(125,'Providers of social housing face regulation','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	New voluntary code establishes financial accountability and governance rules for sector</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Over 400 providers of social housing face regulation for the first time under a new voluntary code introduced by the Department of the Environment.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		The code which establishes financial accountability and governance rules for the not-for-profit housing sector is being introduced on a voluntary basis in preparation for the introduction of compulsory regulation of the sector by 2016.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Under the regulations, Approved Housing Bodies - those which qualify for Government funding - will as a minimum have to have a board of at least five members none serving more than two consecutive five-year terms; comply with companies law, submit annual reports and accounts; have a tax clearance cert and a sinking fund; and submit certain information to the department such as data on tenant services .</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		The regulations apply on a &ldquo;tiered&rdquo; basis, with all approved housing bodies signing up to minimum level of regulation, organisations with 50 to 300 housing units having more intensive regulation, and organisations with more than 300 houses, of which there are about 10 in the State, agreeing to more stringent requirements in relation to audits and financial planning.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		The principal aim of the regulations is to put organisations on a better footing to secure private finance from banks and other institutions, Minister of State for Housing Jan O&rsquo;Sullivan said.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;We will not be able to return to traditional models of large-scale local authority direct provision of housing any time soon,&rdquo; she said &ldquo;credible and proportional regulation can deliver long term savings to the sector in terms of lower-priced and more available lending.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		While the code is voluntary, Ms O&rsquo;Sullivan warned only the organisations who were committed to &ldquo;best practice&rdquo; would get Government funding. &ldquo;Engagement with this regulatory process will be an important determinant in all funding and strategic decisions by the department from this point on.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		There was scope, she said, for smaller housing bodies to band together in order to meet the regulations.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		The Irish Council for Social Housing welcomed the code but said there was a need for an independent regulator of the sector to be appointed if organisations were to have real credibility with financial institutions.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;Ultimately there is a need for an independent regulator, separate to the Housing Agency or the department, that a bank can go to get relevant information on an organisation&rsquo;s financial performance, such as the management of existing loans,&rdquo; a spokeswoman said.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Olivia Kelly</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/providers-of-social-housing-face-regulation-1.1465225\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/providers-of-social-housing-face-regulation-1.1465225</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-16 08:20:13',NULL,'providers-of-social-housing-face-regulation'),(126,'Group’s quick thinking prevents tragedy on banks of River Shannon','<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	<b>MAYOR Kathleen Leddin has praised the efforts of the Corbett Suicide Prevention Patrol after their quick thinking prevented a tragedy on the river.</b></p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	Members of the group - which patrols the banks of the Shannon three times a week - were on duty in O&rsquo;Callaghan Strand when they made the dramatic rescue.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	Paul Hogan, chairman of Corbett Suicide Prevention Patrol (CSPP) said four volunteers initially heard screaming from the river as they were talking to someone else who was considering taking their own life.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	Two of the group ran up to the bank, and saw the youngster in the river screaming, with his worried father looking on.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	He had tripped on rocks near a slipway and fallen into the river.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	But thanks to their calm, but fast action, the child - aged just eight - was rescued from the river.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;They threw a throwbag in, but because the child was so young, he didn&rsquo;t know what it was. So one of the volunteers waded in and plucked the child out before the current could take him away,&rdquo; Paul said. &ldquo;It was all over within two or three minutes.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	Although the youngster was shaken following the incident, he did not suffer any injuries.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	Their actions have been praised by Mayor Leddin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	She said: &ldquo;It is wonderful that there was a life saved, and I do commend them. This is incident has proven they have been a huge help to people. I certainly praise their efforts. People who are giving their time voluntarily like this have to be commended.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	He added this incident highlights the need for parents to be vigilant when out with their children in the warm weather.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	He told Limerick&rsquo;s Live95FM radio: &ldquo;The quick action by our team got the child out safely, and thankfully all was well. But I just want to issue a warning to parents when they are down around the river - the tide is very fast flowing, so keep that extra eye out.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	He added: &ldquo;I know with the sunny weather, everyone is drawn to the river. But I would ask people to be aware and keep an eye on the kids.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	CSPP normally patrol the banks of the Shannon to prevent suicidal people taking their own lives.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; line-height: 20px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	But this incident has highlighted their overall importance.</p>\r\n<ul class=\"m15-t\" style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 5px 0px; list-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;\">\r\n	<li class=\"by\" style=\"list-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;\">\r\n		by Nick Rabbitts</li>\r\n	<li class=\"by\" style=\"list-style: none; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/leader-local/group-s-quick-thinking-prevents-tragedy-on-banks-of-river-shannon-1-5288816\">http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/leader-local/group-s-quick-thinking-prevents-tragedy-on-banks-of-river-shannon-1-5288816</a></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-17 08:26:56',NULL,'group’s-quick-thinking-prevents-tragedy-on-banks-of-river-shannon'),(127,'Suicide and self-harm initiatives at risk if mental health posts not filled','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	&ldquo;Most vulnerable will be hit again,&rdquo; says Dr Anthony McCarthy, president of the Irish College of Psychiatry</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Planned new programmes to reduce suicide and self-harm will be the most likely and immediate casualties of the failure to fill new mental health posts, the president of the Irish College of Psychiatry has warned.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Dr Anthony McCarthy was reacting to reports in yesterday&rsquo;s&nbsp;<em>Irish Times</em>&nbsp;that mental health posts that had been announced earlier this year may not now be filled due to cost overruns.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Money that had been earmarked for the recruitment of hundreds of new staff in the mental health services is now at risk as a result of overspending elsewhere in health service.&nbsp;<br />\r\n		<br />\r\n		Recruitment fund<br />\r\n		Some &euro;35 million had been announced to fund the recruitment of 477 professionals to bolster and modernise mental health services. None of those posts has been filled and the Health Service Executive said the recruitment process was ongoing. However, internal documents seen by&nbsp;<em>The Irish Times</em>&nbsp;suggest few of the posts will be filled by year-end.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Dr McCarthy said it was a repeat of what had happened last year. &ldquo;Mental health services are so personnel dependent. It&rsquo;s not about big expensive machinery or expensive facilities. The services in the community are about having professional people in the community &ndash; the psychiatric nurses, the psychotherapists, the social workers, the psychiatrists. Really I think the Minister [of State for mental health services, Kathleen Lynch] has done everything she can to ring-fence these funds, has fought as hard as possible. But it seems she is losing the battle. What we have to hope is that the new mental health services directorate can be more effective in ensuring funds for mental health services are not stolen.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		He said new programmes planned to reduce suicide and self-harm would most likely now be &ldquo;out the window&rdquo; and the &ldquo;most vulnerable will be hit again&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<br />\r\n		&lsquo;Absolutely vital&rsquo;<br />\r\n		The&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Psychiatric%20Nurses%20Association&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Psychiatric Nurses Association</a>&nbsp;said it was &ldquo;absolutely vital&rdquo; that the promised new staff were recruited &ldquo;if any semblance of a community mental health service is to remain in this country&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		General secretary of the PNA, Des Kavanagh, said his members were &ldquo;alarmed&rdquo; and that in many cases community services had been closed or reduced in order to maintain staffing in hospital units.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The concerns come a year after a similar occurrence when spending overruns in other sectors of the HSE meant funding for mental health services had to be drawn on to plug gaps.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<br />\r\n		Ring-fenced<br />\r\n		<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Mr%20Kavanagh&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Mr Kavanagh</a>&nbsp;said when the association met Ms Lynch, it warned her money set aside for the services should be ring-fenced. &ldquo;The Minister assured us that her department had learned the lessons of 2012 and could guarantee us that the &euro;35 million committed in the budget for mental health services would not be abused or misused by the HSE but would deliver the new staff as promised.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;It is now up to the Minister to deliver on her commitments and to tell the HSE that the mental health budget is not a contingency fund to be used to plug holes across the health budget.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Fianna%20F%C3%A1il&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Fianna F&aacute;il</a>&nbsp;spokesman on health,&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Robert%20Troy&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Robert Troy</a>, TD, said there could be no question of Dr Reilly &ldquo;being allowed to use money set aside for vital investment in mental health to again mask his failure to deliver savings and reform in the health service. Suicide prevention and mental health services are desperately in need of the 477 posts that are to be filled with the promised &euro;35 million investment this year&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Kitty Holland</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/suicide-and-self-harm-initiatives-at-risk-if-mental-health-posts-not-filled-1.1465840\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/suicide-and-self-harm-initiatives-at-risk-if-mental-health-posts-not-filled-1.1465840</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-17 08:30:03',NULL,'suicide-and-self-harm-initiatives-at-risk-if-mental-health-posts-not-filled'),(128,'Child Protection in the area of bullying','<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	ISPCC responds to recommendations made by Special Rapporteur on Child Protection in the area of bullying</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The ISPCC welcomes the focus placed on bullying in its various forms in Geoffrey Shannon&#39;s 6th report as Special Rapporteur on Child Protection which was published last week.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The ISPCC recommends immediate follow up on a number of Mr. Shannon&#39;s recommendations which would enhance the approach and response to bullying incidences for young people;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	a. The recommendation that clarification is needed in legislation on the offence of cyberbullying and how complaints of cyberbullying are investigated and progressed is a much needed development. It is imperative that young people know that if they make a complaint regarding cyberbullying, that there is a defined legislative response, an investigation process and above all, that it will be taken seriously.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	b. Allowing litigation to be pursued anonymously, protecting a child&#39;s privacy would also create an arena where young people are not deterred from reporting incidences for fear of being further victimised publicly.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	c. We all have a duty to care when it comes to protecting children and we all have a role in tackling the issue of bullying. The recommendations that there should be cooperation between Gardai and Internet Service Providers to share IP information when complaints of cyberbullying are made would mean that no one person can hide behind the internet to harass and victimise another.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Lisa Collins, Advocacy Manager with the ISPCC said; &quot;There has been a spotlight on the issue of different forms of bullying in recent years and as such, the recommendation that homophobic bullying be treated as a child protection issue is wholly welcomed by the ISPCC. We know that all bullying can have long lasting and detrimental effects on young people and it is imperative that robust and comprehensive processes are in place at an educational and legislative level. We must work together at all levels to ensure a clear and unified response to bullying.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The ISPCC has been heavily involved in the issue of bullying; working with those experiencing it, raising awareness and supporting schools to respond to the issue. A whole school and whole community approach is needed to tackle bullying in all quarters.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The ISPCC Shield My School Self Evaluation Toolkit is available free of charge online<a href=\"http://www.ispcc.ie/antibullyingtoolkit\" rel=\"_blank\" style=\"color: rgb(76, 110, 136);\">http://www.ispcc.ie/antibullyingtoolkit</a>&nbsp;. This toolkit assists schools in evaluating and responding to bullying in their schools. Resources and support information is also available for young people and adults on our website.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.waterford-today.ie/waterford-lifestyle/20173-child-protection-in-the-area-of-bullying-20173.html\">http://www.waterford-today.ie/waterford-lifestyle/20173-child-protection-in-the-area-of-bullying-20173.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-17 08:44:48',NULL,'child-protection-in-the-area-of-bullying'),(129,'Law labelling disabled as ‘lunatics’ to be replaced','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	New legislation on assisted decision-making will affect thousands of people with disabilities</h2>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A 140-year-old law that labels people with intellectual disabilities as &ldquo;lunatics&rdquo; is finally being replaced.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Existing legislation governing mental capacity for vulnerable adults in Ireland is based on the Regulation of Lunacy (Ireland) Act 1871. This provides for a ward-of-court system, under which the court makes all key decisions over the course of a person&rsquo;s life.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The new Assisted Decision-making (Capacity) Bill will introduce a new legal framework to support vulnerable people in making decisions so they can better manage their personal welfare, property and financial affairs.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	It will affect anyone with &ldquo;impaired decision-making ability&rdquo;, such as people with intellectual disabilities, those suffering from dementia or mental illness, and those with acquired brain injuries.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Support groups have welcomed the bill as a &ldquo;landmark moment&rdquo; in the process of disability law reform in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Minister of State with responsibility for disability Kathleen Lynch said many vulnerable people would be able to use informal arrangements rather than more formal agreements. &ldquo;In all cases, the person&rsquo;s will and preferences will have to be centre stage,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Prof Ger Quinn of NUI Galway&rsquo;s Centre for Disability Law and Policy welcomed the legislation which, he said, moved beyond traditional guardianship to enable people to take charge of their own lives.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A working group of civil society organisations also broadly welcomed the move.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Amnesty%20International&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Amnesty International</a>&nbsp;Ireland &ndash; a member of the working group &ndash; said it hoped it would pave the way for the Government to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	Carl O&#39;Brien<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/law-labelling-disabled-as-lunatics-to-be-replaced-1.1466778\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/law-labelling-disabled-as-lunatics-to-be-replaced-1.1466778</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-18 09:16:11',NULL,'law-labelling-disabled-as-‘lunatics’-to-be-replaced'),(130,'Community group leading the fight against drugs','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	A pro-active community awareness group is leading the fight against the curse of drugs in the Castlebellingham and Kilsaran areas.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		A recent march around the estates of the area has added to the profile of CLICKS, dedicated to hightening the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Now on the go for seven years, members visit local schools and create a peer programme amongst 6th class students, which runs for four weeks.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The intention is to make the programme as fun and positive as possible.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Students also make a pledge to stay away from drugs.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&#39;We want to get the message out and raise awareness of peer pressure when it comes to drinking, etc,&#39; stated Geraldine Lynch.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		As well as the committee, the group has one representative from Stabannon and Kilsaran schools.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Garda_Siochana\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(62, 112, 162); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Gardai</a>&nbsp;attend their meetings to voice their support while earlier in the year former GAA star Oisin McConville gave a great talk.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&#39;We want to get the message out in relation to drugs and addiction and the community has a part to play in that,&#39; Geraldine remarked.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The group would welcome any support from those interested.<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/localnotes/community-group-leading-the-fight-against-drugs-29426590.html\">http://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/localnotes/community-group-leading-the-fight-against-drugs-29426590.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-18 09:25:29',NULL,'community-group-leading-the-fight-against-drugs'),(131,'Cyberbullying and suicide ‘should be treated separately’','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Report says separate legislation to deal with online bullying is not needed</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Cyberbullying and suicide are not necessarily linked and should be treated as separate issues, a report by an&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Oireachtas&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Oireachtas</a>&nbsp;committee has said.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The report, accepted by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communication last week and published today (Thurs), also says there is no need for separate legislation to deal with online bullying.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		It was prepared following the committee&rsquo;s hearings in March on the issues of social media and cyberbullying.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Concerns were raised about possible links between online bullying and suicide last year following the deaths last year of two teenagers,&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Ciara%20Pugsley&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Ciara Pugsley</a>&nbsp;(15) in Leitrim and<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Erin%20Gallagher&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Erin Gallagher</a>&nbsp;(13) in Donegal. Both girls took their own lives after being subjected to alleged bullying campaigns on the ask.fm site.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The report states, however: &ldquo;While the committee is aware of cases where victims of cyberbullying have taken their own lives, it is worth noting North American research which found that cyberbullying is rarely the sole or main cause of death by suicide.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		It also concludes that there is already legislation in place to deal with cyberbullying. This contrasts with a recommendation in the latest report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection,&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Geoffrey%20Shannon&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Geoffrey Shannon</a>, that cyberbullying be made a specific criminal offence.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;In the case of children and young people being bullied by their peers, it is the committee&rsquo;s opinion that these matters are best dealt with outside the courts system unless they involve cases which are persistent or unresponsive to other forms of intervention,&rdquo; the report says.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;Some cases may be best dealt with within schools, as is increasingly done in the USA where cyberbullying (even if it occurs outside school time) is seen as disruptive to the learning environment.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;Where cases arise which need a stronger response, the committee is satisfied that there is already legislation in place to deal with cyberbullying though identification and follow-through of cyberbullying remains a problem.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		It does, however, recommend that the definition of bullying in the new national procedures for schools should include a specific reference to cyberbullying.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The report recommends that employers be made aware of the importance of introducing a social media policy and that they should be aware that cyberbullying falls within the legal definition of harrasment.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Stating that the Government&rsquo;s Office for Internet Safety does not adequately deal with cyberbullying, the report also says a single body should be given responsibility for co-ordinating the regulation of social media content.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Funding and organisational models for such an agency should be agreed with the industry.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The committee heard submissions from a number of parties, including social media companies&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_company=Facebook&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Facebook</a>,&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_company=Twitter&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Twitter</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_company=Google&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Google</a>, all of which have a major presence in Ireland.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Google told the committee it believed one area of importance was education law enforcement authorities about the tools already available to them.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Eight recommendations in the report also include one that social media companies must be swift in closing down social media accounts set up by children in contravention of the companies&rsquo; age restrictions.<br />\r\n		<br />\r\n		Elaine Edwards<br />\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/cyberbullying-and-suicide-should-be-treated-separately-1.1466558\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/cyberbullying-and-suicide-should-be-treated-separately-1.1466558</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-18 09:40:04',NULL,'cyberbullying-and-suicide-‘should-be-treated-separately’'),(132,'Change in legislation required for true levels of suicide to be known','<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The true level of suicide in Ireland will never be known until there is a change in legislation, to allow for a verdict of suicide at inquests, the coroner for west Limerick has warned.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Speaking ahead of a weekend seminar on suicide&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Brendan%20Nix&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Brendan Nix</a>&nbsp;said suicide is &ldquo;almost at contagion levels&rdquo; and the true figures are being cloaked by the fact that suicide is not recorded as a verdict at inquests.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Mr Nix, who is also a senior counsel, said verdicts of suicide should be officially recorded at inquests to allow for real statistics on the tragedy of suicide.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The barrister, who presides over inquests in west Limerick which covers Newcastlewest, Abbeyfeale, Kilmallock and Croom, said he has never seen a verdict of suicide recorded over his past 11 years as coroner for the area.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	He believes the hands of coroners are currently tied because they can only recommend a verdict of death in accordance with the medical evidence as given by a pathologist.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;The verdict has to be in accordance with the medical evidence&rdquo; and Mr Nix said he had yet to see a medical report that says a person took their own life.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;If a pathologist is capable of finding that a person died by their own hand as a consequence of tying a ligature around their neck and suspending themselves then that is the verdict that should be recorded by the jury that this person took their own life,&rdquo; he added.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	CSO figures show 507 people died by suicide in Ireland last year, 15 of those in Limerick city and 16 in Co Limerick.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	In 2011 the number of people who took their own lives in Limerick city was 11, while it was double that figure in county Limerick at 22.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Overall, Limerick has one of the highest rates of suicide in the country at 26.6 per cent per 100,000, compared to 11 per cent nationally.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Mr Nix warned that suicide levels in county Limerick are at &ldquo;critical proportions&rdquo; and believes there is a need for the public to be made aware of the true statistics.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;Since they decriminalised it I don&rsquo;t see why not? I mean whose feelings are we sparing here? Are we sparing the families who are grieving? They all know what happened. They know the truth. We don&rsquo;t have to publish the names of people who committed suicide but we can say that these are the official figures.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;I certainly think that by going public with the rate of suicide and the prevalence of it won&rsquo;t do any harm. It is not going to go away. ... It is not being spoken of publicly.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s as if it&rsquo;s a taboo subject, but it hasn&rsquo;t stopped it. It is almost at contagion levels,&rdquo; he continued.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Suicide statistics are gathered by the CSO following an analysis of information from the General Registries office, which records births and deaths, and information from the gardai.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;I consider that suicide in west Limerick has reached critical proportions. It is a whole blot on the community out there,&rdquo; Mr Nix added.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The coroner also said he would like to see a number of free phones installed at known locations where people have taken their own lives</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A seminar on the subject will take place, which will be attended by the emergency services, and those working in the area of suicide prevention, takes place on Saturday.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The event starts at 9am at Limerick County Hall and anyone affected by suicide is invited to attend.<br />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal;\">Kathryn Hayes</span><br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/change-in-legislation-required-for-true-levels-of-suicide-to-be-known-1.1467475\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/change-in-legislation-required-for-true-levels-of-suicide-to-be-known-1.1467475</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-18 09:49:37',NULL,'change-in-legislation-required-for-true-levels-of-suicide-to-be-known'),(133,'Lives are at risk from heatwave – health chief','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	DEATH rates among the elderly and vulnerable rise alarmingly during heatwaves, sparking a warning from health chiefs as the hot weather continues.</h2>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	It comes as&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Met_Eireann\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Met Eireann</a>&nbsp;issued a Yellow weather warning for the coming days, with temperatures soaring as high as 30 degrees in many areas.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	The most recent study on heatwaves and deaths in Ireland was carried out by academics at DIT in 2008. They found there were 294 extra deaths during seven heatwaves over the past three decades.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	Dr Kevin Kelleher, HSE Assistant National Director for Health Protection, said international research has also shown that death rates among those aged over 75 can increase by as much as 60pc during periods of extreme heat &ndash; generally above 30 degrees.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	&quot;The clear example was 10 years ago, in Paris. They had a very big heatwave and there were a lot of deaths,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	&quot;They have also noticed a rise in deaths in London, so the important thing is for people to look out for each other.&quot;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	Ireland has rarely had to contend with a prolonged heatwave of over 30 degrees centigrade.<br />\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	A heatwave here is considered to be at least five days in a&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Rowing_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">row</a>&nbsp;when temperatures exceed 25 degrees.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	The country has now been gripped by warm weather for a fortnight, with forecasters predicting further highs over the weekend.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	Dr Kelleher repeated his warning, first made at the start of the heatwave earlier this month, that the extreme heat can pose immediate risks to the elderly and the very young, who are not able to cope as well as the rest of the population.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	&quot;We do need to be very careful. Make sure you have enough to drink, stay in the shade, keep the house cool and keep curtains closed when the sun is out,&quot; he advised.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	Meanwhile, the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) warned the public to be extra vigilant during the hot, dry weather, as crews contained a massive blaze on Howth Head.</p>\r\n<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Firefighters used buggies from Howth golf club to transport equipment on the hill, where the fire burned about two kilometres square at the top of the headland.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;It&#39;s arduous work here for firefighters moving up and down the hill,&quot; said John Keogh, operations officer with DFB.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The cause of the fire, which broke out around 3pm on Wednesday, is not yet known.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Mr Keogh said it could have been started by youngsters messing around and a small fire getting out of control, or by a discarded cigarette, a barbecue or a glass bottle lying under strong sun rays.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;We don&#39;t know what started it. It could be malicious or an accident,&quot; Mr Keogh said.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;Every summer we are up in Howth or the Dublin mountains dealing with something like this.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;Every three or four years we get a big fire because the grass and gorse has grown very tall and dry &ndash; it&#39;s just like kindling.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Chief Fire Officer Pat Fleming warned the public not to light fires in or near woodland, only to use designated barbecue points and not to try and extinguish fires but to call the emergency services instead.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		People should also dispose of all their litter carefully, particularly cigarette butts and glass.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		And after six people drowned during the current hot spell, the&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Electricity_Supply_Board\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63);\">ESB</a>&nbsp;warned the public that&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Swimming_at_the_2012_Summer_Olympics\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">swimming</a>&nbsp;is not permitted in any of its reservoirs.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;This is dangerous due to risk of uneven ground, deep waters, hidden obstacles, changing water levels and fast-flowing waters,&quot; it said in a statement.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;These waters include the reservoirs at Poulaphoca in Wicklow, Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid in Cork, the Ardnacrusha headrace and tailrace canals in Co Clare and Assaroe in Co Donegal.&quot;<br />\r\n		<br />\r\n		<strong style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; text-transform: uppercase; margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">BREDA HEFFERNAN AND ED CARTY</strong><br />\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/weather/lives-are-at-risk-from-heatwave-health-chief-29432194.html\">http://www.independent.ie/weather/lives-are-at-risk-from-heatwave-health-chief-29432194.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-19 10:10:30',NULL,'lives-are-at-risk-from-heatwave-–-health-chief'),(134,'Paul Gilligan: Closure of St Patrick\'s is chance to do right by vulnerable young','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	THE recent announcement by Justice Minister&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Alan_Shatter_(politician)\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Alan Shatter</a>&nbsp;that he is closing St Patrick&#39;s Institution has received widespread support.</h2>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	All 17-year-olds serving sentences in the institution will now be transferred to a dedicated unit in Wheatfield Prison on an interim arrangement before new facilities are opened in Oberstown in 2014. This decision was made following a recommendation from the Inspector of Prisons and a number of critical reports, including one produced by the Ombudsman for Children&#39;s Office in 2011.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	There is no doubt the decision to close St Patrick&#39;s Institution is the right one, albeit one that should have been taken years ago, and Mr Shatter should be congratulated.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	However, it is only part of the solution needed to address the needs of young people who commit offences.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	How we deal with young people in detention reflects society&#39;s attitude to young people who commit crimes, and to date the emphasis has been on punishment and retribution.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	We have a very poor track record when it comes to dealing with vulnerable young people, particularly those who engage in aggressive, anti-social behaviour.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	For example, it is estimated that there are currently more than 50 Irish children and adults with&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Developmental_Disorders\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">intellectual disabilities</a>&nbsp;in specialised residential facilities in other countries because we do not have the services to meet their needs here in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	The State is paying for their care and in most cases their parents, out of desperation, have agreed to them leaving the country; this can only be viewed as a national disgrace. These people, in the view of some, have been effectively deported.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	Similarly, the State has failed the young people in St Patrick&#39;s, where for many years, there has been a catalogue of continuing human rights violations, including excessive use of force and forced stripping.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	In her report, the Ombudsman for Children identified an ingrained dysfunctional culture within St Patrick&#39;s. The director of the Irish Prison Services identified the failure to change this culture as one of the many drivers behind closing it.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	But closure will not in itself address these dysfunctional attitudes and behaviours. This is a far greater challenge.</p>\r\n<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The starting point needs to be a declaration of an agreed vision as to how society believes we should deal with young people who commit offences, and young people and adults with intellectual disabilities who are suffering from challenging mental health or behavioural difficulties. We need to commit to establishing the required services to the highest international standards. In this regard, the decision to move 17-year-olds to Wheatfield must be a temporary measure only and the development of a new child detention facility at Oberstown must continue on target.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Of course, anybody who has been the victim of youth crime will want the young perpetrators punished and there is no doubt that a component of any management strategy should be punishment. But international best practice tells us that a rehabilitative approach, grounded in a strong human rights ethos, has the best chance of preventing reoffending, and giving these young people a second chance.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Staff working with these young people in detention need to be carefully selected and adequately trained. They need to be provided with strong supervision and support and need to be valued for the incredibly demanding work they do. Fail in this and the same culture that existed in St Patrick&#39;s will arise. New facilities being developed need to contain comprehensive mental health, child protection and rehabilitation teams at its heart.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Within society there is little sympathy for young people who commit offences or engage in violent behaviour, yet they represent one of our most vulnerable groups.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		While their behaviour cannot be excused and is rarely victimless, most of them come from very difficult family backgrounds where they have had little chance to live a functional life.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Many have serious and long-term psychological and mental health difficulties. Building a comprehensive evidence-based, best practice youth justice and care system would not only have a significant impact on these young people&#39;s lives but would undoubtedly benefit society in general.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		We cannot and should not continue to fail these young people.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		<em style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em;\">Paul Gilligan is CEO St Patrick&#39;s mental health services and chairman of the Children&#39;s Rights Alliance</em><br />\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/paul-gilligan-closure-of-st-patricks-is-chance-to-do-right-by-vulnerable-young-29429631.html\">http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/paul-gilligan-closure-of-st-patricks-is-chance-to-do-right-by-vulnerable-young-29429631.