(615,'HSE report calls for changes in mental health services in Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary','<p>\r\n	RT&Eacute;&rsquo;s This Week has seen an unpublished HSE report into the Carlow Kilkenny South Tipperary Mental Health Service (CKST MHS) which calls for wide-ranging changes in response to concerns over patient deaths and an ongoing dispute between consultants and management over clinical governance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report demands immediate attention be given to a cluster of 13 fatalities among patients and service users, which had been highlighted by nine consultants in the service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report into Clinical Governance in the CKST area also describes the disengagement from local management groups by the same nine senior doctors as a &ldquo;dangerous and unacceptable risk to the CKST Mental Health Service&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report authored by Dr Colm Henry, the HSE National Clinical Lead and Cork-based Consultant Psychiatrist Eamon Moloney, is titled the &lsquo;Review of Governance structures within Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary Mental Health Services&rsquo; (the CKST Review).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The CKST Review notes that &ldquo;Some consultants have informed us that participation in governance structures became futile as concerns they raised were not addressed&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Among the consultants&rsquo; concerns was the conduct of investigation into patient deaths.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking to This Week on Sunday, Dr Henry confirmed that investigations into the deaths of the 13 patients and service users are currently being re-examined: &ldquo;We did make a strong recommendation that all of the cases that led to the consultants concerns be reviewed and all of the process of the original investigation reviewed and any learning points fed back to the clinicians concerned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;My understanding is that this has taken place and that some of the individual case reviews are completed and others are nearing completion&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The CKST Review recommends that any such reviews, when completed, be made immediately available to the consultants.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The doctors had previously complained about being unable to access the results of such reviews.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	RT&Eacute;&#39;s This Week understands that consultants resorted to the Freedom of Information Act to get copies of reports into patient deaths, which ultimately took six months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Separate documents released to This Week under FOI show that January 2013, the consultant&rsquo;s disengagement from clinical governance meetings was recorded in the Risk Register of CKST MHS as &ldquo;a risk to patients and service users&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The register also records a &ldquo;Possible risk of adverse events&rdquo; and &ldquo;Reputation Damage&rdquo; as a result of the consultants&rsquo; actions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However the CKST Review examined minutes of meetings and found no evidence of the matter being discussed further at meetings about risk management.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While they continued treating patients and carrying out clinical duties, the withdrawal by nine of the twelve consultant psychiatrists in the CKST MHS from governance structures formally began in November 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a letter to the Local Area Manager they outlined that they were withdrawing confidence in the Clinical Management of the service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter was copied to Dr Philip Crowley, the HSE&rsquo;s Director of Quality and Patient Safety at the Executive&rsquo;s headquarters in Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Unsatisfied by the response by the HSE, the consultants then wrote to other managers at the most senior levels of the Executive, including the Director General Tony O&rsquo;Brien.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They also wrote to ministers James Reilly and Kathleen Lynch at the Department of Health to outline their concern over a lack of transparency in dealing with suicides and other serious incidents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They also stated that they believed governance in the CKST service was &ldquo;unsafe&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the letter to Kathleen Lynch, the doctors repeatedly questioned the safety of governance in the service and said they felt &ldquo;devalued&rdquo; and &ldquo;ignored&rdquo; in their attempts to raise their concerns internally in the HSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter details the consultants&rsquo; view of how the issues they had raised were treated by the HSE since their November 2012 correspondence with the Local Area Manager.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They outlined the Serious Untoward Incidents (SUI&rsquo;s) they raised, including nine fatalities in the 14 months from August 2011 to January 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Among these were three suicides of in-patients by the same means; 4 suicides in home-based settings and a further suicide in a &lsquo;crisis house&rsquo; setting in the community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The consultants also expressed concern over the conduct of investigations into SUI&rsquo;s which included suicide, homicide, assaults and episodes of self harm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In their June 2013 letter the doctors also called on Minister Lynch to intervene with the HSE to ensure proper investigation of incidents and for review findings to be properly communicated and appropriate reforms implemented.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The consultants also told the Minister that they were never informed of the outcome of reviews of the serious incidents (which they would ultimately get under FOI six months later).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Unreleased figures compiled for the Mental Health Commission seen by RT&Eacute;&#39;s This Week show a further four service users have died since the consultants June 2013 letter was sent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister Lynch&rsquo;s reply to the consultants was issued on 20 June 2014, almost one year later. However, Kathleen Lynch has previously told This Week that she asked the HSE to look into it at the time, but did not feel at the time it required an examination from outside the service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other HSE sources have previously told This Week that CKST in-patient death-rates are not out of line with international norms or other service areas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, Dr Colm Henry and Dr Eamon Moloney in their CKST Governance Review document say &ldquo;a benchmark for comparison with other MHS (Mental Health Services) is not possible&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Asked if he shared the concerns of the consultants over the length of time taken to respond to the consultants&rsquo; concerns, Dr Colm Henry who co-authored the CKST Review told This Week: &quot;Well, we&rsquo;ve detailed the sequence of events [in the CKST Review] and it&rsquo;s clear that part of that sequence and narrative does show that there was a delay in addressing their concerns and that led to how myself and Dr Moloney became involved and I can&rsquo;t explain that.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Henry and Dr Moloney&rsquo;s CKST Review also recommends changes to how serious incidents are investigated, including the setting up of a Quality and Safety Executive Committee (QSEC) to replace the risk management structures currently in existence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Review calls for strong consultant representation in smaller groups to replace the current larger local groups, which the Review describes as being too big to be effective.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These groups should ensure that &ldquo;all incidents are managed and investigated satisfactorily&rdquo;, according to the document.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Review also recommends that any decision by local managers not to investigate serious incidents further should be reviewed by the QSEC.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In relation to consultants concerns over the conduct of investigations into patient deaths by consultants involved at the time of death, the CKST Review calls for external expertise to be brought in.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It further recommends that doctors overseeing patients during a serious incident should not be involved in investigations into patient deaths.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Henry said on Sunday &ldquo;It&rsquo;s quite clear if you&rsquo;re a clinician involved in the care of a patient you shouldn&rsquo;t be involved in the investigation if something goes wrong.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Clearly you have to contribute to the investigation and you have to give information. In terms of managing the investigation, it&rsquo;s good practice and good governance for that to go to somebody else&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An external implementation group to oversee the implementation of the CKST Review&rsquo;s recommendations is also called for in the document.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As well as repeatedly calling for the re-engagement of consultants in the clinical governance structures in the CKST area, the Review calls for &ldquo;thorough analysis and action plan, involving escalation if necessary&rdquo; if they do not participate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking to This Week, Dr Henry repeated the call: &ldquo;Dr Moloney and I feel strongly that consultants should re-engage with fully this structure in the interests of patients and their families.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We have stated very strongly where we think things must improve and must get better and we have, I hope demonstrated a pathway to how this can take place, to how they can re-engage&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0720/631958-hse-mental-health-services/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0720/631958-hse-mental-health-services/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-21 09:21:45',NULL,'hse-report-calls-for-changes-in-mental-health-services-in-carlow-kilkenny-and-south-tipperary'),(616,'Ban on under-18s using sunbeds in Ireland is in place from today','<p>\r\n	A ban on under-18s using sunbeds in Ireland is in place from today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act, it is now an offence for a sunbed business to sell or hire a sunbed to anyone aged under 18, or to allow a young person to use a sunbed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last week, Health Minister Leo Varadkar described the move as &ldquo;an essential step to protect children&rsquo;s health and wellbeing&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said it was an &quot;important preventive measure&quot; against skin cancer when he announced the ban.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Skin cancer is the fast growing cancer in Ireland, with more than 850 new cases of melanoma a year and 150 deaths.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Department of Health will clamp down further on sunbed use by placing a ban on unsupervised use, some marketing techniques and health claims.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Varadkar advised people: &ldquo;To be pale is to be beautiful. Don&rsquo;t feel you have to get a tan.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ban on sunbed use for under-18s follows years of lobbying by the Irish Cancer Society, which says those who have used a sunbed increase the risk of melanoma by 15pc.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/ban-on-under18s-using-sunbeds-in-ireland-is-in-place-from-today-30446645.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/ban-on-under18s-using-sunbeds-in-ireland-is-in-place-from-today-30446645.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-21 09:28:27',NULL,'ban-on-under-18s-using-sunbeds-in-ireland-is-in-place-from-today'),(617,'7 out of 10 people refused care allowance for children win on appeal','<p>\r\n	Half of the appeals brought by people who were turned down for various social welfare payments in the first half of this year were successful, new figures reveal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Half of the appeals brought by people who were turned down for various social welfare payments in the first half of this year were successful, new figures reveal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 52pc of appeals were granted with 69pc of people who were refused the domiciliary care allowance - paid in respect of children who have severe disabilities - eventually being granted the benefit, according to the data from the Department for Social Protection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Social Protection Minister Joan Burton said: &quot;There has been a rapid and sustained increase in the number of appeals received in the social welfare appeals office since 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Up to 2009, the average number of appeals received was 15,000 per annum whereas in 2012, the number of appeals received peaked at 35,484, reducing to 32,777 appeals in 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;In parallel, the number of appeals finalised in the appeals office increased from 17,787 in 2009 to 38,421 in 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An additional 5,863 appeals were finalised in 2013 compared to 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Good progress has also been made in reducing the number of appeals on hand from 20,414 at 1 January 2013 to 10,586 at July 14, 2014.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Replying to a series of parliamentary questions, she said the social welfare appeals office functioned independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and was responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She added: &quot;Appeal processing times are calculated from the registration date of the appeal to the date of its finalisation. They include all activities during this period, including time spent awaiting any clarification from the appellant.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minister said that in order to manage this increasing workload, significant resources and efforts had been put into reducing backlogs and improving appeals processing times.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An application for a carer&#39;s allowance can take 21 weeks to process while someone awaiting the transition state pension may wait 37.8 weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/seven-out-of-10-people-refused-care-allowance-for-children-win-on-appeal-30448600.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/seven-out-of-10-people-refused-care-allowance-for-children-win-on-appeal-30448600.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-22 10:22:18',NULL,'7-out-of-10-people-refused-care-allowance-for-children-win-on-appeal'),(618,'Parents who allow FGM to be prosecuted under new law - Cameron','<p>\r\n	Britain aims to end practice of female genital mutilation as study reveals 137,000 victims</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Parents in Britain will be prosecuted if they fail to prevent their daughter being cut, and all victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) will get lifelong anonymity, David Cameron will say today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As the British prime minister hosts a Girl Summit with Unicef aimed at mobilising domestic and international efforts to end FGM and child marriage, new measures will be announced aimed at ending the practices &ldquo;once and for all&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The announcement comes the day after it emerged that the number of women in England and Wales who have been subjected to FGM is twice as high as previously thought, a new study reveals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 137,000 women in England and Wales are living with the consequences of FGM. The number has significantly increased in the past 10 years as women flee war-torn countries to find safety in Britain, according to the report from City University and the human rights group Equality Now.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To mark the first Girl Summit in the UK, Mr Cameron will announce a change to the law that will make it parents&rsquo; responsibility to protect their daughters from FGM or face a punishment. Currently it is against the law to cut a child in Britain or take a child out of the country for the purposes of FGM, but this new law will extend sanctions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cameron will also launch a &pound;1.4m (&euro;1.7m)&ldquo;prevent programme&rdquo; to help stop the practice being carried out on girls and to care for survivors, and he is expected to unveil new police guidance on how to handle new cases, and a consultation on civil orders to protect those at risk of FGM.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A new specialist FGM service, which will include social services, will identify those at risk of being cut. Mr Cameron will say: &ldquo;All girls have the right to live free from violence and coercion, without being forced into marriage, or the lifelong physical and psychological effects of female genital mutilation. Abhorrent practices like these, no matter how deeply rooted in societies, violate the rights of girls and women across the world, including here in the UK.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The new study reveals that in England and Wales about 103,000 migrant women aged 15 to 49, 10,000 girls under 15 and about 24,000 women aged 50 or above had been subjected to FGM. The numbers of women from the Horn of Africa - where the most extreme form of FGM is common - had increased by 32,000, while the number of women from east and west Africa also increased by 10,000 over the past decade.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A 2007 report using 2001 census data stated that 66,000 women and girls had been subjected to FGM in England and Wales with an estimated 24,000 girls under 15 at risk. Until now the most recent study, funded by the Trust for London and the Home Office, does not estimate the number of at-risk girls, but reveals 60,000 girls under 15 were born in England and Wales to mothers who had undergone FGM between 2001-11.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Earlier this year, the then education minister, Michael Gove, agreed to write to headteachers about the dangers of FGM after 250,000 people joined a campaign backed by the Guardian and change.org in the runup to the summer holidays when many girls are sent away to be cut.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Efua Dorkenoo of Equality Now said the government had made positive steps but professionals needed clear-cut guidance to identify at-risk girls and give them help. &ldquo;The government needs to get a handle over this extreme abuse of the most vulnerable girls in our society by implementing a robust national plan,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is no time to waste on platitudes as thousands of girls living in England and Wales are having their life blighted by this damaging practice.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The World Health Organisation estimates that up to 140 million girls and women have been subjected to FGM, a cultural practice designed to curb female sexuality that involves the partial or whole removal of the outer sexual organs and can cause lifelong physical and psychological complications.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report states: &ldquo;A common-held belief in FGM-practising communities is that girls and women who have not undergone FGM have an insatiable sexual appetite, which has to be restrained to prevent bringing dishonour and shame to families.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Measures to protect girls from FGM in the UK have also been announced by police and Border Force agents, who are stepping up operations as the school summer holidays begin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New Border Force child protection squads are joining with police to target specific flights in a bid to prevent vulnerable girls being taken out of the country for FGM. The beefed-up teams at major airports and border crossings are on alert for the start of the summer holidays, when experts say girls are at the highest risk of being taken out of the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the first national guidance issued to all police across the country, the College of Policing warns officers not to let fears of being branded a racist stop them investigating FGM.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As the summer holidays start, an 80-strong team of specialist officers at Heathrow, 65 at Gatwick and 21 at Manchester will be on the lookout for at-risk children. The port of Harwich also has a new team, while specialist FGM training is also planned at Birmingham, London City, Stansted, Calais and Dunkirk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Working with police intelligence, specific flights to countries which practise FGM - including Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Dubai, Egypt and Turkey - will be targeted, said Ingrid Smith, assistant director of the Border Force at Gatwick. &ldquo;The message we are sending with this intensification of operations is that the practice of FGM will not be tolerated in this country.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	James Brokenshire, the immigration and security minister, said border police were well-placed to gather intelligence on possible perpetrators and prevent FGM from being carried out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The school summer holidays are a time of particular risk for many girls,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Which is why we have teams of specially trained officers at major airports with the skills to identify and protect potential victims and stop the perpetrators.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The guidance drawn up by the College of Policing is the first to deal with female genital mutilation and reflects growing public and political concern over the mutilation and the lack of prosecutions of individuals in the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officers in England and Wales will be told that when investigating the mutilation of young girls in the UK they must consider all child protection measures, including removing a girl from her family if they believe she is at risk of FGM.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officers will also be told that they should consider removal of younger sisters in a household where there are concerns that an older girl is at risk of FGM, because the younger siblings will also need protection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alex Marshall, chief executive of the College of Policing, said: &ldquo;We want to ensure that officers have the best information possible to help them to protect the vulnerable and tackle this terrible crime. We must not let perceptions of cultural sensitivities get in the way of action against female genital mutilation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This guidance will help build our understanding and confidence in policing this crime so that we&rsquo;re better able to respond to victims&rsquo; needs and ultimately bring perpetrators to justice.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alison Saunders, the director of public prosecutions, announced the first ever charge relating to FGM earlier this year but the case has yet to go through the courts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/parents-who-allow-fgm-to-be-prosecuted-under-new-law-cameron-1.1874339?page=1\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/parents-who-allow-fgm-to-be-prosecuted-under-new-law-cameron-1.1874339?page=1</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-22 11:48:57',NULL,'parents-who-allow-fgm-to-be-prosecuted-under-new-law-cameron'),(619,'Schoolchildren in England warned sexting may lead to prosecution','<p>\r\n	A police force has warned schoolchildren who share so-called &quot;sexts&quot; with friends over the internet that they could face prosecution in the criminal courts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a letter sent to schools in Nottinghamshire, the county&#39;s sexual exploitation investigation unit said officers were receiving reports on a daily basis of naked images being sent between teenagers using mobile phones.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In one recent case cited in the letter, a teenage girl who sent a topless picture of herself to her boyfriend was investigated after being deemed to have distributed an indecent image of a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The girl&#39;s boyfriend, who forwarded the image to friends after they split up, is reported to have received a caution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the letter sent to school officials, Detective Inspector Martin Hillier warns that court action for such offences may even see a child forced to register as a sex offender.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The officer wrote: &quot;I have grave concerns over the amount of referrals Nottinghamshire Police are receiving on a daily basis in relation to naked images being sent between teenagers via either social networking, texts or mobile phone apps.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is crucial that children understand that every internet site and social networking site is monitored by an administrator.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;When photographs that fall within the category of an indecent image [even if taken with consent] are uploaded, reports are made by the administrators to the police.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If a person is aged over ten years and distributes [shares - even to friends] an indecent image then they can be arrested, charged and dealt with for this offence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If they are found guilty they must then register as a sex offender.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Stressing that images are almost impossible to remove from the internet after they have been uploaded, the officer added: &quot;An individual&#39;s online reputation needs protecting as it stays with them for the rest of their life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I would like to make every school in Nottinghamshire aware of these offences and the implications of pupils&#39; involvement in such behaviour.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A &quot;sext&quot; is defined as a self-generated explicit image which is sent to other people by phone or over the internet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In January this year, Nottinghamshire County Council&#39;s anti-bullying co-ordinator Lorna Naylor warned youngsters that such images could leave them open to blackmail.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Naylor said: &quot;They can be deleted on social media or may only last a few seconds on apps like Snapchat, but images can still be saved or copied by others.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;These images may never be completely removed and could be found in the future, for example when applying for jobs or university.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Young people may think &#39;sexting&#39; is harmless but it can leave them vulnerable to blackmail where someone may threaten to share the pictures with family and friends unless they send money or more images.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0722/632457-sexting/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0722/632457-sexting/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-23 10:18:06',NULL,'schoolchildren-in-england-warned-sexting-may-lead-to-prosecution'),(620,'Homeless crisis among young people leaving State care growing','<p>\r\n	A &ldquo;growing homeless crisis for young people leaving State care&rdquo; must be addressed if &ldquo;further tragedies&rdquo; are to be averted, a report to be published this morning warns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The housing charity, Focus Ireland, publishes its annual report saying that, as of last month, 30 per cent of the young people leaving care, that it was working with, were either using homelessness services or staying short term on friends&rsquo; or families&rsquo; couches.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;As of June, out of the 140 young people accessing Focus Ireland aftercare support services in Dublin, Waterford and Limerick, a worrying 22 are using homeless services and 21 are staying in insecure and unstable accommodation (such as sleeping on friends&rsquo; couches, staying short term with relatives).&rdquo;<br />\r\n	Some 33 in private rented accommodation were being supported by Focus Ireland&rsquo;s aftercare support team.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;While many are doing well, the charity&rsquo;s aftercare staff are worried that some of this number are in serious arrears putting them at risk of becoming homeless. This is due to the fact that they have to &lsquo;top up&rsquo; their rent supplement payments as it does not cover the rent,&rdquo; said a spokesman.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Focus is working to support them but highly worried some will lose their accommodation.&rdquo; *</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	A further 32 were in aftercare residential or transitional projects and 26 in residential /foster care or other residential accommodation. Six more were categorised as &ldquo;others&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Transition<br />\r\n	Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, life president and founder of Focus, described a &ldquo;growing homeless crisis for young people leaving State care. At least one young person leaves State care every single day. Many of these people make the transition without a problem but others do not. A growing number of vulnerable people are being forced to access homeless services directly from care at the age of 18. This cannot be allowed to continue if we want to prevent future tragedies.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	*This article was amended on July 23rd 2014 to correct an error</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/homeless-crisis-among-young-people-leaving-state-care-growing-1.1874994\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/homeless-crisis-among-young-people-leaving-state-care-growing-1.1874994</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-23 10:41:43',NULL,'homeless-crisis-among-young-people-leaving-state-care-growing');
INSERT INTO `news` VALUES (621,'Reform of ‘direct provision’ a priority, says new Minister','<p>\r\n	&Oacute; Riord&aacute;in says asylum seekers spending years waiting for decision is a &lsquo;major concern&rsquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Reform of the &ldquo;direct provision&rdquo; system - asylum seekers can spend up to nine years waiting for a decision on their application with no right to work or study &ndash; will be a top priority for the new Minister of State for Justice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Aodh&aacute;n &Oacute; Riord&aacute;in, in an interview with The Irish Times, said direct provision was identified as a &ldquo;major concern&rdquo; by T&aacute;naiste Joan Burton when she appointed him last week. He is also the new Minister of State for Equality and New Communities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Direct provision needs radical reform. It is unacceptable that a child could spend half their life in a direct provision centre &ndash; in poverty, marginalised, stigmatised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I will be working closely with the Minister [for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald] and officials on this. A lot of work has in fact already been done, and there is an awareness within the department it has to change.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I plan to visit a number of centres in the next few weeks and to have proposals on short-term solutions in September or early October.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Reception centres<br />\r\n	Under direct provision asylum seekers are accommodated in &ldquo;reception centres&rdquo; around the State. All meals are provided, and adults get a weekly allowance of &euro;19.10 and children &euro;9.60.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The system has been criticised for the isolation, boredom, lack of control over meals and lack of privacy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr &Oacute; Riord&aacute;in is &ldquo;open to suggestions&rdquo; on reforms, but emphasises the immediate need to shorten the time people spend in the system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Responding to arguments that the system provides for basic needs without creating a &ldquo;pull&rdquo; to economic migrants, he says &ldquo;it has to be a system that works for society but also treats people with respect&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A second priority will be passing a referendum on same-sex marriage next year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It could be lost. It&rsquo;s going to be one hell of a battle to win it. There&rsquo;s complacency it will be won, and I don&rsquo;t think that&rsquo;s necessarily the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The argument against it will be that it will change too much, but the argument for it has to be that it won&rsquo;t change anything, that these families are here and functioning but the children at the centre of them have no constitutional protection.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He would like to deliver Traveller ethnicity, seeing it as &ldquo;an important statement of affirmative support for Travellers&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Politically, however, &ldquo;hearts and minds still have to be won on it&rdquo;, he says, despite a report from the Oireachtas Committee on Justice in April that Traveller ethnicity be recognised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It wouldn&rsquo;t be enough to just name Travellers as an ethnic minority. There has to also be appropriate education supports. Housing needs have to be met.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More support<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Equality does not mean treating everybody the same. That won&rsquo;t achieve a decent, fair society because some in our society are weaker, need more support, more of a leg-up, just to get to the same starting point as those who have easy access to good schools and to mainstream media.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he owes his passionate belief in a fair society both to his Catholic upbringing and to his time teaching in St Laurence O&rsquo;Toole national school in Dublin&rsquo;s Sheriff Street.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;This country has been ruled by people like me &ndash; male, white, middle-class, Catholic, heterosexual, able-bodied, settled.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When I started teaching I saw kids who were brighter than me, more capable, but who would be prevented from achieving all they could only because society told them they weren&rsquo;t good enough.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When the rest of society tells you you&rsquo;re not allowed from the age of six or seven, that seeps into the bones, that debilitates for the rest of your life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;That is bad for society. When whole sections of the population are not achieving their potential &ndash; that is bad for the economy, for society, for everyone.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/reform-of-direct-provision-a-priority-says-new-minister-1.1874984\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/reform-of-direct-provision-a-priority-says-new-minister-1.1874984</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-23 10:56:40',NULL,'reform-of-‘direct-provision’-a-priority-says-new-minister'),(622,'How online creeps just got even creepier','<p>\r\n	&#39;Creeping&#39; is a new phenomenon where &#39;creep shots&#39; - photos of the bums, boobs and legs of unsuspecting women and girls - are posted on social media. Radhika Sanghani reports on this sinister online community</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Three creeps of her showing off her thong.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Under-desk office #legs #upskirt #creepshot.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Teen creeping #creepshot.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These are just three examples of &lsquo;creep shots&rsquo;. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a creep shot is a photograph taken of an unsuspecting woman, or girl, which is then posted onto social media, blogs and websites with the hashtag #creepshot. They focus on her body &ndash; particularly her boobs, bum, legs and any visible underwear.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Most of these unsolicited pictures are taken in public &ndash; whether at the gym, yoga classes (there&rsquo;s a whole website dedicated to &lsquo;girls in yoga pants&rsquo;), or just walking down the street. It&rsquo;s happening all over the world and some of the &lsquo;creepers&rsquo;, as they call themselves, are UK based.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One Twitter user calls himself the York creeper. His bio reads: &ldquo;Creepin&#39; on the tidy women of York #MILFS #chav #teens. Get in touch if you want me to repost pics of any girls you know in York.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It&rsquo;s vile. But not as vile as the feed of photographs next to it, which I can&rsquo;t reproduce here. Not because they&rsquo;re too graphic &ndash; most zoom in on a woman&rsquo;s clothed body, although some are quite explicit and others appear to show young teenage girls &ndash; or even because they&rsquo;re illegal, because they&rsquo;re not. It&#39;s just that they&#39;re incredibly unethical.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many of the shots have been sent in by his 703 followers, with messages such as &ldquo;blonde in summer dress&rdquo;, &ldquo;VPL [visible panty line]&rdquo;, and &ldquo;sexy shoppers.&rdquo; One even reads: &ldquo;who wants to spread these legs?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is, without question, revolting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These photographs sexually objectify women and turn them into pornography without their consent, or even their knowledge. &#39;Creepy&#39; doesn&#39;t even begin to cover what these people - predominantly men - are doing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But what makes the creepiness even creepier is that there is a strong online community. This is not just a couple of sick individuals &ndash; there are hundreds, if not thousands, of people conferring online and calling themselves &#39;creepers&#39;. What&#39;s more, they don&rsquo;t just share photos; they share tips.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A subreddit thread on online forum Reddit carefully lays out the rules for creeping and instructs on how to get away with it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;No suggestive or sexual content featuring minors; NO UPSKIRT SHOTS, this is against the law and forbidden on this subreddit; No photos taken on/in/around school settings or of &lsquo;school girls&rsquo; unless you can confirm that they are not minors. Posts that can not be confirmed will be removed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Do not post pictures of anyone in a situation where they would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This includes any place not considered public property, as well as changerooms [sic], washrooms, etc. Sleeping on the couch in your living room? Great, don&#39;t post it here. Sunbathing in their backyard? Awesome, don&#39;t post it here. This is not a rule, THIS IS THE LAW.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is chilling just how clued up the creep shot community are on the legal technicalities of these photographs. But, Dr Nina Burrowes, a psychologist specialising in rape and sexual abuse, says that their behaviour is also a serious sign that they could go on to sexually offend.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The kind of behaviour they&rsquo;re doing with creep shots, is the sort I&rsquo;d expect someone sexually offending to start with,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;This is kind of like entry level behaviour. I wouldn&rsquo;t say everyone who&rsquo;s doing this will become a sex offender, but it&rsquo;s absolutely the kind of behaviour I&rsquo;d expect. There are parallels with sexual offending.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She says that it&rsquo;s particularly worrying just how strong the online community is: &ldquo;The creep shot movement is normalising all these things: not asking for consent, the sense of community and &#39;belonging&#39; around your fellow creep shot takers.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The creepers even acknowledge just how &lsquo;immoral&rsquo; they are. The thread reads: &ldquo;There is nothing illegal about this subreddit whatsoever. We may be immoral, creepy, sinister (some may even accuse us of being &#39;disturbed&#39;) individuals but there is nothing here that breaks any laws.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;When you are in public, you do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. We kindly ask women to respect our right to admire your bodies and stop complaining. We are no different than paparazzi. Except we celebrate beauty without being paid for it.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you know a creeper - get them help</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Burrowes thinks this is the most telling part: &ldquo;They know they haven&rsquo;t committed an offence &ndash; yet. They&rsquo;re going up to the line of the law and they&rsquo;re almost celebrating that. They&rsquo;re happy to call themselves &#39;creepers&#39; and &#39;immoral&#39;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It shows that the creep shot movement isn&rsquo;t just another Internet trend that leaves an uncomfortable feeling &ndash; like Women Who Eat On Tubes, where people posted photos online of women, without their knowledge - it&rsquo;s a lot worse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If I ever chanced across a photograph of one of my body parts with a #creepshot hashtag on it, I&#39;d feel completely sick. Not only would it mean that someone had sneakily photographed me in public, but it would show that an online community of creeps were, well, perving on me.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It&#39;s a horrific thought. But the worst thing is there&#39;s not much I could do about it. They aren&#39;t committing a crime and unless they photograph someone underage, do an upskirt shot or take it in a private place, this is totally legal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But Dr Burrowes says that doesn&#39;t mean we should criminalise creeping - it means we should try and help the creepers before their behaviour gets worse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If there was someone in my life taking these pictures I&rsquo;d be seriously concerned,&rdquo; says Dr Burrowes. &ldquo;If your friends are doing this, do you have the courage to say it&rsquo;s not OK. It&rsquo;s not normal. These are men who are at risk and they need help. To me, this is how you creep into becoming a sex offender.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/how-online-creeps-just-got-even-creepier-30457154.html\">http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/how-online-creeps-just-got-even-creepier-30457154.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-24 15:24:08',NULL,'how-online-creeps-just-got-even-creepier'),(623,'Funds only for \'no smoking\' playgrounds','<p>\r\n	All public playgrounds and recreation areas for children will have to be &quot;no smoking&quot; in future if they want funding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Children James Reilly sanctioned capital grants of between &euro;10,000 and &euro;15,000 from a &euro;250,000 fund for new or upgraded children&#39;s play and recreation projects in 19 local authority areas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, he said all future applications for grants will have to provide a guarantee they will be smoke free.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many local authorities have already taken a lead with the introduction of these smoking bans but it remains voluntary.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The Government has made clear its intention to progress policies that reduce the prevalence of smoking amongst all ages,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I have made a particular point of stressing the need to stop children from ever starting to smoke in the first place and we pursue a policy of attempting to de-normalise smoking for young people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;For that reason in future I will request that funding for projects such as children&#39;s playgrounds will be contingent on the relevant local authority implementing a policy of ensuring the projects are no smoking areas. The importance of de-normalising smoking in the eyes of children can&#39;t be over-emphasised.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The projects which benefited from the current round of funding include refurbishment and development of six urban, suburban and public housing play areas in Dublin city.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is also going towards new, accessible equipment for a playground built in the 1970s in Athy, Kildare, as well as the creation of innovative, natural playground spaces and outdoor learning environments in Tyrrelstown, northwest Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Also benefiting are the development of a recreational space and multi-use games area for children in Newcastle West, Limerick, as well as the creation of several playgrounds and recreational spaces from green field sites.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prof Luke Clancy, director general of the Tobacco Free Research Institute Ireland, welcomed the new &#39;no smoking&#39; criteria, adding: &quot;It should de-normalise smoking while preventing exposure to second hand smoke and prevention of litter.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/funds-only-for-no-smoking-playgrounds-30455714.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/funds-only-for-no-smoking-playgrounds-30455714.