulting in a situation that costs a lot of money and causes delays in court, she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There have been other reports of &quot;terrifying cases&quot;&nbsp;since 1993, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She also said that there were 700 high priority cases awaiting allocation to a social worker&nbsp;in November because of a lack of resources,&nbsp;adding that&nbsp;young social workers are getting burnt-out and leaving the system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 2nd March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0302/856594-mcguinesss-tusla-grace/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0302/856594-mcguinesss-tusla-grace/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-03 10:29:02',NULL,'grace-inquiry-needs-to-look-at-what-happened-and-how'),(1893,'93% of children in State care had foster placements last year','<p>\r\n	93% of the 6,329 minors in care of the State were living in foster families last year, according to a study by an organisation representing social workers employed in the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is one of the highest incidences of foster placements in the world and a reason to be proud, a sub-group of the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the organisation has called on the Government to establish a working party committee or group to examine and make recommendations on the sector.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The call was made in a discussion paper produced by the Social Workers in Foster Care Group (SWIFC) which highlighted the on-going scarcity of resources provided to the service by the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Catherine Bond, who represented carers at the launch, said that some foster families have had to spend their own money on medical services for those they are looking after on behalf of the State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said the Irish Foster Care Association had identified the problem in a recent survey of members.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The 26-page IASW document entitled Foster Care: Envisioning the Future highlights the urgency of setting up a working party in the context of a changing child care environment, and increasing pressure on the child care system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While acknowledging progress, it underlines the challenges to the continued provision of high quality care for the most vulnerable in society.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Apart from the scarcity of resources, they include:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	the unintended impacts of increasing standardisation of policy and practice and centralisation of services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	recruitment and retention of foster carers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	private sector provision; court proceedings and the law.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	the role of the Guardian ad Litem; preventing family breakdown.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	maintaining social work values and ethics in the midst of these challenges.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The SWIFC recommends that the working party carry out a review of the foster care services from the perspectives of legislation, policy, resource allocation, and best practice in the field.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a statement, the organisation says that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, commits to providing family based care for the children and young people requiring the care and protection of the Irish State.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It says the fact that 93 % of children in State care in Ireland are cared for in a foster care setting is &quot;a hard earned statistic we can be proud of and one that places us to the fore in foster care provision in a world context&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, it adds that at this time of challenge &quot;we must work diligently to protect this core strand and principle in care provision&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by RTE.ie on the 2nd March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0302/856710-foster-care/\">https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0302/856710-foster-care/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-03 10:30:10',NULL,'93%-of-children-in-state-care-had-foster-placements-last-year'),(1894,'Criminal investigation into mother and baby home \'graves\' is likely','<p>\r\n	Calls for Garda role after discovery of bodies dumped in septic tanks</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Garda&iacute; are liaising with the coroner investigating the Tuam Mother and Baby Home deaths as a full criminal investigation looks increasingly likely.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last week, a large number of human remains in a septic tank was confirmed at the site, which was run by the Bon Secours nuns. Some relatives of children who died at the home now want full Garda involvement in the probe being undertaken by a State Commission of Investigation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tuam-based Minister of State at the Office of Public Works Sean Canney said it was open to the coroner for north Galway to call on the support of the garda&iacute; and any other authorities as he may deem necessary.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If there is to be a Garda investigation, so be it. Whatever is required,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Housing Minister Simon Coveney also said on RT&Eacute; it was &quot;difficult to see&quot; why garda&iacute; would not be involved.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I mean you look at the way in which children&#39;s bodies were literally discarded in the way what they were,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Referring to the old septic tank and waste water installation on the site of the now demolished home, he said: &quot;Seventeen of the 20 chambers had remains in them. It&#39;s hard to see that there wouldn&#39;t be garda&iacute; involved in the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;People shouldn&#39;t only be talking about the Bon Secours sisters, although obviously they do have questions to answer, but this was a site that was owned by the State,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;And it is still owned by Galway County Council.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Garda spokeswoman said yesterday that An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na is liaising with the coroner on this matter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, the Catholic Archbishop of Tuam, Michael Neary, said he was &quot;horrified and saddened&quot; at the &quot;extent of the numbers&quot; of children buried at the site of the institution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He pledged to obtain &quot;a dignified reinterment&quot; of the remains in co-operation with families of the deceased.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In his homily yesterday, he said the commission&#39;s finding pointed to a time of great suffering and pain for the little ones and their mothers, which had left him &quot;very upset&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Truth</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The commission&#39;s work was &quot;another necessary step on the path to the truth&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I can only begin to imagine the huge emotional wrench which the mothers suffered in giving up their babies for adoption or by witnessing their death.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Some of these young vulnerable women may already have experienced rejection by their families. The pain and brokenness which they endured is beyond our capacity to understand. It is, then, simply too difficult to comprehend their helplessness and suffering as they watched their beloved child die,&quot; Dr Neary said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Neary said the archdiocese did not have any involvement in the running of the home and so he had &quot;no specific information on the manner of interment of remains&quot; and that any material related to the investigation had been handed over in full to the commission.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Association of Catholic Priests said the Tuam babies revelations provoked a sense of both sadness and shame.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Sadness that the very precious, elemental relationship between mothers and their children could be so disrespected by institutions of Church and State in Ireland; and shame because as priests we are part of an institution that has played a central role in this sorry saga,&quot; said the priests&#39; group.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 6th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/criminal-investigation-into-mother-and-baby-home-graves-is-likely-35504497.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/criminal-investigation-into-mother-and-baby-home-graves-is-likely-35504497.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-06 09:14:24',NULL,'criminal-investigation-into-mother-and-baby-home-graves-is-likely'),(1895,'\'This is a living hell and I don\'t trust the HSE or accept the apology\' - Grace\'s mother speaks for first time','<p>\r\n	The birth mother of Grace, the young woman left in a foster home for years after allegations of abuse were made, has said recent years have been a &quot;living hell&quot; since she learned her daughter was not living with a loving foster family - as she had been led to believe.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman was speaking to RT&Eacute; Investigates in an exclusive interview, to be broadcast on Claire Byrne Live tonight.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Government is to establish a Commission of Investigation to examine the disturbing case, with Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath bringing terms of reference to Cabinet tomorrow.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In her first interview, Grace&#39;s mother has said she has rejected a written apology from the Health Service Executive and doesn&#39;t trust them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I got one letter just there a while back,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I felt in my heart it wasn&rsquo;t coming from the heart, I don&rsquo;t accept that apology. No one from the HSE ever picked up a phone and apologised to me or asked me how am I doing? Nobody had ever done that for me.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I don&rsquo;t accept their apology. I don&rsquo;t trust them, I don&rsquo;t trust what they have to say. The past five years have been a living hell for me, and that&rsquo;s the only way I can describe it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;And it&rsquo;s still that way.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Grace was put in care as a baby by her single mother in the sourtheast in the 1970s.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her mother stayed in contact with her with the South Eastern Health Board (later the HSE), and said that she was repeatedly led to believe her daughter was living with a loving foster family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;My understanding back then before all the allegations was that she was happy, she was attending her day services and she was just in a loving caring home,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;That made me happy knowing she was happy, that&rsquo;s what I was always told.