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-19 10:13:15',NULL,'paul-gilligan-closure-of-st-patricks-is-chance-to-do-right-by-vulnerable-young'),(135,'Ten staff members at children’s detention centre ‘off sick for a year’','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	TEN members of staff at a children&#39;s detention centre have been on sick leave for more than a year, it has emerged.<br />\r\n	&nbsp;</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Children&#39;s Minister&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Frances_Fitzgerald_(politician)\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Frances Fitzgerald</a>said a third of beds at the facility in Lusk, Co Dublin, are lying empty because of staffing problems and issues with a roster implemented in February.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		A Government decision to stop sending 16-year-olds to adult prisons coincided with a spike in judges remanding teenagers, putting demand at Oberstown campus at a record high, she added.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		But her officials said it was wrong to link sick leave levels with the older teenagers being moved to the units.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Jim Breslin, secretary general of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, said: &quot;It is a problem on campus, not specifically related to the arrival of 16-year-olds.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;It&#39;s pointing the finger in the wrong direction.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The pair appeared before the Oireachtas committee on health and children, where ombudsman for children Emily Logan yesterday queried concerns from staff on the campus of the Oberstown detention schools that they are not trained to deal with older boys.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Mr Breslin and the minister denied the claims, adding that its 190 care staff were qualified and skilled.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Oberstown began receiving 16-year-old boys last year from St Patrick&#39;s Institution, which was heavily criticised in prison reports.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		However judges recently complained about the lack of room for young offenders, who they have been forced to free back on to the streets with serious convictions.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Sinn_Fein\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Sinn Fein</a>&#39;s Caoimhghon O Caolain said &quot;critical steps&quot; are required to tackle the problems on site.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: inherit !important; float: none !important;\">&quot;It is clear from voices inside and outside the campus that there is an absolute requirement for additional staff to ensure the facility can be fully utilised and is&nbsp;<span id=\"link0\" name=\"link0\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; height: auto; cursor: pointer; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-decoration: underline !important; color: rgb(0, 153, 0) !important;\">fit</span>&nbsp;for purpose for detainees and for those who work across that campus,&quot; he added.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		There are 24 beds in Trinity House School - including eight waiting to open - 20 in Oberstown Boys School and eight in Oberstown Girls School which are rarely full.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Ms Fitzgerald said talks were still continuing with unions to open a new eight bed unit on the grounds, adding that temporary or agency staff would have to be taken on.</p>\r\n	<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			She told the committee ten staff had been off sick for more than a year and that she regretted that a new roster system linking staff across three units had not resulted in additional beds being opened.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;Work in Oberstown is demanding, work in detention centres is demanding on staff, but staff have to be flexible and clearly put children at the centre,&quot; she added.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Ms Fitzgerald said the position of a new campus manager to oversee the running of all three units will be advertised next month.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Elsewhere works on a 50 million euro 30-bed unit will begin this summer and it will open next year, when more than 60 new staff will be hired.<br />\r\n			<br />\r\n			Sarah Stack</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ten-staff-members-at-childrens-detention-centre-off-sick-for-a-year-29430725.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ten-staff-members-at-childrens-detention-centre-off-sick-for-a-year-29430725.html</a></p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-19 10:16:18',NULL,'ten-staff-members-at-children’s-detention-centre-‘off-sick-for-a-year’'),(136,'Films for autistic children create 100 jobs','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	UP TO 100 jobs are being created by an animation company specialising in language development for children with&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Autism\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">autism</a>&nbsp;and language difficulties.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Animation Language Learning (ALL) will operate in conjunction with<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Disney_Channel\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63);\">Disney</a>&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Pixar\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Pixar</a>, which has granted rights to employ their movies as part of a global language development research programme.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		ALL will operate from a new centre housed at the headquarters of Irish<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Autism\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Autism</a>&nbsp;Action in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath, where construction work is now under way.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The initiative is the brainchild of engineer Enda Dodd and chief executive of ALL&#39;s research centre in Galway.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Mr Dodd&#39;s interest in the area stemmed from Enda&#39;s twin sons, Conor and Eoin, who were diagnosed with severe&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Autism\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">autism</a>&nbsp;at a young age.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		He used his own research and development experience as a bio-medical engineer to find a solution to his children&#39;s communication difficulties.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		ALL uses much-loved movies, such as &#39;Toy Story&#39;, to explore and teach children conceptual language.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<strong style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em;\">REPETITION</strong></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It uses repetition to reinforce the concepts of characters, action words and emotions. The programme is currently in pilot phase in Ireland and the US.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The opening of the ALL facility here will put Irish Autism Action among the world leaders in delivering technology-based language development.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;My wife and I know, from experience, what it is to want a better future for your children with autism,&quot; said Mr Dodd.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;The time has come to move the agenda globally from autism awareness to effective intervention using 21st Century visual tools.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;It is amazing the influence that parents of children with autism can bring to the table in harnessing global players like Disney and Adobe. I don&#39;t believe that animated language learning would have the same impact without the Disney movies that the children can relate to.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The innovative Galway man and his global team are constantly refining his visual learning technology.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Kevin Whelan, CEO of Irish Autism Action, added: &quot;Helping children with autism to communicate is steering them away from institutional care and from the lonely world associated with their condition. It is great that an Irishman is driving this hugely significant global development.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/films-for-autistic-children-create-100-jobs-29437456.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/films-for-autistic-children-create-100-jobs-29437456.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-22 07:53:56',NULL,'films-for-autistic-children-create-100-jobs'),(137,'Minister Lynch: ‘Unwilling’ patients no longer to receive electric shock therapy','<h2 class=\"main_excerpt\" style=\"margin: 5px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.1em; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\">\r\n	Patients who refuse to give their consent will no longer be forced to have the controversial treatment under new laws.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		NON-CONSENTING MENTAL health patients will no longer be forced to undergo electric shock therapy (ECT) under proposed legislation<em style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\">.</em></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Kathleen Lynch, confirmed to&nbsp;<em style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;\">TheJournal.ie&nbsp;</em>that recommendations&nbsp;in relation to ECT&nbsp;made by the expert group who are reviewing the mental health act, will be implemented. She said the law will be changed so that unwilling patients will no longer be forced to receive ECT.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		She said: &ldquo;I know for a fact that we are taking out &lsquo;unwilling&rsquo; from the ECT piece. That to me always did seem outrageous, so that is going to go.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<h3 style=\"margin: 15px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.2em; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.5em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85);\">\r\n		Non consent to treatment</h3>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		Under the Mental Health Act 2001, a patient must consent to the treatment, but if they decide against it then their decision can be overridden if two psychiatrists believe it is in the best interests of the patient. This promise by the minister will see the word &ldquo;unwilling&rdquo; removed from section 59 of Act.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		The Mental Health Act is currently under review by an expert group who were due to give their final report and recommendations to the minister in June.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		The most recent figures released by the Mental Health Commission show that in 2011, 25 out of 332 programmes of ECT were given to patients who were either unwilling or unable to give consent to the treatment.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		This compares with 35 cases of ECT, out of a total of 347, that was administered to unwilling patients in 2010.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		The average number of treatments per programme of ECT was 6.8. The Government&rsquo;s mental health policy, A Vision for Change, which was published in 2006 does not set out any national clinical guidelines for ECT in Ireland.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		The Mental Health Reform has raised its concerns over the current legal and standards framework, and previously stated that given that ECT is an invasive treatment it is imperative that rigorous safeguards are in place to protect the individuals&rsquo; right to choice and to give protection from any unnecessary harm.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		The Mental Health Commission has also highlighted its concerns about forced ECT treatment to non-consenting patients and registered their concerns in their annual reports.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		ECT is administered in 68 approved and registered centres across the country.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		There has been numerous cases brought to the High Court in relation to ECT. The removal of the word &ldquo;unwilling&rdquo; should give clarity to those who are vocal about their objections to the treatment.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		While the removal of the word &ldquo;unwilling&rdquo; from the act will be welcomed by those who have campaigned against forced ECT treatment, it does not go so far as to remove the entire section which states: &quot;<span style=\"background-color: rgb(234, 237, 242); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 23.390625px;\">where the patient is unable or unwilling to give such consent&quot;&hellip;</span></p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		<br />\r\n		<br />\r\n		<span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.390625px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;\">Minister Lynch also flagged other legislative changes which could be made, such as the make-up and format of the mental health tribunals and the inclusion of someone&rsquo;s will and preference in terms of their treatment. While she said it is &ldquo;in the hands of the expert group&rdquo; she said she would like to see the role of the advocate expanded, whereby they should be able to accompany patients to their mental health tribunal, if they so wished.</span><br />\r\n		<br />\r\n		<span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.390625px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;\">She added that there were a number of issues being looked at and admitted that there was still a &ldquo;gap in the service&rdquo; when it came to teenagers being treated in some services when they are 16 years old, with other services refusing to offer treatment. She said:&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.390625px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; background-color: rgb(234, 237, 242); color: rgb(68, 68, 68);\">&quot;I always felt that if it is the law of the land that you are a child until you are 18 then that&rsquo;s the service you fit into, and that&rsquo;s it&quot;.</span></p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		<span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.390625px;\">She added that young people ending up in adult units as a result of &ldquo;territorial protectionism&rdquo; is &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo;.</span></p>\r\n	<p>\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/electro-shock-therapy-unwilling-patients-ireland-983018-Jul2013/\"><span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.390625px;\">http://www.thejournal.ie/electro-shock-therapy-unwilling-patients-ireland-983018-Jul2013/</span></a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-22 08:15:51',NULL,'minister-lynch-‘unwilling’-patients-no-longer-to-receive-electric-shock-therapy'),(138,'Growth of cyber racism \'ignored at our peril\'','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	ONLINE hate speech is on the rise and now amounts to more than 10pc of all racism cases reported to the Immigrant Council of Ireland.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		In the past 12 months, online hate speech has accounted for 11 of 100 racism cases reported to the council.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Incidents reported include abuse through posts on social media and disturbing pictures and posts on right-wing websites.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The council has compiled a dossier of offensive and disturbing posts directed at non-Irish nationals. The majority of the complaints are against one website in particular which has a forum where users post offensive, racist content.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Denise Charlton, chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said cyber racism had a significant impact on online users.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;Individuals, even though they were not always targeted directly, reported that they felt upset, distressed and horrified by the language used on the internet,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The figures on online hate were released by the council to coincide with the European Day for the Victims of Hate today.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The council is joining campaigners across Europe to mark the second anniversary of the massacre of 77 people in attacks in Oslo and Utoya Island, perpetrated by&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Anders_Behring_Breivik\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Anders Behring Breivik</a>, by calling for firm action against hate speech.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;The use of websites, social media and blogs to spread hate is a challenge which Ireland and Europe ignores at their peril,&quot; said Ms Charlton.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;The events in&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Norway\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Norway</a>&nbsp;two years ago today sent shockwaves across the continent, yet still the internet is being abused by those whose only message is of hate.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/growth-of-cyber-racism-ignored-at-our-peril-29437516.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/growth-of-cyber-racism-ignored-at-our-peril-29437516.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-22 08:27:51',NULL,'growth-of-cyber-racism-ignored-at-our-peril'),(139,'Unpaid court fines will not be deducted from welfare','<p>\r\n	<section class=\"body\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		The Department of Justice has said that administration costs and payment limits mean it is not possible to deduct unpaid court fines from social welfare benefits.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has said repeatedly that he intends to end the practice of sending people to prison for non-payment of fines.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		He would prefer instead to deduct the money owed directly from wages and social welfare benefits.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		About 8,300 were committed to prison for the non-payment of fines last year.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		However proposed legislation published on Friday shows that money will only be deducted from wages or occupational pensions but not from benefits.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Instead, people with limited means, such as those on social welfare benefits, will either have an asset seized to the value of the fine, or be ordered to carry out community service in place of the fine.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		In a statement today, the department said that the Government decided last October not to proceed with deductions against social welfare payments.</p>\r\n	</section><section class=\"bodyExt\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		It said this was due to the cost of administering the deduction of fines, and because social welfare rules meant only around &euro;2 a week could be deducted.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		The planned law - the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013 - offers judges three options that will make imprisonment for the non-payment of fines a last resort.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Under the new bill, those fined will have an option to pay the fine over 12 monthly instalments, but they will also have to pay an administration fee of up to 10%.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		For those who do not pay the fine and are brought back before the courts, a judge will have three options.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		They can make an attachment of earnings order to deduct the fine from the person&#39;s wages or occupational pension; make a recovery order whereby a receiver will seize assets to the value of the fine; or make a community service order.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Depending on a number of circumstances, this community service will range from 30 to 240 hours.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		It is only when these options have failed that the judge will be permitted to sentence the person to imprisonment.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Depending on the amount of the fine, this sentence can be no more than a maximum of 30 days.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Groups representing the lower paid have welcomed the news that social welfare benefits will not be touched and that community service replaces imprisonment.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		However, the option to pay by instalment was included in earlier legislation that has yet to be enacted.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Minister Shatter hopes to have the bill enacted by the end of this year, and hopes to have it operational by 2014.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Work is ongoing on developing the Courts Service computer system to enable the proposed changes to take effect.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0722/463975-prison-unpaid-fines-alan-shatter/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0722/463975-prison-unpaid-fines-alan-shatter/</a></p>\r\n	</section></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-23 08:03:21',NULL,'unpaid-court-fines-will-not-be-deducted-from-welfare'),(140,'Shatter: Asylum seekers not treated like Magdalenes','<p style=\"margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has described as &ldquo;grossly misleading&rdquo; a correlation between the lives endured by residents of the Magdalene laundries and the thousands of asylum seekers currently living in direct provision centres.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Mr Shatter was responding to comments by Ombudsman Emily O&rsquo;Reilly that Taoiseach Enda Kenny may one day have to issue an apology to asylum seekers along the lines of the one he offered to survivors of Magdalene laundries.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">In a written D&aacute;il response, Mr Shatter said: &ldquo;I do not accept the attempted correlation between the residents of direct provision accommodation centres and past residents of industrial schools or Magdalene laundries.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">He said all EU member states operate systems for dealing with asylum seekers. &ldquo;In reality, the system in this State is at least on a par and often significantly better than that in operation in many other member states. In the circumstances, it is grossly misleading to characterise our treatment of asylum seekers as being akin to that meted out to subjects of abuse who had no protection of the law or relevant State bodies.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Mr Shatter confirmed that there are currently 4,116 residents in direct provision centres across the country.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The vast majority of the asylum seekers are from the developing nations, however, new figures provided by Mr Shatter confirm there are citizens from economic powerhouses, the United States, Germany and China being accommodated at the centres.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The country with the largest number living in direct provision is Nigeria (1,211) followed by the Democratic Republic of The Congo (415) and Pakistan (309).&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Germany and US each have one person living in direct provision with nine from China with an additional five being &ldquo;stateless&rdquo;.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Mr Shatter confirmed the Reception Integration Agency (RIA) has spent &euro;25.75 million in the six months to the end of June with the full year estimate at &euro;57.5m. This compares with the &euro;62.3m spend in 2012.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The figures show that 68% or 3,129 of the 4,616 asylum seekers are living in direct provision three years or more and that includes 600 living in the direct provision for seven years or more.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Mr Shatter said: &ldquo;I accept that the direct provision system is not ideal and many residents spend too long there. But it is a system which facilitates the State providing a roof over the heads of those seeking protection or the right to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds or other reasons.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;It allows the State to do it in a manner that facilitates resources being used economically in circumstances where the State is in financial difficulty.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Mr Shatter added: &ldquo;There is no question but that the asylum system is slow, fragmented and is in need of reform and I am determined to see this reform through. For me, the length of time spent in the Direct Provision system, rather than the quality of provision within the system itself, is the real issue and I am committed to remedying that.&rdquo;</span></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/shatter-asylum-seekers-not-treated-like-magdalenes-237505.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/shatter-asylum-seekers-not-treated-like-magdalenes-237505.html</a></div>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-23 08:15:41',NULL,'shatter-asylum-seekers-not-treated-like-magdalenes'),(141,'Children waiting a year to be given social worker','<p>\r\n	<section class=\"body\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		A new report published by the Health Information and Quality Authority has found that child protection services in Cavan and Monaghan were not dealing adequately with the needs of a large number of the 2,419 children referred in the region.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		HIQA inspectors found significant delays in assessing children&#39;s cases with 512 children awaiting initial assessments by a social worker.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The inspectors also found that 13 children had been waiting more than 12 months for further assessments, including for alleged sexual abuse and psychological assessments.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The announced HIQA inspection was carried out in the Cavan/Monaghan health area in February of this year.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		According to information provided by the Health Service Executive, there were 2,419 referrals of child protection concerns in this region in 2012, 555 of which related to children already receiving a social work service.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		There were 180 children in care, and 59 children subject to child protection plans.</p>\r\n	</section><section class=\"bodyExt\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		HIQA also found that some children in parts of Cork are waiting over a year to have a dedicated social worker allocated to them.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		An inspection of the HSE Child Protection and Welfare Service also found that 32 children in care in the Cork North Lee region did not have a dedicated social worker.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The HIQA inspectors also found that only one in ten referrals of cases relating to child abuse had their initial assessment completed within the 20-day period set down in the Children First Guidelines.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The HSE Cork North Lee region provides services to 1,661 children in an area ranging from Youghal in the east to Macroom in the west and all of Cork city north of the River Lee.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		There are 507 children in care, three children at home under a care order, and 56 children under supervision orders.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The HIQA inspections were carried out in February of this year.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		Of the 27 standards assessed, all were met in full or in part, eight were met in full and 19 met in part.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		Overall, the findings of this report show that children received a welfare service which supported their safety.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		Timely action was taken to protect children who were considered to be at a high risk of harm or neglect, but there were significant delays for those considered to be at a medium or low risk.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The inspectors found that the reason for this was down to insufficient resources to meet the increasing demands of the services.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		HSE best practice sets a target of 20 days to complete the initial assessment, but only 9.8% of referrals for child abuse in 2012 met this target.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		For some cases it was several months before initial assessments were completed.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Cases of child abuse with a high priority were allocated within days, however some low priority cases had no allocated social worker for several months.</span></p>\r\n	</section></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-23 08:27:02',NULL,'children-waiting-a-year-to-be-given-social-worker'),(142,'Two toddlers walk out of TV probe creche','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	A PROBE is under way after two toddlers wandered out of one of the creches at the centre of a TV investigation into alleged mistreatment of children.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The incident occurred yesterday at Giraffe in Belarmine, Stepaside, south Dublin, which was one of three childcare centres that featured in an RTE &#39;Prime Time&#39; probe in May.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The two children left the premises by themselves during a visit by an animal handler who had brought a visiting farm to the creche.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Management at the Giraffe creche in Stepaside last night admitted that two toddlers had exited the premises through a gate which had been left open.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The young children were found on a grass patch outside the creche. One of the Giraffe care workers had noticed that they were missing and found them along with a local resident, according to a statement from the creche.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It is unclear how long the children were off the premises for but it is believed to have been a short time.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The creche said it had the correct staff ratio in operation at the time and that it had launched a full investigation, which would be the normal procedure in such instances.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		In the aftermath of the RTE &#39;Prime Time&#39; probe, management at Giraffe in Belarmine had promised to introduce a number of measures to raise standards, including the installation of cameras across its 21 centres. The promises followed meetings with concerned parents.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The creche has informed parents they will only be able to view the footage from the newly installed CCTV cameras after it has first been viewed by management.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		In a letter circulated to parents last week, the director of childcare, Dolores O&#39;Donnell, stated that a full-time staff member would be taken on specifically to monitor CCTV footage.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		However, she stressed that parents would only be allowed to watch video recordings in &quot;appropriate circumstances&quot;.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<strong style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em;\">MISSING</strong></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;We are required by law to balance the wish to be able to make footage available to parents on request with data-protection requirements and the general right to privacy of those appearing in the footage,&quot; she said in the letter to parents.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The Stepaside creche was one of three &ndash; alongside the Little Harvard creche in Rathnew, Co Wicklow, and the Links creche in Malahide, Co Dublin &ndash; that featured in undercover footage shown on the &#39;Prime Time&#39; programme. All three insisted in the immediate aftermath that they were taking steps to improve childcare.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		After the programme had aired, management at the Giraffe creche in Stepaside said they were &quot;profoundly sorry&quot; for the distress caused.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/two-toddlers-walk-out-of-tv-probe-creche-29443667.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/two-toddlers-walk-out-of-tv-probe-creche-29443667.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-24 07:49:55',NULL,'two-toddlers-walk-out-of-tv-probe-creche'),(143,'New child agency chairwoman raises concerns over conditions for asylum seekers','<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The new Child and Family Agency&rsquo;s chairwoman has said she is concerned about children being brought up in the housing system for asylum seekers.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The system is &ldquo;not a place to be bringing up children&rdquo; especially because families are kept in it for many years,&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Norah%20Gibbons&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Norah Gibbons</a>&nbsp;told the joint Oireachtas committee on health and children. She said she wanted to see a &ldquo;move away&rdquo; from direct provision, in which asylum seekers and their children are kept in hostels or other often temporary accommodation where they are provided with food and unable to cook themselves. Campaigners have highlighted cramped conditions for families and the negative impact for parents who are not allowed to work. &ldquo;I hope that in Ireland we can do better,&rdquo; Ms Gibbons said.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;It is not in children&rsquo;s best interests to stay there for a long time,&rdquo; she added. Some children of asylum seekers would end up remaining in Ireland as citizens and &ldquo;we want the best for them as we do for everyone else&rdquo;, Ms Gibbons said.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	But Minister for Justice&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Alan%20Shatter&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Alan Shatter</a>&nbsp;has repeatedly said there is no plan to change the direct provision system. About one third of the 4,627 asylum seekers are children, living in 34 centres around the country.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The biggest group of asylum seekers - 702 - is living in direct provision for up to six years, followed by 690 people living in the system for up to five years; 604 people for over seven years and 599 people for up to four years.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Ms Gibbon&rsquo;s comments follow concerns raised by Ombudsman Emily O&rsquo;Reilly recently that the State&rsquo;s treatment of asylum seekers may breach its human rights obligations.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Ms Gibbons also told the committee she hoped the new agency would not become an agency for &ldquo;troubled children&rdquo;. It should encourage good parenting, through courses for lone and young parents, and work with different agencies to ensure that children at risk are identified early on. But she said she was committed to the well-being of the 6,421 young people in State care.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The Government has said intends to have legislation setting up the new&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Child%20and%20Family%20Agency&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Child and Family Agency</a>&nbsp;passed later this year. The agency will have a staff of over 4,000 and a budget of nearly &euro;600 million.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/new-child-agency-chairwoman-raises-concerns-over-conditions-for-asylum-seekers-1.1472782\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/new-child-agency-chairwoman-raises-concerns-over-conditions-for-asylum-seekers-1.1472782</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-24 08:08:36',NULL,'new-child-agency-chairwoman-raises-concerns-over-conditions-for-asylum-seekers'),(144,'WHO IS CARING FOR CHILDREN IN CARE?','<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	LAUNCH OF &#39;SOMEONE TO CARE&#39; REPORT</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Amnesty International has launched the publication &quot;Someone to Care: The Mental Health Needs Of Children And Young People With Experience Of The Care And Youth Justice Systems.&quot; The comprehensive report gives an insight into the experiences of young people in care settings and how the system can impact on a young person&#39;s well-being. Professionals&#39; views on current gaps in mental health service provision in Ireland are also outlined. The report is holistic, in that, it further highlights Ireland&#39;s international human rights obligations, provides an economic analysis of the Irish care and youth justice systems and illustrates best practice in service provision in various other jurisdictions.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	In the report, young people identified three main issues to be addressed for children in the care system: the need to be understood, the need for better services and the need for child-centred care.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The report made eight key recommendations including: ensuring the voice of the child is listened to, developing a national strategy to address the mental health needs of children and young people in care, providing a common assessment framework of children and young people&#39;s mental health needs, ensuring stability for children in care, providing adequate and equitable access to services, developing mandatory protocols for inter-agency working, providing professional training programmes on psychological well-being and providing legislation to ensure protection for children leaving care, detention and homeless children.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Speaking after the launch of the publication, Director of EPIC, Jennifer Gargan made the following comment: &quot;This report again highlights how the system is failing and further traumatising children and young people in care. The key recommendations in this report are vital in achieving better outcomes for young people. An implementation plan is now required in order to ensure that all of the relevant stakeholders work together in order to provide services effectively and efficiently in a child-centred manner.&quot;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The needs identified by young people (such as the need to be understood and the need for better services) in this report as well as the recommendations made, particularly on the importance of stability, reflects EPIC&#39;s experiences of working with young people in care and findings from the most recent EPIC research publication &#39;My Voice Has To Be Heard: Outcomes For Young People Leaving Care.&#39;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.waterford-today.ie/waterford-lifestyle/20239-who-is-caring-for-children-in-care-20239.html\">http://www.waterford-today.ie/waterford-lifestyle/20239-who-is-caring-for-children-in-care-20239.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-24 08:15:37',NULL,'who-is-caring-for-children-in-care'),(145,'Father\'s fury at creche after tots walked out','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	THE father of a child who attends a creche where two toddlers wandered out on to the street has said it is a &quot;kick in the teeth&quot; for parents who placed their trust in the creche operators.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		He said many parents had given Giraffe creche in Belarmine, south Dublin, the &quot;benefit of the doubt&quot; after RTE&#39;s &#39;Prime Time&#39; raised allegations of mistreatment.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;The creche has confirmed that the children had in effect crossed the road to the grass at the front of the creche, which is obviously very alarming.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;This is a kick in the teeth for parents who interacted with Giraffe and gave them the benefit of the doubt before. While I&#39;m sure there have been some changes in the way children are treated and handled, this is even more fundamental &ndash; it&#39;s safety.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		He said the road in front of the creche, which is an internal road within the Belarmine residential complex, is where parents park when dropping off and collecting their children.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		He added that while it is approached by a steep bend meaning motorists cannot drive fast, it is also bordered by some shrubbery which could make spotting a child in time difficult.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;You could wheel around and hit a child dead,&quot; said the worried father.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The two toddlers left the premises by themselves during a visit by an animal handler who had brought a visiting farm to the creche. A gate had been left open allowing the children to wander outside.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Speaking to the Irish Independent, the father said that after the latest incident he and his wife wanted to remove their daughter.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;If anything was ever to happen to my daughter in the future we would have no one else to blame but ourselves.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		A spokeswoman for the creche denied that the alarm was raised by a local resident who found the two children outside the creche and said staff were already searching for them.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fathers-fury-at-creche-after-tots-walked-out-29447255.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fathers-fury-at-creche-after-tots-walked-out-29447255.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-25 10:10:13',NULL,'fathers-fury-at-creche-after-tots-walked-out'),(146,'Children’s hospital apologises over contamination mix up','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; cursor: default;\">\r\n	Seven new families now being contacted by Crumlin over scare</h2>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	Our Lady&rsquo;s Children&rsquo;s Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin, is investigating how 18 families were wrongly told their children may have been contaminated by a medical instrument.