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-25 12:53:51',NULL,'funds-only-for-no-smoking-playgrounds'),(624,'Major non-compliance at HSE-run Mayo care centre for adults, treatment described as \'distressing\' - HIQA','<p>\r\n	HIQA has found major non-compliance with its care standards in a residential care centre for adults with intellectual disabilities in Co Mayo.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The treatment of residents during one meal at the HSE-run centre in Swinford were described as &quot;distressing&quot; during an inspection last February.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE-run centre in Swinford was accommodating 97 residents with intellectual disabilities when information from whistleblowers led HIQA to carry out an unannounced inspection last February.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The health and social services watchdog&#39;s two-day inspection&nbsp; focussed on nutrition and the use of restrictive procedures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report published today states that inspectors were concerned that practice in both areas required significant improvement to ensure the health and well being of residents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On nutrition, some residents weights were under the recommended measurement and although the dietician had prescribed supplements and high calorie diets, there was no evidence in their daily record sheets that they were receiving these.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report says mealtimes were not a pleasant experience nor a social occasion. Inspectors observed some residents being offered spoonfuls of food in quick succession by some staff before the residents had swallowed and enjoy the previous spoonful.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And some residents were not offered any drink for the duration of the meal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There was concern that residents went for 15 hours without food to facilitate staff duty arrangements.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0725/633069-hiqa-swinford/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0725/633069-hiqa-swinford/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-25 13:01:56',NULL,'major-non-compliance-at-hse-run-mayo-care-centre-for-adults-treatment-described-as-distressing-hiqa'),(625,'Asylum seekers unlikely to be allowed to work, says Fitzgerald','<p>\r\n	Direct provision system criticised for imposing isolation, boredom and lack of control</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has signalled that any revision of Ireland&rsquo;s immigration laws would be unlikely to result in asylum seekers being allowed to work here as such an arrangement would be contrary to international norms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Fitzgerald said she intended to approach the issue of direct provision - where an asylum seeker can spend up to nine years waiting for a decision on their application - through a single procedure, outside of broader immigration legislation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She conceded that living on &euro;19 a week, the sum given to adults in &ldquo;reception centres&rdquo;, was a &ldquo;very difficult system for people&rdquo; but said allowing them to work was a complex question.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;In terms of work, countries take a different approach to that. But generally speaking it is quite strict in relation to asylum seekers,&rdquo; she said on the Tonight with Vincent Browne programme on TV3 last night.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is a very complex issue to move towards work for asylum seekers. I am prepared to examine the issue but if you look at international practice, it does not go in that direction generally speaking for asylum seekers.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Her comments follow those of her recently appointed Minister of State Aodh&aacute;n &Oacute; Riord&aacute;in who said in an interview with the Irish Times that reform in the area was a priority.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr &Oacute; Riord&aacute;in described the issue a major concern and in need of radical reform.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The direct provision system of care for asylum seekers has been criticised for imposing isolation, boredom and a lack of control over meals for those placed in centres.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Fitzgerald said last year 1,000 asylum seekers arrived here, compared to about 80,000 immigrants who came legally from outside the EU.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We have a huge obligation to those people,&rdquo; she said.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;So in terms of the right to work you have to take into account your own economic circumstances; you have to say what&rsquo;s right for our own country.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/asylum-seekers-unlikely-to-be-allowed-to-work-says-fitzgerald-1.1876787\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/asylum-seekers-unlikely-to-be-allowed-to-work-says-fitzgerald-1.1876787</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-25 13:35:47',NULL,'asylum-seekers-unlikely-to-be-allowed-to-work-says-fitzgerald'),(626,'Children \'posted\' through windows to raid homes','<p>\r\n	Children as young as eight are being &quot;posted&quot; through open windows in order to break into homes, gardai believe.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It&#39;s thought the criminals are taking advantage of the recent hot weather by using children to gain access to homes through small windows.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The children can then quickly search the house for valuables, or else open the front door for an adult to gain access.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children are not only used because they are small, they are also difficult to prosecute. In some cases, adults will wait outside during burglaries and flee if they see gardai approaching.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It has been sporadic, I would say there have been about five or six in the past week and a half,&quot; said one garda source.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The gangs use children as young as eight or nine years old, he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Burglars are using the ploy to break into properties around the midlands.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Members of community alert schemes in Co Offaly were urged to be aware of leaving windows open and warned to be on the on the lookout for the criminals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They were informed by text that &quot;a number of burglaries have occurred in Laois and Offaly over the past week which it is believed young kids are being used to enter small windows of houses&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A 12-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of burglary in the midlands last week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/children-posted-through-windows-to-raid-homes-30466132.html</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-29 09:16:08',NULL,'children-posted-through-windows-to-raid-homes'),(627,'Community has \'reached limit\' as drugs scourge ruins young lives','<p>\r\n	More than 1,000 people have attended a heated public meeting in Roscrea to highlight their concerns over the &quot;scourge of drugs&quot; that has hit the north Tipperary town.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Concerned residents blame the emerging drugs culture for the loss of many young lives in recent years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Pauline De Feu, a GP in Roscrea for the past 32 years, said the local community &quot;have reached their limit&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said: &quot;This is a human tragedy for the users and their families. It is glamourised in films and on television and with some celebrities. The tragedy and the pain rarely get the same exposure and certainly have no glamour aspect that can command television and film audiences.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Residents packed the main hall of Colaiste Phobal, Roscrea, for the meeting, which was organised by local man Derek Russell. Some 1,150 people signed into the public meeting which was also attended by gardai and a number of public representatives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Local schoolteacher Tadhg Maher began by reading out a letter written by a mother who had been threatened at knifepoint by her 15-year-old son, a recovering drug addict.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter which was sent in anonymously described how the woman&#39;s family has been &quot;torn apart&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;On Mother&#39;s Day this year my 15-year-old son attempted suicide and was put in residential care,&quot; the mother wrote.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I have been through hell and back for the past two years to get help for his addiction. He stole from me and threatened me with a knife and a hammer for four hours for money. I have paid all his debts.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One woman at the meeting demanded that the Minister for Justice attend the next public meeting, insisting that the people of Roscrea had &quot;risen up at last&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If I was a drug dealer I wouldn&#39;t be resting too easy in my bed with the turnout that has come here tonight. We don&#39;t want them resting in their beds &ndash; we want them out of this town and out of this county,&quot; warned local Sinn Fein councillor David Doran.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Joan Teehan, a grandmother of three, said too many young people in the town had died in tragic circumstances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Concerns over the possible closure of Roscrea as a 24-hour garda station were addressed by Superintendent Bob Noonan who insisted there was no question of the station closing at 6pm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Supt Noonan said he had 37 years&#39; experience and &quot;knows first-hand about the scourge of drugs&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We will continue to do our best. The hardworking gardai that are in Roscrea have been dealing with this,&quot; he revealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Like many towns in rural Ireland, Roscrea, which is home to 5,000 people, has been hit by large-scale unemployment in recent years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tragically, there has also been a number of suicides in the town in recent years, some of which are believed to be drug-related.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/community-has-reached-limit-as-drugs-scourge-ruins-young-lives-30466110.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/community-has-reached-limit-as-drugs-scourge-ruins-young-lives-30466110.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-29 09:20:47',NULL,'community-has-reached-limit-as-drugs-scourge-ruins-young-lives'),(628,'We are all going to die, so leave your affairs in order','<p>\r\n	Think Ahead &ndash; the Irish Hospice Foundation publishes paper on the best preparations for passing away</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	What is it like to die in Ireland in 2014? Is it getting better or worse? Have you thought about your death? Have you a friend or family member at risk of dying during the next year? How will it be for them? How will it be for you when your time comes?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These are important and difficult questions, ones many of us don&rsquo;t want to face. It is often easier for us to park them. Yet one sure certainty in life is that we will die. Each year roughly 30,000 of us pass away in Ireland. GPs see several patients die annually, and we accompany them on this last part of their lives. We are with their families in the months and years afterwards.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dying in Ireland has improved, but it needs to improve further, and we all have a role to play.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some people do have a good experience. They have an understanding of what is happening and have reflected practically and emotionally with their important loved ones. They have clear ideas about their medical care, and have their preferences respected and acted upon.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Their dying is often a source of inspiration to those they leave behind, demonstrating courage and a sense of dignity and completeness, particularly to their younger friends and family. They leave a powerful and lasting impression of serenity. Their &ldquo;affairs are in order&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But it&rsquo;s not always like this. A small minority of us will experience sudden unexpected events, leaving no time to prepare. We delay reflecting about our end of life until we become too sick to effectively do so, unable to communicate on this complex subject with our nearest and dearest. Our medical system has a default setting and, in my experience, where the patient has not explicitly stated their intentions, that default is set at treating aggressively in the absence of clear instruction.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One group for whom this area has been particularly challenging is those who have been diagnosed with dementia. When dementia is one of their diagnoses, planning for the future may well seem particularly challenging. But it is important. Best practice challenges both professional and social carers to make an effort to establish if the individual has a point of view, and to ascertain what this might be. An attempt at having the conversation respects the right of the individual to be heard, and maintain some of the control that is otherwise taken from them if no effort is made to reflect and explore. It is their opportunity to express their wishes and preferences about their future, and it is arguable that this opportunity is their entitlement, whether or not they and their carers can have a high level of certainty or clarity in all instances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Forum on End of Life in Ireland, a project of the Irish Hospice Foundation, took an important step towards encouraging us to plan for death and dying with the launch by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, of phase two of Think Ahead. This is a simple, citizen-led initiative aimed at guiding people on planning for end of life. Using a simple form Think Ahead urges people to think, talk, tell and write down their personal preferences for future medical, financial and personal care.This can then be left in a safe and secure place where it can be easily accessed in an emergency. Even if not fully completed, the form can simply be used as a guide to those things you might want to think about when considering the end of your life, and could help initiate and structure the discussion with loved ones.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Think Ahead was launched in 2011 after consultation and research. It is being re-launched after three years of experience and further research. The form has been slimmed down and made more accessible than the original. The biggest change is a section allowing users create an Advance Healthcare Directive, reflecting changes currently proposed in draft legislation. It was revised after consultation with a wide variety of groups and individuals including legal and healthcare professionals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is also exciting that Think Ahead is to be piloted online through Patients Know Best, the world&rsquo;s first patient-controlled digital tool. This will allow people record, store and retrieve their end-of-life wishes and care preferences, including their medical records, online behind a secure server.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	So when is the right time to Think Ahead? Well, ideally now. You could do it on your 50th birthday, on receiving an important diagnosis, eg a malignancy, diabetes or heart disease, on your 60th birthday for sure, or on admission to residential care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dying in Ireland is improving. Despite incessant negative spinning about healthcare services, we live longer than ever before. There has been a sustained debate on this issue. Present legislation, which serves neither patient nor doctor well, dating from the 1870s, is about to be replaced. This will mean doctors caring for patients will be obliged to make a timely effort to ascertain the wishes of the patient, recording these appropriately. This will apply to all patients, irrespective of any intellectual deficit they may have, an effort to understand what patients would like must be made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	You are going to die. You might check it out for yourself on thinkahead.ie.<br />\r\n	Dr Brendan O&rsquo; Shea is a general practitioner in Co Kildare. He is lecturer in general practice at Trinity College Dublin, he has a research interest in end-of-life planning, and has conducted research on the acceptability of the Think Ahead planning tool with patients in the community and nursing-home settings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/we-are-all-going-to-die-so-leave-your-affairs-in-order-1.1875659?page=1\">http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/we-are-all-going-to-die-so-leave-your-affairs-in-order-1.1875659?page=1</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-29 09:26:58',NULL,'we-are-all-going-to-die-so-leave-your-affairs-in-order'),(629,'Parents struggle to fund ‘free’ education','<p>\r\n	Cash-strapped parents facing onerous back-to-school costs could be pushed into the arms of moneylenders, the St Vincent De Paul has warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The annual Barnardos Schools Costs survey has again highlighted the considerable cost of sending children to school, with &euro;735 the typical cost for a first-year pupil in secondary school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While the survey suggested a fall in the overall costs associated with children starting a new school year, Barnardos said not enough was being done to ensure schools did all they could to lessen the financial burden on parents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardos CEO Fergus Finlay said Education Minister Jan O&rsquo;Sullivan should consider exerting greater pressure on schools. &ldquo;Being nice to the school system does not work,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;They just need to be told parents need a choice.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Finlay said many schools were seeking a voluntary contribution &mdash; which in some cases increased over the past year &mdash; from parents because of general under-resourcing of the education system, something that could be addressed in the next budget.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said other measures, such as removing Vat from tablets designated for educational use, would also help and showed the need for &ldquo;political will&rdquo; to ease the pressure on parents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the St Vincent De Paul said the back-to-school period was a stressful time which can lead to parents utilising the services of moneylenders, costing them more in the longer term.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brendan Hennessy of the SVP Social Justice and Policy team said: &ldquo;Where significant costs arise, and people do not have the opportunity to pay off in installments, that is when people on low incomes get caught.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said payment of the voluntary contribution, in particular, meant this time of the year can be &ldquo;a huge struggle&rdquo; for parents who must find the money to pay for school books and uniforms and are up against a deadline of the start of the school term.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Finlay said the voluntary contribution, much like registration fees, was not in fact voluntary and that proposals to cut the costs of going to school should be prioritised. Issues include the cost of school books, the possibility of bulk-buying by schools, better-stocked libraries, and uniforms.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All schools were required by the Department of Education this year to have surveyed parents about their preferences in relation to uniform policies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/parents-struggle-to-fund-free-education-277179.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/parents-struggle-to-fund-free-education-277179.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-30 09:23:17',NULL,'parents-struggle-to-fund-‘free’-education'),(630,'Care worker stole €5,000 and preyed on elderly neighbours','<p>\r\n	A former care worker who broke into the homes of his elderly neighbours and set fire to the bedsheets of one of his victims before fleeing has been jailed for five years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	John Houlihan (29) preyed on his vulnerable neighbours, some of whom were related to his family by marriage, and stole up to &euro;5,000 in cash.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The former care worker at St Joseph&#39;s Nursing Home in Killorglin also admitted breaking into the house of a woman and sexually assaulting her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Houlihan of Douglas, Killorglin, Co Kerry, admitted a total of nine counts of burglary at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court earlier this month.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All his victims were vulnerable people aged between 60 and 87 whose lives had been dramatically changed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	None of Houlihan&#39;s elderly victims gave victim impact statements in court because they said to do so would have been too upsetting and because they knew his family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Houlihan admitted a total of nine counts of burglary between January 2010 and 2013 in and around where he lived.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 29-year-old woman at The Forge nightclub in Killorglin before he followed her home, broke into her house and sexually assaulted her again on December 22, 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman woke up at around 5am to find Houlihan attacking her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court heard he had been receiving counselling for a serious gambling addiction.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One of his elderly victims, Michael Lucey (60), who suffers from schizophrenia, told gardai he woke to find Houlihan shouting and threatening him.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he then set fire to his sheets before fleeing the house. Mr Lucey put out the flames with his hands.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another elderly victim spoke of how she has felt like a prisoner in her own home since Houlihan broke in and stole her purse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Bridie Mannix (69) and her sister were locked in a bedroom during the burglary.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since then the sisters take it in turns to sleep at night so that one person is keeping watch all the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Odd jobs</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One of his victims, an 87-year-old woman, left her home following the burglary and moved into residential care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A 73-year-old woman was shocked when she learned Houlihan had carried out the burglary at her home as he used to do odd jobs around the house for her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some of his victims told gardai that because they knew Houlihan, it made the crimes even worse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Handing down sentence at Limerick District Court, Judge Carroll Moran said his elderly victims had lost their sense of security. He sentenced Houlihan to seven years but suspended the final two, accepting a letter of apology written by him as a sign of his regret and shame.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/care-worker-stole-5000-and-preyed-on-elderly-neighbours-30469644.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/care-worker-stole-5000-and-preyed-on-elderly-neighbours-30469644.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-30 09:31:18',NULL,'care-worker-stole-€5000-and-preyed-on-elderly-neighbours'),(631,'Up to 1,000 women are \'for sale\' here on any given day','<p>\r\n	Human trafficking is still flourishing here a year after a Dail committee urged sweeping reforms aimed at eradicating sexual slavery, according to campaigners.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) said today&#39;s designation as the UN&#39;s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is a timely reminder for the Government to follow through on recommendations made by a Dail committee in June 2013 that would criminalise those who buy sexual services and increase penalties for human traffickers engaged in sexual exploitation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In its review of Irish prostitution laws, the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality recommended the Criminal Assets Bureau also be tasked with going after the profits of those engaged in the sex trade.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But a year on, people working with the victims of human trafficking say there are still dozens of women and children who are trafficked here each year to work as sex slaves.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Invisible</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Denise Charlton, ICI chief executive, said the Justice Department cited 43 cases of human trafficking in the State over the past year. But because the industry is &quot;so invisible&quot;, the actual number of women and children forced into prostitution here from abroad is likely much higher.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&quot;There are 1,000 women for sale at any given day in Ireland,&quot; she said, adding that the number of those who are forced into the trade is estimated to be anywhere between 10pc and 25pc of prostitutes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Trafficking for sexual exploitation is one of the biggest crimes of our time, and Ireland is not immune, with estimates from the Central Statistics Office that human traffickers are part of a black economy which pockets &euro;1.2bn a year,&quot; Ms Charlton said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;As a frontline agency which has supported more than 50 victims of trafficking, we know the reality of the situation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Our clients tell us of grim shared experiences. Often sold by a family member for a few thousand euro, tricked into coming to Ireland with false promises of a new life to end up in a brothel, forced to have sex with about a dozen men a day.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Consequently, the council is urging the Government to adopt an action plan on human trafficking that would penalise those buying sex while protecting the victims of human trafficking with safe accommodation and access to legal supports.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/up-to-1000-women-are-for-sale-here-on-any-given-day-30469615.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/up-to-1000-women-are-for-sale-here-on-any-given-day-30469615.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-07-30 09:37:14',NULL,'up-to-1000-women-are-for-sale-here-on-any-given-day'),(632,'Gardai hunt suspect drivers after two child-abduction attempts in Ireland in the last week','<p>\r\n	Gardai are searching for attempted child-abduction suspects after alerts in two towns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A four-year-old boy and a 10-year-old boy were the intended victims of van-drivers in the north-west of the country with concerns raised in Leitrim village and in Bundoran, Co Donegal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first alert was raised in Bundoran last week when a four-year-old reported being invited into a van for sweets while playing in his front garden in the Silverhill area of the town.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The white van, possibly a Renault, sped away when the mother emerged from the house.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The worried mother told investigating gardai that she believed the van had southern registration plates.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai in Bundoran were unable to detect any similar van in an early follow-up search around the town.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A few days later the driver of another van, a white Toyota Hiace with blue and black writing on the driver&#39;s side and carrying a Donegal registration plate, tried to coax a 10-year-old boy into his vehicle in broad daylight in Leitrim village.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The child immediately ran for help and the driver made off in the direction of Drumshanbo.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai were immediately contacted and a text alert was issued to a number of alert schemes in and around the Leitrim village, Carrick-on-Shannon and Drumshanbo areas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The driver of the van was described as a man with a white shirt who was in his 30s.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The search for the vehicle and its driver is being conducted by gardai at Carrick-on-Shannon.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/gardai-hunt-suspect-drivers-after-childabduction-bids-30473181.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/gardai-hunt-suspect-drivers-after-childabduction-bids-30473181.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-01 10:46:10',NULL,'gardai-hunt-suspect-drivers-after-two-child-abduction-attempts-in-ireland-in-the-last-week'),(633,'Order to stop sex offender contacting children online refused','<p>\r\n	Judge says no evidence before court that any threat posed to a child or children</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Circuit Court judge has refused to make an order preventing a convicted sex offender from contacting children online after a court heard he was using Twitter to claim he worked for the band One Direction.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brian Mulvihill (36) was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2007 for what a judge then called &ldquo;an appalling&rdquo; aggravated sexual assault on a young woman. The Court of Criminal Appeal later suspended the last four years of this term. Shortly afterwards he received a five-year term in Ennis Circuit Criminal Court for a separate sexual assault.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mulvihill, who is originally from Kilkee in Co Clare but with a current address of Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin, was released under supervision in September 2012 on the condition that he follows all directions of the Probation Service for 10 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On Monday, the Garda applied at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for five orders intended to reduce the risk posed by Mulvihill following several instances of inappropriate post-release behaviour.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Risk factor<br />\r\n	The court heard the main risk factor was his consumption of alcohol. In submissions on behalf of An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na, counsel Vincent Heneghan, asked the court to order that Mulvihill not use the internet to contact minors and that he not contact other sex offenders. He also asked for an order banning him from changing his name, consuming alcohol and entering licensed premises.<br />\r\n	Yesterday, Judge Mary Ellen Ring said there was no evidence before the court from either the Probation Service or garda&iacute; that any threat was posed to a child or children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said she was making no order although she noted there was evidence of him being stopped by a garda in Inchicore while drunk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Garda Denis Mulligan previously told the court that he had been monitoring Mulvihill since March 2013 and he had several concerns about his behaviour. He said Mulvihill was taking an adult education course at the time. There were five women in his class and four of them had made complaints about him, including that he was sending them inappropriate texts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The garda said he also falsely claimed to classmates that he was getting an operation for throat cancer to get their sympathy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Treatment<br />\r\n	One of his lecturers, Patricia Doyle, gave him her mobile number so he could update her on his treatment. Mulvihill started calling Ms Doyle to complain about his treatment by the women in the class. Ms Doyle told him to stop sending messages to the girls and Mulvihill replied: &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t care anymore, I&rsquo;ll be back.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The lecturer took this as a threat and was afraid. Garda Mulligan later delivered a letter to Mulvihill from the college asking him not to return. Garda Mulligan also learned that Mulvihill had set up seven or eight Twitter accounts on which he falsely claimed to work for One Direction.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He tweeted that he was a friend of band member Niall Horan and asked fans to get in contact if they had any questions. The garda told the judge that this was concerning as the band are popular with young girls.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Defence counsel Keith Spencer submitted to the judge that the prosecution&rsquo;s requests were disproportionate and unnecessary.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/order-to-stop-sex-offender-contacting-children-online-refused-1.1884257\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/order-to-stop-sex-offender-contacting-children-online-refused-1.1884257</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-01 10:48:01',NULL,'order-to-stop-sex-offender-contacting-children-online-refused'),(634,'Family \'The Most Common Setting For Abuse\'','<p>\r\n	Abuse within the family continues to be the most prevalent setting for abuse to occur, according to half yearly figures from Connect counselling.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Connect, which is an out of hours telephone service for abuse survivors, answered 2,600 calls in the first half of the year and almost 70% of callers reported physical, sexual or emotional abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of these 45% of callers reported that the abuse happened within the family home. 26% reported that they had experienced abuse in their community and 15% reported abuse in Institutions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Regionally there was a broad reach across the country with male callers from rural areas increasing and in some instances surpassing female callers. These callers often reported being isolated and unable, or unwilling to access face-to-face services and stated a preference for telephone based support.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Connect Service Manager Theresa Merrigan said Connect&rsquo;s service figures go against the common perception that abuse in Ireland has been largely an institutional problem. The figures highlight a higher prevalence in the family setting, particularly relating to abuse which has occurred more recently.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The announcement of the Mother and Baby Home Inquiry, and subsequent expansion of the Connect service to open seven days a week from mid June to the end of July, has resulted in more calls from family members of people who spent time in institutions. Statistics will be released at the end of the summer in relation to service uptake during this period.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Connect Service Manager Theresa Merrigan said that many callers who contact Connect have exhausted services elsewhere: &ldquo;The high level of need amongst many callers to Connect points to a lack of intense psychotherapy places for callers with severe childhood trauma. Very often the challenging behaviour of people who have suffered severe childhood trauma means that they find it difficult to access adequate services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This is an ongoing concern for the Connect Service which is telephone based and therefore unable to provide callers with all the supports that they need. It can be difficult to know where to signpost such callers to as they often have difficult relationships with their local mental health team or psychiatrist.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Connect, which is HSE funded, is available at freephone 1800 477 477 from the Republic of Ireland. Further information is at connectcounselling.ie.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The facts<br />\r\n	Overall the service received 4,435 calls in the six months to June, a similar level to last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Connect&rsquo;s Counsellors and Psychotherapists answered approximately 86% of calls received during opening hours, a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	71% of callers were aged between 40 and 50 and 35% were over 50. 28% of callers were under 40 years and the majority of these reported abuse within the family home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	None of the callers under 40 reported institutional abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://thecorknews.ie/articles/family-most-common-setting-abuse-15617\">http://thecorknews.ie/articles/family-most-common-setting-abuse-15617</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-01 10:49:43',NULL,'family-the-most-common-setting-for-abuse'),(635,'Why Google scans your emails for child porn','<p>\r\n	Google trawls both the public internet and your private data</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A convicted sex offender has been arrested after Google flagged images of child abuse found in his Gmail account to authorities, according to reports, revealing that the search giant is quietly but methodically watching our email activity for illegal images.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	SHARE<br />\r\n	Google spotted that the man had illegal images of a young girl stored in his Gmail account during an automated search and reported it to the US non-profit National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A subsequent police investigation lead to his arrest.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Detective David Nettles of the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce told Channel 11: &quot;He was keeping it inside of his email. I can&#39;t see that information, I can&#39;t see that photo, but Google can. He was trying to get around getting caught, he was trying to keep it inside his email.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I really don&#39;t know how they do their job. But I&#39;m just glad they do it,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Google told The Telegraph that it would not reveal technical information on any individual case or give exact details of the nature of the searches that it carries out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But we know from previous reports that Google&rsquo;s automatic image search works by comparing &ldquo;hashes&rdquo; of images, rather than the files themselves. A hash is a unique code created by running an image through a simple algorithm. The hash of each file is then compared to a database of hashes produced by known images of child abuse &ndash; any match is an almost certain indication that the account being searched contains an illegal image. Working in this way negates the need for Google to maintain a large database of illegal images themselves, which would be legally problematic to share with third parties.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To this end, Google co-funds the Cambridge-based charity the Internet Watch Foundation, whose mission is &quot;to minimise the availability of &#39;potentially criminal&#39; internet content, specifically images of child sexual abuse (including child pornography) hosted anywhere, and criminally obscene adult content in the UK&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The IWF can supply a list of hashes of known or suspected illegal content online to third parties so that it can be blacklisted from other search engines or services, and runs a reporting hotline to allow people to report links or files. Google also runs its own searches and contributes to this list.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Google has hinted in the past that it performs searches on content, although did not elaborate on whether this was public or private data. An article in The Telegraph last year by the company&rsquo;s chief legal officer David Drummond said: &ldquo;since much of this illegal material is circulated repeatedly - making the crime infinitely worse for the victims - we have built technology that trawls other platforms for known images of child sex abuse.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Until now it has never been confirmed that Google trawls information that is not on the public internet, but is contained within our private accounts such as Gmail email messages.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although few would argue that tracking down those who collect, store or transmit images of child abuse is important work, it will also raise privacy concerns for those who feel uneasy about Google searching through every image they send via GMail.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/why-google-scans-your-emails-for-child-porn-30481868.html\">http://www.independent.ie/business/technology/why-google-scans-your-emails-for-child-porn-30481868.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-05 11:00:40',NULL,'why-google-scans-your-emails-for-child-porn'),(636,'Concern at shortages of key care staff for Limerick kids','<p>\r\n	OVER 12% of children in care in the Mid-West have no allocated social worker, according to figures from Tusla, The Child and Family Agency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Limerick does better, with just 15 (or 5%) of the 295 children in care without a social worker as of June 30 this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are also significant shortages of link workers, staff who support and advise foster carers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The data shows that only 101 of 212 foster carers in Limerick currently have a link worker to rely on, while just 275 of 438 foster carers in the Mid-West have a link worker.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Shortages in key staff are a cause of huge concern among foster families, according to one Limerick foster parent who spoke to the Chronicle on condition of anonymity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The vast majority of children in care in Limerick - 280 out of 295 - are with foster families.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;If you look at Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary and the amount of children in those three areas who have not got a social worker, families who have not got a link worker, and children who have not got an aftercare worker as they prepare to leave care, it is actually frightening,&rdquo; said the foster parent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We have had the Ryan report, the HIQA reports, the Ombudsman&rsquo;s reports and all of them essentially saying the same thing - that it is all under-resourced. It has got to stage with social workers that their caseloads are so great that they can&rsquo;t actually fulfil what they are supposed to do.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Aftercare workers are supposed to begin planning for children leaving care once they reach 16 but the actual aftercare supports - which are due to be reformed in the near future - don&rsquo;t kick in until 18 and cease at 23.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to Tusla, all 88 young people in the 18-to-23-year-old age bracket in Limerick have an allocated aftercare worker.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But according to the Limerick foster parent, there are only two staff allocated to these young people, which he said was indicative of the huge pressure on care staff. He believes morale among social care teams in the region to be &ldquo;at rock bottom&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On the numbers currently without an allocated social worker in the region, a spokesperson for Tusla said: &ldquo;There are five agency social workers and two temporary social workers employed in the Mid-West at present to address frontline service needs and mitigate risk&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Local Children in Care Service conducts regular and ongoing monitoring/reviewing by social work management (principal social worker and social work team leader) of any unallocated children in care cases. There is a monthly review of allocation based on need and risk.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Limerick foster care parent said there was currently an acute shortage of social workers in County Clare, where he said 42 children were without a social worker after the recent redeployment of two staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But Tusla said it was currently reorganising caseloads in Clare &ldquo;so that high and medium priority cases are allocated and so that the only cases which will be unallocated are low priority cases&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/concern-at-shortages-of-key-care-staff-for-limerick-kids-1-6219811\">http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/concern-at-shortages-of-key-care-staff-for-limerick-kids-1-6219811</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-05 11:02:04',NULL,'concern-at-shortages-of-key-care-staff-for-limerick-kids'),(637,'Dad of abandoned Gammy \'had child sex conviction\'','<p>\r\n	An Australian man accused of abandoning his surrogate boy in Thailand after learning the baby had Down&#39;s syndrome was previously convicted of child sex offences in Australia, it has been alleged.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The claim has raised further concerns about the oversight of international surrogacy. Australia&#39;s Channel Nine reported that the father of six-month-old Gammy spent time in jail for &quot;indecently dealing with a child under the age of 13 in 1998&quot;. The man&#39;s wife, who is of Asian origin, was aware of the conviction, but insisted that he &quot;was a good man&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is not known if the couple would have declared the alleged sex offence and the development is likely to increase pressure on the Australian authorities to intervene in the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Scott Morrison, the Australian immigration minister, said officials were investigating whether &quot;the child may be eligible for Australian citizenship&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We are taking a close look at what can be done here, but I wouldn&#39;t want to raise any false hopes or expectations,&quot; Mr Morrison said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We are dealing with something that has happened in another country&#39;s jurisdiction. It is terrible, just absolutely horrible and heartbreaking.