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But it has since emerged that Grace was allowed stay in the home for 20 years, 13 of which came after allegations of abuse in the home were made by the family of another child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	During that time several opportunities to remove her from the home were not followed through with, despite evidence of bruising, black eyes and disturbing behaviour suggestive of sexual abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Grace&#39;s mother says she first learned of the sexual abuse allegations in 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At that point she immediately demanded the removal of &#39;Grace&#39; from the foster home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In relation to allegations that Grace&#39;s mother was never told about the sexual abuse allegations when they first arose, the HSE said &quot;this is a matter best dealt with by the commission of inquiry.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It comes after two reports into the issue were released last week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Devine report detailed how health board staff failed to remove Grace form the home even though health workers noted in the mid-1990s that the girl would strip off her clothes and engage in other &quot;chaotic behaviour&quot;, such as wolfing down her food, stealing dinners and headbutting other children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Resilience Ireland report looked into the cases of over 30 other children who were placed at the foster home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It found one case where there were allegations a child was locked in a cupboard at the home by the foster mother. Other children complained about overcrowding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the reports have failed to shed light on why a three-person health board committee decided in 1996 to overturn an earlier decision to remove Grace from the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An initial decision to remove her came after a sexual abuse allegation was made against the male foster carer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Devine report said the decision to remove her was overturned that October and the reasons why remain in dispute.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was noted at the case conference where the decision was taken that there was &quot;no evidence&quot; Grace&rsquo;s welfare was not being met.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yet a decision was taken at the same meeting not to place any other children there.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Plans in later years to remove Grace were resisted by the foster mother, who said she depended on the placement for income.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Grace was even returned to the foster home despite being admitted to a sexual assault unit for an examination in 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was eventually removed from the home later that year following the intervention of social workers at a day service she was attending.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Grace&#39;s mother told RTE she cannot yet bring herself to read Grace&rsquo;s full file as it is too disturbing and upsetting for her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The RT&Eacute; Investigates report will be broadcast on Claire Byrne Live, RTE One tonight at 10.35pm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 6<sup>th</sup> March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/this-is-a-living-hell-and-i-dont-trust-the-hse-or-accept-the-apology-graces-mother-speaks-for-first-time-35505272.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/this-is-a-living-hell-and-i-dont-trust-the-hse-or-accept-the-apology-graces-mother-speaks-for-first-time-35505272.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-06 09:40:07',NULL,'this-is-a-living-hell-and-i-dont-trust-the-hse-or-accept-the-apology-graces-mother-speaks-for-first-time'),(1896,'The anti-social media - how being online makes us feel more lonely','<p>\r\n	Social media sites designed to help people connect are actually causing them to feel more alone, say psychologists.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The more time young adults spend on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Pintrest, the more likely they are to feel cut off from the rest of society, a study has found.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than two hours of social media use a day doubled the chances of a person experiencing social isolation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Higher numbers of visits to social media sites have a negative effect as well as the amount of time spent online, the US research shows.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Study participants who visited various sites 58 or more times per week were three times more at risk of isolation than those visiting less than nine times per week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Lead scientist Professor Brian Primack, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said: &quot;This is an important issue to study because mental health problems and social isolation are at epidemic levels among young adults. We are inherently social creatures, but modern life tends to compartmentalise us instead of bringing us together.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;While it may seem that social media presents opportunities to fill that social void, I think this study suggests that it may not be the solution people were hoping for.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The team questioned 1,787 adults aged 19 to 32 about their use of the 11 most popular social media platforms at the time the research was conducted in 2014: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, Tumblr, Pintrest, Vine and LinkedIn.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Each person was assessed for self-perceived social isolation using a standard technique called the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (Promis) that provides scores for a wide range of measurements.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The link with isolation was found even after taking account of social and demographic factors that might have influenced the results.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Co-author Elizabeth Miller, professor of paediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, said: &quot;Even if the social isolation came first, it did not seem to be alleviated by spending time online, even in purportedly social situations.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 6th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/mental-health/the-antisocial-media-how-being-online-makes-us-feel-more-lonely-35504498.html\">http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/mental-health/the-antisocial-media-how-being-online-makes-us-feel-more-lonely-35504498.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-06 09:44:21',NULL,'the-anti-social-media-how-being-online-makes-us-feel-more-lonely'),(1897,'Irish teens embrace clean living, but worries over rise in self-harm','<p>\r\n	Most children and teens in Ireland say they are happy with their lives and fewer are experimenting with alcohol, cigarettes and cannabis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But there are also signs of rising stress levels, with many youngsters buckling under the strain, leaving them at risk of depression and anxiety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The mixed snapshot has emerged in the latest &#39;State of the Nation&#39;s Children Report: Ireland 2016&#39; released yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It prompted Minister for Children Katherine Zappone to comment that, overall, Ireland is a &quot;great place to be a child&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said: &quot;Nine in 10 children are happy with their lives, which I am most pleased to see.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Positive findings include a drop in the number of fizzy drinks young people consume on a daily basis, a rise in the proportion who have never smoked, and a fall in cannabis use.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report, which is a collection of existing surveys, shows 84.2pc said they have never smoked, compared to 59.8pc in 2002.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The percentage who have never taken alcohol rose to 58.3pc, compared to 47.2pc in 2006.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Around 10pc said they had been drunk as least once in the previous month, compared to 18.3pc in 2010. And fewer are trying cannabis - down from 15.7pc in 2006 to 8.8pc.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the hidden stresses which are blighting the lives of some young people are revealed in other disturbing figures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2015, some 1,246 ended up in hospital emergency departments after self-harm .</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were two-and-a-half times more girls than boys in this predicament.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hospital</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Between 2009 and 2015, the number of girls who presented to a hospital following self-harm rose by more than a third.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Zappone said she was particularly concerned at these worrying trends.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another dark cloud is the ongoing levels of children who are living in poverty.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than one in 10 children is continuing to live in consistent poverty.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is unacceptable. The reduction in child poverty is a priority of mine and is central to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the whole-of-Government policy on children and young people,&quot; said the minister.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One of the ways of lifting families out of poverty is improving access to childcare, allowing parents to work and to improve their income .</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More families should be given the opportunity to pursue this following the expansion of the free preschool year, she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When it comes to education, the report says children have maintained a strong performance in reading literacy since 2012 and the gender gap in favour of girls has narrowed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Overall performance in maths is around the same as in 2012, while ability at science is above the OECD average. Around 90.2pc of children now sit the Leaving Cert compared to 83.8pc more than a decade ago.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Immigrant children, Travellers and youngsters who have a chronic illness or disability are more likely to report being bullied at school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than half of 15-year-olds say their parents discuss how well they are doing at school with them several times a week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There is evidence that fathers are playing a greater role in times of emotional pressure. The percentage of children who say they find it easy to talk to their father when something is bothering them has risen from 56.2pc in 2002 to 70.2pc.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than three-quarters of 15-year-olds also sit down to the family dinner with their parents several times a week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 7th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/irish-teens-embrace-clean-living-but-worries-over-rise-in-selfharm-35508098.