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	The hospital this morning apologised to the families and said seven separate patients were now being contacted about the colonoscope contamination.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	Dr&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Colm%20Costigan&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; cursor: default; outline: none !important;\">Colm Costigan</a>, clinical director of the three Dublin paediatric hospitals, said the mix up involved two coloscopes&mdash;medical instruments used in bowel examinations&mdash;that failed hospital tests on July 6th.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	One of the two scopes was contaminated with ESPL. ESPL or extended spectrum beta lactamases are bugs that live in the bowel. They are produced by bacteria to combat antibiotics. They break down the commoner antibiotics and can make infections more difficult to treat.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	The contamination was incorrectly attributed to the second scope, leading the hospital to believe 18 children treated with it may have become infected.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	Dr Costigan said he contacted the 18 families yesterday to explain the situation to them. He also told RT&Eacute;&rsquo;s Morning Ireland that he had gotten in touch with six of the seven new families and was still trying to reach the remaining family.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	He apologised for the mix-up, adding &ldquo;we have to have a proper look back to see the proper reasons for that mistake. There&rsquo;s a formal investigation going to take place with the National Incident Management Policy with the hospital and the HSE.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	The hospital intends to test the seven children to see if they carry the bacteria. &ldquo;The important point here,&rdquo; Dr Costigan said, &ldquo;is that the families or the person would know that they carried ESPL so if the child was very ill or in hospital with an infection the doctors would choose the correct first line antibiotics so that there&rsquo;d be no time wasted in dealing with the infection.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	Following the initial scare, a spokeswoman for the hospital said, &ldquo;if any child is found to be positive, the hospital will arrange to meet the family and will provide them with all the necessary information and support.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	A positive screen &ldquo;has no immediate impact&rdquo; for patients, she added, but it may affect the first line antibiotics chosen to treat the child if they show signs of infection.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/children-s-hospital-apologises-over-contamination-mix-up-1.1474777\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/children-s-hospital-apologises-over-contamination-mix-up-1.1474777</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-25 10:19:26',NULL,'children’s-hospital-apologises-over-contamination-mix-up'),(147,'Head of elderly support group Alone urges homecare regulation','<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The latest tranche of home help complaints released to&nbsp;<em>The Irish Times</em>&nbsp;under the Freedom of Information Act relate to home help complaints received in seven HSE local health offices between 2011 and 2012.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A further three local health offices, namely Roscommon, Tipperary South and Wexford, did not record any complaints about home-help services in the period covered.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The release of this latest batch of complaints follows the publication last month by<em>The Irish Times</em>&nbsp;of 80 complaints received in 11 health offices, which revealed that an elderly woman had been left in bed all weekend because staff did not show up.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A further complaint centred on a threat by a home help that she would only shower a disabled stroke victim twice a week because she was &ldquo;sick to death&rdquo; with problems caused by the client while another involved a home help who left a bucket of urine in an older man&rsquo;s room, and used soiled clothes to wash him .</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Another included an allegation that a home help had taken possession of a client&rsquo;s pension and credit union book, resulting in a HSE and Garda investigation.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Following the revelations published last month, Minister of State with responsibility for older people Kathleen Lynch said home help services would be the next sector to be regulated and subject to inspections by the Health Information and Quality Authority, the health safety watchdog.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	There are currently no statutory regulations in place for homecare providers, however private homecare providers contracted to the HSE are required to meet standards as part of their service level agreement, including monitoring arrangements.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<br />\r\n	<strong>Commitment</strong><br />\r\n	The programme for government contains a commitment to develop and implement a statutory regulation system for homecare services, which would include inspections by 2016.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	However, Se&aacute;n Moynihan chief executive of Alone, an organisation supporting older people in need, said the Government should introduce regulation of the sector &ldquo;the quicker the better&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;You can&rsquo;t open up a corner shop and make a sandwich without regulation and spot checks . . . we are only getting to that with older people in the community,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;Our concern is that [the Government] won&rsquo;t actually get to it and we feel it should be done now.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	He said that in &ldquo;any relationship where people are one-on-one with people who are vulnerable . . . there is a danger of manipulation&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;The bottom line is that older people want to be treated like any other group but for a percentage of people who are dependent on the community care, the voluntary sector or family there needs to be vigilance to ensure that vulnerable older people are not left one-to-one and at risk&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<br />\r\n	<strong>Elder abuse</strong><br />\r\n	Mr Moynihan warned that elder abuse remains &ldquo;very, very underreported&rdquo; and was often carried out by individuals who are known to the victim, making it more difficult to report.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	During these times of austerity, it may be the case that vulnerable people feel they must endure more hardship and as a result not report abuse, he said.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<br />\r\n	Older people in need of support can contact Alone on 01-6791032.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/head-of-elderly-support-group-alone-urges-homecare-regulation-1.1475397\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/head-of-elderly-support-group-alone-urges-homecare-regulation-1.1475397</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-26 09:28:42',NULL,'head-of-elderly-support-group-alone-urges-homecare-regulation'),(148,'What you need to know about dealing with mental health issues in workplace','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Knowing how, when and if you should tell your employer and colleagues about your mental health problem can be difficult. What do you say? How can you put the right supports in place if your workplace doesn&#39;t know? What should you do? How will they react?</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The first thing to remember is that people with mental health problems can and do recover.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		With the right supports in place, people can and do stay in work. Equality law is there to protect you, and people with a mental health problem cannot be treated less favourably in the workplace because of a mental health issue.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		There is no formula to what you should or should not tell your employer when you are experiencing, or have experienced, a mental health problem. Some people have had very good experiences in talking about their mental health problem with their employer and colleagues, while others have not.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		However, there are a few things to consider when weighing up the pros and cons of disclosing to your employer:</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		One in four of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our life &ndash; so what you are experiencing is a very ordinary part of being human. With the right supports and recognising what you need, you can balance your health with the demands of your job.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		People with experience of mental health difficulties are covered by the Employment Equality Acts and the Equal Status Acts, so equality law protects you in the workplace. It&#39;s your choice &ndash; disclosure of mental health problems at work is up to you.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		If you are going to tell your line manager, ask for a private meeting where you can discuss your mental health, how it relates to your work, and what might help you manage your health so you can perform well.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Agree a plan of changes with your boss and a time to meet again to discuss whether things have improved. If you&#39;re not sure what might help, try small steps, and make a note of whether they help or not.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Work is just one</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		So try to consider the supports in your life outside of work that might be helpful. You should never feel pressurised into telling someone that you have a mental health problem. It is up to you whether or not you want them to know.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Some people have had a positive response. Others have been met with negative reactions, but, in spite of this, being open and honest can assist your recovery.</p>\r\n	<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: inherit !important; float: none !important;\">Having an open culture in the workplace and prioritising mental health awareness and wellness are some ways that workplaces can proactively foster a&nbsp;<span id=\"link0\" name=\"link0\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; height: auto; cursor: pointer; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-decoration: underline !important; color: rgb(0, 153, 0) !important;\">healthy</span>&nbsp;working environment.</span></p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Mental health problems are an everyday part of life. When workplaces having clear steps and guidelines on how to engage with employees on wellbeing and mental health, it is easier to form an appropriate proactive strategy to address a situation.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			See Change offers free training for employers on mental health issues in the workplace. For details see: www.seechange.ie/workplace.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			John Saunders is director of Shine and See Change. Shineonline.ie and seechange.ie.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/business/what-you-need-to-know-about-dealing-with-mental-health-issues-in-workplace-29447147.html\">http://www.independent.ie/business/what-you-need-to-know-about-dealing-with-mental-health-issues-in-workplace-29447147.html</a></p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-26 09:45:23',NULL,'what-you-need-to-know-about-dealing-with-mental-health-issues-in-workplace'),(149,'Children placed with foster parents with outdated Garda vetting','<p>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Vulnerable children are being looked after by foster carers who have allegations hanging over them, it has been revealed.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Youngsters are also living long-term with unapproved foster parents and carers whose Garda vetting was out-of-date.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) &ndash; the State&rsquo;s health watchdog &ndash; said it could not disclose the severity or nature of &ldquo;upheld&rdquo; complaints against carers who continue to foster children.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">But the authority attacked the Health Service Executive (HSE) for its &ldquo;lack of urgency&rdquo; in carrying out investigations into the allegations.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Last year, Hiqa launched inspections of 33 children&rsquo;s residential centres &ndash; for children mostly aged between 12 and 18 years &ndash; and eight foster care services, all run by the HSE.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Overall, care was deemed to be good and safe.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">But the system was found to be under significant pressure, in some instances putting children at risk.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The investigation found that none of the foster care services fully reached the standards set out for them. More than one in ten were below standard.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Furthermore, there were cases where children were being placed with unapproved foster carers, sometimes for long periods of time.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The investigation by the HSE into allegations against foster carers &ldquo;was not always timely&rdquo;, the watchdog found.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The report also found a lack of foster carers in some areas, while staff shortages had impacted on the HSE&rsquo;s ability to provide a safe high quality fostering service.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Phelim Quinn, director of regulation with Hiqa, said in some cases foster carers were offered very little training in dealing with vulnerable children with extremely challenging behaviour.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Although recruiting more foster carers will mitigate threats to the stability of foster care placements, ongoing needs assessment of children and young people who are at risk of coming into care should inform any recruitment process,&rdquo; he said.</span></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/children-placed-with-foster-parents-with-outdated-garda-vetting-601701.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/children-placed-with-foster-parents-with-outdated-garda-vetting-601701.html</a></div>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-26 10:04:33',NULL,'children-placed-with-foster-parents-with-outdated-garda-vetting'),(150,'Bill on assisted decision-making will support the vulnerable','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Legislation moves away from paternalistic way of looking after what we decide are people&rsquo;s bests interests</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The long-awaited Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill 2013 was published last week. The Bill strongly reflects the recommendations of recent&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Law%20Reform%20Commission&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Law Reform Commission</a>&nbsp;reports and 70 written submissions made to the joint committee on justice, defence and equality last year.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Its purpose is to reform the law and provide a modern statutory framework that supports decision-making by adults, enabling them to retain the greatest amount of autonomy possible in situations where they lack, or may shortly lack, capacity.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The Bill will make some of the following substantial changes: it will replace the wards of court system with a new legal framework; it will change the existing law to a functional one, whereby decision-making capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis; it will provide for a range of different types of assistant decision-makers; it will establish an office of public guardian with supervisory powers to protect vulnerable people; it will modernise the law in relation to enduring powers of attorney; and it will provide for advance care directives (at committee stage).</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<br />\r\n		Shift from overt paternalism<br />\r\n		What is very welcome about the Bill is that it moves away from the paternalistic way of looking after what we decide are people&rsquo;s &ldquo;bests interests&rdquo; and recognises a person&rsquo;s right to make decisions about their own lives, enabling and supporting them in that decision-making.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Section eight sets out the guiding principles of the Act. Under these, capacity is always presumed unless the contrary can be shown. A second core element seeks to ensure that the assistant decision-maker must: reflect the right of the relevant person to his or her dignity, bodily integrity, privacy and autonomy; permit, encourage and facilitate the relevant person to participate as fully as possible; give effect to the past and present will and preferences of the relevant person; and take into account the beliefs and values of the relevant person.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The Bill provides a statutory framework for the appointment of different types of people to assist the vulnerable with decision-making. These are called assistant decision-makers, co-decision-makers and decision-making representatives. They can facilitate decisions, where specified, regarding the personal welfare, property and affairs and most medical treatment, of the relevant person. They are appointed by that person or the court. They must also submit annual reports to the public guardian. I would suggest these annual reports contain essential financial information also.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The Bill provides that rules of court and ministerial regulations will be made regarding various procedures specified.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Section 28 deals with emergency situations. The court may make an interim order in relation to a relevant person. This is a very important provision as it may protect a person from financial abuse.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		In relation to enduring powers of attorney, the Bill specifies that attorneys can make healthcare decisions for donors, which is a welcome reform. However, the attorney cannot refuse life-sustaining treatment of the donor. Attorneys will also have to submit annual reports to the public guardian. Again, it is essential these reports contain relevant financial information.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The public guardian will supervise decision-making assistants, co-decision-makers, decision-making representatives and attorneys. It is essential there are appropriate specialised staff in that office.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		In addition, the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Law%20Society&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Law Society</a>&nbsp;believes the public guardian should also be given a supervisory role in relation to the operation of the nursing home support legislation for people who lack capacity. The society has also recommended the Bill make specific provision for people who lack capacity and who may come within the provisions of the Mental Health Act, 2001.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Minister for Justice&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Alan%20Shatter&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Alan Shatter</a>&nbsp;has said the new specialist judges appointed to the Circuit Court will deal with applications under the Bill. It is therefore essential they obtain the necessary training.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<br />\r\n		Code of practice&nbsp;<br />\r\n		Section 63 of the Bill states the public guardian may publish a code of practice. This code should be drawn up in consultation with interested parties and should be in place before the Bill becomes law.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Section six states expenses incurred by this legislation have to be sanctioned by the Minister for Public Enterprise and Reform. This provision could be used as an excuse to delay the legislation.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Shatter has said: &ldquo;This reform of the law is long overdue and is a major step towards the ratification by Ireland of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.&rdquo; Hopefully, our politicians will not delay passing this legislation to protect the most vulnerable.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=John%20Costello&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">John Costello</a>&nbsp;is a consultant of&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_company=Beauchamps&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Beauchamps</a>&nbsp;Solicitors and a past president of the Law Society</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/bill-on-assisted-decision-making-will-support-the-vulnerable-1.1477616\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/bill-on-assisted-decision-making-will-support-the-vulnerable-1.1477616</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-29 08:05:07',NULL,'bill-on-assisted-decision-making-will-support-the-vulnerable'),(151,'Ireland shows one of lowest citizenship rates in Europe','<h3 style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 18px; font-family: \'Lucida Bright\', Lucidabright, \'Lucida Serif\', Lucida, \'DejaVu Serif\', \'Bitstream Vera Serif\', \'Liberation Serif\', Georgia, serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 22px;\">\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Rates of immigrants who become Irish citizens are among the lowest in Europe, new research has revealed.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Bureaucracy, vagueness within the system and a lack of clear guidelines are among reasons cited by the Immigrant Council of Ireland for the poor citizenship take-up in the country.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Chief executive of the council Denise Charlton warned the low rate would have implications on integration and the economy.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Those who succeed in being naturalised are more often employed, less often overqualified for their jobs, have better housing conditions and have less difficulty paying household expenses,&rdquo; Ms Charlton said.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;This report highlights that despite the positive media coverage and feelgood factor of the citizenship ceremonies, which the Immigrant Council campaigned to have introduced, we still have work to do in this area.&rdquo;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Only 13% of immigrants in Ireland have become citizens.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">This compares with an average of 34% in all the countries studied.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The research, which was overseen by the Migration Policy Group based in Brussels, examined citizenship rates in 15 European Union member states.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">It found that only Luxembourg has a lower rate than Ireland.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Senior Solicitor with the Immigrant Council Hilkka Becker said several barriers have been identified that make Irish citizenship difficult and beyond reach for many.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;We found that despite a citizenship regime which is more inclusive in theory than those in other EU states, there are difficulties which have contributed significantly to the low rates of citizenship,&rdquo; Ms Becker said.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;The absolute discretion of the Minister for Justice and Equality in deciding who is conferred with citizenship has created a lack of transparency and clarity with people forced to negotiate a system which lacks clear guidelines.&rdquo;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">She said the concept of earned citizenship, in which people are naturalised upon meeting certain conditions, does not exist in Ireland &ndash; unlike many other European countries.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Coupled with this vagueness, our system is one of the most demanding in terms of supporting documentation, with applicants forced to produce identity cards, residence permits, income records as well as officially translated and certified birth certificates and passports,&rdquo; she added.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Despite a commitment in 2011 to cut waiting time for applicants to six months, there is still no formal legal time limit and many going through the process continue to endure long waiting periods.&rdquo;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">More than 4,000 people were declared Irish citizens following a series of ceremonies earlier this month.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">T&aacute;naiste Eamon Gilmore gave an address during one of the events at the Convention Centre in Dublin, where he described the granting of citizenship as a momentous occasion for those involved.</span></h3>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/ireland-shows-one-of-lowest-citizenship-rates-in-europe-601994.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/ireland-shows-one-of-lowest-citizenship-rates-in-europe-601994.html</a></div>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-29 08:09:14',NULL,'ireland-shows-one-of-lowest-citizenship-rates-in-europe'),(152,'Judge slams pre-school inspection service','<div>\r\n	<em><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;\">The HSE has defended its pre-school inspection service following criticisms by a District Court judge.</span></em></div>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">At Edenderry District Court, Judge Alan Mitchell said the HSE must be more proactive in cases where childcare providers are not improving their services after inspections.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">He imposed a three- month suspended prison sentence on a pre-school operator who pleaded guilty to 20 breaches of childcare regulations.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">He also banned Tracey Stynes, of Graceland Playschool, of Greenwood Park, Edenderry, from operating a facility for 12 months until she completes a management course.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">He expressed his grave concern that Stynes&rsquo;s facility has been inspected 11 times in the four years since it opened, yet standards had deteriorated. He questioned the purpose of inspections if conditions get progressively worse, and said Stynes may not have understood what was expected of her following previous inspections.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">In a statement, the HSE said it has noted the judge&rsquo;s concerns and said the HSE Preschool Service for the Midlands achieves an inspection rate of 95% to 98% and has four times the national average rate of prosecutions.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The court heard how the safety of children was at risk in a dirty and dangerous facility where their developmental needs were not met.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">During a visit in March to the playroom attached to Stynes&rsquo;s home, HSE inspectors found eight children aged between two and four and a half years old. In her private kitchen and sitting room, Stynes also had four children under two.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">A looped metallic wire attached to the underside of the kitchen table posed &ldquo;a serious risk of strangulation&rdquo; and a dirty plank held up a shelf holding a TV satellite box which could easily have fallen on a child&rsquo;s head.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The children had access to household chemicals and a broken picture frame, and had dirty couches and dirty buggies to sleep in. The outdoor area was not fenced giving children access to the road and unauthorised adults access to them.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Toys and equipment were broken and damaged and conditions were too dangerous for toddlers to explore. One child had a piece of broken clothes peg in his mouth and another was playing with a plastic bag during an inspection.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Stynes has spent &euro;4,500 improving the facility since her follow-up inspection in Jun 2013 and had been &ldquo;overly helpful&rdquo; in taking in children for free to help families. She apologised and admitted she had let some things slip because of financial difficulties but said her circumstances have improved and she will offer a better service in future.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Judge Mitchell described her attitude as &ldquo;laissez faire&rdquo; and said she had neglected her duties.</span></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Claire O&#39;Brien</span></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/judge-slams-pre-school-inspection-service-238178.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/judge-slams-pre-school-inspection-service-238178.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-29 08:21:49',NULL,'judge-slams-pre-school-inspection-service'),(153,'Waiting list for nursing homes set to double','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; cursor: default;\">\r\n	Documents show Department of Health ignored legal advice to clear emergency beds</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		More than 2,000 patients will be waiting for a nursing home place by the end of the year, over double the current number, internal Department of Health documents reveal.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The waiting time for allocation to a nursing home place under the Fair Deal scheme is set to rise to 17 weeks, senior officials warn in the documents obtained under&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=freedom%20of%20information&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; cursor: default; outline: none !important;\">freedom of information</a>&nbsp;legislation. At present, about 770 patients are on the placement list and the average wait is six weeks.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The documents show that the department changed the rules of the scheme for a time earlier this year in spite of legal advice that it would be unconstitutional to do so.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The change from a &ldquo;first-come-first-served&rdquo; system, taken to ease pressure on overcrowded hospital emergency departments, was made against the advice of senior officials who argued that it was &ldquo;arbitrary and discriminatory&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Minister for Health&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=James%20Reilly&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; cursor: default; outline: none !important;\">James Reilly</a>&nbsp;and his Labour Minister of State,&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Kathleen%20Lynch&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; cursor: default; outline: none !important;\">Kathleen Lynch</a>, differed on the plan to use the scheme to transfer older patients occupying beds in Dublin hospitals to nursing homes.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Dr Reilly supported the suspension of the &ldquo;first-come-first-served&rdquo; rule but Ms Lynch said it was wrong and illegal.The decision caused hardship for some families who had moved relatives to private nursing homes in expectation of early approval under Fair Deal. One 93-year-old woman living at home fell after she was skipped in the queue and was only found after a few hours, according to officials.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The normal chronological placement of patients in nursing homes under Fair Deal was suspended in April because of a crisis in hospital emergency departments as a result of a prolonged flu season. The department and HSE are looking at using a modified version of the plan in the event of a future crisis in the health system, despite the concerns expressed.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Paul Cullen</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/waiting-list-for-nursing-homes-set-to-double-1.1477877\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/waiting-list-for-nursing-homes-set-to-double-1.1477877</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-29 08:33:58',NULL,'waiting-list-for-nursing-homes-set-to-double'),(154,'Giving parents of autistic kids some room to breathe','<p>\r\n	<em><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;\">Normally, hearing your seven-year-old daughter bluntly telling you to get off the trampoline might sound a little harsh. But for Kathleen and Derek King, it was music to their ears.</span></em></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Sarah was first diagnosed with autism at two years of age, and according to Kathleen, in recent years, her vocabulary had almost disappeared. Then at the beginning of this year she began attending the Elbowroom, a yoga studio, which is offering a range of services for children with disabilities, merging yoga and occupational and speech and language therapy. It seems to be getting results. Kathleen certainly thinks so.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;She went from being a pretty quiet child, who doesn&rsquo;t have much language, and now she is babbling, like when she was younger when she was a baby,&rdquo; Kathleen says of Sarah&rsquo;s newfound love of vocalising her world.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;She is at least trying language whereas before she seemed put off.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The finest example was when she and dad Derek were sharing the trampoline in the&nbsp;</span><a class=\"itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook\" href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/parenting/some-room-to-breathe-237914.html#\" id=\"itxthook0\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"padding: 0px; border: 0px none transparent; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; display: inline; cursor: pointer; background-image: none; margin: 0px !important; float: none !important; position: static !important;\"><span class=\"itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap\" id=\"itxthook0w\" style=\"border-width: 0px 0px 0.075em; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 140, 0); outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; float: none; height: auto; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; position: static; display: inline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 140, 0); margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important;\">family&rsquo;s</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&nbsp;back garden in Cabra, Dublin. &ldquo;She told him to &lsquo;go out&rsquo; &mdash; she never said that before.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The Elbowroom, in Stoneybatter, Dublin, is now offering the kind of service many</span><a class=\"itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook\" href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/parenting/some-room-to-breathe-237914.html#\" id=\"itxthook1\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"padding: 0px; border: 0px none transparent; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; display: inline; cursor: pointer; background-image: none; margin: 0px !important; float: none !important; position: static !important;\"><span class=\"itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap\" id=\"itxthook1w\" style=\"border-width: 0px 0px 0.075em; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 140, 0); outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; float: none; height: auto; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; position: static; display: inline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 140, 0); margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important;\">parents</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&nbsp;have been desperately seeking, and in doing so is easing the burden on the HSE. Opened by Lisa Wilkinson in 2003, the Elbowroom has moved beyond simply catering for young professionals seeking to tone their core muscles.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Wilkinson and Maire Giblin, a senior occupational therapist specialising in paediatrics, hit on the idea of providing services for children with autism, dyspraxia and other conditions early last year, using skills they had learned from a variety of courses.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;We came up with the idea of complete set of services under one roof,&rdquo; says Wilkinson. &ldquo;We would be the first centre in Dublin offering this kind of approach, where you have speech and language and occupational therapy, bringing these together with yoga. We run sibling services as well and look after the parents.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">According to Giblin, who trained as a yoga therapist in London, yoga is beneficial in itself and is also easily integrated with occupational and speech and language therapy in a one-on-one session that appears to be a winner with clients. She refers to an article in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy from 2010 as an example of growing claims that yoga can make a positive difference in children with conditions such as autism.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">In any given week around 25 children with autism, Down&rsquo;s syndrome or dyspraxia pass through the doors, and up to 100&nbsp;</span><a class=\"itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook\" href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/parenting/some-room-to-breathe-237914.html#\" id=\"itxthook2\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"padding: 0px; border: 0px none transparent; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; display: inline; cursor: pointer; background-image: none; margin: 0px !important; float: none !important; position: static !important;\"><span class=\"itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap\" id=\"itxthook2w\" style=\"border-width: 0px 0px 0.075em; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 140, 0); outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; float: none; height: auto; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; position: static; display: inline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 140, 0); margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important;\">families</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&nbsp;are utilising the services.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Giblin speaks about turning &ldquo;little worriers into little warriors&rdquo; by using yoga as a means to tackling triggers of anxiety.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;One of the things that we would work on is stress responses and triggers when they are going to have a meltdown &mdash; particular breathing techniques taken from tai chi that we would teach them, explaining the times when it is appropriate to use it,&rdquo; she says.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;We use language that is really appealing to kids as well, so they are more likely to use the techniques.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Lisa Wilkinson explains that yoga also works in a way that other types of exercise, such as running, do not. &ldquo;When you are running you are getting feedback from the legs but with yoga you are triggering reception centres all across the body, which kids with self-regulation issues really need.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;For those with high energy levels holding a posture has a calming effect. It can work the other way, you can have kids who are really lethargic or withdrawn and you can use yoga as a fun game to draw them out.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">In many cases the children have already had a hit-and-miss experience with occupational or speech and language therapy, mainly because of the sometimes fragmented nature of the State-provided services. The integrated approach also places an emphasis on involving other family members, ideally so parents can then replicate the experience at home.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">According to Kathleen, &ldquo;We do some of the yoga [at home] and she is very good at her downward facing dog.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">It costs &euro;400 for an assessment and the intervention therapy is &euro;85 per hour &mdash; a price that compares favourably to occupational and speech and language therapy rates elsewhere. Wilkinson says the Elbowroom deals with families &ldquo;on a case-by-case basis&rdquo;, working out a way of limiting any financial strain.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">The Elbowroom also runs a teaching yoga for children course and Wilkinson says half of the participants on a recent course were primary school teachers.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;We get a number of referrals from schools, principals and teachers ... but I do feel the Department of Education have been very short-sighted in their push for the [current] curriculum, unlike Britain and Sweden where movement breaks and relaxation breaks are part of a child&rsquo;s day.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Kathleen, originally from Cambridge in Massachusetts, says her daughter Sarah has turned a corner. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know if it would&nbsp;</span><a class=\"itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook\" href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/parenting/some-room-to-breathe-237914.html#\" id=\"itxthook3\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"padding: 0px; border: 0px none transparent; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; display: inline; cursor: pointer; background-image: none; margin: 0px !important; float: none !important; position: static !important;\"><span class=\"itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap\" id=\"itxthook3w\" style=\"border-width: 0px 0px 0.075em; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 140, 0); outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; float: none; height: auto; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; position: static; display: inline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 140, 0); margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important;\">make a difference</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">. The fact that they were mixing it up and making it fun for her and the fact that I could watch and see for myself what worked and use it at home, I didn&rsquo;t think it was going to make a big difference but I hoped it would.