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The legal implications of the official queries mean that Gammy could be reunited with his twin sister in Australia.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The Australian couple have insisted they did not know of Gammy&#39;s existence and that the Thai surrogacy agency only told them about his healthy twin sister, whom they took back to Australia. Pattharamon Janbua, the 21-year-old surrogate mother in Thailand, claims that the father met both children at a hospital there, but refused to touch or look at Gammy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An online campaign titled Hope for Gammy has raised more than &euro;155,000 to assist with medical treatment. The boy is being treated for a life-threatening lung condition in a Thai hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/dad-of-abandoned-gammy-had-child-sex-conviction-30482991.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/dad-of-abandoned-gammy-had-child-sex-conviction-30482991.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-05 11:03:19',NULL,'dad-of-abandoned-gammy-had-child-sex-conviction'),(638,'State housing ‘violates human rights’ - -Residents take case to Europe','<p>\r\n	People living in 20 of the most run-down housing complexes in the country have taken a landmark fight for basic living conditions to Europe.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Paris-based international human rights body lodged claims on behalf of 130,000 residents in estates in inner city Dublin and Limerick over sewage problems, persistent leaks, harmful damp and mould after charities at home did not take up the cause.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The International Federation for Human Rights filed a 51-page complaint with the Council of Europe accusing the Government of presiding over appalling living standards and failing to meet basic and legal housing requirements.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The complaint also focuses on crime and anti-social behaviour and accuses the State of a strategy of deliberate neglect to further run down already dilapidated flat complexes which sit on prime development land.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Karim Lahidji, president of the organisation, said: &ldquo;The right to adequate housing is a fundamental human right and a prerequisite for the enjoyment of other rights and the appropriate development of families and children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is unacceptable that those who live in social housing accommodation are not adequately protected against violation of this right.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The complaint alleges discrimination against some of the most vulnerable and poverty stricken communities in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It highlights conditions in estates such as Dolphin House, St Theresa&rsquo;s Gardens, Charlemont St, and Bridgefoot St in Dublin&rsquo;s south inner city and O&rsquo;Devaney Gardens, Dominick St, and Croke Villas in the north inner city, among others.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Surveys carried out on residents in Dolphin House in 2012 revealed a risk of lung disease and nine out of 10 children missing school days because of the impact of damp, mould, and sewage.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some people in the flats reported breathing difficulties, diarrhoea, skin rashes, and depression due to the poor conditions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report also targeted the &euro;3bn Limerick Regeneration scheme for failing to complete promised work in estates such as Moyross, Southill, St Mary&rsquo;s Park, and Ballinacurra Weston. It states only &euro;116m has been spent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Limerick City and County Council said 76 new homes will be built this year alone.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The FIDH complaint accuses local authorities of a conflict of interest as councils act as landlords and also enforce regulations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, it said residents allege that their houses and flats are not inspected even though the councils are responsible for similar monitoring in the private sector.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is significant that the legislation does not grant any rights to tenants to request or have a right to an inspection of their dwelling &mdash; a denial of rights in itself,&rdquo; the rights group said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The case also says the State has not acted to ensure no discrimination against people from a certain social origin and minority in relation to housing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report notes that there is no national or regional tenants&rsquo; associations in Ireland, and no State support in place to set them up.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The impact of the State regeneration policies can be described as a process of de-regeneration or regeneration through displacement,&rdquo; the complaint said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The landmark case is being taken under the European Social Charter, a Council of Europe treaty which guarantees social and economic human rights.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It alleges Irish law, policy and practices on social housing do not comply with housing, social protection and anti-discrimination standards and that the State is in breach of five regulations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/state-housing-violates-human-rights-278525.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/state-housing-violates-human-rights-278525.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-06 16:46:59',NULL,'state-housing-‘violates-human-rights’-residents-take-case-to-europe'),(639,'Residents of disability support service had to pay for kettles, toasters and curtains','<p>\r\n	Residents were also expected to pay for staff meals on outings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Residents of a disability support service in Dublin were asked to pay towards the cost of kettles, curtains, toasters and televisions, an inspection has found.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report found that 16 residents of a Daughters of Charity Disability Support Service in Clonsilla, Dublin 15, were required to pay a fixed sum into an &ldquo;accessories money&rdquo; fund.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the report, this money was then used to pay &ldquo;for household items such as kettles, toasters, televisions and curtains&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This &lsquo;accessories payment&rsquo; was recorded within the individuals&rsquo; personal records and if not needed for household expenditure would be used by the resident. There was also a policy in place to guide all staff and persons in charge in relation to this practice called the &lsquo;procedure for managing service users&rsquo; monies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This policy instructed staff to request a specified sum per resident each month and that the &lsquo;accessories requisition sheet should be used for any items required for each house e.g. household items, small items of equipment, accessories, bed clothes, general items etc&rsquo;.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report says that this policy &ldquo;directly contradicted&rdquo; guidance from regulators.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As well as paying for accessories, residents were expected to pay for staff meals while on outings and on holidays.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A later inspection found that residents were being checked on every 30 minutes, an invasion of privacy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a June inspection, HIQA noted some improvements and reviewed a plan to refurbish the units.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/disability-support-service-made-residents-pay-for-toasters-1606089-Aug2014/\" style=\"font-size: 12px;\">http://www.thejournal.ie/disability-support-service-made-residents-pay-for-toasters-1606089-Aug2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-06 16:48:34',NULL,'residents-of-disability-support-service-had-to-pay-for-kettles-toasters-and-curtains'),(640,'39 families in Dublin left homeless in past month','<p>\r\n	39 families became homeless in Dublin over the past month, according to new figures from housing charity Focus Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity warned that the figures showed that the homeless crisis in Ireland is continuing to deepen, with one family losing their home in Dublin alone every day this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures were announced as the charity made a submission to a Department of Social Protection review.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Focus Ireland submission called for rent supplement payments to match real rent levels to help prevent families and individuals from losing their homes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity&#39;s submission also warns that the Government&#39;s rent review process is fatally flawed and will not solve the problem.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Director of Advocacy Mike Allen said: &quot;A lot of the families that are becoming homeless and others we are supporting to try to prevent them losing their homes have been forced to top-up the rent supplement to meet the market cost of rent as the rent supplement doesn&rsquo;t cover the rent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Paying this top-up month on month is clearly not sustainable and it just pushes families deeper into debt and nearer to homelessness.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity said the Government must raise rent supplement rates to stop the rise in the number of families losing their homes because they cannot afford to pay their rent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0804/635085-homeless-dublin/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0804/635085-homeless-dublin/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-06 16:49:43',NULL,'39-families-in-dublin-left-homeless-in-past-month'),(641,'Fr Peter McVerry: Dublin \'needs mobile injecting clinics\' to tackle drug abuse','<p>\r\n	One of Dublin&#39;s most prominent activists for the homeless says mobile injecting clinics could be the answer to tackling drug abuse on Dublin&#39;s streets.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Fr Peter McVerry was responding to calls from the city&#39;s Lord Mayor for a new &quot;task force&quot; involving all organisations who work with the homeless or drug addicts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Fr McVerry says he welcomes the Lord Mayor&#39;s comments, but he said the State need to take a new approach, and mobile clinics could be part of the solution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He said: &quot;In many cities you have mobile injecting clinics where people who use heroin can go with medical personnel. There are no needles hanging around the streets.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&quot;We also need to invest in treatement programmes, we have approximately 35 detox beds in this country for 20,000 heroin users and that&#39;s an absolute disgrace.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/dublin-needs-mobile-injecting-clinics-to-tackle-drug-abuse-638819.html\">http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/dublin-needs-mobile-injecting-clinics-to-tackle-drug-abuse-638819.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-11 04:00:00',NULL,'fr-peter-mcverry-dublin-needs-mobile-injecting-clinics-to-tackle-drug-abuse'),(642,'Concern voiced over surge in child abduction cases','<p>\r\n	The Department of Foreign Affairs has expressed concern at a rise in the number of children being abducted by a parent and taken abroad.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Twenty-six cases were recorded last year and 22 in 2012, according to briefing documents prepared for new Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officials told the minister cases of parental child abduction &quot;continue to rise each year&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, such cases rarely end up being disclosed in the media unless they result in a prosecution and have traditionally not been publicised by authorities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The highest profile case of child abduction in recent years was that of Lebanese-born criminal Hassan Hassan, who was jailed for two years after abducting his young sons and taking them to Syria for nine months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The boys&#39; mother, Latvian-born Baiba Saulite, was murdered in 2006, shorty after the boys were returned to her. The case remains unsolved despite a lengthy investigation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year&#39;s abductions were among 1,500 cases dealt with by the department where Irish people got into some form of serious trouble abroad.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Other incidents included kidnappings, arrests, accidents and hospitalisation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 225 Irish citizens died abroad during 2013, an increase of 31 on the number who died in foreign countries the previous year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 255 Irish citizens arrested last year, compared with 290 in 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officials said contact from families of people in some sort of trouble increases greatly during June, July and August.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These months accounted for half of all emergencies notified to the department last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The highest number of so-called &quot;consular emergencies&quot; occurred in Spain, followed by Australia, the US, Britain, Canada, France, Thailand, Portugal, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Italy, India, the Netherlands, China, Vietnam and New Zealand.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The response to these incidents often involves both embassy or consular staff on the ground and department staff back in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Assisted</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This was the situation in the case of convicted drugs mule Michaella McCollum, who was jailed for six years and eight months in Peru last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As Ireland does not have an embassy in Peru, officials were dispatched from the embassy in Mexico and were assisted by a consular team back in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They ensured Ms McCollum&#39;s family was kept abreast of developments in the case and also monitored her successful application for a transfer to a prison in Northern Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The department has set up a section on its website where people traveling abroad can register their contact details &quot;in the event of an emergency or crisis situation&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	During the Arab Spring in 2011, the department set up an emergency crisis assistance team to help Irish citizens leave trouble zones.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This team arranged the evacuation of around 400 people from Libya. Two Air Corps planes were used to fly the evacuees, made up of Irish and EU citizens, to Malta.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/concern-voiced-over-surge-in-child-abduction-cases-30510019.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/concern-voiced-over-surge-in-child-abduction-cases-30510019.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-15 10:23:39',NULL,'concern-voiced-over-surge-in-child-abduction-cases'),(643,'Male victims of child sexual abuse are twice as likely to be out of work due to illness','<p>\r\n	Men who have been sexually abused in childhood are twice as likely to be out of work due to sickness and disability, a major ESRI study reveals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is the first research into the economic impact of abuse on the lives of adult survivors and confirms the knock-on effects for household income are &quot;real and substantial&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The impact of child sexual abuse on women&#39;s employment was found to be much smaller and not statistically significant - but this may be due to fact that it was older age groups, who would have had lower workforce participation, who were the focus of research.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The findings are revealed in a new joint study by the ESRI and Trinity College which drew on data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), involving 8,500 people over 50 who are living in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The people involved suffered the abuse more than three decades earlier but its lasting impact is now affecting them financially.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They were interviewed between 2009 and 2011 about a wide range of issues such as income, wealth, job status and health. The analysis in the unique study may have particular use in assessing the compensation due to victims who have been abused.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	ESRI researcher, Prof Alan Barrett said: &quot;Through a self-reported questionnaire, they were also asked questions about sexual abuse suffered before the age of 18.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The survey recorded a rate of abuse of 5.6pc in men and 6.7pc in women but this may be an underestimate given that people are reluctant to report the issue.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The results showed:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* 17pc of men who were abused were not working as a result of being sick or permanently disabled. This compared to 8pc for those who were not abused.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* 14pc of female survivors did not have job for the same reason - compared to 6pc among those who had not been abused.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report pointed out that it is known from other research that abuse is associated with depression and that it is linked to breaks in labour force participation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We used statistical methods to disentangle possible links between abuse, sickness, disability and depression,&quot; it adds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For men, the results suggest that survivors are three times more likely to be sick and disabled compared to other men, even when accounting for the impact of psychological difficulties.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The findings on household incomes showed they were 34pc lower for men who were abused in childhood. They were also twice as likely to be living alone compared to other men who were not abused.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The authors say the results highlighted the very long-term effects in terms of labour force participation and incomes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Anxiety</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Our analysis was based on people aged 50 and over and the abuse occurred before they were aged 18,&quot; they said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Hence, it has been at least 32 years since the abuse was experienced.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;A labour force disadvantage among the victims is observed even when we control for depression and anxiety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This suggests that the impacts of childhood abuse are complex and multifaceted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is more difficult to identify a link between childhood abuse and working life for women because of the particular age group,&quot; they said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As economists, the authors were able to shed light on the job prospects of survivors but were &quot;not qualified to say much more.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, they say &quot;one implication of these results arises in the context of compensation for survivors. The results here provide a quantification of the economic impacts on individuals of having experienced child sexual abuse.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While compensation should cover factors others than economic,it &quot;seems that the economic impacts are real and substantial,&quot; they add.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The research is among the first of its kind untaken internationally and is important both in Ireland and abroad.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Previously, research has tended to be undertaken by researchers who had expertise in health and psychology.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/male-victims-of-child-sexual-abuse-are-twice-as-likely-to-be-out-of-work-due-to-illness-30510056.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/male-victims-of-child-sexual-abuse-are-twice-as-likely-to-be-out-of-work-due-to-illness-30510056.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-15 10:25:24',NULL,'male-victims-of-child-sexual-abuse-are-twice-as-likely-to-be-out-of-work-due-to-illness'),(644,'Plan to relocate two children in care will go ahead','<p>\r\n	Guardian concerned about impact of move on boy facing State exams</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Child and Family Agency told the Dublin District Family Court yesterday it would go ahead with a plan to move two children in care to a new location despite concerns raised by the children&rsquo;s court-appointed guardian and parents.<br />\r\n	Judge Colin Daly was told the guardian was particularly anxious about the impact on one of the children who was due to face State examinations next year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A solicitor for the father in the case said the move was &ldquo;ill-considered&rdquo;. A psychiatric report had found the boy benefited from stability and was doing well at the local school. A move away from the local area would be &ldquo;a major reversal&rdquo; for him in terms of his friendships and the progress he had made since going into care, the solicitor said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also said there had not been a &ldquo;critical breakdown&rdquo; in the children&rsquo;s current placement and the agency should have tried harder since March, when it was aware of the need to move, to find an alternative placement in the locality.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The children&rsquo;s mother, who was unrepresented, said the younger child would go wherever her brother was, but the upheaval would have a &ldquo;major impact&rdquo; on her son and &ldquo;really set him back&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The solicitor for the guardian said his client was &ldquo;very, very concerned&rdquo;, particularly about the impact on the boy. The current local placement had been supported by family involvement and this had &ldquo;somewhat softened&rdquo; the impact of being in care. But a move to the suggested rural location would cause difficulties.<br />\r\n	He said he had written to the agency requesting details of the chronology of the search for the new placement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The solicitor for the agency said the case was before the court to notify it of the move.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There was a &ldquo;transition plan&rdquo; in place and there were good reasons why the move was happening, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As part of the plan, the children would be told of their relocation &ldquo;today or tomorrow&rdquo;, and would be moving in two week&rsquo;s time. Efforts to find a local foster placement had not been successful.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge asked the agency to note the positions of the parents and the guardian and to provide information to them about the search for an alternative placement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He listed the case again for next week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We will proceed with the plan from today,&rdquo; the solicitor said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge said he noted that, and the other parties could make a formal application to oppose it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Separately, Judge Daly extended an interim care order for three boys whose father had travelled out of the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The children&rsquo;s court-appointed guardian gave evidence their primary wish was to be with their father and they had a fantasy he would come back and bring them travelling on adventures, but they were happy to remain with the foster carers if he did not.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said the youngest child had asked for a mobile phone so that if his father returned, if he needed to he could call the foster carers to rescue him. The solicitor for the agency said they had not been able to talk to the father since he left Ireland, and he had not responded to emails, though they were aware he had received them. They were not sure what European country he was living in.<br />\r\n	Asked by the judge whether they had been able to source birth certificates for the children, the social worker said the authority in the children&rsquo;s birth country had stipulated access to certificates was a complex legal procedure and it did not believe the Child and Family Agency had the power to obtain them. The agency was &ldquo;pursuing the matter&rdquo;, she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	In a separate case, a supervision order for a young girl was granted to the agency as part of a reunification plan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The court heard the child had been returned to her parents this week after being in foster care for more than a year. The parents agreed to be supervised for six months and also agreed to engage with a family treatment centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/plan-to-relocate-two-children-in-care-will-go-ahead-1.1897414\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/plan-to-relocate-two-children-in-care-will-go-ahead-1.1897414</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-15 10:33:19',NULL,'plan-to-relocate-two-children-in-care-will-go-ahead'),(645,'‘Legal highs’ may be linked to more deaths than heroin by 2016','<p>\r\n	Deaths linked to legal highs could surpass those related to heroin use within just two years, a new report by a think-tank will say.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in Britain is to release a report this week calling for more to be done to combat the drugs, known as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), while also calling for a &ldquo;treatment tax&rdquo; on alcohol.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Legal highs were linked to 97 deaths in 2012 and hospital admissions rose by 56% between 2009-12 in Britain, according to new CSJ data. The think-tank estimates that on current trends, deaths related to legal highs could be higher than heroin by 2016 &mdash; at around 400 deaths a year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Drugs such as meow meow and Benzo Fury have been outlawed by the UK government but other substances, such as alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT) are still legal and new drugs flood the market quicker than they can be banned. CSJ is asking police to close so-called &ldquo;head-shops&rdquo; which sell NPS, of which they estimate there are around 250 in Britain.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And the report will brand the government&rsquo;s prevention programme FRANK &ldquo;shamefully inadequate&rdquo;. Meanwhile, the think-tank calls for a &ldquo;treatment tax&rdquo; to be added to off-licence alcohol sales to fund rehabilitation for people with drug and alcohol addictions, with a penny per unit levy funding recovery services costing &pound;1.1bn (&euro;1.3bn) in the next five years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Addiction rips into families, makes communities less safe and entrenches poverty,&rdquo; said CSJ director, Christian Guy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;For years, full recovery has been the preserve of the wealthy &mdash; closed off to the poorest people and to those with problems who need to rely on a public system.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Ambitious for Recovery report says 300,000 people in England are addicted to opiates or crack, 1.6 million are dependent on alcohol and one in seven children under the age of one live with a substance-abusing parent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Every year, drugs cost society around &pound;15bn and alcohol &pound;21bn, researchers say, while the current system is too focused on managing addicts instead of weaning them off substances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Addicts who refuse to deal with their issues could be docked welfare payments, although the CSJ proposes a &ldquo;welfare card&rdquo; to protect their families so that a proportion of benefits would have to be spent on food, clothing and travel.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The scheme would apply to parents dependent on alcohol or drugs who refuse treatment, while not having been in work for a year or more.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/world/legal-highs-may-be-linked-to-more-deaths-than-heroin-by-2016-281996.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/world/legal-highs-may-be-linked-to-more-deaths-than-heroin-by-2016-281996.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-18 11:14:55',NULL,'‘legal-highs’-may-be-linked-to-more-deaths-than-heroin-by-2016'),(646,'Our Guide to the 2014 CAO - Level 6 & 7 college courses in Ireland','<p>\r\n	CAO Guide 2014 - Level 7/6 Social Care courses in Ireland</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Athlone IT<br />\r\n	AL664 - Applied Social Studies: 310 points (up 10 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Carlow College<br />\r\n	PC404 - Applied Social Studies in Social Care: 235 points (down 15 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	IT Carlow<br />\r\n	CW017 - Applied Social Studies (Wexford): 240 points (down 50 from 2013)<br />\r\n	CW717 - Applied Social Studies: 275 points (down 20 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cork IT<br />\r\n	CR031 - Social Care: 365 points (down 5 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	IT Blanchardstown<br />\r\n	BN011 - Applied Social Studies: 320 points (down 10 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Galway-Mayo IT (GMIT)<br />\r\n	GA879 - Applied Social Studies (Mayo): 270 points (same as 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Letterkenny IT<br />\r\n	LY916 - Health and Social Care: 160 points (down 90 from 2013)<br />\r\n	LY917 - Health and Social Care: 225 points (down 75 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Irish College of Humanities &amp; Applied Social Studies<br />\r\n	CI009 - Childhood and Adolescent Care and Practices: 155 points</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	IT Tralee<br />\r\n	TL781: Social Care: 250 points (down 30 points from 2013)<br />\r\n	TL782: Youth and Community Work Practice: 260 points (down 25 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)<br />\r\n	WD018: Applied Social Studies in Social Care: 280 points (down from 20 points)<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=582308941892386&amp;id=104084236381528\">https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=582308941892386&amp;id=104084236381528</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-18 04:00:00',NULL,'our-guide-to-the-2014-cao-level-6-7-college-courses-in-ireland'),(647,'Our Guide to the 2014 CAO - Level 8 college courses in Ireland','<p>\r\n	CAO Guide 2014 - Level 8 Social Care courses in Ireland</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Athlone IT<br />\r\n	AL860 - Social Care Practice: 330 points (up 5 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	IT Carlow<br />\r\n	CW068 - Applied Social Studies (Wexford): 283 points (down 77 from 2013)<br />\r\n	CW758 - Applied Social Studies: 325 points (down 15 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)<br />\r\n	DT571 - Social Care 405 points: (up 5 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	IT Blanchardstown<br />\r\n	BN107 - Applied Social Studies in Social Care: 320 points (down 10 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	IT Tallaght<br />\r\n	TA025 - Social Care Practice 325 points: (same as 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Dundalk IT<br />\r\n	DK862 - Social Care: 315 points (down 35 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Limerick IT<br />\r\n	LC292 - Applied Social Studies (Social Care): 340 points (down 10 from 2013)<br />\r\n	LC407 - Social and Community Studies (Thurles): 210 points (up 10 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	IT Sligo<br />\r\n	SG243 - Social Care Practice: 300 points (same as 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)<br />\r\n	WD135 - Social Care Practice: 310 points (down 30 from 2013)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=582303145226299&amp;id=104084236381528\">https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=582303145226299&amp;id=104084236381528</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-18 11:28:05',NULL,'our-guide-to-the-2014-cao-level-8-college-courses-in-ireland'),(648,'Vulnerable schoolgirl (16) who went missing after learning of pregnancy has been committed to secure care by the High Court','<p>\r\n	A 16-year-old Co Dublin schoolgirl, who is six months pregnant and beyond the control of her family, has been committed to secure care by the High Court.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barrister Sarah McKechnie, who appeared for the Child and Family Agency, told the court that the teenager, who cannot be identified, was so vulnerable she was at considerable risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms McKechnie said the girl had a learning disability which placed her in a vulnerable position given that she had the cognitive functioning of an 11-year-old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She told Mr Justice Bernard Barton the girl was suicidal and demonstrated a high-risk behaviour.&nbsp; She had little understanding of the danger she was putting herself in.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court heard she lived with her father but had been absconding regularly. She had admitted having taken drugs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms McKenchie said the situation was extremely urgent and the Agency was concerned of the high level of risk both to the teenager and to her unborn child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said the girl had been missing for a number of days even after finding out she was pregnant.&nbsp; She had developed a smoking habit and had admitted to drinking alcohol.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Judge Barton heard the girl rarely attended school and the Garda&iacute; were concerned about her socialising with a negative group. There had been repeated incidents of her having failed to return home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms McKenchie said the girl&rsquo;s father had been extremely concerned about his daughter&rsquo;s behaviour and had supported the application to have her placed in secure care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Counsel said her mother had not been informed of the application before the court for fear she would alert her daughter who might again abscond.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There had been a concern that without secure care the girl would continue to abscond and would pose an increasing risk to herself in terms of drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms McKenchie said the Agency was aware that the order of the High Court could be very traumatic for the young girl and that she would be informed in &ldquo;a reasonably gentle manner.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Judge Barton directed that the girl be taken into secure care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/vulnerable-schoolgirl-16-who-went-missing-after-learning-of-pregnancy-has-been-committed-to-secure-care-by-the-high-court-30517134.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/vulnerable-schoolgirl-16-who-went-missing-after-learning-of-pregnancy-has-been-committed-to-secure-care-by-the-high-court-30517134.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-19 09:32:46',NULL,'vulnerable-schoolgirl-16-who-went-missing-after-learning-of-pregnancy-has-been-committed-to-secure-care-by-the-high-court'),(649,'Ask the doctor: What causes a child to wet the bed?','<p>\r\n	My 10-year-old son still wets the bed at night. It can happen several times a week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is very embarrassing for him and it means he avoids sleeping over in friends&#39; houses. I&#39;m afraid this is really getting him down. Are there any solutions?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Nina Byrnes replies: Bed-wetting, or nocturnal enuresis as it is medically known, has been around for a long time. It can be traced as far back as 1500 BC. It is relatively common. Wetting the bed less than two times a week is thought to affect 21pc of those aged four-and-a-half and 8pc of those aged nine-and-a-half. More frequent wetting is thought to affect 8pc of those aged four-and-a-half and 1.5pc of those aged nine-and-a-half. It resolves in most people by the age of 18, but even 2-3pc of those over 18 are thought to suffer from some bed-wetting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are two types of nocturnal enuresis. The first is primary nocturnal enuresis. That means that the bed-wetting has been present since birth. Secondary nocturnal enuresis occurs when bed-wetting starts again after a period of being dry for at least six months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The bladder is essentially a sac that holds urine that passes from the kidneys before it is passed out of the body. If a bladder is functioning normally, nerves in the bladder wall let the brain know when it is full but the brain can also send a message stopping the bladder from emptying until the person decides to empty it. The skill of controlling bladder emptying is learned when we are toilet training. In those with nocturnal enuresis, the message telling the bladder not to empty either isn&#39;t sent or isn&#39;t heard.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The cause of nocturnal enuresis isn&#39;t fully understood but there are a few possible causes. Your genes are important. If you have two parents who were bed-wetters the chance of having this is 77pc. If one parent was a bed-wetter, the risk is 40pc. Hormones may play a role. A hormone called anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) limits the amount of urine the kidneys produce and we normally produce more of this hormone at night. If this is deficient it may increase the chance of bed-wetting. The nerves controlling the bladder may be overactive or the bladder may be sensitive to smaller amounts of urine, therefore emptying more easily. Some people sleep so deeply that they don&#39;t awake when the brain sends a signal that the bladder is full.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In children, severe constipation can also put pressure on the bladder making involuntary wetting more likely. Caffeine and alcohol are bladder irritants and may exacerbate the problem in older children and adults. Certain prescription medications also make the condition more likely while infections and rare abnormalities of the urinary system may cause problems.Psychological issues need to be considered in those who start wetting after a period of dryness. Consider whether there has been any major life change such as separation, bereavement or divorce.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Bed-wetting occurs twice as often in boys than girls and is more common in those diagnosed with ADHD. Bed-wetting up to the age of five is almost considered normal and so it is only in those over this age that further investigations and treatment are suggested.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first thing to do is keep a diary. Keep a record of the amount of fluid taken. The pattern of drinking is relevant. Is it consumed mainly early or late in the day? Are there a lot of fizzy or caffeinated drinks consumed? Record how often the child goes to the toilet, whether the bowels are moving normally and whether there are any symptoms such as stinging passing urine, cloudy or smelly urine, or reduced strength of the stream.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	How does the bed-wetting occur? Is it early or late in the night? How many days a week is it happening? Does the child wake up after wetting the bed? A visit to the doctor with the diary will help identify the likely cause.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If your child is only wetting the bed a few days a week and is waking up after he wets then put in place a fluid management plan. Parents often restrict a child&#39;s fluids dramatically if they are bed-wetting. However, this is not recommended. Depending on a child&#39;s age they need between one and 2.5 litres of water daily. Fluid intake should be reduced in the hour or two before bed and it is really important to make sure they pass urine last thing at night.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Rewards should be given for drinking enough water, passing urine regularly, and helping manage the problem such as helping change the bed sheets. It is really important not to punish or chastise the child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If a reward system isn&#39;t working, an alarm may help. These alarms are sensors that are worn on the body or in a pad placed on the bed that are triggered by moisture. The idea is that they train the child to wake on passing urine. The alarm should be used every night until there have been 14 dry nights. This usually takes three to five months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The third treatment option for children is synthetic ADH which helps reduce the production of urine at night. A course of three months is usually prescribed. Many parents practice lifting the child in their sleep to go to the toilet - this isn&#39;t actually recommended.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If a treatment is working you will notice smaller wet patches, more waking with wetting and reduced wet nights. The important thing is to support your child and remain positive through the process and reassure them that in most cases bed-wetting can be treated or will resolve itself.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/ask-the-doctor-what-causes-a-child-to-wet-the-bed-30511800.html\">http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/ask-the-doctor-what-causes-a-child-to-wet-the-bed-30511800.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-19 09:34:32',NULL,'ask-the-doctor-what-causes-a-child-to-wet-the-bed'),(650,'Patricia Casey: Emotional abuse is the hidden hurt','<p>\r\n	Victims may be left with no physical marks, but it is one of the most common and harmful forms of abuse</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A reader recently contacted me to inquire what was meant by the term &quot;emotional abuse&quot;. Indeed the query did not surprise, since the phrase if often used, but less often defined.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is used synonymously with psychological or mental abuse. Emotional abuse must be distinguished from physical and sexual abuse although it may often occur in association with these. Emotional abuse can occur on its own and this makes it elusive and difficult to detect; there are no physical marks. Indeed, victims themselves often fail to appreciate that the behaviour they are experiencing is abusive since is more subtle than other types of abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The form it takes depends on the setting and the age of the victim. In the home, a child victim may experience emotional neglect, constant criticism and a gross absence of nurturing. Women or men exposed to emotional abuse at home may be subject to constant undermining, to prolonged periods of silence, to possessiveness and jealousy. Elderly people may be subject to name calling and verbal humiliation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the school, children and adolescents may face constant criticism or undermining from a teacher. They may be singled out for negative comments and wrongly blamed for the misdeeds of others. Their peers may taunt them. In the workplace, a pattern of disparagement and humiliation may be evident. And social media is now responsible for the much vaunted cyber-bullying.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There is no accurate data on how frequently emotional abuse takes place since it occurs in such disparate settings and age groups. In the US, emotional abuse represents about 7pc of reported child-abuse cases. In general, emotional abuse is regarded as the most common type of abuse although mostly it is unrecognised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is accepted by most researchers in this field that in respect of sexual or physical abuse, a single event can constitute abuse while for emotional abuse to be so defined it must be part of a pattern, occurring over time. So, a single act of criticism, say at work or in school, no matter how thoughtless or inaccurate, would not constitute emotional abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As with other types of abuse, there is now a clear recognition that emotional abuse takes place in the context of a power differential. The perpetrator acts in this way because he/she is in a position of power or authority over another. In the case of peer bullying, this differential seems less obvious and the differential usually relates to the personal fragility of the victim.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The impact of emotional abuse depends on the age at which it commenced, whether the person was believed or not and on the level of support offered in combating it. Clearly, children exposed to emotional abuse are the most vulnerable to adverse consequences, especially if it is perpetrated by their parents. Schoolchildren who are intimidated by teachers are also vulnerable but if their parents believe them and address the problem with the school and through therapy, the impact is significantly lessened. Adults themselves also need professional help in coping with emotional abuse. Irrespective of the environment in which the abuse occurs, whether it is at home, school or the workplace, exiting it is strongly recommended.