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/irish-teens-embrace-clean-living-but-worries-over-rise-in-selfharm-35508098.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-07 09:20:32',NULL,'irish-teens-embrace-clean-living-but-worries-over-rise-in-self-harm'),(1898,'Breathe easy, men: those tighty-whiteys and your phone don\'t cause cancer','<p>\r\n	Men who fear that wearing tight underwear increases their cancer risk have been reassured it is a myth.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other rumours, such as claims that carrying a mobile phone in the pocket or extended use of a computer laptop are risk factors for the disease, have also been debunked.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The reassurance has come from researchers at University College Cork (UCC) in association with Breakthrough Cancer Research, who investigated the level of understanding of cancer risk factors among Irish men.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Aoife Ryan, a dietitian and lecturer in nutritional sciences in UCC and the co-author of the research, pointed out that the findings show that a significant proportion of men have ideas about what causes the disease that are not backed up by evidence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;For example, between 45pc to 52pc believed that wearing tight underwear, carrying mobile phones in pockets or extended use of a laptop on the lap increased their risk of testicular cancer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We also found that most are concerned about developing cancer, but worryingly less than 50pc had sought information to help them lower their risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;These findings again highlight the need for straightforward, evidence-based information.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that the survey, which included 913 men, also showed that one in three wrongly blamed eating dairy as a cancer risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The researchers showed that some 8pc were also wrong in thinking that if there was a history of cancer in their family there was nothing they could do to prevent it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Worryingly Irish men still seem to underestimate alcohol as a risk factor in developing cancer, with 66pc incorrectly believing that red wine protects against cancer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;At a time when the World Cancer Research Fund has warned that the claimed benefits of drinking red wine for heart health are less than previously thought and are outweighed by the harmful effect alcohol has on cancer risk, it is important that we understand the role alcohol plays in increasing our cancer risk.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While most men surveyed were aware of classic cancer risk factors, such as smoking and poor diet, there are still a lot of misconceptions that must to be tackled. An overwhelming 95pc correctly identified regular activity as a protective factor, yet less than half of respondents believed obesity is a risk factor.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The results of this research show that there remains a need for people to become more cancer curious, and to arm themselves with the information they need to lower their cancer risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Control</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;As proven by the World Cancer Research Fund, small changes in our lifestyle can make a big difference to our cancer risk but most importantly these changes are within our control,&quot; Dr Ryan concludes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Aine Lyng, cancer prevention manager at the HSE&#39;s National Cancer Control Programme, said that &quot;30pc to 40pc of cancers can be prevented through lifestyle&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The findings are part of the #MySmallChange campaign.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It highlights how eight small lifestyle changes to lower the risk of developing the disease.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 7th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/breathe-easy-men-those-tightywhiteys-and-your-phone-dont-cause-cancer-35508330.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/breathe-easy-men-those-tightywhiteys-and-your-phone-dont-cause-cancer-35508330.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-07 09:22:05',NULL,'breathe-easy-men-those-tighty-whiteys-and-your-phone-dont-cause-cancer'),(1899,'Harris orders review of hospital double charging','<p>\r\n	Minister for Health Simon Harris has promised to review the double charging of people with health insurance when they use public hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Patients with health insurance have reacted with fury to new details about how they are being pressurised into signing forms that mean their insurer is charged for treatments in public hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A survey found most people with health cover are presented with the forms when they use public hospitals, even though they are only getting public patient treatment. The move by public hospitals to charge insurers for people who use public hospitals is pushing up the cost of premiums.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris agreed that it was not fair that vulnerable people were having forms thrust at them in hospitals, and asked to waive their rights to be treated as public patients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I think it has actually gone too far,&quot; he said on the &#39;Today with Sean O&#39;Rourke&#39; programme on RT&Eacute; Radio.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I have asked the Department of Health to review the policy, hospital by hospital, to see the impact of it, to see the resources it is bringing in, and to see the increase there has been, if there has been an increase.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The department said recently the measure was costing health insurers around &euro;200m a year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is being passed on to those with health cover in the form of higher premiums, even though they are not getting private treatment in public hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris said people could use their health insurance and elect to be treated as private patients in public hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But he agreed that it was not acceptable that people were being pressurised at a vulnerable time to sign forms that allow hospitals to bill health insurers for public-provided treatments.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the charge to insurers should only be applied when private care is provided.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 7th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/harris-orders-review-of-hospital-double-charging-35508332.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/harris-orders-review-of-hospital-double-charging-35508332.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-07 09:27:41',NULL,'harris-orders-review-of-hospital-double-charging'),(1900,'Alcohol Bill may return to Seanad before summer','<p>\r\n	HSE AskAboutAlcohol.ie website aims to raise understanding about harmful drinking</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A controversial alcohol Bill which will introduce minimum unit pricing and curtains over drinks displays in shops could return to the Seanad for debate before the end of the current Oireachtas term, a Government Minister has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Public Health Alcohol Bill has been working its way through the various stages of the houses since December 2015, but progress stalled in October following heated exchanges in a Seanad debate on the proposed legislation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The issue of retailers having to erect curtains to block alcoholic beverages from general sight has proven to be a particularly contentious aspect, with some Fine Gael backbenchers attacking party colleague and Minister of State for Health Promotion Marcella Corcoran Kennedy over the move.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, speaking ahead of the launch of the HSE&rsquo;s new AskAboutAlcohol.ie website on Tuesday, the Minister indicated she is determined to retain that aspect of the Bill as she considers proposed changes ahead of its reintroduction to the Seanad.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is a generation of children growing up now thinking that alcohol is the same product as any other product. It&rsquo;s actually not. It&rsquo;s a toxin, it&rsquo;s a carcinogen, it&rsquo;s a psychoactive drug, it causes cancer like tobacco does,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	AskAboutAlcohol.ie is the first dedicated website dealing with the topic to be created by a State body, and offers advice on safe drinking limits and dealing with a family member who drinks excessively, as well as the mental and physical impacts of problem drinking.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Excessive drinking</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Corcoran Kennedy said the interactive site would act as an authoritative source of information, and pointed to increased alcohol consumption in Ireland last year and the fact that the majority of drinkers consumed excessive amounts of alcohol as examples of why the resource was needed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This is a health policy we&rsquo;re talking about here. It&rsquo;s critical that the Government and State agencies are the ones that are taking the lead and providing information here. This is a long time coming and it&rsquo;s great that we&rsquo;re here today,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 8th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/alcohol-bill-may-return-to-seanad-before-summer-1.3001587\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/alcohol-bill-may-return-to-seanad-before-summer-1.3001587</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-08 14:48:15',NULL,'alcohol-bill-may-return-to-seanad-before-summer'),(1901,'Katherine Zappone seeks AG advice on abortion Bill ','<p>\r\n	Minister told legislation could assist abusive partners more than pregnant women</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Children Katherine Zappone was told by four of her women Cabinet colleagues that an abortion Bill she sought more time to examine would help abusive partners rather than pregnant women.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Cabinet has once again disagreed on an Opposition abortion Bill with Ms Zappone seeking further advice from the Attorney General on the proposal from the Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit and Green Party.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Bill, due to be voted on on Thursday, seeks to change a section of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. It would alter the punishment for someone found guilty of the destruction of an unborn life from a &ldquo;fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years, or both&rdquo; to &ldquo;a fine of not more than &euro;1&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the D&aacute;il, Taoiseach Enda Kenny made similar claims to his Fine Gael colleagues about the Bill potentially helping abusive partners.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The 8th Amendment to the constitution gives equal rights to the mother and the unborn child. Repealing the 8th amendment would change the law so that termination could be made legal. Which of the following statements, if any, most closely represents your view on this issue?