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;I am most definitely a yoga convert &mdash; I got into it a year ago and it&rsquo;s changed my life. I am just calmer &mdash; I want to say more focused, maybe I&rsquo;m not &mdash; but I just feel better.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">She also believes it has been beneficial for her as a&nbsp;</span><a class=\"itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook\" href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/parenting/some-room-to-breathe-237914.html#\" id=\"itxthook4\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"padding: 0px; border: 0px none transparent; outline: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; display: inline; cursor: pointer; background-image: none; margin: 0px !important; float: none !important; position: static !important;\"><span class=\"itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap\" id=\"itxthook4w\" style=\"border-width: 0px 0px 0.075em; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 140, 0); outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; float: none; height: auto; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; position: static; display: inline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 140, 0); margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important;\">parent</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&nbsp;looking after an autistic child, constantly striving to do their best.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;It is very draining. You never feel like you&rsquo;re doing enough, but with the yoga and finding the programme, I feel like I&rsquo;m doing as much as I can.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;\">Noel Baker</span><br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/parenting/some-room-to-breathe-237914.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/parenting/some-room-to-breathe-237914.html</a></div>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-29 08:38:41',NULL,'giving-parents-of-autistic-kids-some-room-to-breathe'),(155,'Asylum seekers take High Court action against direct provision scheme','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	<em>Family claims system is in breach of the Constitution</em></h2>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A family has taken a&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=High%20Court&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">High Court</a>&nbsp;challenge against direct provision, the scheme under which asylum seekers are housed and provided with a small weekly allowance while their applications are being processed.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The family of six, including four children aged between two weeks and 20 years, have been living in direct provision accommodation for more than four years.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Lawyers for the family argue that the scheme was unlawfully established and has no legal basis. They claim it operates unlawfully by ministerial circulars and administrative arrangements without any statutory underpinning, and amounts to a &ldquo;parallel system&rdquo; for dealing with asylum seekers.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Under direct provision, asylum seekers are provided with full-board accommodation, with the cost of meals paid directly by the State.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<br />\r\n	Paid work<br />\r\n	They are also given an allowance of &euro;19.10 per adult and &euro;9.60 per child per week, but are not permitted to take up paid work.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The family, originally from Africa, contend there is no statutory basis for the payment of this allowance or for the setting of the amounts paid, and argue that direct provision, by excluding them from receiving basic social welfare payments, violates rights to private and family life under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	According to papers submitted to the court, the family also argue that key aspects of the system are in breach of the principle of the separation of powers and invalid given article 15.2.1 of the Constitution. This article provides that the &ldquo;sole and exclusive&rdquo; power of making laws is vested in the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Oireachtas&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Oireachtas</a>.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;The operation of the scheme is unconstitutional due to the lack of any originating legislative basis and the absence of parliamentary scrutiny or modalities for review by the Oireachtas,&rdquo; the family argue. They argue that similar schemes for other categories of people in the State &ldquo;are required to be, and are, placed on a statutory footing.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<br />\r\n	&lsquo;Fundamental importance&rsquo; Lawyers for the family claim the respondents &ndash; the Minister for Justice, Minister for Social Protection and Attorney General &ndash; have no legislative authority to determine and control &ldquo;such far-reaching matters of fundamental importance to the family, personal, educational and business/career lives&rdquo; of the applicants.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Moreover, the family claim the block on entry to the labour market pending the outcome of a subsidiary protection application is unconstitutional.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Seeking leave to challenge the direct provision scheme, counsel for the family told Mr<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Justice%20Colm%20Mac%20Eochaidh&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Justice Colm Mac Eochaidh</a>&nbsp;the case dealt with issues that &ldquo;strike to the heart of the direct provision system&rdquo; and requested the earliest possible date for hearing.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Referring to the &ldquo;systemic challenge&rdquo; involved, counsel for the State asked for time to consider the papers.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Mr Justice Mac Eochaidh said he accepted there was a &ldquo;need for urgency&rdquo; given the &ldquo;unacceptable circumstances&rdquo; of the direct provision system. He put the matter back for mention on September 17th.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/asylum-seekers-take-high-court-action-against-direct-provision-scheme-1.1478939\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/asylum-seekers-take-high-court-action-against-direct-provision-scheme-1.1478939</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-30 08:04:56',NULL,'asylum-seekers-take-high-court-action-against-direct-provision-scheme'),(156,'Three-quarters of jailed women endured violence, abuse','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	THREE-quarters of women serving short prison sentences have experienced violence and abuse as a child or an adult, according to a new study of female offenders.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The survey, which examined the personal life histories of women incarcerated at Dublin&#39;s Dochas Unit at&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Mountjoy_Prison\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Mountjoy Prison</a>, also reveals high rates of homelessness, depression and substance abuse &ndash; with many hooked on drugs and alcohol from as early as 11 years of age.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Almost half of the 16 women serving short sentences &ndash; defined as between 12 and 24 weeks &ndash; who took part in the study have no formal education and had little or no history of employment.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Most had a history of substance abuse, according to the survey carried out by the Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development (ACJRD).</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The majority of crimes committed were low-level addiction-related crimes such as theft, public order and drug offences. But re-offending rates were high, with more than half of the women having in excess of 30 charges.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: inherit !important; float: none !important;\">The survey, aimed at tracking the needs for women ex-prisoners, was launched last night by Circuit Criminal Court Judge Mary Ellen Ring. Writing in today&#39;s&nbsp;<span id=\"link0\" name=\"link0\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; height: auto; cursor: pointer; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-decoration: underline !important; color: rgb(0, 153, 0) !important;\">Irish</span>&nbsp;Independent, Judge Ring says many of the report&#39;s recommendations apply equally for male prisoners.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Judge Ring said the judiciary clearly had a role in the numbers of women in our prisons but &quot;the lack of alternatives ties their hands&quot;.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;The consequences of limited drug rehabilitation provision, increasing challenges in relation to housing and social provision along with repeat offending are played out in courtrooms around the country daily,&quot; said Judge Ring.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The ACJRD has called for alternatives to custody and a gender-sensitive approach for female offenders.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Maura Butler, ACJRD spokeswoman, said the research &ndash; funded by the St Stephen&#39;s Green Trust &ndash; was an important opportunity to listen to the voices of women ex-prisoners. &quot;Our research brings into sharp focus their enormous personal challenges,&quot; said Ms Butler.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Last week, the director general of the Irish&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Prison_Service\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Prison Service</a>&nbsp;revealed that seven out of 10 people who enter Irish prisons are unemployed. Michael Donnellan also revealed that 50pc of prisoners have never had a job.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/threequarters-of-jailed-women-endured-violence-abuse-29458022.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/threequarters-of-jailed-women-endured-violence-abuse-29458022.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-30 08:21:27',NULL,'three-quarters-of-jailed-women-endured-violence-abuse'),(157,'Social housing scheme no longer \'fit for purpose\'','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	<font face=\"Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal; line-height: 17.99715805053711px;\">A SCHEME aimed at providing new homes for people on low or middle incomes is no longer &quot;fit for purpose&quot;, a major report says.</span></font></h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\"><span style=\"line-height: 17.99715805053711px;\">Just over 15,000 houses and apartments &ndash; a paltry 3.8pc of the total number of homes built between 2002 and 2011 &ndash; were provided to local authorities under the controversial Part V legislation, a report for the Department of the Environment says.</span></font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\"><span style=\"line-height: 17.99715805053711px;\">The scheme was supposed to deliver up to 20pc of all properties in a development for social and affordable housing, but just a fraction of those numbers were delivered.</span></font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\"><span style=\"line-height: 17.99715805053711px;\">Developers gave &euro;136m to councils in lieu of units, often because they didn&#39;t want to deter private buyers from purchasing homes in developments that had social or affordable units.</span></font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\"><span style=\"line-height: 17.99715805053711px;\">The report was prepared for the Housing Agency and will be published today.</span></font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\"><span style=\"line-height: 17.99715805053711px;\">&quot;The review of Part V identifies that it is no longer fit for its original purpose,&quot; the report says. The report says the Part V process was &quot;generally perceived&quot; as &quot;inefficient&quot;. While it did provide value for money, saving the State &euro;614m, it resulted in a &quot;limited number&quot; of units.</span></font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\"><span style=\"line-height: 17.99715805053711px;\">The report says the Government could consider abolishing Part V, or amending it.</span></font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Trebuchet MS, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\"><span style=\"line-height: 17.99715805053711px;\"><a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/social-housing-scheme-no-longer-fit-for-purpose-29457995.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/social-housing-scheme-no-longer-fit-for-purpose-29457995.html</a></span></font></div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-30 08:28:01',NULL,'social-housing-scheme-no-longer-fit-for-purpose'),(158,'Local Samaritans are there ‘24/7’','<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The Waterford and South East branch of the Samaritans launched its &lsquo;24/7 Talk to Us&rsquo; in John Robert&rsquo;s Square last Wednesday.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The Samaritans marks 24th July each year as a measure to highlight that Samaritan volunteers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and each day of the year. This year, the organisation is highlighting the importance of talking as a measure to lessen stresses and problems that can contribute to poor mental health.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Speaking at the launch, Ann Barron, director Waterford and South East branch, said: &quot;Part of our message today is to let people know that Samaritans is here for anyone who wants to talk. People don&rsquo;t have to be suicidal in order to make contact with us. It&rsquo;s important that people talk about their problems and when things are getting them down.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	&quot;In particular, we&rsquo;re sending a message to men that they should not hide their feelings or be reluctant to talk about problems. By ignoring problems, or not talking about them, the burden can increase and lead to much greater mental health problems, including a risk of suicide.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	&quot;Samaritans provide a safe space for people to talk, and we&rsquo;re available around the clock, every day of the year. Our services are highly professionalised but &ndash; unlike so many big, national organisations &ndash; they are delivered entirely by volunteers. Our volunteers undertake extensive training before they are permitted to take calls or meet with people who require emotional support.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	&quot;The &lsquo;24/7 Talk to Us&rsquo; campaign offers an opportunity to recognise the huge commitment that our volunteers make. It also gives the public an opportunity to understand that our volunteers come from all walks of life; are all ages; and live in different parts of the country.&quot;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The Samaritans helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. FREEPHONE 1850 60 90 90, email&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:jo@samaritans.org\" style=\"color: rgb(76, 110, 136);\">jo@samaritans.org</a>. Callers are welcome at the local branch, 16 Beau Street, Waterford, between the hours of 9am and 10pm.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 20px 10px 13px; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(85, 85, 85); font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.waterford-today.ie/waterford-today-news/20302-local-samaritans-are-there-24-7-20302.html\">http://www.waterford-today.ie/waterford-today-news/20302-local-samaritans-are-there-24-7-20302.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-31 07:51:42',NULL,'local-samaritans-are-there-‘247’'),(159,'First time that Child Rescue Ireland alert has ever been issued','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	THE disappearance of two young brothers is the first time a Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) has been issued.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The system was put in place in May 2012 and motorists across the country were yesterday greeted by roadside messages asking them to look out for a green 06-registered Ford Focus.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Investigating officers wasted no time in implementing the system, modelled on the American &#39;Amber Alert&#39;, following the disappearance of Eoghan Chada (10) and his brother, Ruairi (5).</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Gardai asked members of the public to report any sightings of the brothers or their father, Sanjeev Chada (43).</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Media outlets were kept updated every few hours and pictures of the boys were circulated.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Mr Chada and his sons were reported missing at 1.30am on Monday after he went with them to go to the Dome Bowling Centre in Carlow town but did not return.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The CRI system was designed for use by gardai in situations where there is a serious and immediate concern for a young person&#39;s safety.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It can be used if the child is under 18, believed to have been abducted and if there is a serious risk to the child&#39;s health.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Gardai must also believe that the public may be of assistance.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&ldquo;Initiating a CRI Alert requires careful consideration,&rdquo; a garda statement said.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&ldquo;As indicated at the launch of the initiative, media assistance is vital in ensuring the support of the community and the safe return of the child.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Shortly after 3pm the alert was called off after the grim discovery of Mr Chada and his two deceased sons was made, following the single-car collision outside Westport, Co Mayo.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.herald.ie/news/first-time-that-child-rescue-ireland-alert-has-ever-been-issued-29460249.html\">http://www.herald.ie/news/first-time-that-child-rescue-ireland-alert-has-ever-been-issued-29460249.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-31 08:05:25',NULL,'first-time-that-child-rescue-ireland-alert-has-ever-been-issued'),(160,'Kids need 60-85 mins of exercise daily','<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	Children under the age of 10 need to be physically active for 60-85 minutes per day if they are to reduce their risk of developing heart disease later in life, a new study has found.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	According to European scientists, the importance of physical activity in reducing the incidence of heart disease risk factors in children cannot be overstated.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	However, while the link between physical activity and risk factors in children has been the focus of research for over 20 years, most of this research has looked at those over the age of 10.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	The widely accepted consensus is that 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous activity is enough to improve the health of children, so the scientists decided to investigate this further in younger children.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	They looked at over 3,100 European children aged between two and nine, calculating their risk of heart disease by analysing factors such as cholesterol levels and blood pressure.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	They found that around 15% of the children had poor heart disease risk profiles. In other words, they were at an increased risk of going on to develop heart disease.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	These unhealthy risk profiles were even found in children between the ages of two and six.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	However, the scientists found that risks differed depending on age and gender.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	They said that boys under the age of six need at least 70 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, while boys aged between six and nine need at least 80 minutes per day.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	Girls, on the other hand, need around 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day, irrespective of their age.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	In both boys and girls, this physical activity should include at least 20 minutes of vigorous exercise each day.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	&quot;In clinical settings, practitioners should recommend that, in girls, the current guidelines of at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity of at least moderate intensity could be enough, but around 20 of these minutes should be of vigorous intensity.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	&quot;However in boys, 85 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, including around 20 minutes vigorous physical activity, could be necessary to prevent the negative consequences ascribed to clustering of risk factors,&quot; the scientists concluded.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	They added that the findings clearly show that a &lsquo;one size fits all&#39; policy is inappropriate when it comes to the physical activity of children.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	Details of these findings are published in the journal,&nbsp;<em>BMC Medicine</em>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	For more information on heart disease, see our Heart Disease Clinic&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.heart.ie/\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none;\">here</a></p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=22431\">http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=22431</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-31 08:09:32',NULL,'kids-need-60-85-mins-of-exercise-daily'),(161,'Judge Mary Ellen Ring: Locking up women offenders is not always best solution','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	On November 30, 2012, there were 122 females in the women&#39;s prison in Dublin &ndash; the Dochas Centre. On that same day there were 3,588 men in the male prisons throughout the State. The average cost of an available staffed prison space for the calendar year 2012 was &euro;65,404. Twenty years ago in the 1992 Annual Report on Prisons, the number of women in custody on January 1, 1992, was 25.</h2>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The recently completed research by the Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development on the needs of women prisoners is a timely reminder of a challenge that as a society we should be able to tackle and control, if not overcome.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Entitled &#39;Tracking the Needs and Service Provision for Women Ex- Prisoners&#39;, it is the work of Rosemarie McHugh from the research proposal created by Sarah Sheridan. It is a study that takes a snapshot of the lives of 16 women who were interviewed while in the Dochas Centre in Dublin.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	These women were serving short sentences &ndash; for some, such short sentences had been served on previous visits. Nine of the 16 women had in excess of 30 criminal charges and seven had been incarcerated more than 10 times, and there were three who had been incarcerated more that 20 times.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	It is likely that a number of such recidivists can be found in the rest of the female prison population too &ndash; but let&#39;s not give up hope and throw away the key just yet.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Remember &ndash; 122 women on November 30, 2012, and 2,560 for the year 2012. Are those numbers so insurmountable that we should feel powerless to effect change?</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The McHugh study confirms it is that age-old combination of poor educational attainment, poverty and a dash of substance abuse that makes up much of the prison population. There are other ingredients that can be added to the mix to complete the picture &ndash; mental health issues, sexual and physical abuse particularly for women, homelessness and social isolation.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	For many of the women interviewed, they felt that prison had helped them at some stage.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The main benefits of incarceration described by these women were removing them from the cycle of substance abuse; it also provided them with opportunities to access services and support that they may not otherwise have secured; there was significant positive feedback on education and other programmes within the prison; it came as a welcome relief after the situations they had found themselves in immediately prior to arrest.</p>\r\n<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The McHugh Report uses the voices of the women involved in the interviews to enliven what could be dull statistical findings.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Anna, who is 26 years old, says: &quot;I&#39;m in a cycle. Like, I hate coming in here at first but, like, I was in here for three months just that time; before that I was getting on grand, I was in school and all. I felt a lot healthier in meself.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The recommendations of the report include alternatives to custody to allow a relatively small group of individuals to address issues in the community. For those who are imprisoned, the report emphasises the need to plan their reintegration.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Accommodation on leaving custody &ndash; something more than emergency hostels &ndash; is urgently required. Residential services for drug rehabilitation need to be expanded. The need to rebuild relationships with children for the women who are mothers is crucial, while remaining mindful of the best interests of the children. Education and employment to occupy time and build self-esteem must be part of a move away from crime.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Many of the report&#39;s recommendations apply equally to male prisoners. However, as a starting point, working with women should be feasible. Most of them are in for non-violent offending. Many have children, which represents a firm link with the wider community. Addictions can only really be tackled within the community as opposed to the artificial environment of a custodial setting.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Crimes committed by women have victims as much as crimes carried out by males. That can&#39;t be overlooked when considering a new way of dealing with women offenders but restorative and reparative justice programmes can offer a real way of confronting some of the consequences of crime on the individuals involved.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Judges clearly have a role in the numbers of women in our prisons but the lack of alternatives can tie their hands. The consequences of limited drug rehabilitation provision, increasing challenges in relation to housing and social provision, along with repeat offending, are played out daily in courtrooms.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Despite the more than five-fold increase in the number of women in prison over the last 20 years on a given day, we are still dealing with workable numbers. How about a radical suggestion &ndash; take some of the &euro;65,404 cost per prison space and apply that to services for that prison occupant in the community.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Her Hon Ms Mary Ellen Ring is a judge of the Circuit Court</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/judge-mary-ellen-ring-locking-up-women-offenders-is-not-always-best-solution-29458088.html\">http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/judge-mary-ellen-ring-locking-up-women-offenders-is-not-always-best-solution-29458088.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-07-31 08:17:23',NULL,'judge-mary-ellen-ring-locking-up-women-offenders-is-not-always-best-solution'),(162,'Waiting times at children’s hospital ‘unacceptable’','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; cursor: default;\">\r\n	<em>Understaffing to blame for lengthy delays, says heart consultant</em></h2>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The length of time some children remain on waiting lists at Our Lady&rsquo;s Children&rsquo;s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, is &ldquo;absolutely unacceptable&rdquo;, according to a consultant paediatric cardiologist who works there.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Some 3,050 children are currently waiting on cardiac outpatient appointments at Crumlin. This morning Dr&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Orla%20Franklin&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; cursor: default; outline: none !important;\">Orla Franklin</a>&nbsp;said some of her public patients will wait two years for an appointment.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;We recognise that this is an absolutely unacceptable time frame for these children and their worried parents to be waiting,&rdquo; Dr Franklin told RT&Eacute;&rsquo;s Morning Ireland.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default;\">\r\n	<font color=\"#515151\" face=\"Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif\"><span style=\"line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">&ldquo;The reason for this waiting list is not because our clinics are not running at absolutely full capacity 46 weeks of the year. It is essentially because the volume of referrals is absolutely huge,&rdquo; she said.</span></font></p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default;\">\r\n	<font color=\"#515151\" face=\"Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif\"><span style=\"line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">She added that her department was understaffed, saying it should have a dozen or so paediatric cardiologists, but currently has just five.</span></font></p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default;\">\r\n	<font color=\"#515151\" face=\"Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif\"><span style=\"line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">Dr Franklin said the volume of referral has increased exponentially as parents become alarmed by &ldquo;the sudden death of children undertaking sporting activities and wish their otherwise healthy children to be screened&rdquo;.</span></font></p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default;\">\r\n	<font color=\"#515151\" face=\"Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif\"><span style=\"line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">She said nine out of 10 children referred to the hospital for cardiac reasons have perfectly healthy hearts.</span></font></p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default;\">\r\n	<font color=\"#515151\" face=\"Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif\"><span style=\"line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">Yesterday it also emerged that 4,200 children are waiting to be seen at outpatient clinics nationwide for eye problems.</span></font></p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; cursor: default;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/waiting-times-at-children-s-hospital-unacceptable-1.1480591\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/waiting-times-at-children-s-hospital-unacceptable-1.1480591</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-01 07:56:23',NULL,'waiting-times-at-children’s-hospital-‘unacceptable’'),(163,'Parents taking on debt to meet €800 school costs','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Parents are taking on extra debt to fund their children&#39;s return to school.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		They are fearful that their youngsters will miss out unless they have all the books and other items recommended by the school.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It now costs &euro;800 to kit out a child for their first year in secondary school, a new survey from children&#39;s charity Barnardos shows.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		This is roughly the same cost as last year, but parents are under huge pressure to fund back-to-school costs because their incomes have collapsed.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		And the survey found that parents are angry that they are forced to go to expensive, specialised shops to buy uniforms instead of being able to buy them in better-value chain stores.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: inherit !important; float: none !important;\">Crested jumpers are &euro;45, more than three times the cost of a plain jumper in a department&nbsp;<span id=\"link1\" name=\"link1\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; height: auto; cursor: pointer; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-decoration: underline !important; color: rgb(0, 153, 0) !important;\">store</span>, the survey found.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Getting a child equipped to go into junior infants is setting the average parent back &euro;350. For a child going into fourth class in primary school, the cost is &euro;400.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		School books and uniforms continue to pose the highest cost to parents, although voluntary contributions and school transport costs also weigh heavily on parents&#39; budgets.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Barnardos&#39; boss Fergus Finlay said that prices had stabilised since last year, but at the same time parents&#39; incomes had reduced.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		But the State&#39;s Back-To-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance was virtually halved in the last Budget, putting huge pressure on unemployed parents.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Mr Finlay said: &quot;There continues to be an expectation that parents can afford these costs, but the survey paints a different picture.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;It is a hugely stressful time for parents as many are forced into debt, forgo bills and take out loans in order to meet these costs. They are afraid their child&#39;s education will suffer if they don&#39;t have everything they need.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Huge frustration among parents was uncovered in the survey over the inability to pass on books because of new editions being printed.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Parents are also annoyed about different books being chosen by teachers, and the use of expensive workbooks that can&#39;t be recycled.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Barnardos said more than half of parents have access to a book rental scheme at primary level. Four out of 10 parents have a rental scheme in their children&#39;s secondary school.</p>\r\n	<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			But the schemes need to be extended to all schools, Mr Finlay said.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Close to seven out of 10 parents with children in both primary and secondary level have been asked for a voluntary contribution. Many schools chase parents for the payment, Barnardos said.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Schools were called on to:</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			* Introduce more book rental schemes.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			* Reduce the uniform items with the school crest on them or switch to a plain uniform.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			* Eliminate the 23pc VAT applicable on e-textbooks so that it is on par with printed textbooks which are exempt from VAT.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Unless this happens Barnardos said the switch to digital learning was outside the reach of most parents.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/parents-taking-on-debt-to-meet-800-school-costs-29463985.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/parents-taking-on-debt-to-meet-800-school-costs-29463985.html</a></p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-01 08:03:13',NULL,'parents-taking-on-debt-to-meet-€800-school-costs'),(164,'Mother: Cuts to my teen’s day care will make me a prisoner in my own home','<h2 class=\"main_excerpt\" style=\"margin: 5px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.1em; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\">\r\n	<em>Young adults approaching the age of 18 will have no place in Stewarts Hospital in Dublin come September.</em></h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		FAMILY CARERS OF young adults with profound disabilities in Dublin have said they are &ldquo;shocked and outraged&rdquo; after being told by the HSE their day care services will now be cut to just ten days a month with no transport provided.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		The eleven teenagers currently receive physiotherapy, occupational therapy, education, and one to one training at the Stewarts Hospital&rsquo;s day centre five days a week.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		The Carers Association has said that it was contacted by a number of parents who are set to be hugely affected by the cut. The young adults are all due to turn 18 soon and parents said that they were promised the service at Stewarts Hospital would remain from &ldquo;cradle to grave&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		However parents were recently told that due to the lack of funding and staffing in the hospital, there will be no place for their highly dependent teens in day care from September due to their age. After a meeting with parents last Friday, the HSE offered ten days a month of community-based care without transport, as a substitute for the loss of the current service.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		One parent, Moira Skelly, who cares for her younger daughter Ciara said that she cannot sleep at night worrying about her child&rsquo;s future without the vital educational supports and therapies provided by the centre.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		<span style=\"color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-size: 16px; line-height: 23.390625px; background-color: rgb(234, 237, 242);\">&quot;Why are our children being treated like they don&rsquo;t matter? The government and HSE has had 18 years to plan for the placement of these children into adult services, these children don&rsquo;t magically become fully functioning independent members of society just because they reach age 18. My daughter is peg fed, autistic, has intractable epilepsy and wheelchair bound with the mental capacity of a two-year-old. How am I supposed to cope with her living at home with me all day every day? I will become a prisoner in my own home as will my daughter.&quot;</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		Catherine Cox of The Carer&rsquo;s Association said that the deal offered by the HSE &ldquo;completely unacceptable and unworkable as there is no transport being offered&rdquo; which makes it impossible for many of the families to avail of it.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;Also the care on offer is community-based as opposed to day care centre-based offering activities such as swimming and other social outings but offering no real structure, routine or essential therapies to these young adults,&rdquo; she added.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		In a statement, the HSE said that it is working with the hospital to address the 2013 school leavers and those exiting rehabilitation training across the country, providing an extra &euro;4 million this year to meet their needs.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		It said that it has &ldquo;been working with Stewarts Hospital, Palmerstown to ensure that they maximise the use of the available resource in terms of the level of support provided to the 2013 School Leavers&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;The HSE remains committed to working with all voluntary disability service providers to ensure that all of the resources available for specialist disability services are used in the most efficient and effective manner possible,&rdquo; the statement added.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/stewarts-hospital-cuts-1016864-Aug2013/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/stewarts-hospital-cuts-1016864-Aug2013/</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-01 08:18:48',NULL,'mother-cuts-to-my-teen’s-day-care-will-make-me-a-prisoner-in-my-own-home'),(165,'Up to half of households report struggles with debts','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	New survey shows households cutting back on spending as economic downturn hits incomes</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Almost half of Irish households said they were finding it difficult to keep up with bills and debts, and the majority reported cutting back on spending as the effects of the economic downturn continued to impact the economy in the third quarter of the year.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		More than 40 per cent of people questioned in the survey said they had difficulty keeping up with bills and debts, with a similar number expressing concern about the level of personal debt they had incurred.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Almost half of those in difficulty said it was due to loss of income, with three quarters blaming higher or additional costs.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Single parent households were under the most pressure, the data from the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Central%20Statistics%20Office&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Central Statistics Office</a>&nbsp;found, while utility bills were among those outgoings that were higher than expected.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Spending in pubs and restaurants was hit hardest by the cutbacks, with 66 per cent of households reporting to have reined in their expenditure in that category. That was followed by clothing and footwear, at 65 per cent, and 51 per cent of people said they were cutting back on grocery spending.