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For those who struggle to be believed, to find support and to remove themselves from the situation, the consequences are little different from those experiencing any other type of abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Lack of self-confidence, anger, mood disturbance, self-harming behaviours including cutting, overdosing and substance misuse and impaired interpersonal skills have all been identified. Thus taking steps to alleviate the abuse and having access to therapy is crucial in dealing with the anger and the feelings of hurt and sadness that have resulted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It will also help turn around the distorted dynamic whereby the victim blames themselves and endeavours to work harder to find a solution. Therapy may also prevent the intergenerational transmission of this pattern of behaviour that has so clearly been described in the scientific literature.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minimisation is frequent. Perpetrators deny the effect of their behaviour while victims often suppress the idea that they are victims. This is especially true when the power differential seems unusual or counter-intuitive. Thus men are often the hidden victims of the partner&#39;s/wife&#39;s abuse; similarly older children who are bullied by those who are younger. It is for good reason that emotional abuse is called the &quot;hidden hurt&quot;, and one which begs for our recognition and understanding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/mental-health/patricia-casey-emotional-abuse-is-the-hidden-hurt-30511815.html\">http://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/mental-health/patricia-casey-emotional-abuse-is-the-hidden-hurt-30511815.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-19 09:48:18',NULL,'patricia-casey-emotional-abuse-is-the-hidden-hurt'),(651,'School survival guides published for children with autism','<p>\r\n	Teachers&rsquo;, students&rsquo; and parents&rsquo; handbooks address the challenges of returning to class</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A new series of guides to help students with autism deal with the challenges they face in school has been published by support service AsIAm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The &lsquo;back to school survival guides&rsquo; have been published for parents, teachers and students to help people with autism deal with the isolation, anxiety and bullying that can be associated with returning to school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	AsIAm chief executive Adam Harris said the handbooks &ldquo;aren&rsquo;t a magic wand&rdquo; but should help to improve communication between parents, teachers and students.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the organisation will also carry out a series of workshops in about 200 schools later in the year with a view to making them more autism friendly.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Harris said the teachers&rsquo; handbook was like &ldquo;a hitchhikers guide to autism&rdquo; because &ldquo;it is very hard to expect a teacher to be an expert in autism&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The students&rsquo; handbook, he said, was aimed at second level students who are dealing with issues such as self awareness, anxiety and engaging with support services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Autism is a developmental condition; people with it struggle with social communication, interaction and sensory processing. The autism spectrum is wide and the condition affects different people in different ways and to different degrees. Many people with autism also have other learning difficulties or other disabilities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Former president of teachers&rsquo; union ASTI Sally Maguire stressed the need for communication between school and home as students prepare to return to class. &ldquo;The biggest thing at this stage is communication between the student, the parent and the school,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When students make the transition from primary to second level they go from having one teacher a year to having up to 10 different teachers. &ldquo;So it&rsquo;s very important that the parents have one person to talk to,&rdquo; she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Parent Carrie Burton said &ldquo;the teacher needs to know the individual needs of your child because they will have had anxiety about going back to school all summer&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Burton also criticised the lack of communication between the HSE, schools and the Department of Education when it comes to providing support for children with autism. &ldquo;As a parent, you are trying to fill in all these blanks for them. You feel you&rsquo;re running around trying to do everyone&rsquo;s job for them.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The back to school handbooks can be downloaded for free at AsIAm.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/school-survival-guides-published-for-children-with-autism-1.1903821\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/school-survival-guides-published-for-children-with-autism-1.1903821</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-22 09:31:18',NULL,'school-survival-guides-published-for-children-with-autism'),(652,'Getting yourself ready physically and practically for third-level life','<p>\r\n	So you&rsquo;re off to college and you have a disability or specific learning difficulty; here&rsquo;s how to get off to a good start</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All the hard work has paid off: you have survived the Leaving Cert and you&rsquo;re off to college. However, this transition can be both an exciting and a daunting prospect. It is important to know what is expected and to familiarise yourself with the different services available to you so that you can get the most out of your college experience.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Firstly, make sure you read any literature sent to you by the college and fulfil all the registration requirements. Check start dates and gather any writing materials, textbooks or equipment you will need. If you are in receipt of a social welfare payment, you must inform the Department of Social Protection and provide documentation from the college confirming registration.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Then get yourself orientated. Orientation week allows you the time to familiarise yourself with the campus, meet some fellow students and lecturing staff, and check out the facilities and services available.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In some colleges, attendance during induction or orientation days is compulsory. If you have a physical or sensory disability, you can ask for individual orientation before the start of term, enabling you to become familiar with routes to and from lectures, the canteen and other eateries, the library, the students union etc.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you are a wheelchair user, this gives you a chance to anticipate and address any access issues you may have before you start your course.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Remember to contact and register with the disability support service (sometimes called the access office) as soon as you are registered with the college. If you received disability-related supports in school then you&rsquo;ll need them in third level, too.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Disability support service<br />\r\n	For those of you who have already disclosed your disability on the CAO supplementary information form, the disability support service will already have your contact information. It will get in touch with you and arrange to meet, but it&rsquo;s up to you to be proactive. If you don&rsquo;t link in with the service, it won&rsquo;t keep chasing you; it will be assumed that you don&rsquo;t want to avail of its services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you are attending a VEC, you need to contact the designated disability support person or the school principal. You may not be aware of what is available, so go and talk to them and find out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Things such as assisted technology, note-taking services, learning supports and transport funding all come through the disability support service or access office. It offers a discreet support service dedicated to ensuring that your disability does not put you at an academic disadvantage. It does this by carrying out what&rsquo;s called a needs assessment. This is a conversation with you to find out what disability-related supports you need, such as technology or support in your examinations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another thing you might need to consider is how you are going to get to college. Can you access public transport or will you need to organise an alternative, for example Vantastic (a subsidised door-to-door wheelchair-accessible transport service). It is worth noting that there is a huge demand for these services so you will need to contact them well in advance of the start of term.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If your chosen college is far from home and daily travel is a problem, then you need to organise accommodation as soon as you receive an offer of a college place.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Larger campuses with onsite accommodation usually have a number of accessible rooms specifically for students with mobility issues. Accommodation in or near universities, however, is notoriously difficult to find once college starts and extensive searching may be required.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sort out bills<br />\r\n	Ask friends or family to help you with this and always visit before signing a lease or agreeing to rent a room or house. Sort out bills, agree tenant and landlord responsibilities, ask for a rent book and organise a direct payment method through a local bank.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The next thing might sound silly &ndash; but prepare yourself for study. College is a very different environment from school. You are now in charge of your own learning; if you don&rsquo;t turn up for lectures or hand in assignments, no one will come looking. It really is up to you. Many courses are now modularised, which means you are continuously assessed and may have exams every term.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This means there is an added pressure on you to perform from day one, which is why I would advise you to link in with the disability support service at the start of the year as it can help you keep on track and not feel overwhelmed. The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability(Ahead) has published a really useful guide to writing academic assignments, which you can purchase from its website ahead.ie/shop.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Finally, college life is not just about being knee deep in assignments; it is also about having fun and making new friends. This might seem like a daunting task but remember the majority of first years don&rsquo;t know anyone else either; you&rsquo;re all in the same boat, so join in.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Take part in freshers&rsquo; week and visit the students union office, where you can check out the events calendar. Most colleges have a range of student societies and clubs and joining one of these is a great way to meet people and make new friends.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For further information about supports for students with disabilities in third level, contact Lorraine Gallagher, Ahead&rsquo;s information and training officer, at lorraine. gallagher@ahead.ie or phone 01-7164396. You can visit the Ahead website at ahead.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The final College Choice column will be published in The Irish Times on Friday, August 29th, following the second round of CAO offers</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/getting-yourself-ready-physically-and-practically-for-third-level-life-1.1904323?page=1\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/getting-yourself-ready-physically-and-practically-for-third-level-life-1.1904323?page=1</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-22 09:35:55',NULL,'getting-yourself-ready-physically-and-practically-for-third-level-life'),(653,'Homeless charity calls for an increase in rent aid','<p>\r\n	Rent supplement levels should be increased to match the current letting price for properties around the country, a leading homeless charity has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Simon Communities of Ireland have called on  the Government for &quot;an immediate increase&quot; in payments as part of its Pre-Budget Submission 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report explains that for many single people looking for one-bedroom apartments, the starting price is often above the rent supplement cap for that area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;On the rare occasion where a landlord will accept rent supplement, it is almost impossible to find a one-bedroom flat that falls within the supplement limits,&quot; said Niamh Randall of the Simon Community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Cork city centre, the benefit is capped at &euro;485, but the starting price for an apartment is &euro;550.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On average, apartments in Dublin cost between &euro;880 and &euro;1000 per month, despite the rent cap remaining at &euro;520.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some rented properties in Sligo town are priced between &euro;100 and &euro;200 more than the rent supplement of &euro;400.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Applications</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity also highlighted the problems with the  administration of the current scheme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some people have reportedly waited for seven months while their applications were being processed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Landlords are reluctant to accept rent supplement because of delays in processing applications, poor communication or lack of clarity in relation to the Department of Social Protection decisions,&quot; said Ms Randall.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another case involved a family of five, who weren&#39;t notified their rent supplement had been cancelled until the landlord rang to say that it hadn&#39;t been paid.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They subsequently found out their rent was &euro;50 over the &euro;950 limit and when the landlord refused to drop the price, the family were forced to move out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The number of properties available to rent increased by 4,750 in the past 12 months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/homeless-charity-calls-for-an-increase-in-rent-aid-30527645.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/homeless-charity-calls-for-an-increase-in-rent-aid-30527645.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-22 09:46:30',NULL,'homeless-charity-calls-for-an-increase-in-rent-aid'),(654,'More than 40,000 child welfare concerns reported to the HSE last year','<p>\r\n	Children&rsquo;s Minister James Reilly added not every case is what it seems but all are fully probed</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 40,000 child welfare concerns were reported to the HSE last year, figures have revealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Statistics from the Children&rsquo;s Department show the rate of referrals has continued to increase over the past seven years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2006, just over 20,000 cases landed on the HSE&rsquo;s desk but it was double that last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Children&rsquo;s Minister James Reilly added not every case is what it seems but all are fully probed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said: &ldquo;All reports of concern for the safety and well-being of a child come into the duty/intake team for assessment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;All staff receiving such a referral are professionally qualified social workers who have been trained in the duty system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;They are required to treat<br />\r\n	seriously all child welfare and child protection concerns regardless of the source.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures released by Mr Reilly show the number of concerns raised has increased every year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They reached a peak last year with 42,000 welfare or protection referrals registered with the HSE&rsquo;s Child and Family Agency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Reilly added he was unable to shed light on how many of the concerns were raised by members of the public or how many came via phone calls.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said: &ldquo;The Child and Family Agency is the appropriate body to receive all reports of concerns relating to all forms of child abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;My Department occasionally receives calls from individuals concerned about the safety<br />\r\n	and wellbeing of a child. In all such cases, my officials provide whatever assistance is required to allow such an individual to make a proper referral to the statutory authorities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Such assistance can often include my officials contacting the Child and Family Agency directly on behalf of a correspondent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It is not possible to quantify the volume of such calls.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minister also provided figures on how many times the courts have been relied on to help children at risk. From 2009 to 2012, 8,981 cases ended up being brought before a judge was required to intervene.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The statistics from 2012 show Dublin North had the highest number of court incidents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These figures, released to Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan, include the number of voluntary and involuntary care orders sought for vulnerable children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They show there were 2,070 cases in 2012 and 2,248 in 2011.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Reilly said the reporting requirements have been changed to ensure more transparency.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/more-40000-child-welfare-concerns-4101278\" style=\"font-size: 12px;\">http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/more-40000-child-welfare-concerns-4101278</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-25 11:24:48',NULL,'more-than-40000-child-welfare-concerns-reported-to-the-hse-last-year'),(655,'More children arriving in school hungry, survey finds','<p>\r\n	Teachers bringing food to school for children who are regularly hungry</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Almost one in five teachers say they have seen an increase in the number of children arriving at school hungry over the past year, according to research published today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Lost Education study polled more than 500 primary and secondary school teachers last month and more than 39 per cent said they had taken food into school for a child who was regularly hungry.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 19 per cent said they saw children arrive hungry for lessons every day while almost one in three teachers said they had seen children fall asleep in the classroom due to a lack of food. The findings of the online poll by Opinion Matters mirror earlier findings in relation to food poverty. A conference organised by the charity Healthy Food for All last November heard one in five Irish children goes to bed or school hungry because there is not enough food in the house.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardos<br />\r\n	The latest study was commissioned by a major cereals company to mark a partnership with children&rsquo;s charity Barnardos. Kellogg&rsquo;s will help the charity to provide breakfast to children attending its services and those attending Barnardos&rsquo; breakfast clubs in schools. It will also help the charity establish a new breakfast club.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;By ensuring children have a nutritious breakfast each morning, we are helping them to concentrate throughout the day, enabling them to learn and achieve their potential in life,&rdquo; said Barnardos chief executive Fergus Finlay.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Michael McDonagh of Crosscare, the social support agency of the Dublin archdiocese, said more than a quarter of children under 18 in Ireland live below the poverty line. &ldquo;We see families visit us on a weekly basis, and the demand is getting bigger,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Our idea of what food poverty is has completely changed.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/more-children-arriving-in-school-hungry-survey-finds-1.1906798\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/more-children-arriving-in-school-hungry-survey-finds-1.1906798</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-25 11:59:29',NULL,'more-children-arriving-in-school-hungry-survey-finds'),(656,'School trousers with 50-inch waist go on sale to cater for obese pupils','<p>\r\n	Super-size school uniforms are now being sold with 50inch waistlines to cope with Ireland&#39;s spiralling obesity problem.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And the situation is so critical that some schools have had to order specially made large classroom tables and chairs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Approximately one in four primary school children is now overweight or obese. As a result, uniform suppliers have been steadily increasing the size of waistlines, shirt collars, and bust width, to cope with rapidly changing demand.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Longstanding Dublin uniform suppliers, Grants of Manor Street, service more than 40 primary and post primary schools in the capital, as well as in Kildare and Wicklow. They are now selling trousers for primary school students which cater for up to a 40-inch waist.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This means there are 11 and 12-year-olds with a waistline in excess of three feet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Eric Craig, who operates a clothes shop in Arklow, sells trousers which can have a waist of up to 50 inches for boys.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We also have uniform kilts for girls up to 38 inches - we&#39;d sell a few of those each year,&quot; he told the Irish Independent. &quot;I&#39;ve provided for children in primary school with 38 inch waists. I had a child one year looking for a 40-inch, and another some years ago with a 44-inch waist.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;These uniforms would fit grown men - I&#39;m a big fella and they&#39;d fit me,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesperson for the Schoolwear House company, said it is now &quot;common&quot; to provide boy&#39;s trousers with a 40-inch waist.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They have 10 orders this coming academic year for shirts with a neck size of 18 - and 20 parents have already purchased shirts with a neck size of 17.5. They also sell jumpers for a chest up to 50 inches and school jackets come in sizes up to XXXL.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, Maria Doyle, principal of the 310-pupil Our Lady of Mercy Senior Primary School in Waterford, has had to order bigger size seats and desks, to accommodate plus-size students who won&#39;t fit on standard size furniture. She also said children wearing jumpers with a chest size of up to 50 in &quot;wouldn&#39;t be unusual&#39;&#39;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She suggested one consolation, is that the children who must avail of larger classroom seats and tables, aren&#39;t necessarily embarrassed by their size. &quot;But it does become an issue is when they take part in something like swimming lessons,&quot; she told the Irish Independent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Breathless</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They get breathless before the others and are not as agile.&quot; She also said that as a result of rising obesity levels an increased number of children now require inhalers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Weight-loss specialist Dr Eva Orsmond says many parents of overweight and obese children are &quot;absolutely living in denial&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There is a saying that if a parent thinks their child is overweight or slightly plump - the probability is that the child is already obese. A kid really shouldn&#39;t have any tummy, and if they do, that&#39;s a serious warning sign,&#39;&#39; she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are currently over 100,000 obese children in the country - and 300,000 weigh more than they should for their age.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/school-trousers-with-50inch-waist-go-on-sale-to-cater-for-obese-pupils-30533413.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/school-trousers-with-50inch-waist-go-on-sale-to-cater-for-obese-pupils-30533413.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-25 12:01:42',NULL,'school-trousers-with-50-inch-waist-go-on-sale-to-cater-for-obese-pupils'),(657,'More than 6,500 children in care of State, up 23 per cent on 2007','<p>\r\n	Tusla reports increase in number of babies from north Dublin city going into care</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 6,500 children are in the care of the State, a 23 per cent increase on 2007, new figures from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, show.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While more than 90 per cent are in foster placements, there is a serious shortage of foster carers in Dublin, particularly in north Dublin city, Tusla says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The shortage means the agency has had to relocate some children away from their own communities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2007, 5,307 children were in the care of the State.<br />\r\n	At the end of May this year the figure was 6,517. Of these, 6,054 &ndash; 93 per cent &ndash; were in foster care placements, living with individual fosterers, couples or families. The remaining children, just over 460, were in residential, specialist or secure care units and, in some cases, in specialist units in the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Almost 640 children from north Dublin city, incorporating the north inner city and the postal districts Dublin 3, 7, 9 and 11, were in foster-care placements at the end of May. The area has one of the highest proportions of children in care in the country. There are currently 390 foster carers in the north Dublin city area and, as a result of the shortfall, some children have had to be placed away from their locality.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since the beginning of the year there has also been a marked increase in the number of new babies from the area going into care directly from maternity hospitals, having been born addicted to drugs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Tusla fostering team leaders in the north Dublin city area Br&iacute;d Griffin and Lisa Smyth say there is a huge demand for foster carers for children of all ages and needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minimise disruption<br />\r\n	Ms Griffin says Tusla is keen to keep children within their community of origin if at all possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s difficult enough for children to have to move into care in the first place, so we would like to keep them in their schools with their friends,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Smyth says when a child is taken into care the aim is to minimise disruption and change, so it is very difficult if a child has to move out of the county.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It means a new environment, new family, new culture, new pace of life &ndash; it&rsquo;s change everywhere, which is really hard,&rdquo; she says. And moving from a local community can be particularly hard for teenagers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Finding foster carers is always a challenge, Ms Griffin says, but the need is particularly great in the Dublin north city area, which has one of the &ldquo;highest proportions of children in care&rdquo;, in part due to &ldquo;quite high rates of social disadvantage&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said Tusla is seeking to recruit new foster carers and hopes to attract people from all backgrounds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Professionals can only do so much; what we need is foster families. That is where the healing can really start happening for children,&rdquo; she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Single people can apply to foster as well as married couples and people in civil partnerships. The process may be started through applying online at fostering.ie or by calling a local centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Those who foster find the experience very rewarding.<br />\r\n	Paula, who does not want to be named, to protect the children in the care of herself and her husband, says potential foster carers sometimes think they are &ldquo;not good enough&rdquo; to foster.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;But if any person thinks children have a right to a nice warm bed and a safe home, then they are right for fostering,&rdquo; she says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	20 years fostering<br />\r\n	When she and her husband began fostering more than 20 years ago it was to help a relative. Since then she has had three long-term children and other children on shorter placements.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I would fully recommend it. There is nothing better than seeing a child that comes in and is hanging on to something and being quiet and then in a while you look out and they are playing or laughing and enjoying themselves,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;You say to yourself: &lsquo;I gave them the space to be who they need to be.&rsquo;&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Paula readily admits that when she and her husband began fostering they were naive about the needs of foster children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;But you get over constantly trying to make up for what went before and you come back to basics,&rdquo; she says.<br />\r\n	She is also conscious that some would-be carers are put off by the vetting process.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t have to be &lsquo;I can give them the best of everything&rsquo;, it&rsquo;s about their emotional needs,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;The social workers need to know where you are coming from, what your view is on rearing; there is nothing to be afraid of.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A local recruitment campaign for foster carers in Dublin city north will be launched later this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/more-than-6-500-children-in-care-of-state-up-23-per-cent-on-2007-1.1907774\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/more-than-6-500-children-in-care-of-state-up-23-per-cent-on-2007-1.1907774</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-26 10:31:30',NULL,'more-than-6500-children-in-care-of-state-up-23-per-cent-on-2007'),(658,'WHO calls for ban on e-cigarettes for minors','<p>\r\n	Health organisation warns devices should be regulated and not smoked indoors</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a long-awaited report today on electronic cigarettes that called for regulation of the devices and their contents, as well as bans on indoor use, advertising and sales to minors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The United Nations health agency, in a report to be debated by member states at a meeting in October, voiced concern at the concentration of the multi-billion dollar market in the hands of transnational tobacco companies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The WHO urged a range of &ldquo;regulatory options&rdquo;, including prohibiting e-cigarette makers from making health claims- such as that they help people quit smoking - until they provide &ldquo;convincing supporting scientific evidence and obtain regulatory approval&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	E-cigarettes should be regulated to &ldquo;minimise content and emissions of toxicants&rdquo;, and those solutions with fruit, candy-like and alcohol-drinks flavours should be banned, it said, and vending machines should be removed in almost all locations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/who-calls-for-ban-on-e-cigarettes-for-minors-1.1908246\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/who-calls-for-ban-on-e-cigarettes-for-minors-1.1908246</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-26 10:50:19',NULL,'who-calls-for-ban-on-e-cigarettes-for-minors'),(659,'€15k for creche worker sacked after child played in toilet bowl','<p>\r\n	A creche has been ordered to pay &euro;15,000 to a worker who was dismissed after a child in her care was found playing in a toilet bowl.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The owner of the centre told the Employment Appeals Tribunal that she considered the incident major, and that &quot;it could have led to anything from e-coli to drowning&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) ordered Clevercloggs Full Day Care Nursery to pay &euro;15,000 to Paula Fox as it deemed she was unfairly dismissed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The EAT report states that &quot;the same child again left the room unaccompanied on at least two occasions&quot; at the creche in Drumbear, Co Monaghan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On the day in question, March 11, 2011, five incidents were outlined that led to Ms Fox&#39;s dismissal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The EAT report stated that Ms Fox did not deny that the incidents occurred - but contended that staff to child ratios were not adhered to by the creche, and gave evidence of arriving that morning and being told that people were off.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Fox said that the incident of the child going to the toilet happened when her colleague was on a break.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She admitted that it was neglectful, but she stated that someone should have been in the room with her at that stage as she had five children in the sleeping room and four awake.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Fox said that she never considered that she might lose her job, and was left devastated by the entire incident.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At a disciplinary meeting on April 5, 2011, statements were read out to Ms Fox and she didn&#39;t refute any allegation - but said that it had been a stressful day and if someone had been working with her it would have happened.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But an assistant creche manager told the tribunal that nobody who works at the creche is left isolated &quot;and if you say you need help there is always somebody there&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She checked ratios for the day in question and said Ms Fox&#39;s figures &quot;didn&#39;t add up&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In its determination, the EAT found that Ms Fox was unfairly dismissed and found that in each incident too much blame was apportioned to Ms Fox.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said her part in each matter did not individually or collectively amount to misconduct.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Escape</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The EAT found that the creche &quot;had failed to provide any or any adequate childproof door closing mechanism to ensure that the children could not escape from the rooms in which they were present&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokeswoman for Clevercloggs said yesterday that child-staffing ratios &quot;were correct on the day in question&quot; and the EAT, in not making any references to child-staffing ratios in its determination, supports that fact.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that &quot;there is a strong chance&quot; that Clevercloggs will appeal the EAT decision to the circuit court. She pointed out that to have closing mechanisms on the childproof doors, highlighted by the EAT, would be contrary to regulations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said: &quot;We are in business seven years. We have always strived to provide a very high standard of care for the children here and we have always achieved that.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/more-than-6-500-children-in-care-of-state-up-23-per-cent-on-2007-1.1907774\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/more-than-6-500-children-in-care-of-state-up-23-per-cent-on-2007-1.1907774</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-26 11:01:44',NULL,'€15k-for-creche-worker-sacked-after-child-played-in-toilet-bowl'),(660,'Council ignored abuse of 1,400 children for 16 years in UK town','<p>\r\n	The horrifying cost of the official failure to confront widespread child sexual exploitation was revealed yesterday in a damning report detailing how abusers exploited 1,400 children from a single town in England over 16 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gangs of Asian men groomed, abused and trafficked vulnerable children while police were contemptuous of the victims and the council ignored what was going on, in spite of years of warnings and reports about what was happening.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite what the inquiry head called a &quot;blatant&quot; failure of leadership at the Labour-run council, nobody will be sacked or face inquiries into their inaction. The leader of the council, Roger Stone, quit yesterday because of what he called &quot;historic failings&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Failure</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He apologised in 2013 for the failure to protect children in the town and the inquiry said the act of contrition should have been made years earlier.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report commissioned by the council, covering 1997 to 2013, detailed cases where children as young as 11 had been raped by a number of different men, abducted, beaten and trafficked to other towns and cities in the north of England to continue the abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Professor Alexis Jay, who wrote the report, said she found &quot;children who had been doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight, threatened with guns, made to witness  brutally violent rapes and threatened they would be next if they told anyone.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said that three reports from 2002 to 2006 highlighted the extent of child exploitation and links to wider criminality but nothing was done, with the findings either suppressed or simply ignored. Police failed to act on the crimes and treated the victims with contempt and deemed that they were &quot;undesirables&quot; not worthy of protection, the inquiry team was told.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In most of the cases, the victims were white children under the age of 16 and the perpetrators named in the files as &quot;Asian males&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report said council staff were scared of being accused of racism by flagging up the issue in a town of nearly 260,000, where 8pc were from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, schools raised the alert over the years about children as young as 11 being picked up by taxis, given presents and phones and taken to Rotherham and other towns and cities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One researcher for the Home Office who raised concerns with senior police officers in 2002 was told not to do so again, then suspended and sidelined, the inquiry found. Youth workers who worked closely with the victims and had already repeatedly told police and officials about the problems were criticised and their roles downgraded.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The focus on Rotherham followed the jailing of five Asian men in 2010 after they were found guilty of grooming teenage girls for sex. The five men, described as sexual predators by the judge, groomed teenage girls and had sex with them in cars and parks in Rotherham.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Devastating</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The case revealed police and agencies had extensive knowledge of these activities for a decade, yet had failed to prosecute.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	John Cameron, head of NSPCC helpline, said: &quot;It is quite astonishing that even when frontline staff raised concerns, these were not acted upon so allowing devastating child sexual exploitation to go unchallenged.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Council chief executive Martin Kimber said that all the key officers concerned with child protection during the time of the review had left the council.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/council-ignored-abuse-of-1400-children-for-16-years-in-uk-town-30539875.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/council-ignored-abuse-of-1400-children-for-16-years-in-uk-town-30539875.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-27 11:36:34',NULL,'council-ignored-abuse-of-1400-children-for-16-years-in-uk-town'),(661,'Gardai step up enquiries into daylight rape claim in Dublin City','<p>\r\n	Gardai have extended their  enquiries into a claim by a young woman that she was raped by three men, who dragged her down a laneway in daylight.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman, who is aged 20, told gardai she was on her way to work when she was grabbed by the men, who had been drinking cans of beer nearby.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The alleged incident took place at about 7.45pm on Sunday in a laneway across from Phibsboro church and leading into Cabra Park, on the northside of Dublin city.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The woman said the three men had tried to start a conversation with her but she did not engage with them and kept walking.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was then dragged into the laneway where one of the men held her on the ground while a second sexually attacked her and the third kept watch.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The &quot;lookout&quot; fled during the incident while the others ran off afterwards, the woman said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She contacted the Gardai afterwards and was taken to the sexual assault unit at the Rotunda hospital for medical treatment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officers have carried out  house-to-house enquiries and are also examining footage taken from CCTV cameras in the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They have also appealed to  anybody who saw a group of men drinking cans of beer or &quot;hanging around&quot; the area between 7pm and 8pm on Sunday to contact them at Mountjoy station (telephone 01 6668600), or phone the confidential line at 1800 666111.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The suspects have been  described by the woman as aged in their early 20s and Irish.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Three men are believed to have been involved in this incident. The main culprit involved is described as being 5&rsquo;9&rdquo;, skinny build, shaved blonde hair with a light facial stubble,&quot; a garda statement reads.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;He is also described as having facial scaring. He was wearing grey cotton trousers with a white stripe down the side, a grey jumper with a hood and black runners.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The second man is described as being 6ft with a thin face and dark eyes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;He was wearing a dark grey sweatshirt with a hood, he has what is described as a distinctive scar on his left hand. No description is available for the third man,&quot; the statement continues.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/gardai-step-up-enquiries-into-daylight-rape-claim-30539816.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/gardai-step-up-enquiries-into-daylight-rape-claim-30539816.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-27 11:38:19',NULL,'gardai-step-up-enquiries-into-daylight-rape-claim-in-dublin-city'),(662,'Watchdog calls for age limit for adoptive parents','<p>\r\n	People who want to adopt should be no more than 42 years older than their child, a State agency has warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The controversial call for an age limit by the Adoption Authority comes as the number of babies available for adoption has dramatically fallen.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They are now seeing an increasing number of adoptions involving children who are older or have special needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a report the agency said 116 adoption orders were granted domestically last year, a significant rise on the 49 made in 2012. The majority were made in step-family adoptions and in only one case was a birth father adopting with his wife.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 141 foreign adoptions registered and 650 people have passed all stages of assessment, leaving them free to adopt. However, a significant number of these are unlikely to go ahead with an adoption.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This was because not all prospective adoptive parents wanted to adopt older children with needs, said the report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;In view of the changing profile of children for adoption worldwide, the need for prospective adoptive parents to be in good health and of an age to parent children with needs through to adulthood is important.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Guidelines for the assessment of prospective adoptive parents were issued in 2013. They made specific reference to medical issues and outline the need to make applicants aware of health matters as early as possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This avoids delays or disappointment later in the process,&quot; said the authority. It pointed out that it remains aware that intercountry adoption is an alternative to institutional care for children and that children&#39;s welfare and safety must be protected and safeguarded throughout the process.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Children are being placed on  average from the age of four years and have spent most of their lives in institutional care. The need for prospective parents to be familiar with the child&#39;s language is acute.