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dublin South Central TD Br&iacute;d Smith (AAA-PBP) called the claims &ldquo;disgraceful and silly&rdquo; and an attempt to portray the proposals as &ldquo;decriminalising grievous bodily and harm and assault&rdquo;. The Bill&rsquo;s aim was to decriminalise abortion, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An amendment was put down by Minister for Health Simon Harris in the D&aacute;il on Tuesday night which declines to give the Bill a second reading. However, the Cabinet has again failed to take a collective position on an abortion Bill. It is understood Minister for Transport Shane Ross and Minister of State Finian McGrath also raised concerns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fatal foetal abnormalities</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There was a serious Government dispute last summer over a Bill tabled by Mick Wallace and Clare Daly that would have allowed for abortions in the case of fatal foetal abnormalities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Independent Alliance is willing to support whatever position is taken by the Cabinet and it is expected Ms Zappone will be reassured by advice given by Ms Whelan before the vote.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sources said Fine Gael Cabinet members &ndash; T&aacute;naiste Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Arts Heather Humphreys, Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O&rsquo;Connor and Chief Whip Regina Doherty &ndash; outlined to Ms Zappone the effect they believed the Bill would have.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Bill would impose a &euro;1 fine on an abusive man who beats a woman and causes her to lose the baby,&rdquo; a Minister said. &ldquo;The Fine Gael women pointed this out. They pointed out it was a bad Bill and not a conscience issue. It also reaffirms women who have abortions as criminals.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The row comes as a march is due to take place through Dublin on Wednesday, International Women&rsquo;s Day, calling on the Government to repeal the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, which gives equal right to life to the mother and the unborn.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 8th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/katherine-zappone-seeks-ag-advice-on-abortion-bill-1.3001814\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/katherine-zappone-seeks-ag-advice-on-abortion-bill-1.3001814</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-08 14:56:20',NULL,'katherine-zappone-seeks-ag-advice-on-abortion-bill'),(1902,'Woman recalls pain of losing child at Bessborough home','<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Liveline&rsquo; caller says babies taken from girls and sold to highest bidder at Cork facility</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A woman who was sent to a mother and baby home in Bessborough, Cork, has described how she and other residents were &ldquo;sitting ducks for the people who wanted our babies&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her child died there in 1960 after a short illness. Those running the institution had decided to change her son&rsquo;s name from William to Gerard, one more appealing to a Catholic family, his mother suspected.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a tearful recounting of her story on RT&Eacute;&rsquo;s Liveline programme, the woman named &ldquo;Bridget&rdquo; described the horror of her time at Bessborough and said she wanted to speak for those who had no voice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We knew that our babies would be taken away and given away or sold to the highest bidder. I know my little boy would have gone to America; he was blond and blue eyed,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The whole of my life has been a terrible, terrible ordeal because this was a little boy. He could [have] been saved. He was a fighter. He could be a beautiful healthy little boy.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Crusade of Rescue</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Now in her 70s, Bridget had moved to London as a pregnant 16-year-old. When she confessed her &ldquo;sin&rdquo; of pregnancy to a priest, he made arrangements to spirit her back to the State with the assistance of the Crusade of Rescue organisation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Frightened by her situation, the young woman boarded a ship for Cork and ended up at the Bessborough home &ldquo;like thousands of other girls&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Straight away you could feel the horror of it. My clothes were taken, everything my handbag, coat, everything personal that belonged to you was taken,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was given shoes and a uniform. She said the idea they could leave at any time was a lie; there were bars on the windows and doors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I will die with the pain,&rdquo; she said of the experience.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;And to hear people deny that this happened. Well I can assure them, I was there. It happened to me; it happened to my baby. How dare they deny when they haven&rsquo;t been there?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Much later, with the encouragement of her daughter, she returned to the home to ask about where her son had been buried.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was shown to the &ldquo;angel&rsquo;s plot&rdquo; and the person showing her tapped on the ground to mark the spot but later admitted she did not know where they were buried.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Now with the investigation at Tuam, she said, there was hope women&rsquo;s stories would be believed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last week an excavation of the site of a former mother and baby home in Co Galway found remains of a &ldquo;significant&rdquo; number of babies and infants.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Local research records 796 infants and children as having died in the home run by the Bon Secours Sisters between 1925 and 1961.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 8th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/woman-recalls-pain-of-losing-child-at-bessborough-home-1.3001872\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/woman-recalls-pain-of-losing-child-at-bessborough-home-1.3001872</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-08 15:12:40',NULL,'woman-recalls-pain-of-losing-child-at-bessborough-home'),(1903,'\'Grace\' inquiry to be extended amid claims of a cover-up by HSE','<p>\r\n	The inquiry into the abuse of &#39;Grace&#39; is to be extended to include 46 other potential victims amid claims of a &quot;major HSE cover-up&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Disabilities Minister Finian McGrath withdrew a motion on the Commission of Investigation yesterday, after Fianna F&aacute;il joined other Opposition parties in arguing that they fell short of the probe required.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il deputy John McGuinness told the D&aacute;il that TDs should be &quot;ashamed&quot; if they passed the original terms of reference which focused heavily on the Grace case, while leaving space for senior counsel Marjorie Farrelly to &#39;scope out&#39; other cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGrath argued the inquiry would deal with all potential abuse at a foster home in south-east, but later agreed to rewrite part of the commission&#39;s instructions to &quot;clarify&quot; that Ms Farrelly will investigate all cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna F&aacute;il&#39;s spokesperson on disability, Margaret Murphy O&#39;Mahony, said the new terms of reference &quot;are now explicit in the need to cover all those who were living in the home in question, and not just Grace herself&quot;. &quot;In addition, the terms of reference provide clear and explicit recognition of the need to include the whistleblowers that brought these allegations into the public domain.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the D&aacute;il, Fine Gael TD for Waterford John Deasy cautioned colleagues against &quot;accepting anything said by the HSE on this matter&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Casualty</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Deputy McGuinness and myself discovered that, in dealing with the HSE on this issue, the first casualty was always the truth,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Deasy alleged that while the HSE was given legal advice to make Grace a ward of court, they avoided this &quot;because they had concerns about a judge asking awkward questions&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the HSE was faced with choices but chose to avoid &quot;a disastrous day in court, as it would appear the HSE had done nothing&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is pretty twisted stuff. It is almost Kafkaesque,&quot; he said. &quot;It was a concerted and organised attempt to hide information and conceal the truth by a clique of HSE managers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It was an orchestrated attempt to protect officials and an organisation who failed people in State care in a catastrophic manner on a number of levels.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGuinness said Grace &quot;was battered, bruised, sexually abused ... deprived of her money and neglected&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, in a statement issued through their solicitors, the whistleblowers who highlighted Grace&#39;s plight criticised the original terms of reference proposed by the Government.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Examine</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The two social workers said the commission was only being allowed examine an alleged cover-up between 2009 and 2016, when a report by Conor Dignam SC had recommended this should be looked at back as far as 1996.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: &quot;There is no point, on a matter of such sensitivity and personal tragedy, in having political differences of opinion.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Let us make sure that it is right and proper, comprehensive and that it covers all of the issues that deputies have quite rightly raised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is a matter of genuine public interest and considerable public concern,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 9th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/grace-inquiry-to-be-extended-amid-claims-of-a-coverup-by-hse-35514865.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/grace-inquiry-to-be-extended-amid-claims-of-a-coverup-by-hse-35514865.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-09 10:49:41',NULL,'grace-inquiry-to-be-extended-amid-claims-of-a-cover-up-by-hse'),(1904,'Sonas: protecting women and children from domestic violence','<p>\r\n	Sonas helped 1,200 women and children in danger of domestic abuse last year</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sonas is the State&rsquo;s largest provider of accommodation for women and children in fear of domestic violence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It provides clients with a range of accommodation options &ndash; generally according to the level of threat they face &ndash; and a range of support services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Accommodation options include emergency refuge, step-down and supported housing. The facility in Clondalkin was in the middle category. The organisation also has accommodation in Killester, Ringsend and Co Wicklow.