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Of the households that use a car, a third said they had reduced their spending in this area.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		About 14 per cent of owner-occupied households were did not meet mortgage payments on at least one occasion in the previous 12 months as financial difficulties took hold. Almost a fifth of rental households also failed to pay on time at least once.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/ireland/up-to-half-of-households-report-struggles-with-debts-1.1481761\">http://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/ireland/up-to-half-of-households-report-struggles-with-debts-1.1481761</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-02 08:18:45',NULL,'up-to-half-of-households-report-struggles-with-debts'),(166,'Psychiatric patients left in \'Victorian era conditions\'','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	THE living conditions imposed on vulnerable psychiatric patients belonged to the Victorian era. Four patients were lying in bed surrounded by just blankets. Others were pacing the corridor.</h2>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Their bedroom was a gloomy dormitory and daily life for some was spent behind the door of a locked ward.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The scene left inspectors who made an unannounced visit to the Carraig Mor unit in Shanakiel, Cork, last April so shocked they described it as &quot;akin to that of another century&quot;.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Their damning report said the &quot;care unit provided an institutionalised and socially impoverished environment for residents&quot;.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Four residents, by their own choice, were lying on beds &quot;completely encased in blankets&quot; and staff paid no heed to this or did not pass comment during the inspection.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	&quot;The dormitory accommodation was akin to that of another century,&quot; the report from the Mental Health Commission revealed.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Other damning findings showed:</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	* Patients endured a lack of privacy in the bathrooms or lavatories in the male areas of the wards.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	* Many of the residents , whose age extended to 78, were in the unit for a long time and showed signs of institutionalised behaviour.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	* Some residents were confined to a locked ward for the greater part of the day and did not have access to a garden.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	* Many residents were pacing the corridor, four were lying on their beds and others were watching television.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	* While a nurse provided activities, there was little evidence of this at the time of inspection.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Checking on the progress of their last visit, the inspectors found there was still no psychologist in place &ndash; although one was due to start on a part-time basis in May. All of the patients, except one, had an individual care plan but the inspectors expressed concern that all episodes of restraint were not recognised as such by staff or recorded properly.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The residents spoke of their satisfaction with the food, new TVs and outings. But they voiced concern about the lack of privacy using shower and lavatories as well as the lack of access to a public phone.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Mental Health Commission Chairman John Saunders said it sharply highlights how mental health services here were still in a state of transition, with a huge need for improvement.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	The HSE acknowledged the findings and said some improvements had already been made, while others would be &quot;addressed as quickly as possible&quot;.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	A separate report on the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum found the main area was an old building and difficult to maintain.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	Plans were progressing to re-locate the hospital to the site of St Ita&#39;s Hospital, Portrane, in north Co Dublin, in the hopes of opening the new facility in 2016.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	Inspectors who visited the adult psychiatric unit at Kerry&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">Gener</span><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">al Hospital</span>&nbsp;found one child was inappropriately resident there.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	&quot;The child was availing of educational services. The child had been resident in the approved centre for a very short period of time and was still undergoing clinical assessment.&quot;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	A child was also admitted to the adult psychiatric unit at Connolly Hospital in Dublin last January, according to another report.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	An inspection of the&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">Jonath</span><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">an Swift</span>&nbsp;Clinic in St James&#39;s Hospital found a number of medication errors were discovered from the examination of prescription booklets.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	The inspectors set out an action plan for each unit which will be examined at the next visit.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/psychiatric-patients-left-in-victorian-era-conditions-29466918.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/psychiatric-patients-left-in-victorian-era-conditions-29466918.html</a></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-02 08:21:28',NULL,'psychiatric-patients-left-in-victorian-era-conditions'),(167,'A third say they can\'t afford to visit GP','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	One third of people say they have avoided visiting their GP in the last year because they could not afford the fee.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The survey of 500 people found that 6pc admitted it was beyond their financial means to bring a sick child to the doctor.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The survey by Call Management also showed that 56pc said the visit would have cost them &euro;50.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It was commissioned by GP Now, a service which is rolling out nationwide, offering unlimited doctor visits in return for a membership fee of &euro;15 a month for an individual or &euro;30 for a family of two adults and three children.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		General manager of GP Now, Tristan Healy, estimated that the service allows families to save up to &euro;360 a year in GP visit costs.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The survey findings come as the minister confirmed that the Government is to switch from its original aim to provide free GP care to people with long- term illnesses and extend it to children first.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Under the proposals, adults in the family would continue to pay but their child would receive the GP visit free.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		People on the Long Term Illness scheme were expecting the free GP visit cards more than two years ago following a pre-election pledge.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Meanwhile, hospital consultants yesterday reacted strongly to another proposal from the minister to publish the death and disease rates for patients treated by each specialist.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Waiting lists for each consultant will also be published.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It would mean that the results of each surgeon who carries out operations would be posted online.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		However, Donal Duffy, assistant secretary general of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA), said the plan &quot;will not in its proposed form help patients to make informed decisions.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;Healthcare is increasingly delivered by multi disciplinary teams&quot;, he added.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		He said linking illness and death rates to one particular factor or individual involved in a patient&#39;s care might not be the most appropriate way to reassure patients of the safety of their hospital or hospital group.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Consultants are likely to have the choice of opting out if this is introduced.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/a-third-say-they-cant-afford-to-visit-gp-29466909.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/a-third-say-they-cant-afford-to-visit-gp-29466909.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-02 08:49:21',NULL,'a-third-say-they-cant-afford-to-visit-gp'),(168,'Child abuse reported at asylum seekers’ hostels','<p>\r\n	<em><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;\">Seven cases of inappropriate sexual behaviour were among 121 incidents involving children <a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/child-abuse-reported-at-asylum-seekers-hostels-238994.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/child-abuse-reported-at-asylum-seekers-hostels-238994.html</a>at hostels accommodating asylum seekers reported to authorities last year.</span></em></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The annual report of the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) also reveals that the average length of time asylum seekers are housed under the controversial &ldquo;direct provision&rdquo; system is continuing to increase, despite sharp declines in the number of people accommodated in State-supported hostels.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">Seven cases of inappropriate sexual behaviour, seven cases of physical abuse, and 11 cases of neglect were reported to the agency&rsquo;s child and family services unit in 2012.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">In addition, there were 47 reported incidents of unsupervised children and four incidents of children being taken into care by the HSE.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">There were also 89 incidents documented concerning parents, including five incidents of domestic violence, and seven cases where either a parent or child had gone missing.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">Last month, Emily O&rsquo;Reilly, the ombudsman, warned there was a real risk of child abuse in asylum- seekers&rsquo; hostels because single-parent families were forced to share rooms with strangers.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The RIA report reveals more than 2,340 residents, representing almost 60% of all asylum seekers, have spent three or more years in RIA accommodation. Almost 850, or 17.6%, have now spent in excess of six years in centres.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">Under direct provision &mdash; a scheme criticised by human rights groups and former Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness &mdash; residents are not allowed to work. They receive bed and board plus a weekly payment of &euro;19.10 per adult and &euro;9.60 per child.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">According to the report, the average length of stay among all residents is now almost four years. About a third of all asylum seekers are children.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The RIA was accommodating 4,841 asylum seekers in 35 centres at the end of last year &mdash; a decrease of 582 residents or 11% compared to 2011 figures. It represents the fourth straight annual decline when the total number of people in RIA accommodation in 2008 stood at more than 7,000.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The number of new asylum applicants arriving in the Republic has also fallen for a 10th year.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">A total of 956 people claimed asylum during 2012 &mdash; a decrease of 26% over the previous year.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The number of bed spaces in RIA accommodation centres was reduced by 526 or 9% last year as five hostels were closed, although one new one was opened. The overall cost of direct provision fell by 10% to &euro;62.3m in 2012.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">A total of 13 formal complaints were made by residents to the RIA last year of which eight were upheld. Almost one fifth of 48 reports of alleged human trafficking to garda&iacute; in 2012 were filed by asylum seekers.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">RIA assisted 213 asylum seekers from the 12 EU accession states to voluntarily return home last year at a cost of just under &euro;58,000.</span></div>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-06 07:46:01',NULL,'child-abuse-reported-at-asylum-seekers’-hostels'),(169,'Income lost as councils take too long to let homes','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	EMPTY council houses are not being re-let as soon as possible, swelling the numbers of people in private rented accommodation and resulting in a loss of rental income.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: inherit !important; float: none !important;\">A report from the Department of the Environment says that&nbsp;<span id=\"link1\" name=\"link1\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; height: auto; cursor: pointer; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-decoration: underline !important; color: rgb(0, 153, 0) !important;\">local</span>authorities are failing to make best use of their social housing stock, and are not inspecting dwellings regularly.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: inherit !important; float: none !important;\">The findings come after the&nbsp;<span id=\"link0\" name=\"link0\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; height: auto; cursor: pointer; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-decoration: underline !important; color: rgb(0, 153, 0) !important;\">Irish</span>Independent yesterday revealed that more than 111,000 people are now on council housing waiting lists.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Councils own some 130,809 houses and apartments, but almost 3pc &ndash; or 11,770 &ndash; are empty at any one time.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The &#39;Management and Maintenance of Vacant Dwellings in Local Authorities&#39; is a follow-up report to one issued in May 2011, which made recommendations on how to best utilise the stock of council houses.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It found that many of the 27 recommendations were not being implemented by councils.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The council with the worst record is Cork city, where just 25.9pc of recommendations were implemented. The best-performing were Fingal (88.9pc) and Dublin city (77.8pc).</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It takes an average of more than 20 weeks to complete repairs before the unit can be re-let, and the report says this could be sharply reduced if inspections were carried out of all homes.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/income-lost-as-councils-take-too-long-to-let-homes-29474565.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/income-lost-as-councils-take-too-long-to-let-homes-29474565.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-06 08:11:05',NULL,'income-lost-as-councils-take-too-long-to-let-homes'),(170,'THIRD AGE: Home help just a phonecall away for the elderly','<p>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;\">THREE years ago, Evelyn Wainwright&rsquo;s husband had a stroke. As she too is disabled, suddenly changing a light bulb or fixing the smoke alarm became impossible tasks.</span></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">Until she discovered Age Action&rsquo;s Care and Repair service.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;All the jobs my husband used to do, the service does now. We took it all for granted, but now it is not possible for either of us to do them. There is no way that he could stand on a ladder or even a chair and replace a light bulb and for that reason alone they are simply fantastic,&rsquo;&rsquo; says Evelyn (pictured above), who contracted polio at the age of three.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;The service is essential for us. We need the help now more than we have ever needed it in our lives. It is not easy to come to terms with that, but that is&nbsp;</span><a class=\"itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook\" href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/yourhealth/third-age-home-help-just-a-phonecall-away-for-the-elderly-238560.html#\" id=\"itxthook0\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"padding: 0px; border: 0px none transparent; outline: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; display: inline; cursor: pointer; background-image: none; margin: 0px !important; float: none !important; position: static !important;\"><span class=\"itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap\" id=\"itxthook0w\" style=\"border-width: 0px 0px 0.075em; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 140, 0); outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; float: none; height: auto; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; position: static; display: inline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 140, 0); margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important;\">life</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">.&rsquo;&rsquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">Evelyn, 66, who lives in Tolka, Co Cork, is the regional representative and board member of the Post Polio Support Group (PPSG) and emphasises that no task is considered too small for the&nbsp;</span><a class=\"itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook\" href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/yourhealth/third-age-home-help-just-a-phonecall-away-for-the-elderly-238560.html#\" id=\"itxthook1\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"padding: 0px; border: 0px none transparent; outline: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; display: inline; cursor: pointer; background-image: none; margin: 0px !important; float: none !important; position: static !important;\"><span class=\"itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap\" id=\"itxthook1w\" style=\"border-width: 0px 0px 0.075em; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 140, 0); outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; float: none; height: auto; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; position: static; display: inline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 140, 0); margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important;\">Care</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&nbsp;and Repair team to fix.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;I have asked them for help numerous times. I had a pair of very heavy curtains that needed cleaning but I had no way of getting them down. They came along, took them down, took them to the cleaners and put them back up again for me,&rsquo;&rsquo; she says.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;I have a small garden at the front of the house and they keep an eye on it for me, cutting the shrubs back when necessary. All it needs is a phone call and within two weeks someone will come out and fix it,&rsquo;&rsquo; she says.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Care and Repair is a simple solution to helping people. In the past sons and daughters may have lived near by and could have helped instead, but that is often not the case now. It is like being a good neighbour,&rdquo; says Eamon Timmins, Age Action press officer.</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The service is free and is funded by the annual innocent Big Knit, which has just been launched. This year Age Action want 65,000 woolly hats to be knitted, with 30c from every hatted innocent bottle going to the charity.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">It costs between &euro;100,00 to &euro;120,000 a year to run Care and Repair and there are 800 volunteers in Galway, Dublin and Cork. To ensure that the service is available across the country, Age Action works with local community groups and offers training. So far this year they have fixed 4,700 jobs.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">All the volunteers are Garda-vetted and carry photo identity cards, which as Evelyn says is vital. &ldquo;Bringing people into your&nbsp;</span><a class=\"itxtrst itxtrsta itxthook\" href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/yourhealth/third-age-home-help-just-a-phonecall-away-for-the-elderly-238560.html#\" id=\"itxthook2\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"padding: 0px; border: 0px none transparent; outline: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; display: inline; cursor: pointer; background-image: none; margin: 0px !important; float: none !important; position: static !important;\"><span class=\"itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap\" id=\"itxthook2w\" style=\"border-width: 0px 0px 0.075em; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 140, 0); outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; float: none; height: auto; left: auto; right: auto; top: auto; bottom: auto; position: static; display: inline; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 140, 0); margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px 0px 1px !important;\">home</span></a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">, people you don&rsquo;t know, it is very hard, especially for older people. So it is great that these people are so trustworthy.&rdquo;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">Evelyn also stresses that there is no reason to be &ldquo;embarrassed&rsquo;&rsquo; about asking for help. It only takes one phone call.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Then you just fill in a form to say you are happy and pleased by the work that they have done. There is no way you give them any money.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">If a job is too big for the team, they are happy and willing to recommend other workmen who may be able to fix the problem.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;I needed a small wall to be built around my garden as the trees had been badly affected by frost. They recommended three different builders, I picked one and he was outstanding. I was very impressed by his work.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">*&nbsp;</span><font color=\"#000000\" face=\"Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif\"><span style=\"line-height: 15px;\">www.</span></font><font color=\"#000000\" face=\"Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif\"><span style=\"line-height: 15px;\">ageaction.ie</span></font><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&nbsp;to arrange for a job to be done call Dublin 01-4756989, Cork 021 453 6554, Galway 091 527831 or National Lo-Call 1890 369 369&nbsp;</span></div>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/yourhealth/third-age-home-help-just-a-phonecall-away-for-the-elderly-238560.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/yourhealth/third-age-home-help-just-a-phonecall-away-for-the-elderly-238560.html</a></div>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-06 08:21:33',NULL,'third-age-home-help-just-a-phonecall-away-for-the-elderly'),(171,'‘Government’s attitude to Down’s syndrome insulting’','<p style=\"margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	Parents of children with Down&rsquo;s syndrome have said they are &ldquo;shocked and disappointed&rdquo; that the Department of Education is to continue its policy of not recognising the condition as a disability.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">In a statement, Down Syndrome Education Equality Advocates said the lack of knowledge displayed by the Government with regard to children with Down&rsquo;s syndrome is &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo;.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;The Government, through the Department of Education, seem to be under the impression that children with Down&rsquo;s syndrome do not matter and that they will accept less,&rdquo; the statement says.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;As a result of the minister for education&rsquo;s decision, children with Down&rsquo;s syndrome will continue to require the diagnosis of a second disability from the Department of Education&rsquo;s &lsquo;Low Incidence Disability&rsquo; list, in order to be allocated resource teaching hours.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The group said parents are infuriated by the &ldquo;blatant discrimination&rdquo; against their children.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;The attitude of this Government is insulting, not only to the children themselves, but to us &mdash; their parents &mdash; who have been fighting an unjust system of resource allocation, a system in which the disability Down&rsquo;s syndrome is not recognised in its entirety.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Our children were diagnosed at birth with Down&rsquo;s syndrome, with all its inherent difficulties.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;All children with Down&rsquo;s syndrome have a speech and language dis-order, but are prevented from receiving resource teaching hours to improve their speech because they do not have an IQ above 90 as a result of Down&rsquo;s syndrome.&rdquo;</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/governments-attitude-to-downs-syndrome-insulting-238949.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/governments-attitude-to-downs-syndrome-insulting-238949.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-07 08:06:53',NULL,'‘government’s-attitude-to-down’s-syndrome-insulting’'),(172,'Suicide in Traveller community at crisis point say supporters','<p>\r\n	<em><span style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\">Social isolation, lack of emotional outlets a growing concern</span></em></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">The Irish Traveller community is reeling from a double suicide of two teenage sweethearts last week.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">15-year-old Katie Faulkner from Limerick and her 17-year-old boyfriend TJ Donoghue from County Tipperary took their own lives just one day apart.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">According to the Irish Independent, Faulkner&#39;s body was found at the family home at Long Pavement halting site last Sunday. The next day Donoghue&#39;s body was found at woodland near his home. The pair were reportedly in a relationship that Faulkner&#39;s parents were unaware of. It&#39;s believed that Donoghue took his own life in distress at the news of Faulkner&#39;s passing.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">A Facebook page offered condolences to the relatives of the tragic pair this week, which received hundreds of comments expressing grief at the tragedy.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">According to a 2008 study, 40 percent of suicides in the Travelling community follow bereavements, particularly in the case of a loved one&#39;s suicide, a statistic that alarms Travellers rights groups.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">&#39;What is of major concern is that in 40 per cent of cases where a Traveller took their life following the death of somebody close, that death itself was also a suicide,&#39; author and social worker Mary Rose Walker told the Independent.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">&#39;Included here are suicides which very closely followed the news that a relative was seriously ill and may be about to die. The view of the respondent was that the anticipation of the death so greatly disturbed these individuals that they took their own lives.&#39;</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">In her study Suicide Among the Traveller Community Walker indicated that sixty five percent of Travelers who took their own lives were under 30, as opposed to the thirty four per cent of suicides in the general population under 30.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">Samaritans&#39; Regional Director for Ireland Pio Fenton explained that for cultural reasons, members of the Traveller community in Ireland often find it difficult to express their feelings.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">&#39;Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Traveller community in Ireland is a very insular and marginalized group who, for cultural reasons, find it difficult to talk about their feelings, particularly with outsiders,&#39; he told the Independent.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">&#39;It&#39;s important for Traveller people to know that no matter how they&#39;re feeling, what they&#39;ve done or what life may have done to them, Samaritans is there round the clock every single day of the year. All calls are confidential and we don&#39;t judge or give advice. We&#39;ve found that when a person is in crisis, talking to us can help them get through that moment.&#39;</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">A 2010 study found that the suicide rate among Travellers was six times the national average and accounted for eleven per cent of all Traveler deaths.</font></div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		&nbsp;</div>\r\n	<div>\r\n		<div>\r\n			<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">&#39;It&#39;s very tragic and sad and unfortunately suicide is increasing within the community,&#39; Martin Collins of Pavee Point Travellers&#39; Centre told the Independent. &#39;We are talking about something here that is at crisis levels and quite clearly we need to be looking at strategies and solutions to address this.&#39;</font></div>\r\n		<div>\r\n			&nbsp;</div>\r\n		<div>\r\n			<font face=\"Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif\" size=\"2\">&#39;Suicide is a very complex issue and there is no simplistic single explanation as to why anybody would take their life,&#39; he said. &#39;But I do think that it&#39;s important that we look at the context in which people find themselves, and when you look at the Traveling community, the context is one of poor educational attainment, high unemployment rates, huge health inequalities, huge issues around discrimination and racism, and there&#39;s also lack of self-esteem and confidence in one&#39;s identity.&#39;</font></div>\r\n		<div>\r\n			&nbsp;</div>\r\n		<div>\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Suicide-in-Traveller-community-at-crisis-point-say-supporters-218491361.html?page=1\">http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Suicide-in-Traveller-community-at-crisis-point-say-supporters-218491361.html?page=1</a></div>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-07 08:17:33',NULL,'suicide-in-traveller-community-at-crisis-point-say-supporters'),(173,'Refugee group urges end to direct provision scheme','<p style=\"margin: 5px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n	The Irish Refugee Council has repeated its call for the Government to end the controversial scheme of direct provision for asylum seekers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">It follows the publication of the latest annual report by the State agency overseeing the housing of people applying for refugee status.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">IRC spokeswoman Sharon Waters said the system of housing asylum seekers in 35 centres around the country, while preventing them from working, was unjustified on grounds of basic human rights.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">Ms Waters also expressed concern that there was under-reporting of&nbsp;</span><a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/child-abuse-reported-at-asylum-seekers-hostels-238994.html\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 15px;\" target=\"_blank\">serious incidents</a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&nbsp;at such hostels, including child sex abuse and domestic violence.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">She claimed the nature of the direct provision scheme made it difficult to implement proper, child protection policies.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The&nbsp;</span><a href=\"http://www.ria.gov.ie/en/RIA/RIA%20Annual%20Report%20(A3)2012.pdf/Files/RIA%20Annual%20Report%20(A3)2012.pdf\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 15px;\" target=\"_blank\">annual report</a><span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&nbsp;for 2012 by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) documented 121 reports of incidents involving children at hostels accommodating asylum seekers last year, including seven cases of alleged inappropriate sexual behaviour.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The ombudsman, Emily O&rsquo;Reilly, recently warned there was a real risk of another child sex abuse scandal emerging in such hostels, similar to ones which had affected the Catholic Church.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">However, the IRC believes the true extent of such incidents is much greater, based on feedback the organisation receives directly from asylum seekers.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;In our experience, they are terrified of making a complaint to either hostel staff or the RIA,&rdquo; said Ms Waters.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Many asylum seekers have a genuine fear that they will be transferred, penalised or even deported if they try to raise an issue.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The IRC has also complained that the hostels are not subject to any independent oversight and inspection regimes outside the aegis of the Department of Justice.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The latest RIA annual report revealed that almost 60% of the 4,841 asylum seekers housed under the direct provision scheme have spent more than three years living in such hostels. The average length of stay is 45 months.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">Ms Waters said the IRC welcomed a recent challenge begun in the High Court against the scheme of direct provision which involves a weekly payment of &euro;19.10 to each adult and &euro;9.60 per child.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;There is no justification for direct provision. It fails to provide any semblance of normal family life for people who are having to wait an inordinate amount of time to have a decision made on their application for asylum,&rdquo; said Ms Waters.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">She also expressed concern that there has been no sign of promised legislation designed to streamline and reform the asylum process.&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/refugee-group-urges-end-to-direct-provision-scheme-239071.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/refugee-group-urges-end-to-direct-provision-scheme-239071.html</a></div>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-08 07:45:54',NULL,'refugee-group-urges-end-to-direct-provision-scheme'),(174,'Creches in RTE probe to face legal action from 20 families','<p>\r\n	Angry parents may also sue HSE over &#39;Prime Time&#39; special</p>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		PARENTS of at least 20 children embroiled in the RTE creche expose are poised to sue the companies involved for alleged assault.</h2>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Irish_Independent\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">The Irish Independent</a>&nbsp;has learned that the parents of children allegedly mistreated in three creches highlighted in an RTE &#39;Prime Time&#39; investigation have instructed lawyers to sue the companies that own them.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The HSE, which is responsible for the regulation and inspection of creches, may also be sued amid concerns by some of the parents that it failed to take action against the creches after it had been notified about RTE&#39;s footage.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The childcare facilities involved are the Links creche in Malahide, north Dublin; the Giraffe creche in Belarmine, Stepaside, Co Dublin; and Little Harvard creche in Rathnew, Co Wicklow. &#39;A Breach of Trust&#39;, which aired last May, showed certain staff members in some of the creches handling children aggressively and shouting at them.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The programme raised questions about the capacity of the HSE to regulate and inspect the lucrative private childcare market.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		A criminal investigation by gardai is also under way after complaints by parents of children at the creches.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The children will now sue, through their parents, for alleged assault.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The parents will separately seek compensation for alleged breach of contract and distress as well as seeking a refund of any fees paid to the creches.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Solicitor Kathrin Coleman, who represents many of the families affected by the abuses brought to light by the &#39;Prime Time&#39; programme, said parents had come together in the wake of the broadcast to pursue their options.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;Clearly, the images shown on national television were deeply disturbing to our clients, as they would be to any parent of a child that had been entrusted to others whilst they went about their working lives,&quot; said Ms Coleman, a senior associate solicitor at Dublin law firm Lavelle Coleman.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;The issue of the action or inaction of the HSE in relation to matters that they were aware of is of considerable concern to our clients and we are currently investigating these matters on their behalf.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;It is not appropriate to comment further on this matter, at this point.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		The expose involved researchers, who were employed as childcare staff, secretly recording footage at the three creches, which in the past had been found to have broken HSE childcare regulations.</p>\r\n	<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			Earlier this week it emerged that one of the creches at the centre of the expose had hired a retired senior garda as its child protection officer.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			Ex-superintendent John McCann was the head of the&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Garda_Siochana\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Garda</a>&#39;s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			Mr McCann has been hired by the Little Harvard Creche and Montessori, which runs five creches in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			A separate probe was launched into the Giraffe facility at Belarmine after two toddlers wandered out of the creche earlier this month.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			The two children left the premises by themselves during a visit by an animal handler who had brought a visiting farm to the creche.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			Meanwhile, RTE has robustly defended the manner in which it handled complaints involving the creches.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			A letter was written last June by David Nally, managing editor of RTE Current Affairs to Labour TD Ciara Conway, Vice-Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			<strong style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em;\">SURPRISED</strong></p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			Mr Nally said that RTE was &quot;very surprised&quot; to learn that Gordon Jeyes &ndash; the HSE&#39;s National Director for Children and Family Services &ndash; told the Oireachtas Committee that the RTE researchers made no reports to the HSE regarding the poor practices and standards of care they witnessed.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			&quot;This is emphatically not the case,&quot; said Mr Nally.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			RTE said that from the very outset of this investigation, it had worked closely with a childcare expert who advised the production team at every stage of the process on all matters including its reporting responsibilities.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n			It added: &quot;In all cases the RTE Investigations Unit&#39;s researchers made detailed complaints firstly to the management of the individual creches, who of course have a responsibility themselves to inform the HSE &ndash; and then directly and in writing to the HSE.&quot;</p>\r\n		<div>\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/creches-in-rte-probe-to-face-legal-action-from-20-families-29482708.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/creches-in-rte-probe-to-face-legal-action-from-20-families-29482708.html</a></div>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-08 07:51:00',NULL,'creches-in-rte-probe-to-face-legal-action-from-20-families'),(175,'Mental health unit to be closed after €2.8m spent to make it the best in Ireland','<p>\r\n	<span style=\"color: rgb(90, 100, 102); font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;\">Staff not informed of decision to shut 22-bed hospital in Galway</span></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Health bosses spent &euro;2.8million upgrading a mental health unit but are to close it within five months, it has emerged.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		The Health Service Executive is to shut St Brigid&rsquo;s ward in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, despite pumping cash into the facility.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		And in a further blow, staff were not informed of the decision to axe the 22-bed acute psychiatric unit.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Independent TD Denis Naughten said there was no rationale for the decision after the revamp.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		He added: &ldquo;It makes absolutely no sense. It is probably the most modern facility in the country.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no logic to it. The cash was used to make the wards the best. The sinks and toilets were indestructible.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		The department will be shut before the end of the year as part of reconfiguration plans.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Under the review, 22 similar beds will be maintained in Roscommon along with 35 in Galway city.