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The information courses undertaken by prospective adoptive parents with the Health Service Executive and Child and Family Agency throughout 2013 have reflected the changing profile of children and additional needs of older children and sibling groups,&quot; it added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The authority also suggested if people were deemed suitable after assessment to adopt this should only be issued for two years in the best interest of the child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If they want to renew it, they should go to the High Court with an affidavit and be subject to more assessment with a declaration lasting no longer than five years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Irish adoption law is also behind practice in other countries by not allowing for open adoption where the child and birth parents have ongoing contact with each other.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sanctions should also apply to anyone who tries to adopt a child outside the State &quot;knowing it to be unsafe&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Since the 1990s the highest number of foreign and domestic adoptions took place in 2008 when 490 were registered .</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 1991 there were just 58 but they climbed as more prospective parents adopted children from abroad. Prior to that, a record 1,493 adoptions took place in 1968 and the numbers remained high to the mid-1980s.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The authority also wants an end to people&#39;s &quot;automatic legal right&quot; to be assessed as adopters,as it results in a waste of resources when they want young children only.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The right to assessment implies a right of applicants to parent a child. It is the child&#39;s right to family life that is emphasised in the Hague Convention.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/watchdog-calls-for-age-limit-for-adoptive-parents-30539861.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/watchdog-calls-for-age-limit-for-adoptive-parents-30539861.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-27 11:40:42',NULL,'watchdog-calls-for-age-limit-for-adoptive-parents'),(663,'Special needs cut letter sent \'in error\'','<p>\r\n	Parents of special needs children were left furious after a letter was circulated &quot;in error&quot; advising that speech and language therapy (SLT) services for schools would cease this month.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter, from Ballymun Road-based St Michael&#39;s House, claimed that the HSE recruitment ban meant that new therapists could not be hired to fill vacancies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It informed parents that services could, therefore, not be provided for children in the Support Teams for Education in Mainstream Schools (STEMS) programme and would end in August this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, after Fianna Fail&#39;s Colm Keaveney publicly made representations about the situation, the institution claimed that the letter was sent in error.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The letter, written by Caroline Howoth, the SLT manager at St Michael&#39;s, concluded that it was not possible to provide SLT cover so support in STEMS would cease from August 2014.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mary O&#39;Connor, clinic manager at the institution, told the Herald there had been a resolution with the HSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It went out in error, St Michael&#39;s House has written to families to inform them that the letter went out in error,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/special-needs-cut-letter-sent-in-error-30543803.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/special-needs-cut-letter-sent-in-error-30543803.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-29 10:50:36',NULL,'special-needs-cut-letter-sent-in-error'),(664,'GAA hailed for helping young people develop','<p>\r\n	The GAA was identified as a shining example of how to foster youth engagement at a major conference for young people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An international Unesco symposium at Croke Park was told by a leading academic that the organisation had perfected the ability to stitch together communities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Professor Mark Brennan, Unesco Chair in Rural Community, Leadership and Youth Development at Penn State University, said that other countries could learn from the GAA&rsquo;s example.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Prof Brennan said: &ldquo;The Gaelic Athletic Association is a true grassroots organisation. It empowers, involves and invigorates not just individual young people, but their families and wider communities. We hear a lot about the &lsquo;fabric&rsquo; of society. Organisations such as the GAA are examples of a wonderful type of clever stitching which can make this fabric strong and support young people as they develop.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some of the representatives from sport at the event included Alan Kerins, former All-Ireland winning Galway hurler and founder of Alan Kerins Projects, and Hugo MacNeill, the former Irish rugby star who runs Goldman Sachs investment banking business in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gaa-hailed-for-helping-young-people-develop-30546257.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gaa-hailed-for-helping-young-people-develop-30546257.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-29 11:06:38',NULL,'gaa-hailed-for-helping-young-people-develop'),(665,'‘To discover you can’t have children because of an STI you got when younger is just heart-breaking’','<p>\r\n	Chlamydia is the number one disease affecting a woman&rsquo;s chance to conceive and it&rsquo;s on the increase.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One in six of us experience fertility problems and according to the National Infertility Support and Information Group (NISIG) &ndash; the figures are only set to rise.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The organisation is urging young people not to have unprotected sex as STD&rsquo;s such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can leave people infertile.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Co-founder and chairperson of NISIG, Helen Browne, believes that Ireland will no doubt see an increase in the number of men and women struggling to conceive due to the increase in sexually transmitted diseases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The amount of women struggling to conceive will begin to surge over the next few years due to STD&rsquo;s and infections in the younger years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;My concern especially applies to women and men in their 20&rsquo;s who are contracting STD&rsquo;s from unprotected sex.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chlamydia is the number one disease affecting a woman&rsquo;s chance to conceive.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre showed that there were 736 cases of chlamydia in the first six weeks of this year &ndash; that&rsquo;s up by 142 cases compared to last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Advice<br />\r\n	NISIG is recommending Chlamydia screening for all sexually active women aged 25 and under.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If left untreated there is a 10-15% chance that women could develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This disease most commonly develops in sexually active women between the ages of 15-24 years old. It&rsquo;s the reason for 1 in 60 visits to GP&rsquo;s by women under 45.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chlamydia can also cause infections in the fallopian tube without any symptoms being shown, so women can go months with the disease untreated. This silent infection can lead to permanent damage to a woman&rsquo;s uterus and fallopian tubes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Browne said that:<br />\r\n	&quot;Fertility problems and not being able to conceive a child can be mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting so for hopeful parents to only discover they can&rsquo;t have children because of an STI they contracted at a younger age is absolutely heart-breaking&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	NISIG believes that more education is needed into this area &ldquo;as young people, both male and female, don&rsquo;t realise the risk and harm they are doing to themselves by contracting sexual transmitted diseases through unprotected sex&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The organisation hold monthly support groups throughout the country offering advice, information and guidance for both men and women who are suffering from fertility issues.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/infertility-sexually-transmitted-diseases-1642454-Aug2014/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/infertility-sexually-transmitted-diseases-1642454-Aug2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-08-29 11:10:02',NULL,'‘to-discover-you-can’t-have-children-because-of-an-sti-you-got-when-younger-is-just-heart-breaking’'),(666,'Less than 2% of disability centres pass Hiqa test','<p>\r\n	Inspections show just three of 190 centres comply with regulations</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Less than 2 per cent of nearly 200 hundred residential centres for people with disabilities complied fully with regulations when checked by inspectors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Just three of 190 centres in which inspections were carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) were found to be fully compliant with all aspects of the regulations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And almost 20 per cent were deemed to have failed to fully comply with any of the regulations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A sample of the issues identified by inspectors includes a large number of &ldquo;major&rdquo; non-compliances relating to fire safety and other health and safety concerns.<br />\r\n	There were also issues about staffing levels. In one centre inspectors were told residents could often be found &ldquo;walking up and down the hall&rdquo; waiting for staff to become free to assist them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Concerns were also expressed about staff training and the proper usage of restraints, including bed rails, belts and lap belts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Inadequate space and privacy issues also arose. In one centre for adult residents baby monitors were in use which inspectors found to be infringing on the residents&rsquo; right to privacy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Issues with the environment in which the residents were housed were also raised. In one case a centre built more than 30 years ago was found to be unsuitable for residents&rsquo; needs, with the majority of fixtures and fittings requiring replacement or repair, while communal areas in a centre for residents with autism were not sufficiently clean with mould on walls in a kitchen and bedroom.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The findings come after a highly critical inspection report published last month of the HSE-run &Aacute;ras Attracta centre in Swinford, Co Mayo. An inspection was carried out early this year after Hiqa was informed of the death of former resident Albert Loughney (72) whose postmortem listed extreme dehydration and malnutrition as &ldquo;severe contributory factors&rdquo; in his death.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Inspectors reported residents going without food for up to 15 hours overnight with some residents visibly underweight during an inspection of the Swinford centre in February. (A subsequent inspection in May found that practices at the centre had &ldquo;significantly improved&rdquo;).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, John Hannigan, chairman of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies which represents 63 organisations providing supports for people with intellectual disabilities, said instances such as that recorded in the Mayo centre were extremely rare in the Hiqa inspections.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said many of the non-compliances recorded were about fire and health and safety issues appropriate to an institutional setting , some of which are impractical or prohibitively expensive to implement within a residential setting.<br />\r\n	Mr Hannigan said the organisation&rsquo;s members &ldquo;unequivocally&rdquo; welcome the inspection regime.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;However, we have concerns about how the inspectors are interpreting some of the regulations . . . which are based on standards for institutional rather than community settings,&rdquo; he said, adding that the body has sought a meeting with Hiqa and the Department of Health to discuss this issue.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He also pointed to resource issues with some organisations reporting cuts of 25 per cent to their funding in recent years which he said in some cases has led to non-compliance in the areas of staffing and the built environment: &ldquo;seven years of withdrawal of funding from the sector has had a huge toll&rdquo;, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/less-than-2-of-disability-centres-pass-hiqa-test-1.1886657\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/less-than-2-of-disability-centres-pass-hiqa-test-1.1886657</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-01 08:59:07',NULL,'less-than-2%-of-disability-centres-pass-hiqa-test'),(667,'Domestic violence the main cause of homelessness in Limerick','<p>\r\n	ALCOHOL addictions and family disputes are the main causes people from county Limerick end up homeless according to a new report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Figures obtained by the Limerick Leader show that 608 people were homeless in the city in 2012, the most recent available figures, while a further 417 were recorded as being homeless in county Limerick.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The main causes behind homelessness in the city were recorded as being domestic violence, in 198 cases, and family disputes, in 120 cases, and in the county alcohol and drug addictions accounted for 280 of the 417 cases, followed by family disputes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures were released by the Mid-West Simon Community to highlight the need for public support of their services, as they struggle to help the &lsquo;new poor&rsquo; and the &lsquo;hidden homeless&rsquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Most homeless people in the city are listed as being in the 20-29 age category, and the majority of people presenting as being homeless are from Limerick, though many previously resided in other counties, and non-EU states.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of the 608 homeless in the city, 273 found a place to stay in a hostel or refuge, while 78 stayed with friends or family for a time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Twenty-one homeless people in the city had been released from prison, 12 were discharged from hospital, and six were discharged from a mental hospital.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Intimidation, a house fire, evictions, barring orders, and breakdowns in living arrangements were also factors. In the county, over 300 men presented themselves to homeless services, and most were again aged in the 20-38 age bracket.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of the 417 people recorded as presenting themselves to county homeless services and centres, 161 were from Limerick, while 65 were from Cork, 48 were from Dublin, and 15 were from Tipperary.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The most recent available statistics from homeless services in the Mid-West shows that 2,219 people presented to homeless services in the Mid-West in 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Mid-West Simon Community is aiming to raise &euro;100,000 this year for its services, through a &lsquo;sleep out&rsquo; challenge in the city.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	People across Limerick and beyond are encouraged to sleep out in the Gaelic Grounds on October 3 from 8pm to 6pm, and individually raise at least &euro;250 to help fund the services of the Mid-West Simon Community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Our goal is not to replicate the conditions of homelessness, but only to highlight this serious crisis that is reality for so many,&rdquo; said Jackie Bonfield, manager of the Mid-West Simon Community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The challenge is to raise awareness of the &lsquo;hidden homeless&rsquo; living amongst us - many of whom have not come forward to seek help.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;They do not live on the street, but instead live by moving from friend to friend, relative to relative, never calling a place home,&rdquo; she said. Similar events are also being held in Ennis, Kilrush and Thurles.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Bonfield said the increase in demand for their services has resulted in what could be considered a &ldquo;perfect storm&rdquo; - the housing crisis, high unemployment rates, low rent allowance limits and evictions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fianna Fail deputy Willie O&rsquo;Dea, Sinn Fein city councillor Maurice Quinlivan and the Mayor of Limerick, councillor Michael Sheahan, are among those to take up the challenge. There will be entertainment on the night to keep spirits high as temperatures dip, while there will also be designated quiet sleep zones.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Over 80 people have now signed up for sleep-outs in the four venues across the Mid-West, but over 200 are expected to sign up in total. Call 061 608980 or log on to midwestsimon.ie to sign up.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/community/domestic-violence-the-main-cause-of-homelessness-in-limerick-1-6266002\">http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/community/domestic-violence-the-main-cause-of-homelessness-in-limerick-1-6266002</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-01 09:01:43',NULL,'domestic-violence-the-main-cause-of-homelessness-in-limerick'),(668,'Former US president urges Ireland to criminalise sex buyers','<p>\r\n	Jimmy Carter says law would &lsquo;target pimps and buyers of sex instead of the prostitutes&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Former US president Jimmy Carter has written to the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and other members of the Oireachtas urging them to adopt a recommendation to criminalise the buyers of sex.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Carter backed a recommendation made by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice last year to criminalise those who purchase sex through prostitution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In an open letter to members of the Oireachtas he encouraged legislators &ldquo;to act on the recommendations of your justice committee and adopt this transformative approach to ending the exploitation, abuse and trafficking of women and girls&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Carter said Ireland had made significant progress towards legislation which, if implemented, would target &ldquo;the pimps and buyers of sex for prosecution instead of the prostitutes&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;There is little doubt that public exposure in a trial and the imposition of a fine or jail time for a few men who are prominent citizens or police officers who were buying or profiting from the sex trade would prove to be an extremely effective deterrent,&rdquo; the letter states.<br />\r\n	Mr Carter added that proposed measures would also provide long-term funding for exit programmes &ldquo;to assist prostituted women in escaping exploitation and developing national awareness campaigns to promote the equality of women and reveal the violence, inequality and coercion in prostitution&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the recommendations of the committee, which published its report on Review of the Legislation on Prostitution in June last year, &ldquo;offer an opportunity for Ireland to take a lead in this important issue and inspire others to follow&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I hope that you will lead your nation towards the protection of prostituted women and girls with a sense of urgency,&rdquo; he concluded.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Denise Charlton, chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, which briefed Mr Carter on the issue, welcomed his intervention.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This contribution by a global figure who enjoys international respect again shows the importance of the debate which has taken place here in Ireland and the need for urgent political leadership to bring this issue to a conclusion,&rdquo; she said.<br />\r\n	The Immigrant Council is one of 70 organisations which form the Turn Off the Red Light Campaign, advocating for the partial criminalisation of the industry, as adopted in Sweden in 1999, whereby the sale of sex is not unlawful but its purchase is.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Opponents of this model argue it would worsen conditions for sex workers by driving prostitution underground and leaving prostitutes more dependent on pimps and dangerous clients. They have also questioned the evidence cited in support the effectiveness of the model.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/former-us-president-urges-ireland-to-criminalise-sex-buyers-1.1914216\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/former-us-president-urges-ireland-to-criminalise-sex-buyers-1.1914216</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-01 09:07:07',NULL,'former-us-president-urges-ireland-to-criminalise-sex-buyers'),(669,'Teachers want funding to help stamp out cyberbullying in schools','<p>\r\n	Parents want schools to advise students on internet security, according to survey</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD) has called for dedicated teaching on the subject of cyberbullying in schools and funding to help tackle the problem. It said there should be an increase in the Department of Education&rsquo;s budget to provide training to parents and to develop school guidelines for those with concerns for child welfare.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	In a survey it conducted among 1,000 people, parents and children included, the NAPD found that 78 per cent believe schools should advise students on internet safety and 71 per cent that schools should ban smart phones. A ban on social media usage was favoured by 63 per cent while 73 per cent want school guidelines on cyberbullying.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	NAPD director Clive Byrne will address today&rsquo;s Understanding and Managing Cyberbullying conference which is co-hosted by Bully4u and the National Anti-Bullying Centre at DCU. &ldquo;Our schools can become pivotal to stamping out cyberbullying provided both teachers and parents are equipped with the right tools and resources to identify and deal with cyberbullying. Increased training for educators and parents is key to this objective.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Other speakers include Dr James O&rsquo;Higgins Norman, director of the Anti-Bullying Centre, and Liva Biseniece from the social network Ask.fm.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/teachers-want-funding-to-help-stamp-out-cyberbullying-in-schools-1.1913770\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/teachers-want-funding-to-help-stamp-out-cyberbullying-in-schools-1.1913770</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-01 09:12:03',NULL,'teachers-want-funding-to-help-stamp-out-cyberbullying-in-schools'),(670,'Sign language videos target deaf women at risk of domestic violence','<p>\r\n	Women&rsquo;s Aid said it can be more difficult for deaf women to seek support.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Videos targeting deaf women who are experiencing or are at risk of domestic violence have been launched by Women&rsquo;s Aid.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The sign language videos feature all of the information that is available on the Women&rsquo;s Aid website and link to a text service for deaf or hard of hearing women.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The videos feature information on where to get help, the warning signs of an abusive relationship, what supports are out there and advice on going to court.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sign language<br />\r\n	Here is the sign language video on the warning signs women should look out for.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://vimeo.com/103809465</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	To view all videos available<a href=\"http://www.womensaid.ie/information-sign-language/\">&nbsp;click here&gt;</a>.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The videos are also available on the IrishDeaf.com website and on DeafHear.ie.<br />\r\n	Margaret Martin, Director of Women&rsquo;s Aid, said for deaf women experiencing domestic violence, it can be even more difficult to seek support or to leave an abusive relationship.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Supports<br />\r\n	At Women&rsquo;s Aid, we are committed to seeking solutions to overcome additional barriers to a deaf woman&rsquo;s escape. The ISL videos are an important step in insuring that deaf women have the same access to support as all women in situations of intimate partner violence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that it is important that the deaf community are made aware of the Women&rsquo;s Aid text service, as well as the face to face support service that is available for deaf women experiencing domestic violence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Women&rsquo;s Aid say they can you an interpreter for face to face support. The interpreter can be someone you feel comfortable with or Women&rsquo;s Aid can arrange an interpreter through the Irish Deaf Society.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/womens-aid-sign-language-videos-1643870-Aug2014/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/womens-aid-sign-language-videos-1643870-Aug2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-01 09:24:26',NULL,'sign-language-videos-target-deaf-women-at-risk-of-domestic-violence'),(671,'Free online autism help now available from AsIAm.ie','<p>\r\n	A new online support and advocacy service AsIAm.ie has published a series of guides to help people with autism deal with the major challenges they face at school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The &#39;Back to School Survival Guides&#39; aim to ensure people with autism can deal with the isolation, anxiety and bullying that can accompany their annual return to school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Founder and CEO of AsIAm, Adam Harris (19), who has Asperger&#39;s syndrome, said: &quot;We hope this schools programme will make everyone involved aware of the practical day to day challenges people with autism face in school.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	With the right approach, people with autism can thrive. However, concentration, school structure, socialising and communicating are challenging aspects of education for those with autism. Download free on www.AsIAm.ie.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/life/family/parenting/free-online-autism-help-now-available-from-asiamie-30547306.html\">http://www.independent.ie/life/family/parenting/free-online-autism-help-now-available-from-asiamie-30547306.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-02 09:45:22',NULL,'free-online-autism-help-now-available-from-asiamie'),(672,'Facebook and Twitter can\'t stop children setting up secret accounts','<p>\r\n	Facebook and Twitter have admitted they cannot prevent young children from setting up secret accounts that can be used for cyberbullying.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minimum age for activating most social media accounts is 13 - but it has now emerged this is almost impossible to police.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Facebook executive Simon Milner was addressing a major cyberbullying conference in Dublin Castle.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said action is taken if illegal use of the site by minors is reported, but this can be very difficult to monitor.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We know we don&#39;t always get it right, but we have established what are know as Insafe Hotlines around Europe to help,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is not particularly well known. We operate zero tolerance as re gards bullying and harassment,&quot; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We&#39;ve been working with teaching bodies for more than a year on these hotlines in a bid to deal with cyberbullying, and improve access for school management and staff,&#39;&#39; said Mr Milner, who is Facebook&#39;s organisational director of policy for the UK, Middle East and Africa.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This approach also takes account of cyberbullying suicidal threats and the use of inappropriate photographs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, it emerged the site does not have a mechanism for school principals to directly access Facebook management in cases where suicide could be a risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Milner said most examples of bullying were linked to the use of photographs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also said that if issues cannot be resolved between the parties involved, law enforcement agencies were contacted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We are trying to make Facebook as simple as possible - and easy to control,&#39;&#39; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He pointed out that there were tools on the site to remove threatening and violent content.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We advise parents and educators to keep calm when dealing with bullying.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Patricia Cartes, head of Global Safety Outreach Public Policy at Twitter, also admitted that the company does not know who is under 13.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We haven&#39;t found a silver bullet in the online industry to meaningfully verify age,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Both speakers were addressing a national conference on the theme &#39;Understanding and Managing Cyberbullying&#39; in Dublin Castle, organised by Bully4U and the Anti-Bullying Centre at Dublin City University.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Geoffrey Shannon, the special rapporteur on Child Protection, said it was vital the law kept pace with technology. Current legislation dates back to 1997.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Clive Byrne of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, called for more funding to train teachers in this area and improved school guidelines for parents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/facebook-and-twitter-cant-stop-children-setting-up-secret-accounts-30553674.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/facebook-and-twitter-cant-stop-children-setting-up-secret-accounts-30553674.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-02 11:21:38',NULL,'facebook-and-twitter-cant-stop-children-setting-up-secret-accounts'),(673,'Abuse case ruling ‘raised the bar’ for child protection','<p>\r\n	The ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in relation to child sex abuse survivor Louise O&rsquo;Keeffe &quot;raised the bar&quot; for all child protection obligations placed on schools, a conference on cyberbullying heard yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Geoffrey Shannon, the special rapporteur on child protection, said it was not sufficient for a school to have an anti-bullying policy: That policy must be fully implemented.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Ms O&rsquo;Keeffe&rsquo;s case, the European court had stated very clearly that the State had an obligation to protect children from degrading treatment and punishment and to take a proactive approach in this area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Shannon warned liability would be saddled on a school for failing to implement policies and strategies to eliminate bullying and cyberbullying, in particular.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also believed there was a need for a review of existing legislation to ensure a comprehensive response to the growing scourge of cyberbullying.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Simon Milner, Facebook&rsquo;s director of policy for the UK, Middle East and Africa, said the social network with a community of 1.3bn had an &ldquo;absolutely zero tolerance&rdquo; for hate speech, nudity, incitement to real world violence, bullying, and harassment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But, he admitted, there was a difficulty in identifying harm and offence. He said most instances on Facebook relating to bullying started with a photo. It was the most often reported category from young people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Now what we do is allow people to resolve the issue between themselves,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Principal of Col&aacute;iste Daibhead in Carrigaline, Co Cork, Tadhg &Oacute; Laighin, said principals should be able to directly access Facebook if they have a student in distress. He said it made more sense for principals to use the hotlines that had expertise across a range of services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Clive Byrne of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPDP) who also addressed the conference, said banning the use of smartphones at school would only drive the cyberbullying issue underground.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;What we need to do is teach children how to use technology responsibly so they can benefit from the wonders that the technological revolution can bring to schools,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, he felt that the social network Ask.fm was not doing enough to deal with complaints about cyberbullies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Byrne said principals found the network to be the most difficult to access when trying to get offensive posts taken down.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ask.fm had been asked to address the conference but declined because of other business commitments.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While Facebook had made school management bodies and the NAPDP aware of the hotline numbers, Mr Byrne felt that the response times were far too long.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The cyberbullying conference was organised by Bully 4U and the Anti Bullying Centre at Dublin City University.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/abuse-case-ruling-raised-the-bar-for-child-protection-284463.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/abuse-case-ruling-raised-the-bar-for-child-protection-284463.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-02 11:25:27',NULL,'abuse-case-ruling-‘raised-the-bar’-for-child-protection'),(674,'I\'m the Ombudsman for all children\" - Emily Logan on children in Direct Provision','<p>\r\n	The outgoing Children&#39;s Ombudsman talks to Lunchtime about her time in the role - and the challenges yet to be faced</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, told Newstalk Lunchtime that she is &ldquo;The Ombudsman for Children, not the Ombudsman for some Children,&rdquo; and warned that she, and her successor, must protect those children in direct provision, just as they do those children in wider Irish society.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Emily Logan has previously launched an investigation into the contracting out of residential child care services by the Child and Family Agency to the private sector.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She is due to take up leadership of the newly established Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.newstalk.ie/Im-the-Ombudsman-for-all-children-Emily-Logan-on\">http://www.newstalk.ie/Im-the-Ombudsman-for-all-children-Emily-Logan-on</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-02 11:28:54',NULL,'im-the-ombudsman-for-all-children-emily-logan-on-children-in-direct-provision'),(675,'Teenage girls bullied over nude \'selfies\'','<p>\r\n	A growing problem of &quot;sexting&quot; is leading to increasing numbers of teenage girls being bullied after sending sexually explicit images to their boyfriends.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Vulnerable young girls are being pressurised into sharing intimate photos, which can then be used in an exploitative way .</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Primarily such &#39;sexts&#39; are sent using mobile phones, or social messaging applications such as Snapchat, Viber and WhatsApp.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although pressurised into sending the inappropriate pictures, the victims tend to be blamed and many are unaware that they are in fact being subjected to what the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) classifies as &quot;sexual violence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The worrying trend has prompted the DRCC to seek to combat the problem directly with teenage students in schools and other education&nbsp; settings, such as Youthreach.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It has drawn up a module to be used in association with its Bodyright sexual violence awareness-raising programme, aimed primarily at 16-year-olds in Transition Year, although it may also be used with other groups.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The &lsquo;sexting&rsquo; module, which includes DVDs on the issue produced in Australia and the UK, will be rolled out in coming weeks to be used by those already trained in the Bodyright programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Overall, the DRCC has trained about 300 Bodyright facilitators, including guidance counsellors and teachers in almost 70 of the country&rsquo;s 730 second-level schools.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While bullying, cyberbullying and relationships and sex are dealt with in schools under a variety of headings, such as Social Personal and Health Education and anti-bullying programmes, DRCC felt the need to respond specifically to the emerging problem with &lsquo;sexting&rsquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Leonie O&rsquo;Dowd of the DRCC said at this stage it was a pilot programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms O&rsquo;Dowd said &lsquo;sexting&rsquo; was increasingly prevalent and &ldquo;youngsters don&rsquo;t really understand the implications or the consequences of their actions, either for themselves or for their friends.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Some kids use it as a form of bullying. These intimate images can have a severe impact on those involved for the rest of their lives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said research on the exact number of those engaging in sexting has not been carried out, but this year they were increasingly hearing about it from their facilitators.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Some of them have said half of their work is dealing with this issue,&rdquo; said Ms O&rsquo;Dowd.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said their intention was &ldquo;prevention&rdquo; and by teaching the module they hoped the children would &ldquo;realise that it&rsquo;s not a bit of fun, and they&rsquo;ll think before they press that button&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The BodyRight programme has been developed with funding provided by Cosc &ndash; The National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is aimed at helping participants to examine their own and others&rsquo; attitudes and behaviours with regard to sexual violence and explore how these attitudes affect the person who experiences sexual violence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms O&rsquo;Dowd was speaking at the launch of the latest Rape Crisis annual report which shows a &ldquo;disturbing increase&rdquo; in sexual violence last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 12,000 calls were answered by its 24-hour helpline in 2013 &ndash; the highest figure since 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Around 43pc of calls related to adult rape.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Most cases of rape and other sex crimes were carried out by someone known to the victim.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teenage-girls-bullied-over-nude-selfies-30560943.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/teenage-girls-bullied-over-nude-selfies-30560943.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-04 08:03:06',NULL,'teenage-girls-bullied-over-nude-selfies'),(676,'Eight men charged with child sexual exploitation in England','<p>\r\n	Eight men have been charged with sexually abusing girls under the age of 16 by police investigating child sexual exploitation dating back to 2005.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charges follow raids by Thames Valley Police carried out in Aylesbury and other Buckinghamshire towns on Tuesday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One of the men has been charged with three counts of raping a girl under the age of 13.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The men arrested come from Aylesbury, Milton Keynes, Buckingham and Chesham.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The men in custody are aged between 28 and 45.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The operation involved 120 officers who conducted a string of early morning raids.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The men charged are:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Arshad Jani, 32, of Cousins Drive, Aylesbury, charged with one count of conspiracy to rape a girl under the age of 16, one count of rape of a girl under the age of 16 and one count of sexual activity with a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Vikram Singh, 45, of Cannock Road, Aylesbury, charged with seven counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16 and one count of administering a substance with the intent of committing a sexual offence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Asif Hussain, 32, of Rossal Place, Milton Keynes, charged with three counts of rape of a girl under the age of 13 and one count of arranging/facilitating the prostitution of a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sohail Qamar, 40, of St Annes Road, Aylesbury, charged with one count of rape of a child under the age of 16 and one count of sexual activity with a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Akbari Khan, 35, of Mandeville Road, Aylesbury, charged with two counts of rape of a girl under the act of 16, one count of conspiracy to rape and two counts of administering a substance with the intent of committing a sexual offence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Taimoor Khan, 28, of Highbridge Road, Aylesbury, charged with two counts of rape of a girl under the of 16, one count of conspiracy to rape a child and one count of administering a substance with intent of committing a sexual offence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sajid Ali, 34, of Brockhurst Road, Chesham, charged with count of rape of a girl under the age of 16, one count of conspiracy to rape a girl under the age of 16, one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of administering a substance with the intent of committing a sexual offence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Jerome Joe, 35, of Pightle Crescent, Buckingham, charged with one count of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The men were all remanded in custody to appear at Milton Keynes Magistrates&#39; Court on Thursday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Three other men, two aged 30 and one 40, arrested in connection with the inquiry have been released without charge.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-29054064\">http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-29054064</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-04 08:44:41',NULL,'eight-men-charged-with-child-sexual-exploitation-in-england'),(677,'School book costs leave families in debt for rest of year','<p>\r\n	Families are putting themselves into debt for the rest of the year as they struggle to equip their children for the new school term.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The steep cost of school books and other essentials means it is Christmas before many come to terms with the debts they build up each September.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And the desire to keep up appearances means that middle-class families are cutting back on food and heating in order to make sure their children are well turned-out for school, with the correct uniform and textbooks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	School books represent the major cost in getting ready for the new school year, with parents reporting bills of more than &euro;300 - and one in 10 putting themselves into debt to pay for them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The schoolbooks industry acknowledges that book costs are high - due to the rising price of paper and a need to provide digital as well as hard-copy books.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Teacher&#39;s organisations admit that parents are now heavily subsidising the education system, a situation which they blame on chronic government underfunding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) said that due to the fact that parents are prioritising school costs at this time of the year, they then find themselves in financial difficulties and stress in September, October and November.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A spokesman said that it sees families struggling to make payments like electricity or gas as well as the rent or mortgage in &quot;a month or two months&#39; time&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They have to break into their household budget to make ends meet,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Michael McDonagh, who works with Crosscare, said: &quot;We are seeing a lot of middle-class families attending the food banks. They are scrimping and saving to try and make ends meet all the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;A lot of families I meet are living week to week, day to day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Families are suffering, this is the toughest time of the year for them as far as we could be concerned. And then, once schools start, they are looking at the Christmas bills coming next,&quot; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardos estimates that parents in primary school are spending an average of &euro;76 to &euro;100 on textbooks, while three in 10 parents of secondary school students are spending more than &euro;300.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Catherine Joyce, head of advocacy at Barnardos (inset), said that the ever increasing school costs are &quot;pushing families into debt&quot;, and added that one mother revealed to them that she is forced to ration basic food items like bread.