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sonas, which is funded by Tusla, the child and family agency, also offers a support service for women experiencing domestic abuse that includes general advice and signposting to other services, as well as specific advice on risk and safety assessment, court accompaniment and legal issues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There is also a visiting service through which an intensive form of support is delivered to a woman in her home on a case management, long-term, structured support basis. This visiting service also includes a crisis intervention service which is specific support for women and children experiencing domestic violence while homeless.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Clondalkin step-down accommodation facility included six houses and four apartments in which 29 women and children were living prior to Wednesday&rsquo;s tragedy. There was a Sonas office there as well as a protected, screened-off play area for children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Several CCTV cameras scan the entrance and entrance approach to the apartment building to watch for any unwelcome visitors. The apartment block can only be entered via a key-pad door-opening system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year, the organisation helped 1,200 women and children at risk of domestic violence. It tends to operate in a low-key manner, working closely with the Garda and community groups in areas where accommodation is provided.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sonas&rsquo;s emergency helpline number is 01-866 2015; general advice may be had by calling 087-952 5217.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 8th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/sonas-protecting-women-and-children-from-domestic-violence-1.3003075\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/sonas-protecting-women-and-children-from-domestic-violence-1.3003075</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-09 11:04:18',NULL,'sonas-protecting-women-and-children-from-domestic-violence'),(1905,'Irish aid agency warns of ever increasing humanitarian crisis in Syria ','<p>\r\n	Violence has seeped into every aspect of life for people in Syria after six years of civil war, an Ireland based aid agency has warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Concern Worldwide hit out at the international community and wealthier countries after it found a &pound;147m (170m euro) shortfall in the funding needed for protection for ordinary citizens in their homes, schools, at work or on the street.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The agency called on the UK, the US, France, China and Russia - the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - to do more to ease the humanitarian crisis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Concern chief executive Dominic MacSorley said the lack of a guaranteed access to the war-torn country is the greatest obstacle to humanitarian assistance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;After six years of war, violence is all-pervasive in Syria,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is not confined to the bombing, missile attacks and wanton destruction of cities like Aleppo that we witness through news reports.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It has seeped into every aspect of Syrian life to the point where Syrians do not feel safe in any environment, not even in their own homes,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Concern&rsquo;s Shattered Lives report, released as the sixth anniversary of the war approaches, comes on the back of research by Save the Children which found some Syrian youngsters are showing symptoms of &quot;toxic stress&quot; and are attempting self-harm and suicide in response to prolonged exposure to war.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McSorley warned that humanitarian aid cannot be used as a substitute for failed diplomacy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Right now, it may seem like the prospect of an end to the bloodshed in Syria is impossible, but the recent disarmament process in Colombia and, closer to home, the peace process in Northern Ireland, has shown us that solutions can be found in even the most seemingly intractable of conflicts,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Concern&rsquo;s report said that almost one million people in Syria are besieged in 16 different areas of the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Its report gathered first-hand accounts of the effect of the war from 65 civilians, some of whom are being supported by humanitarian aid in the north of the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said violence against women in the home and sexual harassment and violence has increased across the country during the war with &quot;many women&quot; reporting husbands quicker to hit them, the research found.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Concern, a Dublin-based global aid agency, said the increased abuse is due to the increased psychosocial toll of the war.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said men face greater risk of arrest, detention and harassment from the security services, recruitment into armed groups, disappearance and death.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On top of the calls for more funding from the international community and a renewed diplomatic effort, Concern said education and social media campaigning is key to stopping children from joining armed groups.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also called for more focus on psychosocial support for girls and women and increasing the access to safe spaces.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<em>Reporting: Ed Carty, Press Association</em></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<em>(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 8<sup><font size=\"2\">th</font></sup> March 2017)</em></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/irish-aid-agency-warns-of-ever-increasing-humanitarian-crisis-in-syria-780760.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/irish-aid-agency-warns-of-ever-increasing-humanitarian-crisis-in-syria-780760.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-09 11:06:19',NULL,'irish-aid-agency-warns-of-ever-increasing-humanitarian-crisis-in-syria'),(1906,'Repayments of illegal nursing home charge to cost €486m','<p>\r\n	About half 70,000 thought eligible applied for refund of fee paid between 1976 and 2004</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The final cost of the repayment scheme for people illegally charged for nursing home care dating back to the 1970s will be about &euro;486 million, the D&aacute;il public accounts committee has been told.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is half the cost forecast when the Health Repayment Scheme was set up in 2006.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	About 70,000 people were considered eligible to apply for reimbursement of charges they were forced to pay between 1976 and 2004, but in the end only 35,000 applications were received.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charges were halted in 2004 after the Attorney General warned that it was illegal to charge medical-card holders for a place in a public nursing home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE says patients may not have applied for the scheme because of &ldquo;taxation and Revenue Commissioners issues&rdquo;, satisfaction with the care they received or the absence of a next of kin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Almost 22,000 of the applicants received an offer but 13,500 were rejected. Many of these were in a private nursing home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Though the deadline for applications was in 2007, the scheme allowed for further payments to be made. HSE director general Tony O&rsquo;Brien said a timeframe for closing the scheme had yet to be agreed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The scheme provided for the creation of a donations fund to pay for improvements in public health services for older people and those with disabilities. However, just 212 donations have been made to date, with a total value of &euro;348,000.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children&rsquo;s hospital</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, the rising cost of the proposed national children&rsquo;s hospital at St James&rsquo;s is to be examined by the public accounts committee and by the Oireachtas health committee.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sinn F&eacute;in deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald said it was &ldquo;absolutely shocking&rdquo; the hospital was likely to be the most expensive children&rsquo;s hospital ever built. The committee had an obligation to thoroughly examine the cost of the project, which is expected to cost about &euro;1 billion.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The committee is also to raise with the HSE the non-payment of salaries to some staff at the former suicide charity Console, after it went into liquidation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Public accounts committee chairman Se&aacute;n Fleming said the HSE&rsquo;s position was technically correct as it was not strictly liable for unpaid salaries but &ldquo;it isn&rsquo;t good enough&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms McDonald said the staff had been brushed off and this was doubly unacceptable as the situation arose partly because of the HSE&rsquo;s failure to properly monitor the charity, which closed following a financial scandal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 10th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/repayments-of-illegal-nursing-home-charge-to-cost-486m-1.3004590\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/repayments-of-illegal-nursing-home-charge-to-cost-486m-1.3004590</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-10 10:32:13',NULL,'repayments-of-illegal-nursing-home-charge-to-cost-€486m'),(1907,'Complaints to HSE over treatment of vulnerable adults surge','<p>\r\n	Independent whistleblowing service received 220 contacts, an 85 per cent increase on 2015</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Complaints to the independent whistleblowing service for the HSE&rsquo;s treatment of vulnerable adults almost doubled last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the number of complaints alleging abuse to independent confidential recipient Leigh Gath dropped, her second annual report shows.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Gath was appointed in December 2014 after the HSE published a policy on safeguarding vulnerable people at risk of abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year, she received 220 concerns and complaints, of which 199 have been &ldquo;closed out&rdquo;, according to the report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This represents an 85 per cent increase over 2015 but there was a reduction in the number of safeguarding concerns from 54 to 41.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These included allegations of physical, sexual, psychological, financial and institutional abuse, as well as neglect and discrimination.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Gath&rsquo;s role is to receive and examine concerns and to provide help and advice to vulnerable adults, or anyone concerned about a vulnerable adult, in a HSE or HSE funded service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Eighty per cent of the complaints she received last year related to the social care division of the HSE, while 13 per cent related to mental health services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Gath said her role was to act as a voice for complainants and to help them navigate the system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I have also been contacted by many people simply seeking advice or support, which is encouraging.