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Independent councillor Tim Broderick said the move may endanger patients&rsquo; health.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		He added: &ldquo;There is no foundation to the decision. The facility is not being replaced and it is exposing people.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&ldquo;It is risking people&rsquo;s lives. Suicide has never been so high. East Galway is in turmoil and the recession has taken its toll here same as everywhere.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&ldquo;The people of east Galway deserve to have services available as any other part of the country.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&ldquo;This is all about money. The HSE is not fit for purpose. The people managing services are incompassionate. Their utter drive is to get up the line as fast as they can.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Mr Broderick said people who are needing help shouldn&rsquo;t have to worry about the logistical nightmare of getting to a facility.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		He said: &ldquo;This is criminal. We welcomed the money being put into the facility because it was very close to becoming a 50-bed facility that was midway between Galway and Roscommon.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&ldquo;It is disgraceful. You have to experience it to believe it.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&ldquo;It is not an anger, it is a disbelief. This must be stopped, it is necessary to save people&rsquo;s lives.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		A public meeting was held on Tuesday evening when staff and families of patients expressed their disgust at the decision.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		They said the first they heard of it was through local media and local politicians who were informed of the move before staff and unions.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Paul Hardy of SIPTU confirmed the HSE has not been in contact with workers at St Brigids and it looks unlikely in the future.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		A HSE spokeswoman said: &ldquo;The work that was carried out was essential repairs and upgrading to provide a safe building for patients and staff including roof, insulation etc.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&ldquo;However the work was done in such a way to ensure that the upgraded areas could continue to be used for community mental health services.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&ldquo;Ballinasloe will continue to provide mental health services into the future so the upgraded buildings will be used and will play an important role into the future.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/health-news/hse-close-mental-health-unit-2137029\">http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/health-news/hse-close-mental-health-unit-2137029</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-08 07:57:22',NULL,'mental-health-unit-to-be-closed-after-€28m-spent-to-make-it-the-best-in-ireland'),(176,'Advertisers pull business from ask.fm site','<p>\r\n	<section class=\"body\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		A number of UK advertisers have pulled their business from the social network ask.fm, in the wake of the death of a British teenager bullied on the website.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Specsavers, Vodafone, Laura Ashley and charity Save the Children are among the organisations which have said they will no longer market their businesses on the site.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Last Friday, &nbsp;Hannah Smith, 14, from Lutterworth in Leicestershire died by suicide after she was subjected to cyberbullying by users of ask.fm.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Her father, David Smith, has said those who run the website should face murder or manslaughter charges and has called for more regulation of social networking sites.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Although they must register with an email address, name and date of birth, ask.fm allows its users to send messages to each other without disclosing their identity.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		The Latvian based website has also been linked to several cases of cyberbullying in Ireland, including the death by suicide last year of teenagers Erin Gallagher and Ciara Pugsley.</p>\r\n	</section><section class=\"bodyExt\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Ask.fm has described Hannah&#39;ss death as a &quot;true tragedy&quot;, and in a statement said it wanted to reassure all users and parents of users that it is committed to ensuring the site is a safe environment.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		It said it has contacted the Leicestershire police and would be happy to cooperate with their investigation into the teenager&#39;s death.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		It has also said that it would actively encourage its users and their parents to report any incidences of bullying, either by using the in-site reporting button or via its contact page.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		The website has been repeatedly criticised for not taking the issue of cyberbullying more seriously.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Earlier, British Prime Minister David Cameron said said internet users should boycott &quot;vile&quot; websites which allow cyberbullying to avoid more deaths of young people who receive abuse online.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		Mr Cameron said website operators must &quot;step up to the plate&quot; to ensure users are protected.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; padding: 0px 10px 20px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0808/467136-askfm-internet/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0808/467136-askfm-internet/</a></p>\r\n	</section></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-09 08:43:44',NULL,'advertisers-pull-business-from-askfm-site'),(177,'Kids with special needs like school less','<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	Children with special needs tend to like school less than their peers without special needs, new research by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	Currently, some &euro;1.3 billion is spent on special education - this is around 15% of the Department of Education&#39;s entire budget. Since 2004, major changes have taken place in the area, including a big rise in the number of children with special needs attending mainstream schools.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	However according to the ESRI researchers, little is known about the effectiveness of sending children with special needs to mainstream schools &lsquo;in terms of students&#39; social integration and their wider engagement in school&#39;.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	They decided to investigate this further. They used data from the&nbsp;<em>Growing Up In Ireland Study</em>&nbsp;- an ongoing study of children in Ireland - to assess the experiences of children with special needs in mainstream schools.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	They looked at over 8,500 nine-year-olds, 14% of whom were classed by their teachers as having some sort of special need. These special needs included learning disabilities, physical disabilities, speech problems and emotional behavioural difficulties (EBD) such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	&quot;This unique data source provides, for the first time, a comparison between children with special needs in mainstream and their non-disabled peers,&quot; the researchers said.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	They found that overall, children, whether they have special needs or not, are &lsquo;broadly positive&#39; about school. However, children with special needs tended to like school less than their peers without special needs.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	Just 7% of children without special needs said that they &lsquo;never like school&#39;. However, among children with special needs, this figure rose to 12%.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	The researchers found that a child&#39;s experiences in school depended on the type of disability or need they had. For example, those with EBD and learning difficulties tended to like school less than children with physical or sensory disabilities.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	In fact, children with with physical or sensory disabilities, and those with speech impairments, were &lsquo;no more likely to dislike school than children with no reported special need&#39;.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	&quot;This suggests that children with learning disabilities face an additional barrier in integrating into school life,&quot; they noted.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	Furthermore, in line with past studies on boys in school, the findings indicate that boys with special needs are more likely to dislike school than girls with special needs.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	&quot;Moreover, children with special needs from semi and unskilled social class backgrounds are also more likely to be disengaged from school,&quot; they said.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	The researchers aimed to understand why children with special needs disliked school more. They found that academic engagement had an important role to play. This looks at things such as how often a child does not complete their homework and whether they like the two core subjects of reading and maths.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	The findings indicate that children who regularly failed to complete homework and who disliked maths and reading were much more likely to dislike school.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	Children with special needs were also more inclined to dislike school if they had a poor relationship with their teachers and their peers.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	According to the researchers, inclusion &lsquo;cannot simply be a change in location from special to mainstream schools, but something which involves a broader examination of the current school curriculum, methods of teaching and school climate&#39;.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	&quot;In policy terms, this research shows that despite the inclusive education strategy incorporated within the primary curriculum, its academic orientation plays a central role in shaping how children with special needs experience school,&quot; they added.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	Details of these findings are published in the&nbsp;<em>European Journal of Special Needs Education</em>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=22469\">http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=22469</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-09 09:09:21',NULL,'kids-with-special-needs-like-school-less'),(178,'Nursing home sector in need of long-term care and attention','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The threatened sustainability of nursing homes has brought calls for a forum on long-term residential care</h2>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	With demand rising and the State picking up most of the tab, the business of providing long-term residential care for older people should be a rare growth opportunity in today&rsquo;s economic environment.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Yet the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?q=nursing%20home&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">nursing home</a>&nbsp;sector is in the doldrums, with growth slacking off in spite of numerous warnings of a growing need for places as the population ages.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Private nursing home owners have throttled back investment in an uncertain environment, while the public sector stands at a crossroads, with an urgent decision due on whether to spend large sums of money on the renovation of ageing buildings.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A combination of cutbacks, the credit squeeze and policy uncertainty is contributing to the stasis.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	While a number of reports have been drawn up which map out possible futures for public and private nursing homes, they haven&rsquo;t been published and key decisions on future policy have been repeatedly delayed.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Frustrated private sector operators say the lack of action is threatening the sustainability of nursing homes and have called for the establishment of a forum on long-term residential care, to be led by the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Department%20of%20Health&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Department of Health</a>.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;There have been too many reports, too much talk and not enough action,&rdquo; says<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Tadhg%20Daly&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Tadhg Daly</a>, chief executive of&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Nursing%20Homes%20Ireland&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Nursing Homes Ireland</a>.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;A forum is an absolute necessity to address the growing healthcare demands of our ageing population and to plan accordingly.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	It&rsquo;s all a far cry from the mid-Noughties, when new ventures were opening regularly, thanks to generous capital allowances and the willingness of banks to stump up the large sums needed to fund development of nursing homes. Even the current Minister for Health, Dr&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=James%20Reilly&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">James Reilly</a>&nbsp;joined the rush by investing in a facility in Co Tipperary.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	But as Dr Reilly &ndash; whose name ended up in&nbsp;<em>Stubbs Gazette&nbsp;</em>over an unpaid judgment related to this investment &ndash; and many others found out, nursing homes weren&rsquo;t the surefire hit they were promised to be.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Banks started calling in their loans as the economic crisis deepened. Worse, the sector became embroiled in controversy through the Leas Cross affair in 2005.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The public outrage prompted by the care failures exposed at this north Dublin home led to the creation of a new watchdog, the Health Information and Quality Authority, and the introduction of onerous &ndash; and expensive &ndash; new standards for nursing homes to implement.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Leas Cross was a &ldquo;difficult time&rdquo; for the sector, Daly admits. Hiqa inspectors have forced the closure of at least nine homes in recent years but Daly says this accounts for only a small minority of operators.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;One is too many when it comes to standards, we accept that, but the sector has stepped up to the plate and met the challenge of the new, robust inspection process.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<strong>Slowdown</strong><br />\r\n	The number of new beds coming on stream averaged almost 1,000 a year between 2003 and 2009, according to a recent report by consultants BDO. In contrast, fewer than 900 beds have been added in the past three years combined.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The State, which has always struggled with the funding of care, introduced the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?q=Fair%20Deal&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Fair Deal</a>&nbsp;(Nursing Home Support) Scheme in 2009, under which a resident contributes 80 per cent of income and 5 per cent of assets per annum to pay for his or her care.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The State pays the balance and the older person can choose the nursing home. The resident&rsquo;s asset contribution is due to be increased shortly to 7.5 per cent.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The scheme has won general acceptance, though it was suspended briefly in 2011 when the money ran out, something that Daly says &ldquo;frightened the horses&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The budget for long-term residential in 2013 is &euro;974m. Spending is controlled through the operation of a placement system for eligible applicants but this was paused for a time this year as the HSE gave preference to older people occupying emergency beds in an effort to cut trolley numbers in acute hospitals.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The HSE has stopped publishing monthly figures on admissions to the scheme so it is difficult to gauge the pressures applying to waiting lists.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	However, in the first four months of this year, almost 4,000 applications were received and 2,600 new customers were supported under the scheme, which showed a surplus of almost &euro;11 million. Despite Opposition claims, the HSE says there are no delays in accessing the scheme.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A review of the scheme was supposed to be ready after three years of operation by October of last year but will not be published until 2014.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government, this is expected to favour more supports for homecare packages that allow older people to stay in their own homes.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	More recently, the scheme has been dogged by rows over fee levels. Given the state of its finances, the health service is understandably anxious to drive down costs and the<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=National%20Treatment%20Purchase%20Fund&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">National Treatment Purchase Fund</a>, which negotiates fees with nursing home, operates as a near-monopoly payer and so is in a strong position to do so.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Nursing Homes Ireland claims nursing homes are struggling to provide services with the amounts provided, and anecdotal reports of residents being asked to fork out for non-core services are common.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;We accept the State has to get value for money but this shouldn&rsquo;t be confused with a downward spiral,&rdquo; comments Daly.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<strong>Bed numbers</strong><br />\r\n	Nationally, there are about 28,000 long-term residential beds in 129 facilities, 80 per cent of them provided in the private sector and the rest in public nursing homes.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Some 23,700 of these beds are funded through Fair Deal, and the number of self-payers continues to dwindle &ndash; understandably when you consider that the average cost of care is almost &euro;1,000 a week.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Recently published figures from the Central Statistics Office show the proportion of the population aged over 65 years is set to grow from 12 per cent to 17 per cent in 2026, which is the European average. By 2045, one in five of us will be in this age bracket.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Meanwhile, those aged 80 and over will rise from 2.8 per cent of the population to 8.5 per cent in 2046, according to an analysis of the figures by Dr Maev-Ann Wren, research fellow at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	In terms of raw numbers of people requiring services, that amounts to an additional 200,000 over-65s within a decade, and an additional 45,000 people over the age of 80.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;Ireland is now definitely moving to the kind of demographic profile other EU countries have long been used to. The number of people living longer and requiring help is going to increase,&rdquo; she says.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Wren predicts an additional 1,000 people will need residential care each year. Up to 2010, the sector was providing that kind of growth, thanks to additional private and public sector beds, but not any more.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Another problem is the beds are often in the wrong places; there are too few nursing home places to meet demand around Dublin and too many in some rural areas. Meanwhile, areas such as Cavan/Monaghan and Louth/Meath have too few short-stay beds.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Although the demographic challenge is stark, it isn&rsquo;t all bad news. While people are living longer, they are also staying healthy and active longer, so their need for high-dependency care is delayed. Within the older population, there are two distinct groups; those needing only small amounts of care, and others, often aged over 85, with high care needs.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	One of the problems of the current system, including Fair Deal, is that it tends to direct older people into expensive residential care before they want or need it. In contrast, in Northern Ireland, a system of unified care funds both nursing home care and home help.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;Sometimes security factors and isolation can lead to frail old people moving to high-cost facilities. The standards in place can also lead to an over-medicalisation of some care,&rdquo; says a HSE spokesman.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The HSE is keen to develop a wider range of care options for older people, including intermediate and transitional care, and sheltered housing, as well as more home help hours and home care packages. Whether its dwindling budget allows for this remains to be seen.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	And again in the home care/home help sector, there are clear choices for Government to make between private providers on the one hand and public/voluntary operators on the other.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	There is an urgency to the challenge not just because of the demographics but also because of the parlous state of many older public nursing homes. One in five of these homes is housed in buildings over a century old.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The cost of maintaining these relics is already huge and it is questionable whether they will pass muster when Hiqa imposes new, higher standards from 2015.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The arrival on the scene of Hiqa forced home to replace dormitories and eight-bedded accommodation with rooms accommodating a maximum of four people.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The next stage of regulation will demand a far greater amount of two- and one-bed accommodation in nursing homes than is provided at present, and it is not clear whether these premises, many of them former workhouses, can be adapted at an acceptable cost.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A HSE viability plan on the issue has been with the Department of Health for months, but no decision has been issued. It is believed the report puts a price tag of almost &euro;1 billion on the cost of renovating existing facilities, a sum that may explain the delay in arriving at a decision.&nbsp;<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<strong>Decision time</strong><br />\r\n	There is also a belief in the sector that the Minister&rsquo;s personal involvement with a nursing home, even though it is being handled by a third party, has made Dr Reilly reluctant to be making decisions in which political opponents could accuse him of having a conflict of interest.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The HSE, which is shackled by the moratorium on recruitment in the public service, is examining a PPP model for new build, which would see the State constructing nursing homes and private operators running them.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Daly says his members, who claim to provide beds for 50 per cent cheaper than in the public sector, have the capacity and expertise to meet future bed needs but the choice between public or private development involves a delicate political decision given the make-up of the Government. As in other areas of the health service requiring urgent decisions, it&rsquo;s a case of: Over to you, Minister.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/health-pharma/nursing-home-sector-in-need-of-long-term-care-and-attention-1.1488446?page=1\">http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/health-pharma/nursing-home-sector-in-need-of-long-term-care-and-attention-1.1488446?page=1</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-09 09:22:42',NULL,'nursing-home-sector-in-need-of-long-term-care-and-attention'),(179,'Children’s charity to shut services for a week','<p>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;\">Barnardos has confirmed it has decided to close its services for a week this month as a cost-saving measure &mdash; having taken a similar course of action last year.</span></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The children&rsquo;s charity said the measure, which begins this Monday, was being taken to protect core services and to reduce its funding shortfall.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">In a statement, it said: &ldquo;Barnardos can confirm that it will close its services for a week again this summer as a cost-saving measure. The temporary layoff is mandatory for all employees and no staff will be paid.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">The decision to repeat last year&rsquo;s week-long closure was made by Barnardos&rsquo; board and management as part of a planned range of measures.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;As in 2012, careful consideration has been given to the timing of the closure to ensure it has the least impact on children and families.&rdquo;&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">It comes as a number of charity and advocacy groups battle with cutbacks in funding while seeking to maintain services to clients.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">Barnardos said families and children who attend its services have been informed of the closure in advance, as had its 380 employees and almost 200 volunteers.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">According to the statement: &ldquo;The children and families Barnardos works with are amongst the most vulnerable in our society and our priority is to protect our core services so we can continue to provide support to those who need us most.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;The decision to close is a reflection of the challenging times that Barnardos and other voluntary organisations are operating in. We are doing everything in our power to save costs and not impact on service delivery.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Measures we have taken include a pay freeze (which was implemented in 2009); pay cuts (in 2010), deeper at management level; revised pay scales (which were implemented in 2012); a restructuring programme, and redundancies.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Unfortunately in 2012, we had to make some tough decisions because of our funding challenges. We had to close a family support service in Dublin 1 and a school&rsquo;s literacy programme that operated in Dublin and Limerick. Most recently we closed an early years&rsquo; service in Dublin 10.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;The past four years have been incredibly challenging for Barnardos. We have seen a decrease in statutory funding across the board of around 17% so far.&nbsp;</span><br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<br style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\" />\r\n	<span style=\"font-family: Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;\">&ldquo;Almost all of our 40 community-based projects have been affected by cuts in government spending. These budget cuts, coupled with the ongoing pressure on fundraising caused by the recession, have forced us to make these cutbacks.&rdquo;</span></div>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/childrens-charity-to-shut-services-for-a-week-239413.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/childrens-charity-to-shut-services-for-a-week-239413.html</a></div>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-12 07:45:00',NULL,'children’s-charity-to-shut-services-for-a-week'),(180,'New website for reporting racist incidents has 60 responses in just one month','<p>\r\n	<span style=\"color: rgb(90, 100, 102); font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px;\">Women were targets for abuse in almost half of incidents</span></p>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		A new online system where people can report racist abuse has had 60 responses in just one month.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Anti-racist organisation ENAR Ireland said figures from iReport. ie are much higher than they previously thought.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Director Shane O&rsquo;Curry said: &ldquo;This is a significantly higher rate than our previous recording system, and a much higher rate than the gardai, who recorded just 19 incidents in the first three months of 2013.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		The organisation has also reported that in 46 per cent of the incidents recorded, women and girls were the targets of racism, 25 per cent of the incidents recorded racism against people who are black and in 20 per cent of the incidents recorded, children under 14 were targets.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Out of the five reports of racism against Muslim women, all were targeted because of their veil and in one case a group of Muslim men wearing their prayer hats were attacked by a gang of men with sticks.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		A further 49 per cent of the reports were made by witnesses or third parties and 68 per cent of these were made by people who were unrelated in any way to the targets.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Mr O&rsquo;Curry said: &ldquo;The reports show that migrants and minority ethnic groups, including Travellers, are being subjected to worrying levels of racism and discrimination. &ldquo;People are reporting all kinds of racism, from subtle forms of discrimination to concerted social exclusion, from shouting and name calling in the street to intimidation, spitting, sexual harassment and organised violent assault with weapons.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&ldquo;But these are being perpetrated by a minority, and although there have been some high profile cases of public figures expressing racist sentiments, the majority of the public in Ireland reject racism.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&quot;We can see this anti-racist sentiment reflected in the fact that almost half of the reports were logged by witnesses, a majority of whom were unrelated to the people targeted.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		Mr O&rsquo;Curry said the response from witnesses has been encouraging and one settled family cancelled their own meal when a Traveller family were refused service in an eaterie.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		He added: &ldquo;In one case an Irish family were horrified when their visiting relatives and other tourists were racially abused in a restaurant, so they reported the incident to iReport. ie.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		&quot;In the last few days we have seen Oprah Winfrey in the headlines after she was racially profiled in a shop in Zurich, an incident which didn&rsquo;t reflect well on Switzerland. Tolerance for racism could damage our tourism industry. We do not want this kind of reputation for Ireland.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 1.15385em; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.28571em;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/new-online-system-people-can-2153239\">http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/new-online-system-people-can-2153239</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-12 07:58:57',NULL,'new-website-for-reporting-racist-incidents-has-60-responses-in-just-one-month'),(181,'Parents battle to control teens online','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-size: 2em; line-height: 1.2; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	John Meagher uncovers a sinister side to the website blamed for causing yet another teen suicide</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		On the face of it, it is difficult to understand why Ask.fm has become a teen sensation. The website is based on the rudimentary premise of users being asked questions &ndash; any question &ndash; which they may or may not choose to respond to. It is hardly a groundbreaking idea.</h2>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Yet, such a basic concept appears to have captured the imagination of young people around the world. One million new users are signing up to Ask.fm every week and many of them are Irish children.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Latvia\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63);\">Latvia</a>-based website claims to have 60 million users &ndash; up from five million in April 2012 &ndash; and its&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/iPhone\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63);\">iPhone</a>app is consistently in the top 10 downloads on&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Apple,_Inc.\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63);\">Apple</a>&#39;s app store, often ahead of more established brands such as&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/YouTube\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">YouTube</a>&nbsp;or Twitter.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It has become a money-spinner, too, with estimates suggesting it is raking in at least &euro;500,000 per month in advertising revenue.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		But a spate of teen suicides &ndash; purportedly inspired by the abuse received on the site &ndash; has put Ask.fm in the news again. The father of the latest victim, 14-year-old Hannah Smith, from Leicestershire in England, called for its closure this week.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		And his sentiments have been echoed by Jonathan Pugsley, whose daughter,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Ciara_(musician)\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Ciara</a>&nbsp;(15), hanged herself near her home in Dromahair, Co Leitrim, last September after being bullied by posters on Ask.fm.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;This is a site,&quot; he said, &quot;where people can post anonymously whatever they want and get away with it.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Ciara&#39;s death marked the first time many people had ever heard of Ask.fm, which was launched in June 2010, but within months it would be cited as a contributory cause in the suicide of 13-year-old Donegal girl Erin Gallagher. The tragedy was compounded when her sister Shannon subsequently killed herself.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		And, this week, negative publicity has prompted several companies and charities&ndash; including Specsavers,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Vodafone\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63);\">Vodafone</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Save_the_Children\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Save the Children</a>&nbsp;&ndash; to withdraw advertising from the site.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Yet, amid all the talk, few seem to understand what makes Ask.fm tick. One need only spend a couple of hours perusing it, to get a sense of why it has become a magnet for school children, especially teenage girls.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		First, you need to sign up. It&#39;s a process that takes less than a minute, especially as so little personal information is required.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		A working email is essential, but after that you can be as honest with your real identity as you like.</p>\r\n	<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			A simple geographical word search can put the user in contact with teens from around the country. I search among several Irish towns and happen upon scores of users who are content to post their actual names, photos and&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Facebook\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Facebook</a>&nbsp;links.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			A cursory perusal through their &quot;answers&quot; see them reveal information about their school, class, address (right down to street), their siblings&#39; names and their parents&#39; occupations as well as intimate details about classmates and neighbours.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			It&#39;s astonishing &ndash; and alarming &ndash; to see how open they are with very personal information.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Some seem content to talk about their drinking habits, sexual status and their immediate plans.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			It would be very easy to construct an elaborate picture of their lives and one shudders to think how such information could be put to use.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			It has to be said that a large proportion of the content on Ask.fm is perfectly innocent and resembles little more than enthusiastic conversation between friends, albeit of the virtual kind. &quot;Do you play camogie?&quot; &quot;Are you going to the club on Saturday night?&quot; &quot;What is your favourite song ever?&quot; But there is also a significant amount of very lewd, graphic &quot;questions&quot; that are wholly inappropriate to be addressed to young teens.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Even the most permissive society would baulk at 14-year-olds being asked for their favourite sexual position or which boy in their class they last fellated.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			This week, as Review looked at the site, one particular schoolgirl in a rural part of&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Leinster_Rugby\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Leinster</a>&nbsp;was struggling to fend off unwelcome attention. Her 3,500 answers were indicative of just how much time she spends on the site. She appeared to be bombarded with explicit messages on a daily basis and her increasingly frustrated answers suggested the line of questioning was getting to her.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Her youth is apparent, too, when she admits to not understanding what is being asked of her. Those questions cannot be reproduced in a family newspaper and should never have been addressed to a 15-year-old.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			And yet, incredibly, some of the content is more sinister than that. When I look through the timeline for several teenage girls throughout Ireland I see that many are constantly pestered to post nude photos of themselves on Snapchat &ndash; the controversial messaging service in which images &quot;disappear&quot; shortly after being sent.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			I even happen upon cases where an anonymous questioner leaves a mobile phone number for his target to text explicit photos to. A&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Google_Inc.\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Google</a>&nbsp;search of this number reveals it has been posted to several different Ask.fm users.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Spend any length of time on sites similar to Ask.fm and the spectre of grooming is never far away. One can&#39;t help but feel that it&#39;s not fellow teens who are asking the anonymous questions, but predatory adults who can&#39;t believe their luck that teens are being so free and easy with the information they provide.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			On the whole, the chat is good-natured and polite but it doesn&#39;t take long before you find comments likely to trouble even the most robust users. One girl in Dublin is taunted about the recent death of a close family member. &quot;HE&#39;S DEAD HAHA,&quot; writes a cruel poster.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Another girl manages to attract the attention of a troll who keeps pressing her to commit suicide. &quot;You would be sorry if I did,&quot; she responds.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Yet another finds herself having to defend the honour of her friend &ndash; who&#39;s named and described as &quot;a slut&quot; who has had sexual experiences with all the boys in her school year.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Such comments haunt Maureen Bolger. Her son, Darren (16), killed himself in 2003 after suffering sustained bullying. Within three years, she had established a free phone service, Teenline Ireland (1800 833 634), to help secondary school children navigate that challenging period between adolescence and adulthood.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;Social media bullying is something we&#39;re hearing about more and more,&quot; she says. &quot;There&#39;s no getting away from it. You can&#39;t leave your problems at the school gate &ndash; the bullying follows you home.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;It&#39;s awful to look at the things that are written on that site and it&#39;s no surprise that it has been linked with several suicides already.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;It should be closed down &ndash; as should any site that allows people to post anonymous abuse like this. Why is it allowed to stay open? Is it always about profit?&quot;</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Clinical psychotherapist Joanna Fortune believes the wanton cruelty to be found on social media sites like Ask.fm stems from a generation of children who have grown up with the internet&#39;s &quot;virtual world&quot; and cannot see how their remarks can have such far-reaching ramifications.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;Those children who are growing up with smartphones and the capability of being online 24/7 can struggle to be empathetic,&quot; she says.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;Some are at such a remove that they actually don&#39;t know how to play in the old-fashioned sense of the word.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;Their relationships with others get very skewed to the point that they think it&#39;s fair game to say what they want. Some teens just don&#39;t seem to understand what they post online is archived forever and it&#39;s frightening to see how revealing they are about their lives. But banning is not the answer.