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	St Vincent de Paul was part of the campaign team which led the establishment of a Code of Practice between school book publishers and the Department of Education and Skills in 2010.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the code it was agreed that publishers would not revise any text for at least four years, a costly problem which arose in the past. A spokesperson for the Irish Educational Publishers&#39; Association (IEPA) said that this code has not been breached.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the price of books remains high in an industry estimated to be worth &euro;60m.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Burden</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The IEPA, which represents publishers that produce around 90pc of the educational content tailored for the curriculum, said the cost of books remains high due to digital investment and the cost of paper.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Paper prices have gone up 25pc over the last five years globally, that has been a massive cost. And (there is) the investment in digital technology by publishers so that they can provide books on every platform,&quot; said a spokesperson.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But the Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) said the burden is too high and is &quot;evidence of government underfunding of education&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The State does not provide free primary education - it is highly subsidised by parents, teachers and communities,&quot; an INTO spokesperson said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/school-book-costs-leave-families-in-debt-for-rest-of-year-30560835.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/school-book-costs-leave-families-in-debt-for-rest-of-year-30560835.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-04 08:47:03',NULL,'school-book-costs-leave-families-in-debt-for-rest-of-year'),(678,'Nationwide information meetings for special needs parents','<p>\r\n	Sessions will provide practical information on what educational services and supports are available in local areas</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A series of information meetings for parents and guardians of children with special educational needs are being held from next month in preparation for the 2015 school year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The information sessions are being organised across the country for the first time&nbsp;<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).</span></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<span style=\"font-size: 12px;\">They will be delivered by Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) throughout the State, providing practical information on what educational services and supports are available in local areas and how to access them.</span></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While organisers regularly meet parents as part of their work, this new programme will bring a more structured approach to delivering information, the NCSE says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At the launch of the initiative in St Audoen&rsquo;s National School, Cook Street, Dublin, yesterday, Minister for Education Jan O&rsquo;Sullivan said: &ldquo;It means that parents of children with special educational needs will have more opportunities to access all of the correct information, which will help them to make informed choices about their children&rsquo;s educational needs.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first sessions will take place from October and November and are aimed at parents whose children will start school in September 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Around one in five children currently receives extra help in schools for a range of learning and special needs, the NCSE says, and this lead to many queries from parents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Parents who would like to take part in a session should contact their local organiser to find out about local dates and venues. Contact details are on the NCSE website (ncse.ie).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	At the sessions, the roles of school staff will be explained and the various schemes for accessing other supports such as special classes, transport or assistive technology will be outlined.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	NCSE head of research and communications Jennifer Doran said: &ldquo;Parents have told us and our research has confirmed, that information on services and supports is crucial but often difficult to find. These local sessions will go a long way to providing clearer information to parents about how the education system works for their children.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/nationwide-information-meetings-for-special-needs-parents-1.1917006\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/nationwide-information-meetings-for-special-needs-parents-1.1917006</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-04 08:53:11',NULL,'nationwide-information-meetings-for-special-needs-parents'),(679,'Up to 120 million girls worldwide forced to have sex by the age of 20 - UN','<p>\r\n	About 120 million girls worldwide have been forced to have sex by the age of 20, according to a United Nations report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also found a fifth of murder victims globally are under 20, resulting in 95,000 deaths in 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Drawing on data from 190 countries, the report from the UN children&#39;s agency, UNICEF, notes that children around the world are routinely exposed to physical, sexual and emotional violence ranging from murder and forced sexual acts to bullying and abusive discipline.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The violence &quot;cuts across boundaries of age, geography, religion, ethnicity and income brackets,&quot; UNICEF executive director Anthony Lake said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It occurs in places where children should be safe, their homes, schools and communities. Increasingly, it happens over the Internet, and it&#39;s perpetrated by family members and teachers, neighbours and strangers and other children.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	UNICEF found that murder is the leading cause of death among males between the ages of 10 and 19 in several countries in Central and South America, including Panama, Venezuela, El Salvador, Brazil, and Guatemala.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nigeria, where the Boko Haram terrorist group abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in April and threatened to marry them off, had the largest number of young murder victims, with almost 13,000 deaths in 2012, followed by Brazil with about 11,000, the study found.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Among countries in Western Europe and North America, the United States has the highest child homicide rate, it said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sexual violence is widespread.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the report, about one in 10 girls around the world under 20, an estimated 120 million, have been forced into sex acts, and one in three married adolescent girls, about 84 million, have been victims of emotional, physical or sexual violence committed by their husbands or partners.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	UNICEF said the prevalence of partner violence is 70% or higher in Congo and Equatorial Guinea and approaches or exceeds 50% in Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Switzerland, it said a 2009 study found 22% of girls and 8% of boys aged 15 to 17 had experienced at least one incident of sexual violence, most commonly stemming from interactions on the Internet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report showed the impact of violence on children has grown over the last decade and cited a number of reasons why the phenomenon remains largely ignored.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Violence against children in some countries is socially accepted, tacitly condoned or not seen as being abusive, UNICEF said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Victims are too young or too vulnerable to report the crimes, the legal system cannot adequately respond, and child protection services are also scarce.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Susan Bissell, chief of the child protection unit at UNICEF, said &quot;the horrific atrocities that children experience on a daily basis everywhere in the world&quot; demonstrate the urgent need for all countries to put a spotlight on the problem.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Much of the violence against children is perpetrated by the people tasked with taking care of them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On average, about six in 10 children worldwide, or almost 1 billion, between the ages of two and 14 are regularly subjected to physical punishment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We&#39;re not talking about a little smack on the bottom,&quot; Ms Bissell said. &quot;We&#39;re talking about a blunt instrument, and repeated.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Only 39 countries worldwide protect children legally from corporal punishment, the report found. Often, the violence goes unreported.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One of the reasons for this is that violence seems normal. Nearly half of all girls worldwide, between 15 and 19, think a husband is sometimes justified in hitting or beating his wife, the report found.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to UNICEF, slightly more than one-third of students between the ages of 13 and 15 worldwide are regularly bullied in school - and in Samoa, the proportion rises to three-quarters.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Europe and North America, almost one-third of students aged 11 to 15 report bullying others - and in Latvia and Romania the number rose to nearly 60%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A separate UNICEF report lays out six strategies to prevent and respond to violence against children. The steps include providing support for families and caregivers in hopes of reducing the risk of violence within the home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/up-to-120-million-girls-worldwide-forced-to-have-sex-by-the-age-of-20-un-30564010.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/up-to-120-million-girls-worldwide-forced-to-have-sex-by-the-age-of-20-un-30564010.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-05 09:03:15',NULL,'up-to-120-million-girls-worldwide-forced-to-have-sex-by-the-age-of-20-un'),(680,'Creches to focus on early learning, not child-minding','<p>\r\n	Creches and nurseries are set to leave behind their traditional image as child-minding services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Education minister Jan O&#39;Sullivan has announced a review of the qualifications necessary for staff working in such centres, as part of a wider plan to put a structure on children&#39;s learning as early as possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is the first time such a review has taken place and it may be no surprise that, as a former pre-school teacher, the new minister is making it a policy priority.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The pre-school years are regarded as key in maximising a child&#39;s education potential, but the nature and quality of what is available in individual centres can vary widely.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Early childhood education covers the period from birth to six years, but putting a focus on learning for little ones is not intended to take the fun out of their day - rather to use play as a foundation for learning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There is a universal recognition of the importance of play in education, because it allows children develop verbal communication and social skills, to be creative in the use of materials and to develop problem-solving capacities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	With many children starting school at four or five, there is a significant overlap between early childhood education and the infant years at primary school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has published a curriculum called Aistear to guide practice in either setting.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are about 4,500 creche-style providers in Ireland, over 90pc of which offer places under the Government&#39;s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme free year. The pre-school sector has received increased attention in recent years, such as through the introduction of minimum requirements for those delivering the free ECCE year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But Ms O&#39;Sullivan wants to take it a step further by strengthening the education side, starting with ensuring that all those working in the sector have minimum qualifications.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This review will make sure that we are equipping graduates with the necessary knowledge, skills and disposition to enable them to support children&#39;s educational development,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minister said she also wanted to ensure that early years education was effectively integrated into the overall education continuum.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The review will cover issues such as the extent to which relevant education and training programmes are being delivered by appropriately qualified experts, the quality of work placements and whether graduates are prepared for workplace challenges such as social diversity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The most common qualification in the sector is a further education, Level 5, typically offered by a post-Leaving Certificate course (PLC), while a higher, Level 6 qualification is necessary to be a centre leader. In some cases, staff have higher qualifications.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	By comparison, all teachers in primary and post-primary schools must have a minimum Level 8 honours degree.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a further step, later this year the minister will establish an advisory group on early years education issues, with a view to developing a co-ordinated policy response to children&#39;s early educational needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Welcoming the review, Teresa Heeney of Early Childhood Ireland said it must include the training provided for all of those working with children from birth to six years old, and not concentrate on those delivering the ECCE year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The organisation also wants inspectors to be qualified in early years education.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish National Teachers&#39; Organisation (INTO) said it welcomed any proposal for an increase in the professional qualifications of educators.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/creches-to-focus-on-early-learning-not-childminding-30563730.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/creches-to-focus-on-early-learning-not-childminding-30563730.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-05 09:30:53',NULL,'creches-to-focus-on-early-learning-not-child-minding'),(681,'One man\'s story of addiction: ‘Gambling away my mental health with 80-100 bets a day’','<p>\r\n	Today marks the start of Gamblers Anonymous Awareness week. Here, one man tells Noel Baker how a mountain of debt is slowly shrinking, years after he won the battle against his addiction.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	MICHAEL knew something was seriously wrong when, one day some years ago, he found himself betting on the outcome of a beach volleyball game.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It wasn&rsquo;t the first time he had placed peculiar wagers, in what had become a scatter-gun approach to gambling. What started at his local greyhound track in his early teens, had escalated to the stage where he was &ldquo;addicted to Teletext&rdquo;, constantly seeking updates on sporting events, ploughing cash into betting on sports in which he could most certainly not claim any expertise. &ldquo;Mainly racing, Moto GP, soccer...&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An enthusiastic, sharp fellow, Michael [not his real name], ultimately ended up laying between 80 and 100 bets a day and in debt to the tune of tens of thousands of euro.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The big thing for me was not the money,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;It was gambling away my mental health.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For years, he believed he had gambling under control and freely admits that at times he had &ldquo;loads of money&rdquo;. The situation changed dramatically when he began chasing his losses.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At the end of one year, he owed as much as &euro;35,000. A year later, it was more than double that amount.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He lost his job and, by the sounds of it, he almost lost his reasoning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But now, the debt has been whittled down to a fraction of what it was.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Every month, the money goes out it is a reminder that you never want to get into that situation again.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The situation had reached a crisis point and he visited a doctor, informing him: &ldquo;Look, I&rsquo;m in big trouble.&rdquo; Lying to friends and family, chasing losses, issues at work &mdash; it had all taken a massive toll and &ldquo;the penny dropped&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The first six months, I just stopped gambling but I wasn&rsquo;t changing my ways,&rdquo; he says.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Attending more meetings led to a more holistic approach to how he was living his life and conducting his relationships. &ldquo;You have to keep going to your meetings because if you stop, it could become attractive again,&rdquo; he says, adding that he attends meetings three or four times a week, mostly at lunchtime.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The big thing was that I did not watch races,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;You do not look up Teletext, you stop hanging around with other gamblers, you cannot buy a scratch-card.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I was addicted to Teletext. When I came into GA, I came home and the only button I could see on the TV remote control was the Teletext button. It was like a beacon.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I got a pen knife and cut it off.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If that sounds drastic, he believes he had no choice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Perhaps saying something about the scale of the problem &mdash; at least, how it is viewed by Gamblers Anonymous &mdash; Gambling Awareness Week actually lasts for two weeks. The growth in gambling here in recent years mirrors a trend from the UK. In addition to a greater number of shops, online betting is a modern-day phenomenon, creating jobs and pumping money into the economy. As far as Michael is concerned, the origins of the money is at the heart of the debate over gambling. He claims that bookmakers do not make massive profits on people &ldquo;betting on the Grand National&rdquo;. Rather, it is the compulsive gamblers that plough their money into the sector.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;There is a huge problem in society with gambling at the moment,&rdquo; he says. Heavily involved in Gamblers Anonymous, he claims attendance at some GA meetings had &ldquo;doubled, if not trebled&rdquo; in the past year, with the age-profile getting younger &mdash; &ldquo;there would be lads aged 18 or 19 coming into the room&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A larger number of secondary schools have asked GA representatives to make presentations, as since the advent of smart- phones, a bet can be only a few clicks away. According to Michael, GA has also increased its number of visits to prisons around the country, often at the request of inmates. He believes it is possible that some people jailed for petty drugs offences may have taken to selling drugs to help pay for gambling debts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Michael&rsquo;s own life has steadied remarkably in recent years, but he believes it is a work in progress and without due focus and resilience, he would be at risk of relapse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Time is a healer,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;I can laugh it all off now, but at the time it wasn&rsquo;t very funny.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The urge to gamble?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gamblers Anonymous Awareness Week 2014, from today until September 14 will include open meetings where members from the public can attend and the list of these open meetings will be on the GA website: www.gamblersanonymous.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Here are some questions that compulsive gamblers often answer &lsquo;Yes&rsquo; to:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- Do you lose time from work due to gambling?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- Is gambling affecting your reputation?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- After losing, do you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your loses?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- After a win do you have a strong urge to return and try to win more?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- Do you often gamble until your last euro is gone?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	- Do you gamble longer than you planned?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/one-mans-story-of-addiction-gambling-away-my-mental-health-with-80-100-bets-a-day-285354.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/one-mans-story-of-addiction-gambling-away-my-mental-health-with-80-100-bets-a-day-285354.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-09 10:35:43',NULL,'one-mans-story-of-addiction-‘gambling-away-my-mental-health-with-80-100-bets-a-day’'),(682,'Fight back against depression','<p>\r\n	It&#39;s completely normal to experience fluctuations in your mood, but it&#39;s still wise to keep track of the way you&#39;re feeling to make sure you can assess whether you&#39;re tipping over into depression.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Depression is a very real illness and needs to be treated accordingly. If you notice any of the following symptoms hanging around for more than two weeks, you should think about seeking help. Of course this list isn&#39;t exclusive, but it will give you a good idea of what to keep an eye on.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Negative feelings</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	You might start to notice everything just bothers you more than usual. If you find yourself getting annoyed at things more quickly than normal, or if friends and family remark on your &#39;grumpiness&#39; it could be a warning sign.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Similarly, internal problems could start to get the better of you, too. Feeling hopeless and worthless are signs of depression, as is being unable to see the positive in things and feeling like nothing will work out. Breaking down in tears without a significant trigger is also something to watch out for.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Feeling lethargic</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you suddenly start to lose interest in your hobbies or socialising, it could be a sign you&#39;re suffering from depression. You could find this lethargy seeping into the physical, manifesting itself in not being able to get up in the morning. You might also find it hard to keep on top of work or your studies and feel extremely tired throughout the day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Uncharacteristic behaviour</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you notice any significant changes in your daily routine, make a note. Eating and sleeping much more or less than normal could be a sign of depression.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Similarly, suddenly acting in a reckless manner could be a concern. If you find yourself drawn to excessive drinking, drug taking and are putting yourself in dangerous situations all of a sudden, it&#39;s time to get help.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Destructive thoughts</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We&#39;re all human and we all make mistakes. While it&#39;s normal to dwell on things you&#39;ve done &#39;wrong&#39; every now and again, watch out for these feelings of guilt taking over. Especially if they&#39;re eating into your day and causing you to lose concentration, it could be a sign of depression.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Suicidal thoughts also need to be taken very seriously. Of course most people have moments where they&#39;ve briefly thought, &#39;Oh god, I want to die,&#39; but seriously considering suicide as an option is a sign of depression and means you need to get professional help immediately.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Get help</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If you think you might be depressed, it&#39;s essential to call on professional support. Make an appointment with your doctor and they can refer you to the best person for the help.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are also things you can do to help yourself, such as staying on top of a healthy eating and sleeping routine as much as possible. Incorporate sport or calming activities such as yoga or meditation into your day to aid you in feeling centred. And don&#39;t shy away from others - your friends and family are there to support you in beating this illness.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.sundayworld.com/lifestyle/health/fight-back-against-depression\">http://www.sundayworld.com/lifestyle/health/fight-back-against-depression</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-09 10:40:18',NULL,'fight-back-against-depression'),(683,'Child grooming for sex ‘needs lengthy jail term’','<p>\r\n	Grooming children for sexual exploitation should carry a maximum prison term of 14 years, a new law proposed by a backbench TD demands.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Oireachtas justice committee member Marcella Corcoran Kennedy said the move was needed to stop abusers using &ldquo;legal confusion&rdquo; on the matter to escape punishment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Fine Gael TD is backed by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and the Immigrant Council of Ireland, and says that in the past two years, some 30 children have been identified as being trafficked in Ireland for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Ms Corcoran Kennedy says the law needs to be tightened-up to prevent a situation happening in Ireland like the Rotherham scandal in Britain.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 1,400 children were trafficked by organised gangs in the NorthernEnglish town while police ignored the problem, an official inquiry last month found.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Though the bill has little chance of making it onto the statute books, it could become incorporated in sexual offences legislation currently being put together by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Fine Gael TD said more clarity needed to be brought to the matter in order to protect vulnerable children at risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;My short bill seeks to tidy-up existing legislation in this area and introduce into Irish law the specific crime of child grooming, whether it takes place in the general community or online.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It will ensure that those who seek to harm our children can find no hiding place in the law and not have an opportunity to use legal confusion to escape justice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The creation of the offence not only reflects the unanimous view of the Oireachtas justice committee in its recommendations of June last year but also will bring Ireland into line with European directives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I am greatly encouraged by the consensus achieved already on this issue and will be seeking cross-party support for this initiative and want to acknowledge the role of frontline agencies such as Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and the Immigrant Council of Ireland in supporting the bill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The shocking nature of the allegations which are being investigated in Rotherham show us the danger of complacency when it comes to grooming &mdash; it is my hope that we quickly move on to legislation and prevent the danger such widespread abuse happening here,&rdquo; the TD said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Immigrant Council of Ireland chief executive Denise Charlton said such a change in the law would deliver a &ldquo;significant blow to traffickers, pimps and thugs&rdquo; who make millions from sexual exploitation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This bill offers an opportunity to protect and support underage girls and boys who are trafficked into and around Ireland.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/child-grooming-for-sex-needs-lengthy-jail-term-285450.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/child-grooming-for-sex-needs-lengthy-jail-term-285450.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-09 10:41:49',NULL,'child-grooming-for-sex-‘needs-lengthy-jail-term’'),(684,'Children are intimidated in asylum seeker food boycott','<p>\r\n	Two children were intimidated by adult asylum seekers into handing back their lunch as part of a food boycott in a direct provision centre.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The boycott was carried out by residents in a number of provision centres around the country as part of a campaign by asylum seekers to be moved into houses and given the right to work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fresh protests are due to be launched in another centre today amid claims that assaults on staff have increased in recent weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Immigration officials fear that &quot;outside influences&quot; are partly responsible for the growing tension within the centres.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A total of 4,500 asylum seekers are being housed and fed at 24 direct provision centres nationwide and some have been there for seven years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They are given a weekly allowance but are not permitted to work while awaiting a decision on their asylum applicants.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 800 deportation orders have been signed by ministers for justice but implementation of orders has slowed down.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Many of the decisions have been held up by a logjam in a complicated appeals process, which regularly involves judicial reviews in the courts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Successive ministers have promised to streamline the process without success.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But the current minister, Frances Fitzgerald, has promised that new legislation, known as the Protection Bill and aimed at introducing a single application procedure, will be drafted and enacted by next spring.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Surge</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The plan is to dramatically cut the time spent in direct provision and some applicants will have decisions in weeks and the rest in six months. A working group is being set up by Mrs Fitzgerald and Junior Minister Aodhan O Riordain next month to review direct provision and suggest improvements.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officials point out that the system of direct provision is not unique to Ireland and many other countries operate similar methods.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some EU states hold their asylum seekers for lengthy periods in special detention centres. But Ireland does not operate detention centres as a matter of policy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite the complaints about the direct provision scheme here, there has been a big surge in the number of asylum applications recently.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New figures show a 40pc increase in applications for the first eight months of the year, compared to the corresponding period last year, up from 607 to 854. Last July&#39;s monthly total of 131 was the highest since January 2011 and last month (126) was the second highest.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Pakistan tops the table of asylum seekers with 13pc of the applicants, followed by Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Algeria.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Based on current trends, it is expected there will be about 1,300 applications for the full year, compared with some 950 for 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The food incident involved a couple of children, who were heading for a school bus but were ordered by residents to hand back food they had collected from the canteen.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The incident, captured on CCTV cameras, took place during a five-day boycott of the food available at the centre.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/children-are-intimidated-in-asylum-seeker-food-boycott-30581533.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/children-are-intimidated-in-asylum-seeker-food-boycott-30581533.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-12 10:52:56',NULL,'children-are-intimidated-in-asylum-seeker-food-boycott'),(685,'Mother regains joint custody of boys after moving back to West','<p>\r\n	Judge tells couple to say &lsquo;kind things about each other&rsquo; to their children</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A mother who lost custody of her children after moving them to another county and taking up a job there has had shared custody reinstated by a judge.<br />\r\n	In a District Court in the west of Ireland, the judge was told the mother of two young boys had since moved back to the county where her former partner lives and is currently unemployed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The couple had lived with their boys in the local area for more than two years before they split up. They both worked periodically in well-paid jobs and also had stretches of unemployment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In March this year the judge, who is not being named to ensure the identities of the parties involved are protected, gave sole custody of the children to their unemployed father on an interim basis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the mother had moved them to another location without informing her former partner, enrolled them in a new school and was living with her sister with no home of her own, and an offer of work that &ldquo;would engage her fully for a number of months&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Psychologist&rsquo;s report<br />\r\n	The father was living in the family home, the judge said, and his family lived locally. The children had friends there and strong educational connections. On balance it was better they were in a place they knew, at a school they knew, with friends they knew and &ldquo;with a parent who is available to parent fully at this time&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	The judge also asked for a psychologist&rsquo;s report to help address custody and access.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yesterday, the solicitor for the mother said his client was satisfied with the recommendation of the psychologist that custody be jointly shared. She had moved back to the locality and was seeking work locally. She agreed her two young boys should remain in school in the area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The mother initially told the judge she would like to have her children full-time for six months, on the basis that she had not had custody at all in the previous six. It had been extremely traumatic and her health had suffered because of it, she said.<br />\r\n	The judge said he regarded the mother&rsquo;s health and welfare a secondary issue to the welfare of her children. &ldquo;I appreciate you haven&rsquo;t had the children but that was in essence your own fault,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The father suggested he have the children from Sunday night to Friday afternoon, with the mother getting them at weekends, but the judge said he agreed with the psychologist that there should be a 50/50 arrangement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He adjourned the case for brief periods in the hope the couple might come to an agreement between themselves.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Joint custody<br />\r\n	But no agreement was reached and the father said it gave him a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that he was doing the wrong thing when he considered signing a document for joint custody and access drawn up by their solicitors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge said he would instead make orders in the case. He awarded joint custody with week-on, week-off access and &ldquo;liberal phone contact&rdquo; with the children. He told the parents they were both &ldquo;very well-meaning and very headstrong&rdquo;, and warned them he&rsquo;d seen unresolved family disputes that resulted in children later coming before the criminal courts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He suggested they take a businesslike approach to their relationship in future and treat each other with respect. &ldquo;There is no reason why your respective lives should be upset or burdened by bitterness,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The children needed to hear them &ldquo;saying kind things about each other&rdquo;, he said.<br />\r\n	He adjourned a decision on maintenance to November, leaving in place an interim order requiring the mother to pay &euro;100 a week to the father. He said statements of means should be filed by both parties.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/mother-regains-joint-custody-of-boys-after-moving-back-to-west-1.1926150\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/mother-regains-joint-custody-of-boys-after-moving-back-to-west-1.1926150</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-12 10:55:51',NULL,'mother-regains-joint-custody-of-boys-after-moving-back-to-west'),(686,'Life-saving pitchside breathalyser can detect concussion','<p>\r\n	Scientists have developed a new breathalyser that can detect head injuries at the side of a pitch.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The medical breakthrough has the potential to save lives as it can quickly determine if a player has suffered concussion, the most common injury in sport, particularly rugby.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Critically, it can determine if a player is safe to return to the field within minutes of getting a knock on the head.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The breakthrough was made by scientists at Birmingham University and is a timely development in light of the number of tragedies and near misses when concussion is not spotted early.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The breathalyser picks up chemicals released by the brain after an injury occurs that are often not obvious to the observer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But Dr Michael Grey of the university&#39;s School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences who developed the test with Prof Tony Belli warned it was &quot;a long way off&quot; before the test is available.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We want parents, players and coaches to understand the issue of concussion and get the player off the pitch so the brain can recover. It&#39;s not OK to play on and take one for the team,&quot; Dr Grey said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The development has been welcomed by Brian Fitzgerald from Tralee, whose son Ronan (15) almost died following a bang to the head while playing rugby two years ago.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brian and his wife Sile were called to the local rugby club where they found their son lying in the dugout with an icepack on his head.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The youngster, who is first cousin of Kerry star Kieran Donaghy, was rushed to Kerry General Hospital by his parents before being transferred to Cork where he was diagnosed with a large cerebral haemorrhage - the same bleed that claimed the life of actor Liam Neeson&#39;s wife, Natasha Richardson.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ronan&#39;s parents have had to deal with the heartbreaking news that the Ronan they knew is gone but they feel lucky their son is still alive.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Ronan was suffering the symptoms of concussion and any test that would have expedited his treatment and prevented further damage would be a huge thing,&quot; his dad said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This simple concussion turned out to be a medical emergency and although Ronan is good and back in school, it&#39;s a hard road.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brain injury</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We&#39;re incredibly fortunate he&#39;s still with us and we&#39;d have been having a very different day at the All-Ireland next Sunday if he wasn&#39;t there,&quot; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Peter Robinson and Karen Walton weren&#39;t so lucky, following the death of their son Benjamin (14) who sustained multiple concussions during a rugby game in 2011.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The couple recently launched an information campaign in Northern Ireland raising awareness about concussion in sport.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His parents maintain if their son&#39;s first concussion had been spotted, he&#39;d still be alive.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Acquired Brain Inquiry Ireland has welcomed the breakthrough but warned that in the meantime best practice should be adhered to.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/lifesaving-pitchside-breathalyser-can-detect-concussion-30581475.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/lifesaving-pitchside-breathalyser-can-detect-concussion-30581475.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-12 11:00:06',NULL,'life-saving-pitchside-breathalyser-can-detect-concussion'),(687,'Gardai launch hunt for man who exposed himself to two children','<p>\r\n	Gardai in Co Cork are hunting for a man who exposed himself to two young children last night.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The man is understood to be aged in his early 60s.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The incident occurred at around 6pm near a footbridge in the Grange Manor Ovens area of north west Cork.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Garda spokesperson confirmed that officers from Ballincollig station are investigating reports of an act of indecent exposure.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report was made by two girls.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They described the man as being about six foot tall, with scruffy grey hair and wearing a sleeveless jacket.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After the incident occurred the shocked pair immediately reported it to gardai.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballincollig Garda station on 021 &ndash; 487 1222 or the garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-launch-hunt-for-man-who-exposed-himself-to-two-children-30593192.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-launch-hunt-for-man-who-exposed-himself-to-two-children-30593192.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-17 10:30:36',NULL,'gardai-launch-hunt-for-man-who-exposed-himself-to-two-children'),(688,'Child in residential care refuses to attend addiction services, Social Work Department says they can’t force him','<p>\r\n	An application to extend an interim care order was granted by a court where the natural mother no longer lives in Ireland. The court heard that there had been incidences where the boy was on drugs and tested positive for amphetamines.<br />\r\n	His social worker said that he had decided he did not want to attend the addiction services anymore, which was concerning to the boy&rsquo;s grandparents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The social worker said they too were &ldquo;very concerned&rdquo; about his drug taking.<br />\r\n	The court heard that the boy lived in a residential home and that there had been a few incidences where he had broken the curfew. However, he had been behaving well recently.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He has been attending counselling and is being &ldquo;very open and honest&rdquo; in sessions, said his social worker.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The grandparents said they would like the boy to live with them. But, the social worker said it was the boy&rsquo;s wishes to stay where he was and that he did not want to live with them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The solicitor for the grandmother said she was concerned about her grandson leaving education and worried about the drug use. The court heard that she felt there was no proper supervision of her grandson and he was essentially allowed do what he wanted, saying she was critical that he was permitted to just leave the addiction services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	She said she was afraid he would &ldquo;fall out&rdquo; of the school system.<br />\r\n	The social worker said they were also concerned about the drug-taking but said that it was &ldquo;very hard to force&rdquo; a teenager to go somewhere or do something he doesn&rsquo;t want to do.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;We can just encourage him to go,&rdquo; said the social worker. She said there had been a special effort made to &ldquo;get him out of bed&rdquo; and make him have a shower, adding that he was &ldquo;keeping to the boundaries&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The court heard that the residential home said they will &ldquo;keep him on&rdquo; in the home until he is 19 years old so that he can stay in education. The grandmother said she wanted monthly reports on his progress so that she &ldquo;knows what is going on&rdquo;, adding that such reports had been delayed in the recent past.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The interim care order was extended with the judge adding that any young person taking drugs is concerning, but that as he was not in detention, it was not possible to order him to attend addiction services, but only encouragement could be given.