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 9th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/complaints-to-hse-over-treatment-of-vulnerable-adults-surge-1.3003960\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/complaints-to-hse-over-treatment-of-vulnerable-adults-surge-1.3003960</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-10 10:36:08',NULL,'complaints-to-hse-over-treatment-of-vulnerable-adults-surge'),(1908,'\'Their lives were robbed\' - Sister of \'Sarah\' who lived in the Grace Foster Home speaks about \'horrific sex abuse\'','<p>\r\n	The sister of a child who spent time in the &#39;Grace&#39; Foster Home has claimed her sister &#39;Sarah&#39;, also suffered horrific sexual abuse at the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In an interview with David McCullagh on RT&Eacute;&#39;s Prime Time, the woman spoke out about her family&#39;s experience at the foster home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sarah had intellectual disabilities and the family decided that the best learning option for her would be in a home that was far away from the family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There was a private arrangement where Sarah could go just kind of respite during the week just to give her a break from all the travelling but this wasn&rsquo;t approved by the Health Board at that stage and they were keen for Sarah to go and stay in a registered foster placement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It was a comforting thing to our mother because she felt well if this was under the Health Board, the HSE, then all the checks were in place and that would be the best place for Sarah because she would be safe.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sarah&#39;s sister said the family began to have concerns about the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;As a parent this is your worst nightmare. Sarah was home on a Sunday afternoon with Mom playing in the sitting room and just being in the space and Sarah was a beautiful young child and Mom said a very innocent turn of phrase and to her absolute horror Sarah got into a position, took down her pants, and kind of got into a sexual position and as you can imagine for any Mum, my mum was shocked and she just was you know immobilised.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The family raised their concerns with the Health Board as they believed it needed to be addressed immediately.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It was led by our mother who just looked at other options to get her out of there and to see what would offer her the best and safest environment again to learn and grow into her young teens and into adulthood and that meant that she left the jurisdiction and had to go to the North.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We knew that Sarah had to go and leave that place but again the options were limited and again mom had to look for places outside of Ireland up to Northern Ireland.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to RT&Eacute;, Sarah&#39;s mum was one of the first whistleblowers in the home, and a recommendation was made that another child named &#39;Grace&#39; would be removed from the foster home but no action was taken.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Our mother would have been the first whistleblower and again you&rsquo;re living in a different time and different context altogether and it would have taken a lot of strength and courage to go forward really start speaking out about what her concerns were and not only was she met with a brick wall, they came down really hard on our mother, there was reports written up, they were quite aggressive towards the family, they just totally bullied us in to thinking that it was all just in Mam&#39;s head.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;On the other hand they were doing all of these checks themselves and reaching a decision well actually there is something going wrong and Sarah was there the same time as Grace, you know their lives have been robbed in so many ways.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Both beautiful, innocent children. Some of the most vulnerable children in our state.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sarah&#39;s sister said that she is not only a victim but a survivor.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Sarah is a victim of this but she&rsquo;s also a survivor and she is one of the most incredible human beings I know. I have no idea of the pain, the physical pain and the mental torture. Sarah doesn&rsquo;t have words to express what happened to her how she suffered and yet Sarah greets every day fighting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Some days she struggles to get out of bed, there&rsquo;s so much damage done to her bowel and yet she still has the ability to laugh, she&#39;s one of the most forgiving people you&rsquo;ll meet and she fights for her life and she fights to have meaningful role within our community and be part of our family and that&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;ll continue to fight for her right to be heard and her to have a voice and have justice and some truth around what she&rsquo;s faced and what she&rsquo;s gone through.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The family are hoping that the Commission of Investigation will give them answers into why this happened.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I just wonder why Finian Mc Grath in his role as the Minister, particularly in his role as Minister for Disability has chosen this path. We have looked under the Freedom of Information for Sarah&rsquo;s files to know who has had access to her file and yet we still haven&rsquo;t got that.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I think we&rsquo;re very fortunate that we have some really strong individuals who have gone forward as whistle blowers and we know that whistleblowers are not treated very well in this country but I think without them and without the support of lots of champions in the area this story would be very easily forgotten about and the absolute horrors that have been inflicted on young vulnerable children would be just laid to rest.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 9th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/their-lives-were-robbed-sister-of-sarah-who-lived-in-the-grace-foster-home-speaks-about-horrific-sex-abuse-35517273.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/their-lives-were-robbed-sister-of-sarah-who-lived-in-the-grace-foster-home-speaks-about-horrific-sex-abuse-35517273.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-10 10:37:49',NULL,'their-lives-were-robbed-sister-of-sarah-who-lived-in-the-grace-foster-home-speaks-about-horrific-sex-abuse'),(1909,'Measure up and pay the victims of abuse, Taoiseach tells Catholic Church leaders','<p>\r\n	Religious congregations need to &quot;measure up&quot; and take responsibility for the restitution owed to victims of abuse, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking in Philadelphia, Mr Kenny said the Catholic Church had not lived up to expectations in terms of compensation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the Church must &quot;measure up in so far as accepting responsibility or agreements as far as restitution is concerned and get on with it&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Asked whether the Pope should intervene in order to put pressure on religious orders to pay more in compensation, Mr Kenny replied: &quot;I would expect that the congregations and the Church would reflect on the seriousness of this and measure up to their requirements.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I referred a number of matters to the Pope when I met with him last year and I would expect that the Vatican would respond to those.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kenny said that, given the sensitivities involved, the State wanted &quot;to get this as right as we can&quot; for the victims and the Church needed to &quot;reflect on the years ahead&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kenny made his remarks just hours after Health Minister Simon Harris launched a stinging attack on the Church.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As the fallout from the Tuam baby scandal continues, Mr Harris warned that the Government would consider legal action against the Church to ensure it paid more of the &euro;1.5bn compensation bill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To date, orders have paid just 13pc of the bill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris said it was &quot;indefensible&quot; that Church leaders had failed to put pressure on religious orders to pay their share. He also called on the Vatican to intervene, adding that there was an agreement that the State and the Church would share the bill equally.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I have heard a lot of religious leaders make comments in recent days about Tuam and some of them welcome. It is indefensible and extraordinarily disappointing that not one of those religious leaders in this country or abroad has called on the institutions to pay their contribution,&quot; Mr Harris told RT&Eacute;&#39;s &#39;The Week in Politics&#39;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The Church has not stepped up to the plate. Religious leaders in this country, I would like the next time they make a homily and contribute to public debate, they would call on all of the religious institutions to pay up and pay now and that call should go all the way to the Vatican as well.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The Pope and religious leaders in this country need to actually intervene and say to [religious] institutions &#39;pay over and pay up&#39;. It is not acceptable the current situation.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, in a homily in Dublin&#39;s Pro-Cathedral to mark the second Sunday of Lent, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin said the revelations surrounding the treatment of women and their children in Mother and Baby Homes could be &quot;wallpapered&quot; over.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The sad facts which are once again emerging into light around the way children and mothers were treated in Church-run institutions lead us once again to challenge the Church in Ireland to a deep self-examination and repentance. It is not something that can be wallpapered over or interpreted by clever spin doctors,&quot; Archbishop Martin said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Everything must be done to enable the truth to emerge. As believers, we must again turn to Jesus and profess that we have failed his teaching. We must confess the role of the Church in the building up of a culture which failed to recognise the presence of Jesus in the smallest and the weakest.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The senior cleric also dismissed the suggestion that such treatment &quot;happened when times were different&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He told the Mass: &quot;Yes, times were different; but the message of Jesus Christ is different in every time and it is different because it challenges us to rise above what things were like.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 13th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/measure-up-and-pay-the-victims-of-abuse-taoiseach-tells-catholic-church-leaders-35524502.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/measure-up-and-pay-the-victims-of-abuse-taoiseach-tells-catholic-church-leaders-35524502.