&quot;</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Meanwhile, on Thursday, Mark and Ilja Terebin, the brothers who founded Ask.fm, broke their silence. &quot;We would like to reassure all users and parents of users that we are committed to ensuring that our site is a safe environment,&quot; they said in a statement. &quot;We will continue to work with the appropriate organisations to safeguard against bullying on Ask.fm</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;The vast majority of our users are very happy teenagers, who use Ask.fm to converse with their peers around the world. Bullying is an age-old problem that we in no way condone - and while its evolution online is disturbing, it certainly is not unique to our site.&quot;</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/parents-battle-to-control-teens-online-29488277.html\">http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/parents-battle-to-control-teens-online-29488277.html</a></p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-12 08:09:40',NULL,'parents-battle-to-control-teens-online'),(182,'Mental health services fall behind as 27pc of promised posts filled','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	JUST 132 of the 477 new posts promised in mental health services have been filled so far this year, new figures reveal.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Around &euro;35m was allocated to recruit the much-needed staff in areas like suicide prevention this year but the rate of hiring is still behind schedule.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It follows last year&#39;s disappointment after another &euro;35m allocated to strengthen mental heatlh teams outside of hospital, and provide more psychological and counselling services, was diverted due to the financial crisis in the HSE.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It was planned to hire 414 staff with those funds and of these just 389 are in place. The&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/United_States_Department_of_Health_and_Human_Services\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Department of Health</a>&nbsp;said the HSE&#39;s National Recruitment Service (NRS) create national panels in anticipation of vacancies.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;On occasion however, it is difficult to fill some posts for various reasons including geographical location, international shortage of some grades, most notably clinical psychologists.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;The NRS is currently working to ensure that the remaining posts will be filled as soon as possible, from existing panels or through competition in the absence of panels, at the earliest opportunity.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The delay in appointing staff to psychiatric services comes in the wake of a damning inspector&#39;s report on the Carraig Mor mental health facility in Cork which was likened to something from another century.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Meanwhile, in response to the continuing scandal of placing children in adult psychiatric facilities, the department said there are just 39 child and adolescent beds nationally .</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		They include 12 in Dublin, 12 in Cork and 15 in Galway. A further eight beds will be commissioned in Cork, and a further five beds will re-open in Galway by year end.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The second phase of the Child and Adolescent Unit at St Vincent&#39;s Hospital, Fairview, will increase capacity from 12 to 18 beds in Dublin by the end of 2013.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The Linn Dara child and adolescent mental health facility at Cherry Orchard, Dublin, recently opened and a number teams have moved into the new premises. It is expected that the day hospital will be in operation by the end of the year. It is also proposed to construct a 22-bed in-patient facility on the Cherry Orchard site, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2013/early 2014.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		In the medium term, by around early 2017, a new 10-bed child and adolescent forensic mental health unit will be provided as part of the new Central Mental Hospital campus development.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;The basis of govern-ment policy is that improved community based services, coupled with increased bed capacity for this particular sector, will bring to an end the practice of placing children and adolescents in adult psychiatric facilities,&quot; said the department.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/health/mental-health-services-fall-behind-as-27pc-of-promised-posts-filled-29491213.html\">http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/health/mental-health-services-fall-behind-as-27pc-of-promised-posts-filled-29491213.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-13 08:03:32',NULL,'mental-health-services-fall-behind-as-27pc-of-promised-posts-filled'),(183,'Second Opinion: Ageism develops a nasty twist','<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	One of the objectives of the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=National%20Positive%20Ageing%20Strategy%202013&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">National Positive Ageing Strategy 2013</a>&nbsp;(NPAS) is to combat ageism &ldquo;by encouraging the media and other opinion-making actors to give an age-balanced image of society&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Despite this, ageism has recently developed an insidious and sinister twist.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Now, according to the NPAS, older people are stereotyped as being either &ldquo;sick, disabled, non-contributors to society&rdquo; or as &ldquo;healthy, financially secure, and taking advantage of State benefits that they can afford to pay for themselves&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The term &ldquo;intergenerational conflict&rdquo; has become part of public discourse, implying that older and younger people are in conflict about how income is distributed in society.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	In the US, older people are often referred to as &ldquo;greedy geezers&rdquo; because they are seen as taking more than their fair share of social welfare benefits. In Ireland, media commentators constantly refer to the unsustainable burden of older people&rsquo;s healthcare and the cost of State pensions. In fact, only 5 per cent of people over 75 are in receipt of the Nursing Home Support Service or Fair Deal.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Ageism hit a new low when the Economic and Social Research Institute published a Research Note,&nbsp;<em>Younger and&nbsp;</em><em>Older H</em><em>ouseholds in the C</em><em>risis</em>, showing that the banking collapse affected younger and older households differently. In households where the reference person was under 45, real disposable income decreased by 14 per cent and real consumption decreased by 25 per cent.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Media commentators, including&nbsp;<em>Prime Time</em>, immediately picked up on this apparent unfairness. The report&rsquo;s conclusion, &ldquo;younger and older households earned and spent about the same sums in 2009/2010&rdquo;, was completely ignored, thus feeding into the idea of an intergenerational problem when there isn&rsquo;t one.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<br />\r\n	Older people need less<br />\r\n	The impression given is that older people do not need the same income as younger people. Being old they need less, and they are having a great life at the expense of younger people.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Having been told to age actively since the publication of&nbsp;<em>The Years Ahead</em>&nbsp;in 1988, older people now have it so good that all benefits must be taken back and redistributed to the younger generation. They are portrayed as spending their children&rsquo;s inheritance.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	No one said, &ldquo;Perhaps younger people were buying things they didn&rsquo;t need during the boom,&rdquo; or &ldquo;Isn&rsquo;t it great that older people now have the same amount to spend as everyone else.&rdquo; This is not just a case of Irish begrudgery; it is blatant ageism.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A survey commissioned by Third&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Age&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Age</a>, a national voluntary organisation that promotes the value of older people in society, shows the extent of ageism in Irish society.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Almost half of the 1,000 participants aged 15 and over disagreed with the statement, &ldquo;Older people&rsquo;s views are generally listened to by other people.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	More than two-thirds disagreed with the statement &ldquo;Older people are treated no differently to anyone else,&rdquo; and 42 per cent agreed with the statement &ldquo;Older people&rsquo;s views are generally ignored by other people.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Almost half of survey participants over 55 agreed that &ldquo;Older people are regarded as a burden on society.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	Double negatives<br />\r\n	Notwithstanding the sometimes awkwardness of the survey language with its double negatives, it can be inferred that many older people feel ignored, think their views are not heard, are discriminated against, and believe they are seen as a burden. Growing older seems to mean people lose their personhood and normal human rights do not apply.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	A recent study,&nbsp;<em>Changing Generations: Findings from New Research on Intergenerational Relations in Ireland</em>, carried out by the Social Policy and Ageing Research Centre at&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Trinity%20College%20Dublin&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Trinity College Dublin</a>&nbsp;and the Irish Centre for Social Gerontology at&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=NUI%20Galway&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">NUI Galway</a>, found little evidence of conflict between the generations.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	In fact, older people were &ldquo;almost universally perceived as a deserving group that merited more and improved transfers and services from the State&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Why then do the &ldquo;opinion-making actors&rdquo; mentioned in NPAS claim younger people begrudge older people their pensions and healthcare?</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Do they want to distract any debate on equality and fairness away from the real problem? Is it because, according to this report, &ldquo;the source of perceived injustice and unfairness in Irish society lies entirely outside the intergenerational sphere&rdquo;?</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Politicians, highly paid public-sector workers and abusers of the social welfare system are seen as the main source of injustice and unfairness.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The report concluded that &ldquo;commentators should think twice before making a case for actual or impending conflict between the generations&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	I couldn&rsquo;t have put it better myself.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	drjackyjones@gmail.com</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/second-opinion-ageism-develops-a-nasty-twist-1.1491841\">http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/second-opinion-ageism-develops-a-nasty-twist-1.1491841</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-13 08:13:29',NULL,'second-opinion-ageism-develops-a-nasty-twist'),(184,'Parents pay over €400 a month to fund students','<p>\r\n	<section class=\"body\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		Parents pay out over &euro;400 a month to fund their child in third-level education, according to a survey by the Irish League of Credit Unions.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The survey examined financing college education, job prospects and the main concerns of both parents and students.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The second nationwide survey carried out by the ILCU found that parents are funding the majority of students&rsquo; spending.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The last survey was carried out in 2011.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		Eight out of ten parents said they gave around &euro;421 per college student per month.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		Excluding rent and bills, students spend an average of &euro;516 a month on day-to-day expenses.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The survey found that parents typically are saving on average for eight years for a college fund for their children.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		There are also indications that students are trying to cut down on costs with 32% living away from home, compared to 49% in 2011.</p>\r\n	</section><section class=\"bodyExt\" style=\"color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The number of students working to fund their time in college has increased by 10% in that period.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		Students say their greatest concern is not passing exams, while for parents their main worry is that their children will not get a job after college.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		More than half of the students surveyed said they would choose their college course based on the current employment gaps in the economy rather than on their own interests.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		The survey also found that fewer students are feeling the pressure of having to emigrate to find a job.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		ILCU Head of Communications Mandy Johnston said the delay in grants being issued has meant that more parents are requesting Credit Union loans to cover the cost of third level education.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		Speaking on RT&Eacute;&#39;s Morning Ireland Ms Johnston said:&nbsp;&quot;53% who are eligible for grants are experiencing delays.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		&quot;Credit unions are being used to bridge that gap. Everybody hopes there won&#39;t be a repeat this year in terms of the delay.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 14px; outline: none; padding: 0px 10px 20px 194px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0813/467817-credit-union-survey-college/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0813/467817-credit-union-survey-college/</a></p>\r\n	</section></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-13 08:24:14',NULL,'parents-pay-over-€400-a-month-to-fund-students'),(185,'Between the extremes of exam results','<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	IT IS exam results time again. And once again the focus is on those who did extremely well and on the failure rates in certain subjects.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	Between the two extremes of failure and high success, lies a large cohort of average students who successfully sat and passed this exam &ndash; the silent majority who rarely get mentioned.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	To sit the Leaving Cert is in itself an achievement. It is the culmination of attending at second-level school for a minimum of five or, in most cases, six years. Taking the exam means writing &ndash; sometimes for over three hours, twice a day &ndash; over a two-week period at the beginning of June.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	During the six years and especially during those weeks in early June, life goes on around these students. Many will have dealt with illness, bereavement, family break-up, moving house, unemployed parents, and the vicissitudes of normal everyday life. Others will have struggled with disabilities &ndash; physical, sensory, mental, and intellectual.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	All of them, irrespective of any difficulties they may have surmounted, receive results this month. Each of them deserves to be lauded. Their results will not in any way reflect the challenges they may have overcome in getting this far. Exam results are a measurement of one aspect of life &ndash; they do not mirror the other struggles candidates face. Some fought all the way through school to get the help they needed, others sat their papers in special centres or with the use of assistive technology. Irrespective of the individual path in sitting the exams, all were assessed equally.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	<strong style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; outline: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit;\">Celebrated</strong></p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	The high achievers are rightly celebrated &ndash; to play down the gifts of the exceptionally bright does no one any favours, least of all those talented people themselves. The majority should also be celebrated and praised.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	Three D1s may well be the same lifetime achievement that nine A1s are for another student. But the three D1s don&rsquo;t get on the six o&rsquo;clock news or the front page of the local paper.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	All the students, of whatever level of attainment or ability, will now deal with first-, perhaps second-, or even third-round CAO offers. Their life journey, with all its twists and turns and challenges, is just beginning. There will be some extremes along the way but most of life will fall on the middle ground.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	This needs to be a talking point as much as the highest successes and lowest failures. After all, life is lived mostly between the extremes.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 14px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.southernstar.ie/News/Between-the-extremes-of-exam-results-13082013.htm\">http://www.southernstar.ie/News/Between-the-extremes-of-exam-results-13082013.htm</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-14 07:38:05',NULL,'between-the-extremes-of-exam-results'),(186,'Irish team makes major breakthrough on children\'s cancer','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\">A team of&nbsp;<span id=\"link0\" name=\"link0\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; height: auto; cursor: pointer; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-decoration: underline !important; color: rgb(0, 153, 0) !important;\">Irish</span>&nbsp;scientists has made a major breakthrough in understanding the most common forms of cancer in very young children.</span></h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\">The group from Trinity College Dublin identified that the CHD5 gene is &quot;deleted&quot; in children with the worst form of neuroblastoma.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\">Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in children aged under two years and attacks special nerve cells, known as neuroblasts, which are found throughout the body.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\">Normally these immature cells grow into functioning nerve cells, but in children with neuroblastoma they fail to mature and become cancer cells instead.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\">The scientists at the Smurfit Institute of Genetics at Trinity College explored the function of the CHD5 gene and found that, without the gene, neuroblasts are incapable of growing into mature nerve cells.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\">The team plans to continue its research in the hope of creating new treatments for children with this form of cancer.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\">Dr Adrian Bracken, lead scientist on the research project, said: &quot;Understanding the role of genes whose deletion or inactivation is associated with disease is central to designing intelligent therapeutic strategies.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\">&quot;Our work has unravelled the normal function of the CHD5 gene and suggests that its inactivation in neuroblastoma leads to an inability of these cells to correctly mature or differentiate,&quot; he explained.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\">&quot;Our future work will assess the potential&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Benefit_(designer)\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">benefit</a>&nbsp;of reactivating CHD5 in neuroblastoma cells which usually retain one silenced copy of this gene.&quot;</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit !important;\"><a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-team-makes-major-breakthrough-on-childrens-cancer-29497104.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-team-makes-major-breakthrough-on-childrens-cancer-29497104.html</a></span></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-14 07:42:29',NULL,'irish-team-makes-major-breakthrough-on-childrens-cancer'),(187,'Household debt falls to levels not seen since 2006','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	HOUSEHOLDS have managed to pay off huge amounts of their debts, but still owe double what they earn.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The debts of households have been reduced back to the levels they were last at in 2006, before the downturn began.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		New figures from the Central Bank show that the total debts of households came down by &euro;1.6bn in the first three months of this year. Overall, the household debt figure stands at &euro;172.3bn &ndash; down by &euro;31.5bn since it peaked in 2008.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The Central Bank said the debts of households work out at &euro;37,572 for every adult and child in the State.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Excluding those under 18, this means that adults owe an average of &euro;50,093, calculations by this newspaper show.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Despite the reduction in debts, households still owe twice what they earn. This is because the downturn has seen household disposable income fall dramatically, the Central Bank said.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;The decline in debt was partly outstripped by a decrease in disposable income,&quot; the bank said in its latest Quarterly Financial Accounts publication.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		There has also been a decrease in what is called the net worth of households. This is a calculation of the housing assets of households, with the debts subtracted.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Property price declines have been blamed for the fall in net worth of &euro;1.8bn for households in the first three months of this year. The overall net worth of households was put at &euro;463.7bn. This works out at &euro;101,117 for every man, woman and child.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Excluding those under 18, it gives an average net worth of close to &euro;135,000.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: inherit !important; float: none !important;\">Central Bank statisticians estimate that the&nbsp;<span id=\"link1\" name=\"link1\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; height: auto; cursor: pointer; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-decoration: underline !important; color: rgb(0, 153, 0) !important;\">value</span>&nbsp;of housing fell by close to &euro;9bn in the first three months of the year.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<span class=\"CTXempty\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; text-decoration: inherit !important; float: none !important;\">A slight rise in investment in shares and in life assurance and pension policies was picked up in the figures. But there has been a reduction in household&nbsp;<span id=\"link0\" name=\"link0\" style=\"margin: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 1em; height: auto; cursor: pointer; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 153, 0); text-decoration: underline !important; color: rgb(0, 153, 0) !important;\">savings</span>.</span></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<strong style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em;\">SAVINGS</strong></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Meanwhile, separate figures from KBC Bank show that eight out of 10 people have a savings account. Men are more likely to have savings. For those with a savings account, an average of &euro;223 is put aside each month.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Having a financial safety net is the main reason people try to save, according to the research carried out for the bank by Millward Browne.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The recent good weather prompted people to dip into their savings to fund day trips and buy barbecues.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Unplanned spending on new garden furniture, plants and equipment also proved popular during the heatwave, according to the research.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/latest-news/household-debt-falls-to-levels-not-seen-since-2006-29497105.html\">http://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/latest-news/household-debt-falls-to-levels-not-seen-since-2006-29497105.html</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-14 07:43:46',NULL,'household-debt-falls-to-levels-not-seen-since-2006'),(188,'Colette Browne: Hundreds of Irish women are being abandoned to a living hell by State','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	The most dangerous period for women in an abusive relationship is when they leave their partners. So why are hundreds of women who make the decision to seek help being turned away from refuges?</h2>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	That was the experience of a woman and her three children who presented to Wexford Women&#39;s Refuge on Sunday. It was unable to accommodate them because it&#39;s full. Already this year, it has been unable to accommodate 147 women and children.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	Despite this, the refuge, which is currently home to four women and four children, is closing its doors on September 1 for 13 weeks because of a funding shortfall.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	The refuge &ndash; the only one in the county, and serving a population of nearly 150,000 &ndash; is currently desperately trying to relocate these families. As of yesterday, it had been unsuccessful. There is nowhere for them to go.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	The HSE, in a statement, said there were five other refuges in the region &ndash; Waterford, Kilkenny, Clonmel, Cork and Kerry &ndash; who could accommodate women and children. I contacted all of those refuges yesterday. Four were full, with the refuge in Kerry unwilling to state if places were available. Most have lengthy waiting lists.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	Cuan Saor refuge in Clonmel was forced to turn away four families on Monday. Amber Women&#39;s Refuge in Kilkenny turned away a woman yesterday.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	Pauline Dunne, manager of Cuan Lee refuge in Cork, told me she had not been consulted by the HSE and said its plan was not credible.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	&quot;We are currently housing six women and 11 children and there is a lengthy waiting list for places here. Since the recession started, we have seen a huge increase in the numbers of women who are seeking help,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	Even if the refuges weren&#39;t full, the reality is that the vast majority of women who are unable to access support services in their own locality return to their abusive partner.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	Most will have children in school and habitual residence stipulations apply to many social welfare payments &ndash; so vulnerable women are precluded from moving away.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n	The HSE&#39;s solution is no solution. And it must be aware of this, meaning its ludicrous suggestion that women travel as far away as Kerry to get help is deeply cynical.</p>\r\n<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		It&#39;s not just Wexford; domestic violence support services are in crisis all over the country.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		A report last year found that four out of every five women seeking help from a Dublin refuge, Viva House, were being turned away.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		In the north-west and midlands, the situation is even worse, with no refuge accommodation available in Monaghan, Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Longford, Offaly, Carlow and Laois.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		In Kildare, a refuge which cost &euro;1m to construct has lain idle for over a year as the HSE cannot provide adequate funding to staff it. In Dundalk, a Women&#39;s Aid refuge, which is currently catering for four families, faces closure because of an imminent 70pc cut to its local authority funding.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		Last year, women and children could not be accommodated on more than 3,000 occasions because refuges were full. What happened to them? Does anyone know? Does anyone care?</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		According to Women&#39;s Aid, women who contacted them in 2012 had been &quot;kept prisoner in their own homes, spat on, punched, slapped, kicked, held down and strangled, beaten with household items and raped during pregnancy&quot;.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		How many of the women who suffered this kind of abuse had attempted to find shelter in a refuge only to be turned away? How many, unwilling to take the risk of leaving their violent homes again, have now been condemned to a life as a perennial punch bag?</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		A chronic shortage of refuge places is not the only barrier that faces women trying to leave abusive partners. Under the 2011 housing regulations, women who are joint owners of a home are not deemed to have a housing need unless they are divorced or formally separated &ndash; even if they have fled the home because of violence. This means they cannot be added to housing lists and are unable to get rent supplement.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		&quot;These women become homeless because of domestic violence but are not deemed eligible for social housing support. They have no route out of a violent situation other than to remain in emergency B&amp;B accommodation. It is not a long-term solution and most cannot do it,&quot; said Niamh Wilson, manager of Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (DVAS).</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n		She said DVAS had repeatedly raised this anomaly with the Department of Environment, and had been assured that the legislation was under review, but nothing has happened. Instead, the response of the State has been inaction and incessant rationalisations of already inadequate services, abandoning women to a daily hell of beatings, rape and abuse.<br />\r\n		<br />\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/colette-browne-hundreds-of-irish-women-are-being-abandoned-to-a-living-hell-by-state-29497233.html\">http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/colette-browne-hundreds-of-irish-women-are-being-abandoned-to-a-living-hell-by-state-29497233.html</a><br />\r\n		&nbsp;</p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-15 08:11:04',NULL,'colette-browne-hundreds-of-irish-women-are-being-abandoned-to-a-living-hell-by-state'),(189,'Viewing Leaving Cert exam papers is free and easy to do','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Many students have been asking about the script-viewing process</h2>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The questions poured into&nbsp;<em>The</em>&nbsp;<em>Irish Times</em>&nbsp;website yesterday, as both students and parents explored the implications of the Leaving Certificate results.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Many inquired about the viewing-of-script process. Some students and parents, in the excitement of opening the envelope with their Leaving Certificate results, seemed unaware that the form to seek to view scripts is in this envelope with the result sheet. This free service offers all students the opportunity to view one or more of their marked examination scripts, and see how the marking scheme has been applied in each question.&nbsp;<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	Appeal</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	This facility helps you decide whether to lodge an appeal against a result. With the exception of external candidates, all applications for viewing of marked scripts should be made through your school, and the application closing date in schools is Tuesday, August 20th.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	External candidates, who took the Leaving Cert outside a second-level school, should follow the instructions that accompany their provisional statement of results.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	To help make up your mind whether to pay the fee of &euro;40 per subject, you will have access to the marking schemes for every paper and will be able to see how they applied in your case.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The viewing of scripts will be in your school on Friday, August 30th, and Saturday, August 31st. You have to be present to view them and may be accompanied by one other person. Some visitors to our website inquired if they could get a parent to view the scripts on their behalf, as they were going abroad to celebrate their results. Unfortunately, viewing a script in these circumstances is not possible; you must be present yourself. You still have the option of requesting a recheck and paying the &euro;40 per subject.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	All appeal applications to have a script re-marked must be with the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=State%20Examinations%20Commission&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer !important; outline: none !important;\">State Examinations Commission</a>&nbsp;by 5pm on Wednesday, September 4th.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Given that about 20 per cent of appeals are successful each year, students who are 1 per cent shy of the next grade up are statistically more likely to achieve an upgrade than one who is 4 per cent adrift. The only way you can know your percentage mark in each of your Leaving Certificate subjects is to view all your scripts over the three sessions on the weekend of August 30th to 31st.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	It is not unusual for a small number of students to discover some administrative error in the transcribing of marks from their written work to the front cover of the answer book &ndash; these can be rectified in a few working days between the SEC and the CAO, and students&rsquo; CAO offers may be revised.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	The results of appeals are issued to all schools in mid-October. If your grade in one or more subjects is improved or, in very rare cases reduced, the CAO is advised by the SEC in October, and any college place you would have been entitled to under the revised points will then be offered to you, no matter what you may have accepted in the meantime. The college may not be able to allow you start in late October, but you are guaranteed your place on the course for 2014-2015.&nbsp;<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	Higher-level maths</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	Even though the numbers failing maths at all three levels has dropped considerably to 3,760, we still had a number of inquiries from students in this situation. If you are one of the unfortunate few candidates to fail higher-level maths, a number of colleges including DIT and&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=NUI%20Galway&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer !important; outline: none !important;\">NUI Galway</a>&nbsp;(Wednesday, August 21st), UL (Thursday, August 22nd) and&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=NUI%20Maynooth&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer !important; outline: none !important;\">NUI Maynooth</a>&nbsp;(Friday, August 23rd) offer second-chance higher-level maths exams, to enable you to access level eight engineering courses.</p>\r\n<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n	CIT and WIT have introduced a special maths exam, on Tuesday, August 20th, and Friday, August 30th, respectively, for any students who have already applied to either college and have failed maths at any level.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/viewing-leaving-cert-exam-papers-is-free-and-easy-to-do-1.1494426\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/viewing-leaving-cert-exam-papers-is-free-and-easy-to-do-1.1494426</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-15 08:21:51',NULL,'viewing-leaving-cert-exam-papers-is-free-and-easy-to-do'),(190,'How to guide our teens through the dangerous online world','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-size: 2em; line-height: 1.2; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	After the suicide of yet another schoolgirl targeted by cyberbullies &ndash; sickeningly reminiscent of the deaths of Erin Gallagher and Ciara Pugsley &ndash; child psychotherapist Julie Lynn Evans has this advice for parents</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		There are no words to begin to adequately describe what tortured misery Hannah Smith must have felt as she wound the rope around her neck last Friday. Or the trauma of her sister who found her, or the heartbreak of her family.</h2>\r\n</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The 14-year-old English girl killed herself after she was bullied by users of the social networking website Ask.fm. The&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Latvia\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Latvia</a>-based site allows users to post comments anonymously; these users urged Hannah to cut herself, &quot;drink bleach&quot; and &quot;get cancer&quot;.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		As a therapist who works mostly with young people, I am lucky and grateful for the fact that no client has yet taken their life on my watch. Sadly, I feel it is only a matter of time unless something changes &ndash; and fast.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		My clients are cutting their arms, thighs, shoulders and stomachs; they are exhibiting signs of seriously disordered eating; they are medicating fast and furiously; they are refusing to go to school; they are sleepless and scared. Some are depressed and anxious, some have problems with authority, and some are simply terrified. My consulting room is full of children who are more dramatically unhappy than they were a decade ago.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		I can almost pinpoint the change to a time within the past four years when children got hold of their own personal computers, went upstairs to their bedrooms with their laptops and went out and about with their smartphones.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Once&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Wireless_Fidelity\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Wi-Fi</a>&nbsp;made the internet accessible, many children logged in and never logged out. Parents were unable to take control of an ever-increasingly important part of their children&#39;s lives.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Teenagers began to practise traditional adolescent behaviour on public platforms with no parameters or infrastructure to stop them or to keep them safe. We are beginning to see the consequences.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		I am not angry with the internet. It is a wonderful, innovative, exciting, revolutionary invention. No one set out to produce systems that would hurt our children. But I am angry about the amount of pain I see, and the fact so many young people are having a really hard time.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Cases such as those of two of my young clients, Julia and Alice (not their real names), have sadly become normal.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		At 13, Julia was not coping. Feeling insecure, she gave in to peer pressure, joined&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Facebook\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and added as many not-really friends as she could find. She too was added in the necessary accumulation of numbers that denotes a superficial popularity. She could watch the air-brushed lives of her not-really friends and feel even more excluded and unhappy. She began to ape the style and lives of those around her and to try too hard. She acquired the most painful label any adolescent has to bear, and became a &quot;scrape&quot;. (This is someone who scrapes unwanted into an existing social set. They are even lower down the playground pecking order than a loner or a geek.)</p>\r\n	<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			It was an easy jump from the lack of kindness that can be found on Facebook to an outright anonymous witch-hunt on Formspring (another social networking website with anonymous people posting messages, and a precursor to Ask.fm). Julia, ever on eggshells, read that her outfits were &quot;minging&quot;, that she was a fat &quot;ginger&quot;, that she would never &quot;pull&quot;, that she was indeed a &quot;scrape&quot; and that the very best thing she could do would be to lie down and die.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Julia ended up in a psychiatric hospital.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			At 14, Alice had created her own account on&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Tumblr\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Tumblr</a>, a photo-blogging site, to show her battle scars of lacerated wrists and waif-thin arms. With therapy, she turned a corner and made a decision to stay alive; she now needed some friends, some purpose and some meaning beyond the measured calories, the bulimia and the cutting.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Bravely, she started to sit with people in the canteen at her school and attempted to join in with conversations before the start of lessons. Her fellow pupils on Ask.fm sprang into action and anonymously called Alice an ugly no-hoper who should stop taking up space within the school.