<br />\r\n	The judge said she wanted the grandparents to be kept up to speed on their grandson&rsquo;s progress with monthly reports that were to be filed on time.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/child-residential-centre-addiction-1665250-Sep2014/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/child-residential-centre-addiction-1665250-Sep2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-17 10:32:55',NULL,'child-in-residential-care-refuses-to-attend-addiction-services-social-work-department-says-they-can’t-force-him'),(689,'False CRI alert cost gardai €100k - as girl could face charges','<p>\r\n	A girl who falsely told gardai she saw a teenage boy being abducted could face charges, it has been revealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai issued a Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) alert after they were told by a witness that 15-year-old Sait Canbullu was bundled into a van by masked men on Saturday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The teenager was later found safe and well in Sligo &ndash; however the operation cost gardai more than &euro;100,000, according to The Irish Daily Mail.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Once the CRI was issued garda helicopters were dispatched &ndash; as well as over 100 officers mobilised to search for him.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Appeals were made across the media as well as on motorway signs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ports and airports were also put on alert in case there was an attempt to smuggle him out of the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is believed a teenage girl told gardai she saw Sait being abducted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai became suspicious of her claims when CCTV footage of the area was examined and no trace of the boy or van found.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is now believed the girl will face a criminal inquiry for knowingly making a false claim to gardai.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/false-cri-alert-cost-gardai-100k-as-girl-could-face-charges-30593293.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/false-cri-alert-cost-gardai-100k-as-girl-could-face-charges-30593293.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-17 10:36:50',NULL,'false-cri-alert-cost-gardai-€100k-as-girl-could-face-charges'),(690,'Daffodil Care Services are hiring','<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	Daffodil Care Services are hiring:</p>\r\n<ul style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em 3em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Social Care<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">&nbsp;Managers</span></li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Social Care&nbsp;<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">Leaders</span></li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Social Care&nbsp;<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">Workers</span></li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Social Care&nbsp;<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">Worker - Relief Capacity</span></li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	for our new therapeutic, residential services in</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">- South Tipperary</span>,<br />\r\n	<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">- Mallow, Co. Cork</span>,<br />\r\n	<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">- Swords, Co. Dublin</span>.</p>\r\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.231em; font-family: \'Open Sans\'; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);\">\r\n	Daffodil Care Services</h3>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	Daffodil Care Services was established in 2007 to provide high quality short, medium, and long term residential based services to young people. With a strong emphasis on family, Daffodil Care is committed to working intensively with young people &amp; their families through a clearly identified model of care, where reflective practice is at the core of all engagements. Since our establishment, Daffodil Care Services has become one of the leading residential childcare providers in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	We promote the values of therapeutic child and youth care engagement in a safe environment where the young person and family are at the centre of all planning, all activities, all decision-making, all interventions and all review processes.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	Our centres provide care to young people of mixed gender between the ages of 12 and 17 years. We can provide care and intensive therapeutic support to young people with presentations such as foster breakdown, challenging behaviours, suicidal ideation, and substance misuse. This work is supported by a multi-disciplinary team providing therapeutic interventions and support.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	Daffodil Care is committed to providing a continuum of care for young people and our new service in Swords, Co. Dublin will be a semi-independent residential centre affording young people greater personal responsibility and autonomy in their preparation for leaving care.</p>\r\n<h4 style=\"font-size: 1.077em; font-family: \'Open Sans\'; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);\">\r\n	Key Selection criteria across all roles</h4>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	(Key selection criteria for specific roles detailed in the attachments below)</p>\r\n<h4 style=\"font-size: 1.077em; font-family: \'Open Sans\'; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);\">\r\n	Qualification:</h4>\r\n<ul style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em 3em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		A recognised Social Care qualification OR:</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Another tertiary qualification with emphasis on Social Work, Therapy, Psychology, Education or other qualifications providing a theoretical framework for understanding human behaviour.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		A current full driver&rsquo;s licence.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Garda vetting</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4 style=\"font-size: 1.077em; font-family: \'Open Sans\'; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);\">\r\n	Knowledge and Experience:</h4>\r\n<ul style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em 3em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		A minimum of two years&rsquo; experience in working with vulnerable young people in a residential setting.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		A successful record in the delivery of care services to a high standard.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		A strong, generic social care or other professional background.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Good computing skills, including the use of MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and web browsers)</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		A sound knowledge and proven ability to interpret and apply legislation: eg. The National Standards for Children&rsquo;s Residential Services, 2001, Children&rsquo;s Act 2001.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<h4 style=\"font-size: 1.077em; font-family: \'Open Sans\'; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);\">\r\n	Skills, Personal Attributes and Abilities Required.</h4>\r\n<ul style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em 3em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Align personal practice with Daffodil Care Services&rsquo; visions, goals, policies and practices.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Demonstrate ethical practice and maintenance of professional boundaries.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Show a high degree of consistency in behaviour at all times and act as a clear role model, generating confidence and commitment of others through his/her own ethical behaviour.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Exhibit discretion and be able to earn the trust of young persons and other staff.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Demonstrate budgeting and resource management skills.</li>\r\n	<li style=\"margin: 0px;\">\r\n		Demonstrate an ability to manage and supervise agreed residential outputs such as placement plans &amp; external supports within fixed available resources.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	To apply for a position with Daffodil Care Services, please email a copy of your CV and cover letter to&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:recruitment@daffodilcare.ie\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 85, 137); text-decoration: none;\" target=\"_blank\">recruitment@daffodilcare.ie</a>&nbsp;or upload them to our CV submission section at&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.daffodilcare.ie/careers\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 85, 137); text-decoration: none;\" target=\"_blank\">www.daffodilcare.ie/careers</a>&nbsp;. For more information for a career with Daffodil Care Services, call 0818 903 984.</p>\r\n<p style=\"margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; padding: 0px; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;\">\r\n	<span style=\"font-weight: 700;\">Closing date:</span>&nbsp;30<sup>th</sup>&nbsp;September 2014<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.activelink.ie/content/vacancies/health/17336\">http://www.activelink.ie/content/vacancies/health/17336</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-17 10:38:49',NULL,'daffodil-care-services-are-hiring'),(691,'Care order for boy allegedly scalded when mother threw kettle of boiling water at him','<p>\r\n	Mother left jurisdiction, not notified of order</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An interim care order was made yesterday for a boy who had second-degree burns after his mother allegedly threw a kettle of boiling water at him.<br />\r\n	Judge Marie Quirke made the order at the Dublin District Family Court though the mother had not been notified after hearing evidence she had left the jurisdiction.<br />\r\n	The social worker said the young teenager had been in the voluntary care of the Child and Family Agency since last month. The agency was contacted by a hospital after he presented with burns on his chest.<br />\r\n	The mother was also admitted to hospital on the same evening in an intoxicated condition, the social worker said.<br />\r\n	She had serious health issues requiring medical attention. There was concern about her alcohol use.<br />\r\n	The boy has since been released from hospital and is in foster care. He continues to be treated for the burns, which are healing very well, the social worker said, and he has not yet been enrolled in school here.<br />\r\n	Guardian appointed<br />\r\n	The mother and child had returned to Ireland recently. The father was deceased. The mother initially agreed to voluntary care for the boy because she had no suitable accommodation in Ireland. She then left the jurisdiction and the voluntary agreement expired yesterday.<br />\r\n	The social worker outlined efforts made to contact the mother, including through a support centre in another jurisdiction.<br />\r\n	Judge Quirke said she believed the welfare of the child necessitated her proceeding with an order in the absence of the mother. She made the interim order for 28 days and appointed a guardian for the boy. She also directed the agency to address the boy&rsquo;s educational needs as soon as possible.<br />\r\n	In a separate case, Judge Quirke made an interim care order for three children after a four-day case which included evidence their mother lacked capacity to care for them.<br />\r\n	The mother had five children, the court heard. The oldest child was in the care of his father, while a toddler with special needs was in voluntary foster care. One child and two infants were living with the mother until yesterday.<br />\r\n	Giving evidence, the mother said it was very difficult to look after five children alone and she struggled with the child who had special needs.<br />\r\n	Her ex-partner, the father of four of her children, had abused her and the child who was not his, &ldquo;smashing phones off his head&rdquo; and jumping on him. She had taken the man back on many occasions before she stood up to him, she said.<br />\r\n	Biggest wish<br />\r\n	The mother said she had taken part in parenting courses and learned a lot but it took time.&ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t happen overnight like on Super Nanny on the telly,&rdquo; she said.<br />\r\n	She believed she was capable of looking after the three children who were with her. &ldquo;My biggest wish is my children not to be separated from me,&rdquo; she said.<br />\r\n	The court heard the children were not meeting their developmental milestones and had been brought to creche with injuries, though these were not caused by the mother.<br />\r\n	There had been ongoing attempts to support the mother with her parenting but the agency believed the children&rsquo;s health, development and wellbeing were at risk if they remained with her.<br />\r\n	The agency wanted an interim care order so that the mother could receive counselling for past trauma and one-to-one specialist help with parenting. The aim would be to reunify the family, the agency said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/care-order-for-boy-allegedly-scalded-when-mother-threw-kettle-of-boiling-water-at-him-1.1934126\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/care-order-for-boy-allegedly-scalded-when-mother-threw-kettle-of-boiling-water-at-him-1.1934126</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-19 16:04:09',NULL,'care-order-for-boy-allegedly-scalded-when-mother-threw-kettle-of-boiling-water-at-him'),(692,'Sex trafficking victims ‘in danger of abuse in Direct Provision’','<p>\r\n	That&rsquo;s according to agencies who have contacted the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Direct Provison places sex trafficking victims at risk of abuse, threats and violence, according to a submission being sent to the Minister for Justice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The Immigrant Council of Ireland has warned that it believes placing detected victims of sex-trafficking in Direct Provision Centres &ldquo;puts them in immediate danger of abuse, threats and a return to prostitution&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	It is one of four frontline agencies who have sent the submission to the Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald TD.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The proposals are supported by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, NASC, Focus Ireland and Sonas Housing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The state:<br />\r\n	Ireland is a country of destination and transit for victims of trafficking. This has been acknowledged by the annual US State DepartmentÂ’s Trafficking in Persons report as early as 2006 and has been re-confirmed by a range of international monitoring reports since.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Criticism<br />\r\n	In the submission, they highlight international criticism of Ireland for failing to protect those who have been sexually exploited.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	They also outline alternative accommodation arrangements to address the concerns.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	They argue that in the centres, victims are denied privacy, can be further abused and contacted and intimidated by pimps and traffickers to withdraw evidence to Garda&iacute;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The submission says that failings of the existing system include:<br />\r\n	Victims have very little privacy to recover from often hugely traumatic experience such as multiple rapes; they have to share bedrooms with at least one and often two other strangers on rotation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The centres are mixed gender and &ldquo;can leave already vulnerable young women open to further grooming and exploitation&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Due to the lengthy asylum process, victims of trafficking claiming international protection are accommodated for two to four years in RIA hostels, while the investigation of the crime against them is in progress.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	There is evidence that the centres are targeted by men looking to buy sexual services</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	They also suggest that accounts given by victims indicate traffickers have actually used the asylum system for residency and accommodation &ldquo;while simultaneously trafficking victims&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	A further concern is that the Direct Provision Centres are well known to the public, which the submission suggests means &ldquo;the victims could be easily traced and intimidated by their traffickers&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	So what does the submission propose to address these issues?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The provision of secure short term emergency accommodation in Dublin, Cork and Limerick with highly trained personnel.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The use of apartments and houses with outreach support from Garda&iacute;, the Child and Family Agency and other experts for stays of three months</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The provision of three to five units for longer term care of extremely vulnerable victims</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Denise Charlton Chief Executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland said:<br />\r\n	Ireland&rsquo;s failure to protect victims has been highlighted not only by those of us in the frontline but also by the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the US State Department and others internationally.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	She said that the proposals and are in line with those in Northern Ireland, Britain, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Romania and elsewhere.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;We believe they are urgently needed and can be delivered in the short term to protect one of the most vulnerable group of people in the country,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/direct-provision-sex-trafficking-1682317-Sep2014/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/direct-provision-sex-trafficking-1682317-Sep2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-22 10:43:12',NULL,'sex-trafficking-victims-‘in-danger-of-abuse-in-direct-provision’'),(693,'GAA to provide cardiac screening for teenagers','<p>\r\n	The GAA is to provide free cardiac screening to teenagers living near P&aacute;irc U&iacute; Chaoimh in Cork city as part of an agreement secured over a planned &euro;70m redevelopment of the stadium.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It will also allow local schools play on its all-weather pitches and permit community groups the use of meetings rooms in the complex, once the project is completed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cork County GAA Board chairman Bob Ryan confirmed a memorandum of understanding had been signed by the organisation and Ballintemple Area Residents Association.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The agreement was announced last week during a Bord Plean&aacute;la oral hearing into the stadium&rsquo;s revamp and led to the residents&rsquo; body withdrawing its reservations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Ryan said the GAA intends to install cardiac screening equipment in the stadium for all county players from under 14 level to seniors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said that the county board would also make specific days available when experts would be on hand to carry out &ldquo;free of charge&rdquo; tests for local teenagers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We will also let the local primary schools have use of our all-weather pitches for training or matches free of charge. They will have to be booked in advance and with our agreement, but it will be ideal for them as they will be available during the day, when we are unlikely to be using them,&rdquo; Mr Ryan said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, he said meeting rooms within the new state-of-the-art complex will also be made available to local community groups, again free of charge.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I was absolutely delighted to finalise an agreement on behalf of the county board with the people of Ballintemple and hopefully it&rsquo;s a template which can make us good neighbours into the future,&rdquo; Mr Ryan said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The county board has also agreed in principle to create a community fund to support specific local initiatives and, so far as it can, within the law ensure that &ldquo;casual and other employment opportunities that arise from activity at the redeveloped stadium will in the first instance be availed of by local young people&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although he will be stepping down as county board chairman in December, Mr Ryan will continue his role as chairman of the stadium&rsquo;s redevelopment steering committee and was &ldquo;committed&rdquo; to maintaining a good working relationship with the local community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The memorandum agrees that during construction both sides will &ldquo;meet monthly or more frequently if required&rdquo; to review the effectiveness of construction management protocols and to discuss any adverse impact on the community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After completion, a group consisting of two county board members, two members of BARA, a Garda representative and an official from the city council will meet every two months to discuss matters of concern and to review and prepare for significant games /events at the stadium.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Ryan said, in so far as it could, the county board will furnish BARA with a full yearly calendar of events.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/gaa-to-provide-cardiac-screeningfor-teenagers-288034.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/gaa-to-provide-cardiac-screeningfor-teenagers-288034.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-22 10:44:32',NULL,'gaa-to-provide-cardiac-screening-for-teenagers'),(694,'Life sentence deal for guilty plea suggested','<p>\r\n	Parole Board chief says power to release prisoners should not lie with minister</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The power to release life sentence prisoners should be taken out of the hands of the minister for justice and consideration should be given to sentencing incentives for guilty pleas at trial, the head of the Parole Board has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Solicitor John Costello suggested that if those charged with murder agreed to plead guilty, a judge should have discretion to stipulate how long their life sentence should be, as is the case in other jurisdictions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;The greatest difficulty for them is the uncertainty,&rdquo; he said of prisoners sentenced to a life term.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Under the current system in the Republic, life prisoners serve an open-ended sentence from which they can only be released if the Parole Board recommends it and the minister for justice of the day accepts the recommendation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no doubt that if it&rsquo;s a very high-profile prisoner being reviewed, the minister could be conscious of possible political repercussions and that could . . . affect the minister&rsquo;s decision,&rdquo; Mr Costello told The Irish Times. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s only fair to have a system that is not political. It&rsquo;s only right and proper. And then it means we&rsquo;ve looked at it objectively. There&rsquo;s no politics; politics doesn&rsquo;t enter it. We would have the final say.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He added that the Parole Board, with 12 members from different backgrounds and areas of expertise, would reach a more balanced decision than a minister, who may have prejudices despite their best intentions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	High-profile prisoners<br />\r\n	However, there has been some discussion about how high-profile prisoners, such as murderer Malcolm MacArthur, were kept in prison for 30 years or more, despite the average life tariff now running at 18 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Others who committed violent murders in the 1980s, when MacArthur was jailed, would have been released after seven to 10 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	However, his case continued to attract significant media attention, mainly because he was arrested in the home of the then attorney general Paddy Connolly, with whom he was acquainted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Mr Costello, who chairs the Parole Board, said while a large section of society believed &ldquo;life should mean life&rdquo; there were currently 76 former life sentence prisoners living in the community having been granted parole.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He knew of one working successfully in a charity that assisted released prisoners.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;The community can benefit,&rdquo; he said of the release of some of these prisoners. &ldquo;At a very minimum these lifers are not in prison costing the State a fortune to keep locked up.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Currently 319 serving life<br />\r\n	The cost of keeping a prisoner in jail in the Republic is about &euro;70,000 per year. Currently there are 319 prisoners serving life in the Republic, with the number increasing each year as more murders are solved and as life sentences become longer.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The Parole Board can only grant parole &ndash; release with conditions attached &ndash; in cases where people have been jailed for eight years or more. The bulk of its workload involves lifers, who are considered for parole after serving seven years and usually again at intervals of two to three years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Mr Costello said prisoners often became easier to deal with many years into a sentence, and some had grown so old they were infirm and incapable of reoffending.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;They&rsquo;ve matured; they&rsquo;ve calmed down or lost a lot of their anger,&rdquo; he said of those being reviewed for parole after years in jail. &ldquo;So you can have a reasonable chat with them. They don&rsquo;t come across as violent or evil people.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	However, others he and his colleagues dealt with would never be suitable for release.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He was in favour of a debate in the Republic on the introduction of degrees of murder, where a suspect could be charged with first, second or third degree murder &ndash; as is the case in the US &ndash; depending on the circumstances. Different sentences would apply rather than the mandatory open ended life tariff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/life-sentence-deal-for-guilty-plea-suggested-1.1936992\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/life-sentence-deal-for-guilty-plea-suggested-1.1936992</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-22 10:47:52',NULL,'life-sentence-deal-for-guilty-plea-suggested'),(695,'Homelessness crisis: 1,400 people a night are seeking emergency shelter in Dublin','<p>\r\n	Government vows to end long-term homelessness by 2016 will fail as 1,400 people a night are seeking emergency shelter in Dublin, campaigners have claimed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Simon Community in the capital said the crisis is spiralling out of control as the use of hostels, hotels and B&amp;Bs to house people is becoming the long-term solution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chief executive Sam McGuinness said every day the most vulnerable are being hit with a complex mix of housing shortages, soaring rents, inadequate allowances and discrimination against people on welfare.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Recent talks about green shoots are not reaching the most vulnerable in our society, the majority of whom never experienced any benefits from the Celtic Tiger. Sadly, the less fortunate have become have become more unfortunate,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGuinness described the crisis as a fast-moving tide of homelessness.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dublin Simon is the latest in a line of charities including Merchants Quay Ireland and The Peter McVerry Trust which work with rough sleepers, drug users and the homeless to warn of the extent of the problem despite promises to end homelessness by 2016 only made last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGuinness warned that temporary accommodation was now becoming a long-term solution with at least 50% of people who are seeking a permanent home now stuck in emergency shelters for more than six months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	On rough sleeping in Dublin city, Dublin Simon said a volunteer group counted 158 people on the streets on one night last week, 24% more than the official count last April.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity said that figure should be seen as the absolute low, as it does not include people classed as hidden homeless who are sleeping on sofas, staying in squats, in hospitals, hanging out in 24-hour internet cafes or paying for B&amp;Bs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McGuinness warned that a target set this year for 1,100 tenancies in Dublin has been slashed by one third.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It is blaringly obvious that thousands of vulnerable and frightened people are being trapped in the revolving door of inadequate and insufficient emergency accommodation, forced to remain roofless,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The longer people are forced to remain in emergency accommodation, the more intense supports they will need when they are lucky to have the opportunity to move on.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dublin Simon said its volunteers are also seeing a significant increase in the number of people bedded down in doorways, lanes and shop fronts in the inner city from Jervis Street to Amien Street and Harcourt Street.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It said demand for sleeping bags increased by 57% in the year to the end of June.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dublin Simon increased its housing capacity by 54% in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Meath in 2013 to meet demand for accommodation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Overall last year the charity provided services to more than 3,000 people and its rough sleeper team made 4,241 outreach contacts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also supported drug users with 3,284 emergency needle exchanges, a 31% increase on figures for 2012, and recorded a 20% increase in the number of people accessing our treatment services including residential detox, recovery and aftercare services, newly opened HIV respite/ stabilisation service and counselling.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Elsewhere, the charity&#39;s visiting tenancy support services, which provide prevention support for people who are at risk of loosing their homes, successfully helped 70% of people stay in the home.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/irish-news/homelessness-crisis-1400-people-a-night-are-seeking-emergency-shelter-in-dublin-30608536.html\">http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/irish-news/homelessness-crisis-1400-people-a-night-are-seeking-emergency-shelter-in-dublin-30608536.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-23 11:00:09',NULL,'homelessness-crisis-1400-people-a-night-are-seeking-emergency-shelter-in-dublin'),(696,'Parents alone cannot police our youth in cyberspace','<p>\r\n	At what point did we as a society make parents and care-givers almost solely responsible for monitoring minors in cyberspace?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the real world, we do not expect parents to man the doors to public houses or newsagent counters to prevent underage youths purchasing alcohol and cigarettes. So why do we expect parents to tackle problematic youth cyber behaviour? In an age of ubiquitous technology, smart phones, tablets and public WiFi, surely monitoring youth behaviour online is nearly impossible for parents, teachers and guardians?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	I am the academic adviser in psychology to the European Cyber Crime Centre at Europol, and we are very concerned about child welfare online. However, the landscape is continuously changing. Have you ever considered that when your child enters a search keyword and presses return, they are in fact interfacing with machine intelligence?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Where is the governance? Who is overseeing the transaction? Without doubt technology is an invaluable tool in youth education, however, when a vulnerable and distressed 11-year-old enters search words relating to &#39;thin&#39; and is presented with the &quot;gruesome and grotesque images that promote self-harm and anorexia&quot; (Webwise Youth Advisory Panel), who is responsible? More importantly, as a society, why have we been so passive in accepting the &#39;technology status quo&#39; as some form of inevitability? Why are we expected to accept sophisticated technologies that actively target children, with a collective mentality that is more representative of lemmings jumping off a cliff than one of mature reflection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Parents are promoted as the protectors of minors in online environments, however, the point at which technology companies design an app, which allows children to take risky images that are transmitted, viewed and then disappear, is the point at which &#39;youth covert behaviour&#39; is arguably being enabled by technology. How can we possibly hold parents or caretakers responsible in these circumstances? Clearly no commercial technology company wants to be associated with anything that results in harm to a child, but what is being done to address these problems? Researchers are well placed to investigate and recommend solutions, however, the issue as always, is funding. In Ireland we showed leadership in the introduction of the smoking ban, so clearly we care about the physical health of our youth. Now we need to address their cyberpsychological and mental health.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is a leadership issue, we levy plastic bags to protect the environment, but there are insufficient funds to support badly needed research and intervention regarding problematic youth behaviour online. Does this mean that as a society we care more about rubbish than our children? The television licence will ultimately be replaced with some form of household broadcasting charge, designed to allow for increasing use of technologies. I would suggest that perhaps a fraction of this publicly funded charge could be set aside to address techno-social problems such as child welfare online, and matched with public private partnership funding by concerned technology companies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It takes a village to raise a child, and social media companies are very much part of this new global village. But governance in this area would appear to have fallen to those companies who, I expect, with their modus operandi of &#39;freedom of speech&#39; and &#39;new frontierism&#39;, may have little desire to deal with images of children self-harming and worse. It would be all too familiar if our official, elected government, for fear of upsetting the status quo, was content to let child welfare fall by the wayside, once again.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	I am one of the authors of a comprehensive report that considers difficult issues relating to online abuse, cyberbullying, harassment and harmful content. Established in 2013 by former Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte, the report discusses negative content, material that may be offensive or harmful, including websites that promote self-harm, drug-taking or alcohol abuse. The recent phenomenon of &#39;neknominations&#39;; websites promoting anorexia or bulimia; websites containing racism, hate speech, or anti-LGBT attitudes; extremist political radicalisation; and websites that contain frightening, violent or gory content are discussed. The phenomenon of youth &#39;sexting&#39; is also raised, involving the sharing between users of sexually explicit messages or photos online or via mobile devices.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ease at which young people can access pornographic material online was discussed in our report, which noted that censorship of the media on the grounds of obscenity is still a feature of the legal system in Ireland. Our report outlined that in Ireland, On-Demand Audio-visual Media Services acts to regulate online audio-visual content, however, this code covers services originating within the Republic of Ireland, and has no effect on online content from outside the jurisdiction.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Territory is key in cyberspace; interestingly countries such as Germany have found effective ways of tackling some internet-related youth problems. So how many Irish children are affected? The 2011 EU Kids Online Report found that a quarter of Irish young people, aged 11-16, had come across harmful online content; 16pc had encountered hate messages; 11pc had seen anorexic/bulimic sites; 9pc had accessed self-harm sites, as well as sites about drug taking; and of serious concern, 4pc had viewed websites discussing suicide.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 11pc reported having received a sexual message or &#39;sext&#39;. In the same research, young people said that the content that upset them most was pornographic material, as well as violent content online, consisting of cruelty, abuse of animals and killings. However, this research is over three years old.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report addresses these problems from an Irish perspective and it is available online. Anybody with an interest in the protection and healthy development of children in an age of technology should have a look at it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	My colleague, Cyberpsychologist Professor John Suler, says &quot;when kids go into cyberspace on their own, it&#39;s like letting your kids free in the middle of New York City on their own&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We are at the centre of an unprecedented technological revolution, where 25pc of three-year olds now go online daily. We urgently need to start an informed public debate concerning accountability and responsibility for children online, a future-thinking discussion, where the burden of child welfare in cyberspace does not unfairly fall to parents and caregivers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mary Aiken is director of the RCSI CyberPsychology Research Centre Internet Content Governance Advisory Group Report. (Broadcasting) http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/)<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0922/645496-svp-lone-parents/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0922/645496-svp-lone-parents/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-23 11:04:44',NULL,'parents-alone-cannot-police-our-youth-in-cyberspace'),(697,'Thomas Barnardo changed the way we think about children','<p>\r\n	ISN&rsquo;T Culture Night fantastic? I don&rsquo;t know what it was like down your way, but throughout Dublin there was just an amazing buzz last Friday night. Queues everywhere to get into places like St Patrick&rsquo;s Cathedral and the Dublinia exhibition, and throngs of people in the streets. There was an incredible downpour around half seven, but it didn&rsquo;t seem to dampen anyone&rsquo;s spirits.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In Barnardos, we had spent the entire day encountering the generosity of Irish people as we shook buckets all over the country for our work. And then in the evening we decided to make our own little contribution to Culture Night, by putting on a performance in Barnardo Square.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardos Square is in the middle of Dame Street. The City Council agreed to call it that because Thomas Barnardo was born there in 1845, when it was a row of houses and shops. The Culture Night organisers had a troupe of amazing drummers in the square, and we followed that by asking Dublin&rsquo;s favourite historian Pat Liddy to tell the crowd about some of the history of the locality. We had a brilliant young dance troupe from Tallaght, and yours truly decided to dress up as Thomas Barnardo and talk for a while about his life and work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	I&rsquo;m sure I looked a sight, in my top hat and Victorian frock coat. But I was keen to do it, because so little is known in Ireland about Thomas Barnardo. In fact, when I started working for the organisation nearly ten years ago, I had assumed he was an Englishman. I knew that he was widely regarded as one of the best known philanthropists of his era, but not an awful lot more than that.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But we can claim him as one of our own, a great and distinguished Irishman. He was born right in the middle of Dame Street, and started his education in a national school (which no longer exists) round the corner in Fishamble Street (whose main claim to fame is that it was the first place where Handel&rsquo;s Messiah was performed).</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardo was sent as a young boy to the St Patrick&rsquo;s Cathedral Choir School, and it was there he had the first defining experience of his life. The principal of the school was a reverend William Dundas &ndash; in later years Barnardo was to write of him that he was the most cruel man he had ever seen. &ldquo;He seemed to take a savage delight in beating his boys.&rdquo; The behaviour of Dundas gave Thomas Barnardo a life-long hatred of violence against children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardo had deep religious conversion in his late teens and decided to become a doctor and a missionary in China. With little income, he took lodgings in the east end of London to begin his medical studies. (He actually never fully qualified as a doctor, even though he like to be referred to as Doctor Barnardo.)</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As a lay preacher, he saw it as his mission to preach against the evils of alcohol, and spent night after night being jeered and mocked, and occasionally beaten up, in the gin palaces of the east end. But he also became aware of the deep poverty in which thousands, and especially children, lived.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The second defining experience was one night in the late 1860s when he met a young boy called Jim Jarvis, the most destitute child he had ever met. The boy was in rags, with no family and no home. At Barnardo&rsquo;s urging, he showed him where hundreds of other boys were sleeping, on the rooftops because that was the only place they could get heat.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	That was the inspiration for the first of Barnardos homes for destitute boys, which he opened with the help of some friends in Stepney. As soon as it was opened it was full, and it wasn&rsquo;t long before another destitute boy, John Somers, was turned away because every bed was full.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Somers was found, frozen to death in a vegetable barrel, a couple of nights later. The incident devastated Barnardo, and from that moment on there was a sign over his premises that read &ldquo;No Destitute Child Turned Away&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardos was a difficult man. Complex and charismatic, he could be a bully, a chancer, sometimes even a bigot. He was forever involved in battles and controversies. But over the course of his life he rescued thousands of children from poverty and neglect, and built an organisation that has the highest standards in the world today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are four charities in the world named after him, in Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. They&rsquo;re all now totally independent, and each has its own sense of mission and purpose. None of the charities now run residential centres because of a core belief that the best way to solve family problems is within the family. But all owe a lot to his determination and commitment to children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When I was researching him for the talk I gave on Culture Night, I discovered one other thing about him that I&rsquo;d never known. Barnardo and his wife Syrie had seven children, a number of who died young. One who survived was his daughter Marjorie, who was born with Down Syndrome.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She too was one of the defining relationships in his life. Up to that time the commonest approach to children with intellectual disabilities was abandonment and institutionalisation. Barnardos fought against this all his life, and was one of the first people ever to argue for the rights of people with a disability.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He provided education and training to all the children in his care, and gave them a better chance at life. By the time he died he had built dozens of homes, a hospital for sick children, and a village for girls. The total number of children cared for by his organisation in his lifetime was just under 60,000 &ndash; at the time of his death nearly a quarter of the children in their care had disabilities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He more or less invented the concept of foster care &ndash; boarding out, it was called at the time. He raised millions, and spent millions more &ndash; at the time of his death the charity was in debt to the tune of a quarter of a million pounds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Barnardo grew up in the world of the Poor Law and the workhouse, where a distinction was made between the &ldquo;deserving&rdquo; poor and the &ldquo;undeserving&rdquo; poor. It was another distinction he refused to recognise, and through his work he changed the way we think about it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Especially, he changed the way we think about children. In everything he did, and as difficult as he could be, he insisted that every child, whatever circumstances they came from, had a right to care, to education, and to the best possible start in life.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There aren&rsquo;t all that many Irish people that we can genuinely say left here, and went on to change the world. Thomas Barnardo, born in the centre of Dublin when the rest of the country was being ravaged by famine, was one of that handful. His place in English history, as one of the great Victorians, is secure. Personally, I think it&rsquo;s time we claimed him back.