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-13 11:23:35',NULL,'measure-up-and-pay-the-victims-of-abuse-taoiseach-tells-catholic-church-leaders'),(1910,'Noonan \'not to blame\' in Grace scandal','<p>\r\n	The whistleblower at the centre of the Grace foster care abuse case has said she does not believe there is &quot;any evidence&quot; to suggest failures on behalf of Michael Noonan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The whistleblower said she had seen much of the documentation held by the Department of Health in relation to the case during the 1990s, when Mr Noonan was health minister.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that if she did believe Mr Noonan was culpable, she would call on him to resign.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I see no evidence that Michael Noonan interfered with, or indeed that he ever sought to interfere in this case,&quot; the whistleblower told RT&Eacute;&#39;s &#39;This Week&#39; programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I don&#39;t think there is evidence there to suggest Michael Noonan is responsible for the failings that continued to happen to Grace specifically. If I did, as you know, I&#39;d be the first person calling on him to resign,&quot; she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The whistleblower said Mr Noonan should be given the opportunity to give evidence at the upcoming inquiry, which is being led by Senior Counsel Marjorie Farrelly. She added she believes there are three other health officials who were involved in decisions in relation to Grace&#39;s treatment and that it is essential they give a full account.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Noonan has said he had nothing to do with the Grace case and that suggestions he should step down were &quot;ridiculous&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Oireachtas last week approved expanded terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation into the abuse of Grace.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The commission will examine how Grace was allowed to remain in a home in the south-east for 13 years, after allegations of sexual abuse were made against her foster father. The second part of the inquiry will examine the cases of 46 other children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Publishd by the Irish Independent on the 13th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/noonan-not-to-blame-in-grace-scandal-35524506.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/noonan-not-to-blame-in-grace-scandal-35524506.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-13 11:25:43',NULL,'noonan-not-to-blame-in-grace-scandal'),(1911,'Gardaí probe claims €50,000 \'taken from patients\' accounts\'','<p>\r\n	The HSE says it has contacted garda&iacute; after allegations &euro;50,000 has vanished from the bank accounts of vulnerable patients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE confirmed to the Irish Independent that it had discovered &quot;what may be irregularities in service user accounts in one of the community group homes&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was reported over the weekend that the money was missing from a number of residents&#39; accounts at St Joseph&#39;s Intellectual Disability Service at St Ita&#39;s Hospital in Portrane, Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An employee at the centre of the investigation was reported to be a trusted staff member who assisted residents withdrawing money from cash machines.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A source told the &#39;Sunday Mirror&#39; that the staff member has been suspended from duty while the investigation is carried out. It centres on allegations of withdrawals from six accounts over an 18-month period.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The HSE has confirmed that it has discovered what may be irregularities in service user accounts in one of its Community Group Homes,&quot; a spokeswoman said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Staff have spoken with the relevant service users and their families to advise them of the suspected irregularities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The HSE deeply regrets any upset which this alleged incident might cause but has reassured the service users and their families that if any discrepancies are discovered in any of their personal accounts, they will be fully reimbursed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The HSE has contacted An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na and a Garda investigation is proceeding. The HSE has also begun its own investigation.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The intellectual disability service at the hospital offers services for older people with intellectual disability, home support services, assistance for those with challenging behaviour, residential care and day care and respite beds for adults.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When the Irish Independent contacted the hospital, a spokesperson redirected queries to the HSE for comment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fine Gael TD for Fingal Alan Farrell issued a statement on the hospital two days before the reports of missing money which highlighted other concerns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Farrell said he was anxious to hear of the &quot;poor condition&quot; of the hospital for service users after a Mental Health Commission inspection report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The HSE has stated it now plans to work with the service users and their families . . . in order to find them a place to live which is more suitable to their needs and which will provide quality of life,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;While I do not believe it to be acceptable that service users have been accommodated in premises which are of poor condition, I am relieved that action is being taken to provide them with more appropriate accommodation.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 13th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-probe-claims-50000-taken-from-patients-accounts-35524434.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/garda-probe-claims-50000-taken-from-patients-accounts-35524434.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-13 11:27:27',NULL,'gardaã­-probe-claims-€50000-taken-from-patients-accounts'),(1912,'Dear David Coleman: How can I help my shy 3-year-old\'s confidence?','<p>\r\n	Clinical psychologist David Coleman offers parenting advice in his weekly column.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Q: I&#39;m looking for some advice to help with my shy 3-year-old boy. He gets on great in Montessori, playing and chatting happily. But he holds back at birthday parties, visiting friends, using bouncy castles and going to the playground. He has no problem climbing and using even the highest slides when we are alone, but won&#39;t join in when others are around. I don&#39;t want to force him to do something if he&#39;s uncomfortable but I know he is excited about going to these places yet he opts out. How do we encourage him to be more confident in these situations?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A: Many children are &#39;slow to warm up&#39; in social situations. Indeed being &#39;slow to warm up&#39; is a temperamental category in itself. As many as 50pc of adults define themselves as &#39;shy&#39;, so your son is very definitely normal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sometimes we may only think of shyness as a negative attribute, but there are benefits to being cautious too. In truth, society needs the balance of people right across the &#39;exuberance&#39; spectrum, from those who are very shy or reserved to those who are very forward, brash and socially engaged.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Like most parents, you sound like you are concerned that your son&#39;s shyness is holding him back from fully experiencing life and doing things he might otherwise enjoy. This is one of the very definite drawbacks of shyness; that the anxieties a child feels might inhibit them from doing things, or even lead them to actively avoid doing things.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Introversion and shyness are different. An introverted child may be alone because they want to be (they enjoy their own company), whereas a shy child may be alone because they are too afraid, or feel too timid, to be with other children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If we return to the concept of the &#39;slow to warm up&#39; child, though, it gives us a hint as to how to help shy children. Give them time and experience in those situations where they might feel timid, or might feel a bit anxious so that they can learn that they can cope and that they are able to mix and have fun.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As a parent, our natural protectiveness may lead us to swoop in and either take over the &#39;socialising&#39; by arranging everything to allow our child to fit in, or by removing them because they seem so uncomfortable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But, we need to hold back from these instinctive responses. Instead we need to let our children sit with the possible discomfort, without encouraging them, or facilitating them to avoid it. That is not to say that we have to leave our children in distress. We don&#39;t. But we do need to give our children the chance, or the opportunity, to try to cope with the social situation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Naturally, we don&#39;t want the discomfort to be overwhelming, so it is fine to still be a supportive presence in the background. That way we can emotionally available to them if their distress rises.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sometimes it can help children to feel like they have one or two children in a group that can be a social support to them, or be a bit of &#39;social glue&#39; to facilitate them getting to know other children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	** If you have any parenting queries for David Coleman, please email dcoleman@independent.ie. Please note that David cannot enter into individual correspondence&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 14th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/life/family/parenting/dear-david-coleman-how-can-i-help-my-shy-3yearolds-confidence-35519148.html\">http://www.independent.ie/life/family/parenting/dear-david-coleman-how-can-i-help-my-shy-3yearolds-confidence-35519148.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-14 13:20:59',NULL,'dear-david-coleman-how-can-i-help-my-shy-3-year-olds-confidence'),(1913,'Daffodil Care Services Jobs Announcement','<p>\r\n	2017 will see Daffodil Care Services significantly expanding services with new residential centres being established. Daffodil Care Services currently provides a range of residential and community based services through a 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	The first of our new services will be opening in North Cork, a mainstream residential unit, established in response to an increased demand for residential services with a therapeutic based approach.