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			In both cases, adolescents who had not yet learnt to be guided by their own inner moral compasses could do what they liked with little fear of consequence.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Anonymity and the immediacy of the internet mean that normal rules of behaviour do not apply. At the touch of a button, chain reactions were set in motion to berate, pick on and bully girls who were already having a very hard time.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			People wonder why the young who find it hard to cope do not simply turn their backs on the networks that are so damaging. It would be really difficult. Most people want to know what is said about them and would like a chance to correct misrepresentation or malicious gossip. It would be a brave soul who walks away.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			How can we expect teenagers, whose main developmental job is to find out who they are, to ignore everything around them and forge ahead, isolated and out of kilter with their generation?</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Children tell me they will kill themselves if their parents take away their phones.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			They communicate via text, tweet, Tumblr and Facebook. They send messages to tell each other where they are, what they are doing and about the latest cool things. They hardly ever speak to each other on the phone, although it provides their lifeline. It is a blissfully parent-free environment in an often over-parented world and they can go anywhere and get up to anything.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			In life we try to protect them from all evil and teach them to manage their own demons. We have not had time to do that yet in their virtual worlds. But the debate has started, the clamour for parental, governmental and industrial responsibility is growing, and the next generation will have more knowledge, more experience and more help.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Our kids need help; we have not yet taught them an acceptable code of conduct on the web because we did not know that we needed to and we did not know how. Many of us are innocents and can be seduced by the insistent call of our bright, shiny, new machines.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			We too need to remember to put people first, to take time to think, to respond carefully and to remember the point of human contact where eyes are looked into, feelings are felt, expressions are noted and hurts ameliorated and apologised for. If we slow down and show by example, then we can ask our children to do the same.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			If we ask for manners as we insist that children put down their phones at the table, then so too must we. If we want them to come out of their bedrooms, then we need to be present when they do so. We need to educate ourselves and our children as to what is working and what we need to fear.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			We must offer somewhere to turn when things go wrong. We should understand our children&#39;s need to be connected and not make it wrong for wanting to enjoy an exciting new world full of unseen possibility. They, in turn, should understand the need for boundaries and parameters for good behaviour and, until they know what they are doing, that privacy and anonymity are privileges to be earned.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Just as in real life, we must support and guide our children in their cyberworlds.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			There is no magic in this; it is another task of parenting that will take time and careful thought. And so, too, schools, computer companies and the Government must take responsibility to ensure best practice so that our children are protected from both the shadowy side of the internet and the darker aspects of themselves.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			I believe that they are already doing so, and I hope that soon we will not have to read of the misery of Hannah and the others like her. These children are the canaries in the coal mine; they show us that there is danger. We must do something about it.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/how-to-guide-our-teens-through-the-dangerous-online-world-29497163.html\">http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/how-to-guide-our-teens-through-the-dangerous-online-world-29497163.html</a></p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-15 08:35:00',NULL,'how-to-guide-our-teens-through-the-dangerous-online-world'),(191,'Clinical staff in west angry over decision on €2.8m psychiatric unit','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Staff send letter to mental health service national director</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	&nbsp;</div>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Senior mental health service managers in Co Galway have sought an &ldquo;urgent external review&rdquo; of a decision by the HSE, the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Health%20Service%20Executive&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Health Service Executive</a>, to abandon use of a recently refurbished &euro;2.8 million unit in Ballinasloe in favour of an older facility in Roscommon.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The HSE has confirmed that the national director of mental health services Dr<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Stephen%20Mulvany&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Stephen Mulvany</a>&nbsp;has received a letter, which will be responded to in &ldquo;due course&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The refurbished 22-bed unit at St Brigid&rsquo;s Hospital in Ballinasloe was due to have been handed over for use last Friday.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;As senior clinical staff, we have grave concerns about the decision-making process, the decision itself and its communications,&rdquo; the senior managers in east Galway state in their letter to Dr Mulvany.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;We have been told that the decision is final and will proceed. As we believe this decision is flawed from a clinical governance standpoint, we now have no option but to advocate for our patients beyond HSE West management structures.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The managers have said they have &ldquo;no confidence&rdquo; in the current area management team for mental health services in the east Galway area.<br />\r\n		&ldquo;We believe the decision is not clinically prudent if optimum patient care was the priority for the decision-makers,&rdquo; they say in a letter on July 29th.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		Trade unions Siptu and Impact have already expressed anger at a &ldquo;points system&rdquo; which has been cited as justification for keeping the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Roscommon%20County%20Hospital&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Roscommon County Hospital</a>facility open at the expense of the Ballinasloe unit.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The points system found Roscommon was better in terms of location, emergency access and proximity to accident and emergency services.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		It outscored Ballinasloe by 10 to three in terms of proximity to a major hospital, by seven to five in accessibility to medical services and by seven to five for road access, including access for emergency vehicles.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The managers note that the scoring is &ldquo;patently outrageous&rdquo; in terms of proximity to a major or regional hospital, as St Brigid&rsquo;s in Ballinasloe is just 2.5km from Portiuncula hospital and much closer to University Hospital Galway than Roscommon hospital.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		In addition, Roscommon no longer has an accident and emergency department, and there is a motorway &ndash; the N6 &ndash; between Ballinasloe and Galway, which cuts travel times.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;Whilst we were informed that the process was independent and transparent, we have been unable to gain any clarity on the evidence and facts used to support the scoring,&rdquo; the managers state.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		They point out that the Ballinasloe refurbishment includes a state-of-the-art observation unit for patients in distress, whereas Roscommon will need to be upgraded, yet Roscommon outscored St Brigid&rsquo;s by 10 to three in this category.<br />\r\n		&ldquo;We are now being informed that further investment will be required in the existing area in Roscommon to bring this up to standard and provide a more suitable environment for patients. How then could Roscommon score the maximum points under this heading in its current state?&rdquo; they ask.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		The managers say they cannot understand how a facility which has just been refurbished, at a cost of &euro;2.8 million, could be seen as less modern than the department of psychiatry at Roscommon hospital which was last fully refurbished more than two decades ago.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		HSE West said the scoring system was developed by an independent review group in consultation with clinicians and senior nurse management.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16.363636016845703px; line-height: 23.99147605895996px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/clinical-staff-in-west-angry-over-decision-on-2-8m-psychiatric-unit-1.1495620\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/clinical-staff-in-west-angry-over-decision-on-2-8m-psychiatric-unit-1.1495620</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-16 07:52:16',NULL,'clinical-staff-in-west-angry-over-decision-on-€28m-psychiatric-unit'),(192,'How places at third level are allocated','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Colleges play no part in determining points</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		A common misperception of many CAO applicants and their parents is that colleges set the points score for all courses, or that the points requirements published in 2012 remain fixed for the 2013-14 academic year, unless colleges decide otherwise.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Having calculated their points score last Wednesday morning, many students and parents are waiting anxiously to see if the colleges are going to increase the points requirement for their favourite course come 6am on Monday. All of the above perceptions are completely false.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		<br />\r\n		Colleges play no part<br />\r\n		In fact, the colleges play no hand, act or part in determining points. They simply set out the basic entry requirements for each course, known by university students of my generation as matriculation. They then decide how many places the CAO, on their behalf, are to offer on each course next Monday morning.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Imagine you are in a queue for a flight. The staff call on those with children to board first, followed by those with first class tickets. They then call on all other passengers holding valid boarding passes to board the aircraft, but shortly afterwards announce that unfortunately the aircraft is now full and although you have a ticket you are going nowhere. This is exactly how our third-level entry system works.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		From among those who meet the basic entry requirements for a specific course, first to secure their college place are those who hold the 5 per cent of places reserved for those with a designated disability, followed by the 5 per cent from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and the up to 15 per cent of applicants who are over 23 years of age, and secure places as mature entrants. The remaining 75 per cent of places in all courses are allocated according to a student&rsquo;s place in the points queue, starting with the student holding the maximum 625 points.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Once the last seat is filled, all those still holding valid entry requirements are left behind. The points score of the last person to secure a place is always published by the CAO, which will be printed in our&nbsp;<em>Irish Times</em>&nbsp;College Choice supplement next Monday, to indicate to those who will not receive an offer that, although they have all the entry requirements for the course, the college has run out of places to offer below the published points.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		The points score of the last person to secure a place can change from year to year: the college may increase the number of places on offer, enabling more people in the queue on to the course, with the last person in having a lower points score than previous years. The number of students queuing for a particular course may grow, many of them holding points scores of 500-625, resulting in a far higher cut off point for the last seat than in previous years.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		<br />\r\n		One major change<br />\r\n		There has been one major change in the CAO landscape in the past two years, which will determine who gets the coveted places on our various college courses next Monday morning. Some 96.6 per cent of the 13,014 students who successfully secured grade D3 or higher in higher-level maths have 25 additional points, over and above those who passed this subject in 2011. This initiative allows them to move to a higher spot in the points queue, and gives them a greater chance of getting a coveted college place.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Conversely, if you are one of the 32,165 ordinary-level maths candidates without these bonus points, you may find yourself next Monday further down the queue, and still standing there when the door closes behind the last person to secure a seat.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		It amazes me that the changes to our college entry requirements, which prioritise entry for specific groups (known elsewhere as affirmative action programmes), have raised not a whimper of protest or comment from those who don&rsquo;t get a place in their desired course. I am not suggesting our specific affirmations action initiatives are not appropriate, but the complete absence of any comment or debate on these issues is strange.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/how-places-at-third-level-are-allocated-1.1495529\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/how-places-at-third-level-are-allocated-1.1495529</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-16 07:57:09',NULL,'how-places-at-third-level-are-allocated'),(193,'Gardai to quiz eight teen suicide trolls','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Gardai are to quiz eight suspected &#39;trolls&#39; over the cyberbullying of teen suicide victims Ciara Pugsley and Erin Gallagher.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Controversial website Ask.fm has supplied the IP addresses which were used to post vile comments before the girls&#39; deaths.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Ciara (15), from Co Leitrim, took her own life in September last year. Erin (13), from Donegal, died five weeks later.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The Herald has now learned that Ask.fm has traced five IP addresses used to send cruel messages to Erin, and at least three in Ciara&#39;s case.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The girls&#39; deaths are completely unrelated but both were linked to bullying on the Latvian-based social media site ask.fm which allows members to post comments anonymously online.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Sources say that the website has &quot;cooperated fully&quot; with gardai who are preparing files for separate coroners&#39; inquests.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Officers are now preparing to interview all those using the IP addresses.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;The technology and the know-how needed is fairly straight forward and a number of people will be interviewed and statements will be taken before the inquests,&quot; one source told the Herald.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		<strong style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em;\">Innocent</strong></p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		In the Donegal case three schoolgirls wrongly accused of the online bullying of Erin are anxious for the real culprits to be tracked down so they can clear their names.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Gardai believe the real trolls posed as them to torment Erin.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The innocent girls&#39; homes have been attacked and two of them have been verbally abused.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Ironically they have also become victims of cyberbullies who posted death threats online against the girls. &quot;It has been a nightmare for them,&quot; said one friend of the families.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		&quot;They&#39;ve only ever wanted Ask.fm to release the details of those who posted comments to Erin so that the girls can finally clear their names.&quot;</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The bullying of the girls began again last week after the death of Hannah Smith (14) in Leicestershire.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Ask.fm has released details of IP addresses used to bully her to English police. The Donegal families visited gardai last year after Erin&#39;s death, anxious to clear their children&#39;s names.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		All gave statements saying their children had been removed from the Ask.fm site months before Erin&#39;s suicide.</p>\r\n	<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 12px;\">\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			The Latvian-based site said that it had been cooperating with the Irish authorities investigating the deaths of Ciara and Erin.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;This included passing on details of the IP addresses used for making comments,&quot; said a spokesman.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			The site repeated that although it is possible to post anonymously to the site, that in almost all cases it is possible for Ask.fm to identify users. They said they worked to ensure this information is accessible to the appropriate legal authorities.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&nbsp;</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<strong style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em;\">Reeling</strong></p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			The company has been left reeling from the withdrawal of major advertisers in the wake of the death of Hannah Smith.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			It is currently carrying out a review of its operations and will publish the results of those tomorrow.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Earlier this week Erin&#39;s mother Lorraine told Channel 4 News in the UK that her daughter had named the site in her suicide note.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			A Garda spokeswoman said investigations into the two Irish deaths are continuing.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;The investigation for the coroner&#39;s court in relation to both deaths are ongoing and therefore we are not in a position to make any comments,&quot; she added.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.herald.ie/news/gardai-to-quiz-eight-teen-suicide-trolls-29502220.html\">http://www.herald.ie/news/gardai-to-quiz-eight-teen-suicide-trolls-29502220.html</a></p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-16 08:10:38',NULL,'gardai-to-quiz-eight-teen-suicide-trolls'),(194,'Court won’t send family back to Direct Provision housing in Ireland due to child welfare concerns','<h2 class=\"main_excerpt\" style=\"margin: 5px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.1em; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; line-height: 1.3em; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);\">\r\n	The High Court in Northern Ireland quashed decision to return a Sudanese family to Direct Provision housing in Ireland.</h2>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	THE NORTHERN IRISH High Court yesterday quashed a decision to return a Sudanese family to Direct Provision housing in Ireland on the grounds that it would not be in the best interests to the children.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	UK immigration authorities decided to return the family to the Republic of Ireland where they had previously claimed asylum. However the court ruled that: &ldquo;&hellip; there is&nbsp;a systemic deficiency, known to the United Kingdom, in Ireland&rsquo;s asylum or reception procedures amounting to substantial grounds for believing that the asylum seeker would face a real risk of being subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment&hellip; on return to Ireland.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">Safeguard children</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.courtsni.gov.uk/en-GB/Judicial%20Decisions/PublishedByYear/Documents/2013/%5B2013%5D%20NIQB%2088/j_j_STE8712Final.htm\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 106, 160);\">The judgement</a>&nbsp;stated that &ldquo;on the basis of a failure to have regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children&rdquo; the family would not be returned to Direct Provision housing in the Republic of Ireland.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	Sue Conlan, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council said that the court&rsquo;s decision is &ldquo;is a sad, but accurate, reflection of a system that is failing to protect the best interests of children.&nbsp; The reality is that asylum seekers can live independent lives in Northern Ireland, while just a few miles over the border they are forced to live in a state of institutionalised poverty.&nbsp; Direct Provision simply is not suitable for families and vulnerable people&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	She said: &ldquo;It is interesting that the judge laid emphasis on the absence of the right to work in Ireland and the negative impact this has had on the capacity of both the mother and the eldest child&nbsp;to work in Ireland or in their country of origin in the future.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	The judge noted that there was ample evidence of problems with enforced isolation and poverty and evidence of physical and mental health issues in the Direct Provision system.&nbsp; He concluded that Ireland falls below the minimum standards for reception conditions accepted across the EU. The judgment was also highly critical about the lengthy delays and low recognition rate in the Irish system.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	The judgement states that Direct Provision accommodation in Ireland does not have to comply with the minimum standards set out in Council Directive by the European Commission. It states: &ldquo;Ireland has opted out of that directive&hellip; &ldquo;.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">Direct Provision Housing</span></p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	&ldquo;This ruling is very strong affirmation of what we have been saying for years. Direct Provision housing is not suitable for children. On a very basic level, it destroys the family structure. It is a communal setting with families often sharing the same room and bathroom facilities, sometimes with strangers. Children housed here are often witness to things that children should not see. Research shows that many adults living in the facilities have mental health issues, many having suffered trauma and torture in their home countries,&rdquo; said Sharon Waters of the Irish Refugee Council.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	The communal setting, Waters says, also allows children to be witness to sexual behaviour, which may not be untoward, but is common as people are housed in such close quarters.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 15px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; font-family: Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 23.390625px;\">\r\n	Waters states that the government&rsquo;s official line on Direct Provision housing is that it is &ldquo;a pillar of the asylum system and the only problem is with the delays &ndash; that is not a realistic answer,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;We would have serious concerns and there has not been a comprehensive investigation&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/court-wont-send-family-back-to-direct-provision-housing-in-ireland-due-to-child-welfare-concerns-1039130-Aug2013/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/court-wont-send-family-back-to-direct-provision-housing-in-ireland-due-to-child-welfare-concerns-1039130-Aug2013/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-16 08:27:50',NULL,'court-won’t-send-family-back-to-direct-provision-housing-in-ireland-due-to-child-welfare-concerns'),(195,'Adrian Weckler: These \'solutions\' offer little reassurance to parents','<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	WATERY. There isn&#39;t any other way to describe Ask.fm&#39;s new &#39;solutions&#39; to its online bullying problem.</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Latvia\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Latvia</a>-based social network, repeatedly linked to serious online bullying and teen suicides, yesterday announced a set of safety tweaks. They won&#39;t work. They are made up of bland, weak modifications to a wildly popular but incendiary service.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		In a nutshell, the site has repackaged its existing remedies in shinier wrapping.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It has offered to make existing &#39;report abuse&#39; buttons more visible. Ditto for its anonymity opt-out options. And it has given a vague undertaking to hire more staff (without saying how many), who might help moderate the site better.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		It said that it would respond to abuse reports (without saying how) within 24 hours and would create a new sub-site for parents.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		These are half-baked enhancements. A handful of moderating staff won&#39;t help a site growing by one million users per week. Reminding people of the possibility of non-anonymous commenting won&#39;t decrease anonymous commenting.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		No, Ask.Fm&#39;s response is a fairly shallow PR exercise aimed at side-stepping the only real changes that count: its use of anonymity.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		The reason for this is simple. Anonymous interaction is the lifeblood of the company&#39;s success.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		And boy, is it working: Ask.fm&#39;s user base is exploding. At the last count, it was 65 million. By the time you read this, it may well be another million bigger. In this context, you can see why Ask.fm is going to try and hold out against substantial reform of its service. The question is: what should society&#39;s response be?</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		One touted option is to encourage advertisers to pull out. In this context, Vodafone, Specsavers and a handful of other advertisers have already said that they would not authorise their ads on the site any longer. However, just six companies have declared an (undefined) boycott of Ask.fm.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		There remain many, many more companies still advertising on the site, possibly without even knowing it. Unless hundreds of big brands start a focused boycott, this won&#39;t work: when the hubbub dies down in six weeks, it will quietly be business as usual.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Another option floated is to consider banning Ask.fm. Legally, this is a non-starter under European law. It is also a little two-faced. Most Irish adults now use&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Facebook\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Facebook</a>. A large minority use Twitter. Both of these networks are also used to troll on a daily basis. It does not make any sense to call for the banning of Ask.fm and not Twitter or Facebook.</p>\r\n	<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10.909090995788574px;\">\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			So is it simply hopeless? Not quite. But it is not just Ask.fm that needs to change its ways here.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			It may sound unpalatable, but we as parents cannot any longer throw our hands up and feign ignorance of the &#39;technology&#39; we are allowing our children to use. Most parents of kids under 15 are under 45. And all the statistics show that Irish adults under 45 already have Facebook,&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/LinkedIn\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">LinkedIn</a>&nbsp;or Twitter accounts. We can understand these things when we want to. It&#39;s time for us to get more involved in the services our kids our using.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			And Ask.fm? It needs to do three specific things. These will significantly enhance safety for children while allowing the site to continue offering a service.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			1. Make anonymity opt-in rather than opt-out.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			When you visit someone&#39;s profile and comment, the site defaults to anonymity, even if you are registered and logged in. To post non-anonymously, you have to tick a box. Ask.fm should change this.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			2. Allow people to block anonymous users.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			The site allows you to block abusers, but only if they&#39;re not posting anonymously. It could change this if it wanted to.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			3. Provide more transparency.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			So the site is hiring more people? Great. How many? What will their roles be (exactly)? How many abuse reports will they actually, genuinely see? This should be clear, even when the current news cycle fades.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			If the site does not start implementing such measures, it won&#39;t be long before creative legislators start to find ways of putting manners on it.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/adrian-weckler-these-solutions-offer-little-reassurance-to-parents-29511830.html\">http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/adrian-weckler-these-solutions-offer-little-reassurance-to-parents-29511830.html</a></p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-20 08:43:39',NULL,'adrian-weckler-these-solutions-offer-little-reassurance-to-parents'),(196,'Over 4,000 vulnerable children waiting three months for help','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-size: 2em; line-height: 1.2; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Social workers say they don&#39;t have staff to cope</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<h2 class=\"p\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', \'Helvetica Neue\', Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n		Thousands of vulnerable children have to wait months for social workers to intervene in their cases, Children&#39;s Minister&nbsp;<a href=\"http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Frances_Fitzgerald_(politician)\" style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(92, 139, 63); margin-bottom: 0px !important;\">Frances Fitzgerald</a>&nbsp;has admitted.</h2>\r\n	<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		Despite a series of scandals over the care of children in recent years, new figures show child protection and welfare services are still failing many youngsters.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		The figures show more than 4,100 children who were assessed by the HSE as needing intervention had to wait more than three months for a social work team to get to them.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		In one area, children were left waiting more than a year to have a dedicated social worker allocated to them.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		Child protection experts have warned that many of these children will go on to offend because the State is failing to act early enough to keep them out of the court system.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		The disclosure of the figures by Ms Fitzgerald came as the group representing frontline social workers blamed a chronic shortage of staff for the delays.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW), in a briefing document prepared for the minister and a group of TDs, said most social work teams were operating at between 60pc and 70pc of their staffing complement.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		This is mainly due to the recruitment embargo and the non-replacement of staff on maternity or sick leave.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		The knock-on effect of the staff shortages was illustrated in a letter from Ms Fitzgerald to Independent TD Roisin Shortall, in which the minister outlined lengthy delays in tackling cases.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		Ms Fitzgerald said the most recent figures available from the HSE, from December 2012, showed that of 7,860 cases nationally where children had been screened and assessed:</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		* 23pc were waiting up to a month for the allocation of a social work team.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		* 24pc were waiting between one and three months.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		* 53pc were waiting for more than three months.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		The children waiting more than three months were &quot;not deemed to be at risk of abuse&quot;, but were &quot;in need of an intervention for their ongoing welfare&quot;, Ms Fitzgerald said.</p>\r\n	<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;\">\r\n		However, social workers said these could include quite serious cases of children who were neglected through undernourishment or lack of parental supervision.</p>\r\n	<div class=\"more\" style=\"margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10.909090995788574px;\">\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			IASW chair Ineke Durville said the situation was more acute in some areas.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			In Dublin north west &ndash; the north inner city, Cabra, Finglas, Blanchardstown and Mulhuddart &ndash; there are more than 300 &quot;at-risk&quot; children waiting to be allocated a social worker.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			The personnel shortage is also holding up the recruitment of foster parents, with hundreds of prospective foster carers facing delays in being assessed.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Ms Durville said that because of staff shortages, social workers were constantly reprioritising the most urgent cases, while others they had been dealing with received less attention.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			And she voiced fears that another Roscommon case &ndash; where two parents were able to abuse their children for several years, even though the HSE was involved with the family &ndash; could happen again.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Ms Fitzgerald said most of the cases where there was a delay were ones where children had &quot;a welfare need&quot; rather than being at risk of abuse.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<strong style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; font-size: 1em;\">JUGGLING</strong></p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			She said work was under way by the incoming Children and Family Agency, which would take over child protection and welfare services currently operated by the HSE, to develop a &quot;more responsive system&quot;.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			However, Ms Shortall said the staff shortages were helping to create &quot;a vicious circle&quot; where overworked social workers were going sick, leaving colleagues with even bigger workloads.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;Because of the juggling the social workers have to do, only the really seriously at-risk kids get a service, while others who need their help fall down the list of priorities,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			Children&#39;s rights solicitor Gareth Noble said many of the children he represented could not remember when they last saw a social worker.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;I have been in court and somebody just simply rocks up and says, &#39;I&#39;m the new social worker&#39;. And that is their first introduction to the child,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			&quot;It is very difficult to get a 16- or 17-year-old to engage with somebody who might be their fifth or sixth social worker in the previous two years.&quot;</p>\r\n		<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;\">\r\n			<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/education/college-cost-concerns-spark-flood-of-calls-from-parents-29511827.html\">http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/education/college-cost-concerns-spark-flood-of-calls-from-parents-29511827.html</a></p>\r\n	</div>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-20 08:45:26',NULL,'over-4000-vulnerable-children-waiting-three-months-for-help'),(197,'Twitter, Facebook try to block images of Slane sex act','<h2 style=\"margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); line-height: 1.3em; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\">\r\n	Gardai are aware of the images and &lsquo;are enquiring into the matter&rsquo;</h2>\r\n<div>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Social media companies&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_company=Twitter&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Twitter</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_company=Facebook&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Facebook</a>&nbsp;have moved to try and block access to images of a teenage girl engaged in a sex act at the&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Eminem&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Eminem</a>&nbsp;concert in&nbsp;<a class=\"search\" href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_location=Slane&amp;article=true\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 51, 153); text-decoration: none; outline: none !important;\">Slane</a>&nbsp;last weekend.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Facebook last night confirmed it had removed at least one page that had published photographs of the girl last weekend because the images violated Facebook&rsquo;s terms of service. The girl is under 18.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		The photographs went viral after being posted on Facebook and on Twitter on Sunday.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		As of 8am the images were still easily accessible online.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Gardai said last night they were &ldquo;aware of the images and are enquiring into the matter&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		A spokesman said gardai had spoken with the girl involved. &ldquo;We would ask the media to respect the privacy of the people involved and their families.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		Under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act (1998) someone who &ldquo;knowingly produces, distributes, prints or publishes any child pornography&rdquo; is guilty of an offence and can face a fine of up to &euro;1,905 or 12 months in jail.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		A Facebook spokesperson said the social media network &ldquo;takes safety incredibly seriously, and have worked hard for years to develop clear rules and powerful reporting tools that enable people to easily report things that make them uncomfortable&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;We have built a large and highly trained team of safety experts who review these reports and take action, including escalating serious cases to the police.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		The spokesperson said despite this there will unfortunately always be &ldquo;a tiny number of malicious people who are intent on harming others, online and offline&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;We believe that Facebook&rsquo;s real name culture makes it a safer environment for all, and encourage young people and their parents to use our social reporting tools &ndash; which enable reports to be shared with a trusted friend or family member &ndash; and visit our Family Safety Centre at www.facebook.com/safety.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		A spokesperson for Twitter said it did not tolerate &ldquo;child sexual exploitation&rdquo;.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;When we are made aware of links to images of or content promoting child sexual exploitation they will be removed from the site without further notice and reported to The National Centre for Missing &amp; Exploited Children (NCMEC).</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		&ldquo;We permanently suspend accounts promoting or containing updates with links to child sexual exploitation.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		The social media company appeared to have taken such action last night because a number of people were tweeting about accounts that were suspended for reposting the pictures in question.</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		A spokesperson for Twitter said: &ldquo;We ask people not to tweet, retweet or repost child sexual exploitation for any reason. Please report it to us immediately by sending an email to&nbsp;<font color=\"#003399\">cp@tw</font><font color=\"#003399\">itter.com</font>&nbsp;so that we can remove it.&rdquo;</p>\r\n	<p class=\"no_name\" style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1.5em; color: rgb(81, 81, 81); font-family: Georgia, \'Times New Roman\', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;\">\r\n		<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/twitter-facebook-try-to-block-images-of-slane-sex-act-1.1499695\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/twitter-facebook-try-to-block-images-of-slane-sex-act-1.1499695</a></p>\r\n</div>\r\n<p>\r\n	&nbsp;</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2013-08-20 08:46:32',NULL,'twitter-facebook-try-to-block-images-of-slane-sex-act'),