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you would like to be a part of a new team, developing therapeutic services with an organisation the provides 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	We are now hiring for the following vacancies, interviews will take place locally in March &amp; April:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Semi-Independent- Social Care Manager- North Dublin</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=47</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New Service- Social Care Leader- Full Time- North Cork</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=45</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New Service- Social Care Worker- Full Time- North Cork</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=44</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New Service- Relief Social Care Worker- North Cork</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careerdetails.php?ids=46</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Social Care Worker- Full Time- 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	What Daffodil Care Services can offer you:</p>\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Competitive remuneration and staff benefits package</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Strong career progression opportunities</li>\r\n	<li>\r\n		Continuous professional training and development</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p>\r\n	Locations in Cork, Tipperary, Dublin, Wexford, Meath and Kildare</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To apply please send your CV to recruitment@daffodilcare.ie or call Niamh on 0818 903 984 for further information or view our website www.daffodilcare.ie/careers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.activelink.ie/content/vacancies/community/29328\">http://www.activelink.ie/content/vacancies/community/29328</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-14 13:23:19',NULL,'daffodil-care-services-jobs-announcement'),(1914,'Fewer than 33% of working-age people with disabilities employed','<p>\r\n	ESRI report says adults with disabilities are older and more likely to live alone</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fewer than a third of working-age people with disabilities are employed and without Government intervention this is unlikely to change, a report published on Thursday warns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report says adults with disabilities are older and more likely to live alone than other adults. Some 50 per cent of people with disabilities are aged 45 or over compared with 33 per cent of non-disabled adults.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Drawing on data from the CSO&rsquo;s quarterly national household survey, it finds: &ldquo;Forty-two per cent [of adults with disabilities] had no more than the equivalent of a Junior Certificate. They were more likely to live alone and 42 per cent lived in a jobless household so were at a high risk of poverty.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Just 31 per cent were at work, but most [82 per cent] had at least some work experience. One half of people with disabilities were either at work or interested in working,&rdquo; says the report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It finds people with disabilities were four times less likely to enter the workforce than people without a disability, and more likely to leave it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Characteristics</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It was not simply the disability which hindered people&rsquo;s access to employment, but also characteristics associated with it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;These include being older, having lower levels of education and living in a household where nobody is at work. Even taking these characteristics into account, however, the odds of employment entry for the non-employed were found to be only about half as high for people with disabilities as those without disability.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The greater the impact of the disability the less likely they are to be in employment, with people with an intellectual disability having a &ldquo;particularly low&rdquo; likelihood of being in work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Government policy, as set out in the 2015 Comprehensive Strategy for People with a Disability, is to have people with disabilities holding 6 per cent of public sector jobs by 2024. Given the interest in work among people with disabilities, this target is &ldquo;reasonable&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, more must be done to enable people to stay in work and move into work. The latter group &ldquo;is much larger&rdquo; so &ldquo;policy to enhance the employment opportunities of people with disabilities cannot afford to ignore this group&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Implications</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Given the lower levels of education of those not in employment and the length of time since they last worked, the development of labour market skills will be important...This also has implications for the education of people with disabilities during their school years.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The higher rate of exit of people with disabilities from employment needs to be looked at in more depth, say the authors. They ask whether potential employers underestimate what people with a disabilities can do, or whether people with disabilities have lower stamina or health.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Given the diversity of circumstances of people with disabilities &ndash; in terms of the nature and severity of the disability and their level of education and family support &ndash; the optimum mix of income support, retention of benefits and employment support will need to be tailored to the individual&rsquo;s specific needs.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Times on the 16th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/fewer-than-33-of-working-age-people-with-disabilities-employed-1.3012243\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/fewer-than-33-of-working-age-people-with-disabilities-employed-1.3012243</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-16 09:39:39',NULL,'fewer-than-33%-of-working-age-people-with-disabilities-employed'),(1915,'Coveney vows to end hotel use for homeless by July','<p>\r\n	Housing Minister Simon Coveney insisted Ireland will achieve its July target of ending reliance on hotels and B&amp;Bs for long-term accommodation for homeless families.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His vow came as dozens of families fear having to leave their hotel accommodation because of bookings pressure from St Patrick&#39;s Day tourists.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One Dublin family of five admitted they would have nowhere to go after being told they had to vacate the hotel where they had been staying because of tourist bookings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Coveney acknowledged that such reliance on hotels for homeless accommodation was not acceptable - and urged families to avail of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) support service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Difficulties</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There are over 800 families that are either in hotels or B&amp;B accommodation,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There are about two-thirds of families in hotels and B&amp;B accommodation who are dealt with through the Place Finders Service in the Dublin regional homeless executive.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The other third effectively self-accommodate. If any families are having difficulties at the moment with accommodation, they need to contact the Dublin regional homeless executive.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Read more: Almost 400 families in Dublin have been living in emergency accommodation for more than one year - new figures</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Coveney pointed out that the Dublin family told to vacate their hotel accommodation were found alternative lodgings within hours.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If there are issues, they will be resolved - that is always the way it is in the build-up to bank holiday weekends or busy times,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If there are pressures, we will obviously help families to find the accommodation that they need.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Coveney admitted that such reliance on hotels and B&amp;Bs was not acceptable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We want to end this reliance on it (hotels) as emergency accommodation - I have made that perfectly clear,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We are working intensively now to ensure that we find alternative long-term accommodation through social housing supports, through long-term leasing and rental accommodation so that families are in homes and not in hotel rooms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;That is a big priority for the Government.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It was always going to be a pressurised position to do that because we have a lot of families that have come in to homelessness in the past six months and are currently in hotel accommodation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;But we are determined that the target we have set by the middle of this year can be met.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Charities including Focus Ireland, St Vincent de Paul, Simon and Threshold have repeatedly hit out that families - particularly those with young children - have to rely on hotel or B&amp;B accommodation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 16th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/coveney-vows-to-end-hotel-use-for-homeless-by-july-35536062.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/coveney-vows-to-end-hotel-use-for-homeless-by-july-35536062.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-16 09:44:37',NULL,'coveney-vows-to-end-hotel-use-for-homeless-by-july'),(1916,'UNICEF release eye-opening video to mark anniversary of war in Syria','<p>\r\n	Last year was the worst yet for Syria&#39;s rising generation, with at least 652 children killed in 2016, the United Nations&#39; child relief agency has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To mark the 6th anniversary of the war in Syria, UNICEF have released &#39;Song for Syria&#39;, which is performed by a 10-year-old girl who was born blind.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The video was filmed in a war-ravaged part of Syria where many children have lost their lives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At least 255 children were killed in or near schools last year and 1.7 million youngsters are out of school, Unicef said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The song is a &quot;message of hope&quot; from Syria&#39;s children, with the lyrics saying they want their childhood back.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Six years ago, in 2011, Syrians protested against President Bashar Assad&#39;s rule.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The uprising, which was part of the Arab Spring movements across the Middle East, quickly escalated into full-blown civil war.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children were among the first victims of the government&#39;s brutal crackdown.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Around five million people remain trapped in areas of active fighting, including almost one million in besieged areas who have no access to sustained humanitarian assistance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 15th March 2017)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/unicef-release-eyeopening-video-to-mark-anniversary-of-war-in-syria-35533410.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/middle-east/unicef-release-eyeopening-video-to-mark-anniversary-of-war-in-syria-35533410.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2017-03-16 09:47:50',NULL,'unicef-release-eye-opening-video-to-mark-anniversary-of-war-in-syria'),