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/columnists/fergus-finlay/thomas-barnardo-changed-the-way-we-think-about-children-288189.html\" style=\"font-size: 12px;\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/viewpoints/columnists/fergus-finlay/thomas-barnardo-changed-the-way-we-think-about-children-288189.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-23 11:11:36',NULL,'thomas-barnardo-changed-the-way-we-think-about-children'),(698,'Garda probe after boy (9) is \'offered sweets to get into stranger\'s car\' ','<p>\r\n	A young boy was allegedly approached by a motorist and twice offered sweets to get into the man&#39;s car.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Neighbours in Applewood, Swords, have been urged to remain vigilant after the nine-year-old claimed he was approached at the kerbside.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A garda spokesman told the Herald that an investigation has been launched into the incident, which happened at around 7.30pm last Sunday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The boy was smart enough not to get into the car when the man drove alongside him.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He claimed he was first approached and offered sweets in the estate when the driver pulled up beside him, but he walked away in the direction of a group of adults.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, he said he was approached a short time later and immediately ran to a friend&#39;s house in the estate to raise the alarm.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His friend&#39;s mother contacted gardai after she managed to catch the driver&#39;s registration plate, which was foreign.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai said no arrests have been made, and that officers are working to establish if the incident was a genuine abduction attempt or if there is an innocent explanation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They have decided against releasing a description of the car or its registration plate for the time being.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The last time there was a major child abduction scare in Swords was in April 2011, when four alleged attempts were reported in one week.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The cases all involved inappropriate approaches towards children being made by men.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	grab</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In one incident, a man blocked a footpath with his car and tried to grab young girls in the Swords Manor area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Three similar incidents were reported in the River Valley area around that time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officers investigating the incidents made no arrests, and reports of alleged abduction attempts eased off.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, there was one further alleged attempt in May that year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Again there were no arrests.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/garda-probe-after-boy-9-is-offered-sweets-to-get-into-strangers-car-30614468.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/garda-probe-after-boy-9-is-offered-sweets-to-get-into-strangers-car-30614468.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-25 09:12:08',NULL,'garda-probe-after-boy-9-is-offered-sweets-to-get-into-strangers-car'),(699,'Children taken into care after one allegedly beaten with a belt','<p>\r\n	Young child tells social worker father smacked her face and caused a nose bleed</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A young girl who told social workers that her father beat her with a belt after she had &ldquo;misbehaved&rdquo; at school has been taken into the care of the Child and Family Agency along with her two younger siblings.<br />\r\n	Giving evidence in a late-night emergency care order application this week, a social worker told Judge Marie Quirke of the Dublin District Family Court that he was called to the girl&rsquo;s school after she had shown her teacher bruises and told her she had &ldquo;learnt her lesson&rdquo; about her misbehaviour.<br />\r\n	The social worker said he interviewed the girl: she told him she had come home from school and her father had smacked her across the face, causing her nose to bleed.<br />\r\n	Girl struck with belt<br />\r\n	He then washed her face and put her in her bedroom. The child said her father returned with a belt and struck her with it repeatedly.<br />\r\n	The child told the social worker her father was &ldquo;very, very angry&rdquo; and shouting at her. He also tried to hold her in position when she tried to escape. She said her mother came to the door and told him to stop hitting her but he did not.<br />\r\n	The girl told the social worker her father then made her face the wall in her room and then downstairs so he could be sure she was facing the wall.<br />\r\n	He also told her &ldquo;not to bring those things out of the house&rdquo;, which she said meant she was not to tell anyone what happened.<br />\r\n	The child also disclosed that her mother left her home alone with her two younger siblings and hit them with a spatula. She also said she and her sister were told to hit their sibling who is a toddler.<br />\r\n	Garda&iacute; interviewed the parents before removing the children under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991.<br />\r\n	The children were examined at a hospital and a paediatric consultant found the eldest girl had bruises on her upper thighs and buttocks.<br />\r\n	Some bruises were &ldquo;linear&rdquo; and consistent with being beaten with an implement.<br />\r\n	The court was told the parents had been before the courts in 2011 when an emergency care order was refused on the basis they undertook not to use physical violence against their children and to attend support services.<br />\r\n	Giving evidence, the father admitted he had been &ldquo;agitated&rdquo; by his daughter&rsquo;s behaviour and &ldquo;the bubble just burst&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	Not talking to daughter<br />\r\n	He was ashamed of her behaviour, but he shouldn&rsquo;t have &ldquo;smacked her on the butt&rdquo;. He denied he had used a belt or hit her in the face.<br />\r\n	He had been trying his hardest to keep his promise not to use physical chastisement, he said, but had his own stresses.<br />\r\n	When he heard what his daughter said about him he &ldquo;felt like a monster&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	The mother told Judge Quirke she had left the children alone on two occasions to go to a nearby post office. She also said she hadn&rsquo;t been talking to her daughter at the time of the incident because of her previous behaviour.<br />\r\n	She was shopping for food when the incident occurred, she said. When she came home her husband was upset and her daughter was facing the wall and she felt she &ldquo;shouldn&rsquo;t intrude&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	Asked if she believed her daughter&rsquo;s version of what happened, she said she &ldquo;did not believe half of what her daughter said&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	Judge Quirke said she was satisfied the parents were honourable and doing their best, but &ldquo;the longer the truth is denied, the harder it is to fix it&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	She granted the emergency care order for eight days.<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/children-taken-into-care-after-one-allegedly-beaten-with-a-belt-1.1940355\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/children-taken-into-care-after-one-allegedly-beaten-with-a-belt-1.1940355</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-25 09:25:15',NULL,'children-taken-into-care-after-one-allegedly-beaten-with-a-belt'),(700,'Charity sector \'facing collapse\' after years of cuts (with case study)','<p>\r\n	Six of Ireland&rsquo;s most vital charities have urged the Government to put restoration of essential social services ahead of any plans to cut taxes in the upcoming budget.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They insisted that a &ldquo;fiver or tenner&rdquo; in a struggling person&rsquo;s pocket would be pointless if the long-term help they needed no longer existed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Wheel, the Disability Federation of Ireland, Care Alliance Ireland, Irish Rural Link, the Carmichael Centre for Voluntary Groups and the National Youth Council of Ireland took the joint stand yesterday, warning that six years of cuts had meant that voluntary and charitable services were otherwise facing &ldquo;absolute collapse&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	At a time when the top-ups scandal continues to hamper public donation drives, and years of recession-enforced cuts has seen state funding for some groups slashed by as much as 77%, director of advocacy at the Wheel, Ivan Cooper, said services must now be restored before untold damage is caused to Ireland&rsquo;s future recovery.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While acknowledging the political pressure for the wider public to benefit from tax reductions before a likely election next year, the campaigner &mdash; whose group acts as an umbrella group for 1,000 separate organisations &mdash; said the fact that 36% of charities had been forced to cut services this year due to dwindling funds, despite the fact 67% had seen demand for help rise, shows that hidden difficulties in Irish society must take precedence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We&rsquo;re talking about respite care for families being cut back; the same for home-help services; mental health services; youth services, which are down by a third since 2008 &mdash; an absolutely staggering figure &mdash; and then of course no money for people with learning disabilities or particular needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s just across the board. People need to realise that what&rsquo;s required now is that, given that two thirds of the &lsquo;adjustments&rsquo; &mdash; that&rsquo;s the term the Government uses, from the budget since 2008 have come from the expenditure side, and only one third has come from taxation, what we need to do now is restore those expenditure budgets for public and voluntary services,&rdquo; Mr Cooper said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking at the same conference, Disability Federation of Ireland chief executive, John Dolan, said half a decade of cutbacks had meant that services were now in a state of &ldquo;collapse&rdquo; or were at the point where people no longer had any faith in them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Addressing mooted government plans to reduce the top rate of income tax from 41% to 40% in the October 14 Budget, he said a &ldquo;fiver or tenner&rdquo; will do nothing to help people if they need support from services which no longer exist.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Things have gone over the edge and I think every adult now considers themselves vulnerable in some way. If something goes wrong, where are they going to turn to? A fiver in their pocket won&rsquo;t make a difference.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charities also backed a similar call from President Michael D Higgins on Monday, in which he said Ireland was in danger of &ldquo;drifting&rdquo; back to the worst excesses of the Celtic Tiger era unless it fully examined alternative, socially-focused economic models.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&lsquo;Coping with illness is enough &mdash; you don&rsquo;t need money worries&#39;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	People directly dependent on voluntary and charitable services have issued an emotional appeal to Government officials to restore funds to the bodies after revealing how repeated cutbacks are causing havoc to their daily lives.<br />\r\n	As part of the joint statement by charity groups seeking to ensure chronic funding gaps are addressed, people suffering from serious medical conditions and the reality of life in recession-hit rural Ireland gave permission for their stories to be told.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Westmeath couple Jane and Eamon, who have two young children, said their life had &ldquo;dramatically changed&rdquo; since Jane was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2011.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition to the struggle of learning to live with the mentally and physically damaging illness, the Disability Federation of Ireland said the extra financial strain is pushing the couple to the brink &mdash; with services they would normally turn to struggling to provide the help they need.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Jane and Eamon said almost half of their monthly disposable income is spent on treatment and services costs, because as they qualify for the long-term illness scheme but not the medical card, only certain drugs are free of charge.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They said the financial pressure they faced includes Jane&rsquo;s motorised wheelchair, which costs &euro;11,000, increased home heating, specialised mattresses, continence products and other aids.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	With the State providing just three essential physiotherapy sessions annually, the couple have been forced to cover Jane&rsquo;s weekly appointments in Mullingar themselves. While their home is no longer suitable for Jane&rsquo;s needs, reductions to the housing adaptation grant mean they cannot afford to pay for what is needed &mdash; cutting back on the mother-of-two&rsquo;s independence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nuala, a full-time carer for her mother, who has Huntington&rsquo;s Disease, is in a similar situation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking through the Care Alliance, Nuala said her mother first started developing the condition &mdash; which causes brain cells to degenerate &mdash; when she was 45.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nuala said the money provided by the State via the respite grant allows her to take a break from the 24-hour-a-day support, which she and tens of thousands of other carers provide with little to no acknowledgment on a daily basis.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, two years ago, the annual fund was cut from &euro;1,700 to less than &euro;1,350, meaning Nuala now only has her &euro;204 weekly carers allowance to pay for what her stricken parent needs, and forcing her to only get medications which are &ldquo;absolutely necessary&rdquo; &mdash; despite her mother needing a cocktail of tablets for various Huntington&rsquo;s-related conditions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The repeated cutbacks are not just affecting people with serious health conditions, with the Irish Rural Link saying it is aware of students having to drop out of college because they cannot afford to live in Dublin due to an escalating rent bubble, or else pay for expensive yearly commutes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While grants are available, the group said they have been slashed to the extent that young people are having to give up on their future because of the reality that supports are not there to help them now.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/charity-sector-facing-collapse-after-years-of-cuts-with-case-study-288325.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/charity-sector-facing-collapse-after-years-of-cuts-with-case-study-288325.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-25 09:41:03',NULL,'charity-sector-facing-collapse-after-years-of-cuts-with-case-study'),(701,'Children to help select our new youth ombudsman','<p>\r\n	Young people will have a major say in the recruitment of the next Ombudsman for Children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Current ombudsman Emily Logan will vacate the position on October 1 to take up a new role as Chief Commissioner of the new Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Our youth will be involved in all stages of the hiring process, from the development of the role specification, right through to the advertising of the position, interviewing and selection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is described as a &quot;refined&quot; version of the process to hire first ombudsman Ms Logan in 2003. Up to 12 children will be directly involved in the interviewing process, following recruitment via the Irish Primary Principals&#39; Network, Comhairle na n&Oacute;g, and a number of NGOs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Organisers said they will ensure a mix of age, gender, race and socio-economic backgrounds, with particular focus on &quot;seldom heard&quot; children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Announcing the recruitment process organised by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), Children and Youth Affairs Minister James Reilly said it &quot;builds on the innovative work in the original selection process in 2003&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I am particularly pleased with the extent to which children will play a role. This model has become regarded as best practice internationally.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/children-to-help-select-our-new-youth-ombudsman-30623185.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/children-to-help-select-our-new-youth-ombudsman-30623185.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-29 09:10:13',NULL,'children-to-help-select-our-new-youth-ombudsman'),(702,'Gardai appeal for information on missing teenage boy','<p>\r\n	Garda&iacute; are appealing for information about a teenage boy who went missing from the Mountrath area of Laois yesterday afternoon.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brian Stokes, aged 15, is described as being of a stocky build and has short black hair.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The&nbsp; 5&#39;8&rdquo; teen was last seen in the Mountrath area wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a white/black top with a red hoodie and blue/black runners.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 - 8674100.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-appeal-for-information-on-missing-teenage-boy-30622100.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-appeal-for-information-on-missing-teenage-boy-30622100.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-29 09:28:22',NULL,'gardai-appeal-for-information-on-missing-teenage-boy'),(703,'ISPCC backs opposition to Shatter\'s age-of-consent proposal','<p>\r\n	The ISPCC has insisted that the age of consent should stay at 17 and not be lowered.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The charity&#39;s comments come as the Justice Minister considers rowing back on the proposed changes put forward by her predecessor, Alan Shatter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Frances Fitzgerald believes lowering the age of consent to 16 could increase the trafficking of teenage prostitutes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	ISPCC director of services Caroline O&#39; Sullivan said that young people need to be emotionally mature enough before engaging in sexual activity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&quot;The age of consent, as it currently stands at 17, is a good age, because the reality is very often children and young people are getting involved in sexual activity too young, and by reducing it, that encourages that,&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&quot;And the reality is that, young people, when they&#39;re involved in any form of sexual activity, they need to be emotionally as well as physically mature enough to be able to cope with that particular experience.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/ispcc-backs-opposition-to-shatters-age-of-consent-proposal-643448.html\">http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/ispcc-backs-opposition-to-shatters-age-of-consent-proposal-643448.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-29 09:30:36',NULL,'ispcc-backs-opposition-to-shatters-age-of-consent-proposal'),(704,'\'Yes means yes\' sexual consent law now in California','<p>\r\n	California has become the first state in the US to adopt a &quot;yes means yes&quot; law for universities requiring students to obtain overt agreement to sex.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The &quot;affirmative consent&quot; measure was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown as politicians across the country seek ways to curb what has been described as an epidemic of rape and other sexual assaults on college campuses.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The law, called SB967, applies to all post secondary school institutions which receive state funds for student financial aid.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Under the legislation, students will not be considered to have consented to sex if they remain silent or fail to resist. Those incapacitated by alcohol or drugs, or who are unconscious or asleep, are assumed to be incapable of giving their agreement to sexual activity.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But consent may be non-verbal, such as through giving a nod of the head or moving closer to the other person.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Statistics show that one in four female students will be assaulted during her four years at an American university, yet less than a third of those found to have carried out an attack are expelled. The White House has threatened to withdraw funding from colleges which they accuse of failing to handle complaints in an appropriate manner.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Elite Ivy League institutions including Harvard and New York&#39;s Columbia University are among those being sued by alleged victims who say the authorities failed to punish their attackers adequately.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In California, this summer&#39;s graduating class at Stanford, one of the top universities in the country, put red tape on their mortar boards as part of an ongoing protest against the bureaucracy they claimed prevented the university from expelling a man found to have raped a fellow student.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	College rapes and sexual assaults are notoriously difficult to prosecute as they often involve alcohol and claims by the perpetrator that the victim consented. Los Angeles Senator Kevin de Leon, who drew up the &quot;yes means yes&quot; law, said it would transform the way campuses prevented and investigated sexual assaults.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The law also includes new requirements for steps university authorities must take when they receive a complaint against a student, including offering victims counselling and barring inappropriate questioning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr De Leon said: &quot;Every student deserves a learning environment that is safe and healthy. &quot;The State of California will not allow [colleges] to sweep rape cases under the rug. We&#39;ve shifted the conversation regarding sexual assault to one of prevention, justice, and healing.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/yes-means-yes-sexual-consent-law-now-in-california-30625564.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/americas/yes-means-yes-sexual-consent-law-now-in-california-30625564.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-30 09:13:17',NULL,'yes-means-yes-sexual-consent-law-now-in-california'),(705,'‘Failed time and time again’: 46% of homeless women were sexually abused as kids','<p>\r\n	Research launched today by Simon found 92% of these women experienced high levels of violences at some stage in their lives.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New research from the Simon Communities in Ireland has pointed to gaps in services for homeless women as shocking data reveals 92% have experienced high levels of violence at some stage in their lives.<br />\r\n	The homeless charity said that women&rsquo;s homelessness is unexplored in Ireland and it can differ significantly from men&rsquo;s in terms of causes, experiences and pathways out of homelessness.<br />\r\n	More than half of the women involved in the research experiences violence both as children ad during adulthood and 46% had experienced sexual abuse during childhood. 67% had experienced intimate partner violence and in one fifth of cases, more than one partner had been violent towards them.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;I think what this research points to is a group of women who are very marginalised and very vulnerable who are falling through the cracks of homeless services,&rdquo; commented Niamh Randall, national spokesperson for the Simon Communities of Ireland.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Women make up around one third of the adult homeless population in Ireland yet female homelessness is poorly understood and women who are homeless remain largely &lsquo;hidden&rsquo;.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	Personal issues<br />\r\n	She said in a lot of cases, tenancies by women who have moved out of homelessness are not sustained, putting them back on the streets and this is because they are &ldquo;not getting the support they need&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	Many of these women have experienced mental health issues, domestic violence, drug or alcohol problems or interaction with the criminal justice system.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Homeless people are seen as homogeneous, or the same but no two homeless people are the same, no two have the same background and what we&rsquo;re seeing here is safety nets failing. There&rsquo;s an assumption that solutions are across the board but sometimes other issues can be masked by a woman&rsquo;s homelessness. She can be seen as just homeless, rather than as someone who became homeless because of domestic violence or mental health issues. So, this highlights the importance of having tailored supports.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Almost three quarters of the women in this research are mothers and they spoke about motherhood as difficult and distressing due to their homelessness. &ldquo;It can be very traumatic for them, because of their homelessness,&rdquo; Randall explained.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;People feel pressure around that stigma &ndash; being mothers and having failed. Carrying that weight is a huge burden. So it&rsquo;s about helping people deal with that and reconnect with their children whether it&rsquo;s to regain visitation rights, or custody in some cases.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	What&rsquo;s the solution?<br />\r\n	Randall said, ultimately, the solution for these women ties in with the best solution for homelessness overall &ndash; access to housing.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Anyone with the correct amount of support can manage independently,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;The key barrier is accessing housing and what I would say is, of course this is possible. We have to remove the barriers in terms of housing, both public and private.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	She said homelessness must now be prioritised as part of the upcoming Budget this month.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;If the right choices are made, it is absolutely achievable,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;These are women who have been failed time and time again and it&rsquo;s not okay. It&rsquo;s not okay to let this happen.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/women-homeless-ireland-sexual-abuse-1697234-Sep2014/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/women-homeless-ireland-sexual-abuse-1697234-Sep2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-30 09:37:40',NULL,'‘failed-time-and-time-again’-46%-of-homeless-women-were-sexually-abused-as-kids'),(706,'Minister backs paid child leave for fathers','<p>\r\n	Move would let fathers play more active role in family life, says Fitzgerald</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fathers should have the right to two weeks of paid leave following the birth of their child, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The Department of Justice is currently drafting a Family Leave Bill, which is expected to consolidate access to various forms of statutory leave into a single piece of legislation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	At present fathers have no right to paid or unpaid paternity leave. However, much of the public sector and some private sector employers provide fathers with up to two weeks of paid leave following the birth of a child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Ms Fitzgerald said men should be given the chance to play a more active role in caring for their children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	While she said there were economic challenges facing any enhanced right to leave for parents, she would seek support from other members of the Government to improve paternity leave.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Families now have different expectations and changing parenting roles than previous generations. The majority of fathers are keen to play an active role in family life. We should support this better sharing of caring duties.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Sharing of leave<br />\r\n	Ms Fitzgerald also told The Irish Times she supported proposals to allow for the sharing of leave by mothers and fathers, subject to certain conditions. This shared-leave approach, first introduced in Norway and Sweden in the 1970s and 1980s, has been adopted by a growing number of jurisdictions including the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The Minister said while the Government supported the principle of such flexibility, details of how it would operate required further consideration.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;I favour an approach whereby the mother remains in control of the leave but can decide to share some of it after the compulsory period with her partner.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Such a flexible system would help to create a system of parental leave that works for modern lives and respects a family&rsquo;s right to choose how to care for their children.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New Bill<br />\r\n	It is unclear whether both proposals &ndash; paid paternity leave and shared maternity/paternity leave &ndash; will feature in the new Bill.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Minister of State Kathleen Lynch &ndash; she has been involved in talks on the proposals &ndash; said much work remained to be done. She, along with Ms Fitzgerald, expressed concern that any approach could &ldquo;water down&rdquo; existing maternity leave.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Any sharing scheme should involve an extension to the current maternity leave, which stands at 26 weeks&rsquo; paid leave, with an additional 16 unpaid also available.<br />\r\n	Ms Fitzgerald said finding the money for these kinds of measures would be hard, whether in the public or private sector.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;We mustn&rsquo;t start there. It&rsquo;s our duty to aim at the ideal, not be halted by negative possible implications.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Prof Peter Moss from the University of London said policymakers needed to reflect on what kind of leave Irish society wanted for families and what the rationale behind these measures should be.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He suggested that Ireland could consolidate all existing leave &ndash; including parental leave &ndash; and follow the Icelandic &ldquo;birth leave&rdquo; model, which provides equal entitlement to leave for both parents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	It has five months of maternity leave, five months of paternity leave and two months of shared leave. The parent receives about 80 per cent of their income during leave, subject to certain conditions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/minister-backs-paid-child-leave-for-fathers-1.1945817\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/minister-backs-paid-child-leave-for-fathers-1.1945817</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-09-30 09:47:50',NULL,'minister-backs-paid-child-leave-for-fathers'),(707,'Increase in young sex offender numbers - One in Four','<p>\r\n	There has been a marked increase in young sex offenders being referred for treatment, a leading charity has warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One in Four, which counsels victims and attempts to treat perpetrators, said 18 to 25-year-olds make up a quarter of all abusers on its programmes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Executive director Maeve Lewis revealed many of the young men experts are treating began offending as adolescents by downloading child pornography from the internet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One in Four launches its annual report today which shows it provided treatment to 30 sex offenders in 2013, working closely with the Child and Family Agency and the gardai.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;During the past year the number of young men aged 18 to 25 years who have been referred to One in Four has increased and now comprises almost a quarter of all offenders on our treatment programme,&quot; Ms Lewis said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Many of these young men began offending as adolescents by downloading internet images of children being abused and then moved on to sexually harming children themselves.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This poses serious questions for us as a digital age society in how we support young people to develop healthy notions of sex based on consensual sexual intimacy.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One in Four said 2013 saw a change in the profile of survivors of child sexual abuse who sought psychotherapy treatment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 115 people attended individual and group therapy and the charity said it assisted 43 families. Some 633 people were supported by the charity&#39;s advocacy officers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Most survivors seen last year are victims of abusers in their family and neighbourhood, the charity said, rather than being victims of paedophile priests in the Catholic Church as had been the case in previous years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Lewis said this more accurately reflects the reality in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;People who have been sexually abused in their family have very complex needs,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They need support in dealing with the impact of the abuse in their adult lives, but their families also need support in coming to terms with the truth of what happened and in understanding the intricate dynamics that allowed family members to be sexually abused. Our family support programme helps them to do this.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Elsewhere, One in Four said it made 51 child protection notifications to the Child and Family Agency and provided information to 405 professionals and survivors regarding the notification process.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Lewis said: &quot;Retrospective allegations are usually taken very seriously now, recognising that somebody who sexually abused a child 15 years ago may well be continuing to harm children in the present.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	One in Four noted that fewer than 15% of abuse survivors it dealt with made a complaint to the gardai and an even smaller number of cases proceeds to trial - 35 of the charity&#39;s clients in 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Our advocacy officers regularly witness our clients being humiliated and their characters maligned during cross-examination in a criminal trial,&quot; Ms Lewis said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;With all due regard to the right of an accused person to a fair trial, we have created a criminal justice system that so terrifies victims of sexual crime that most prefer to remain silent rather than seek justice for the terrible harm they have endured.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This creates a culture where serious crimes are committed with impunity, surely an intolerable situation in a modern democracy.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/increase-in-young-sex-offender-numbers-one-in-four-30628838.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/increase-in-young-sex-offender-numbers-one-in-four-30628838.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-01 10:40:50',NULL,'increase-in-young-sex-offender-numbers-one-in-four'),(708,'Former High Court judge to chair group on direct provision','<p>\r\n	Opposition calls for abolition of &lsquo;inhumane&rsquo; direct provision system</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Government has appointed a former High Court judge to chair its working group on direct provision for asylum seekers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Former Justice Bryan McMahon, presiding officer at citizenship ceremonies, will take control of the group which whose membership and terms of reference will be announced &ldquo;shortly&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Minister of State Aodh&aacute;n &Oacute; R&iacute;ord&aacute;in told the D&aacute;il the membership of the group would include representatives of non-governmental organisations, advocacy groups working with children and other vulnerable people, refugees and representatives &ldquo;from all relevant Government Departments which have a role to play in relation to dealing with protection applicants in terms of the supports and services provided to them&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Mr &Oacute; R&iacute;ord&aacute;in said the working group is expected to submit a first report to the Government by the end of the year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The group is expected to deal with issues including: the material needs of applicants in direct provision, such as the direct provision allowance and exceptional needs payments; accommodation requirements for families and those with special needs; arrangements for handling complaints and inspections and whether limits should be placed on the length of time spent in direct provision.<br />\r\n	The Minister rejected a private member&rsquo;s motion from the technical group calling for the abolition of direct provision, saying it was inhumane and incompatible with the 21st century.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	They had to be sure the changes they were sustainable, he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Mr &Oacute; R&iacute;ord&aacute;in said he wanted to see it reformed, but imperfect as it was it had met the housing and other immediate needs of more than 51,000 asylum seekers.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;No one has ever been turned away and no one has been left homeless. The difficulty is that a short term emergency measure has become long-term policy.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	He added that the system had &ldquo;shown itself capable of responding in a flexible way as the numbers of asylum seekers arriving in the State has ebbed and flowed&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	The Minister said Ireland was playing its part in dealing with immigrants fairly, humanely, expeditiously and in accordance with Irish and international rules.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Over the past 14 years or so, close to 40,000 immigrants who came here and utilised our protection and related processes have been allowed to remain in the State on a permanent basis.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	But introducing the motion to abolish the direct provision system, Independent TD Thomas Pringle said 4,300 plus asylum seekers, more than one third of them children, were living in &ldquo;inhumane conditions not fit for the 21st century in the 34 direct provision accommodation centres throughout the country. This system must end.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The Donegal TD highlighted the costs of the system, saying it had been extortionate, but was &ldquo;providing little in terms of a decent standard of living. The State has given more than &euro;850 million to private firms for the provision of accommodation and food since direct provision was established.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Many of these companies are large firms involved in the property, hospitality or catering business. Several have moved to shield their company accounts from public scrutiny and, in some cases, their beneficial owners include companies in offshore jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man or British Virgin Islands.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Independent TD Finian McGrath said everybody had relatives in the US, Australia and throughout the world. &ldquo;They had to emigrate as well. We are part of the process. Only in the past week we saw the great Galway man, Marty Walsh, home on a visit to Ireland, Galway and Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;He was elected mayor of Boston. I listened to the details of his interview and how he got elected by a cross-section of Boston society. He got a good deal of support from different communities and used his vote in a very positive way. It is important that we use these examples because as I speak there are children in the centres who could be doctors, scientists and leaders of tomorrow.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/former-high-court-judge-to-chair-group-on-direct-provision-1.1947180\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/former-high-court-judge-to-chair-group-on-direct-provision-1.1947180</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-01 10:42:46',NULL,'former-high-court-judge-to-chair-group-on-direct-provision'),(709,'HSE liable after vulnerable teenager burns house down','<p>\r\n	Young woman formerly in care was known for reckless behaviour, court hears</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The HSE has been held liable for damages for the burning down of a Co Westmeath house next door to where it had &ldquo;negligently&rdquo; placed a vulnerable teenager known to them for her reckless behaviour.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	In a reserved High Court judgment today, Mr Justice Gerard Hogan ruled that Teresa Ennis, whose home at 11 Percy Cottages, Magazine Road, Athlone, was gutted by fire, was entitled to recover damages against the HSE.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Judge Hogan said that in 2005 Jarleth Egan, a NUI Galway student had bought and spent his summer renovating 10 Percy Cottages as a rental investment. He had leased it to Ms A, who had previously been an in-care resident in the HSE&rsquo;s Shannumbern Retreat, which was at 6 Percy Cottages.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He had terminated the lease after number 10 had been damaged and it had become clear Ms A was unable or unwilling to look after the property.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The judge said a fire had started in number 10 and spread to number 11 after Ms A had vacated the house. She had unlawfully re-entered with a number of other girls and youths who had held a party in it, at which they had been drinking very heavily and had taken illegal substances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	They left the house after discovering a fire had started upstairs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Judge Hogan said Ms A had been in care from the age of two and had just reached her 18th birthday. After having been put out of number 10, she had refused to return to the HSE&rsquo;s Shannumbern retreat.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Judge Hogan said Ms A was an acutely vulnerable young woman who failed to co-operate with various therapies, and had engaged in substance misuse. She had a troubled history and started associating with a rough crowd.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	She had continued drinking heavily and resorted to drug taking, becoming reckless and promiscuous with no sense of personal responsibility.She had wanted to go out with a particular man and, despite having been warned he was a convicted rapist, had considered it acceptable to do so.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The judge said the general principle was that one party was not liable for the actions of a third party save where a duty of care had been found to exist by reason of special circumstances.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	There was a special relationship between the HSE and Ms A, such as had given rise to a duty of care. The HSE had considered Ms A suitable for independent living when she patently was not.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Despite evidence of the very best endeavours of social workers, he concluded there was negligence on the part of the HSE in having reached this conclusion and in failing to tell Mr Egan of her background and propensities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;The State must act in a fair and even handed way towards all its citizens,&rdquo; Judge Hogan said. &ldquo;If number such duty of care were to be imposed it would expose innocent and absolutely blameless citizens such as Ms Ennis and Mr Egan to the risk of serious damage to their property in respect of which they had no right of recourse.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Ms Ennis had lost her house and had been living in rented accommodation ever since. She could justly say that none of this would have come about but for the actions of the HSE in placing a vulnerable teenager with a propensity for reckless and damaging behaviour in the house next door.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;I would hold that the HSE do owe the plaintiff a duty of care by reason of its special relationship with Ms A,&rdquo; Judge Hogan said. &ldquo;Although individual social workers showed huge commitment and dedication to the welfare of Ms A it was negligent to conclude that she was suitable for independent living when she was blatantly unsuited to it.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	He said it was entirely foreseeable that the property would be damaged once Ms A had been left to her own devices unsupervised in number 10. Ms Ennis was entitled to damages in respect of the loss she had suffered as a result of the fire.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/hse-liable-after-vulnerable-teenager-burns-house-down-1.1946734\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/hse-liable-after-vulnerable-teenager-burns-house-down-1.1946734</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-01 11:03:45',NULL,'hse-liable-after-vulnerable-teenager-burns-house-down'),(710,'Demand on family resource centres increases by 50% despite funding cuts','<p>\r\n	Since 2008, FRCs have had their funding frozen and faced cuts every year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	THE NUMBER OF visits to 106 Family Resource Centres (FRC) has increased by 50% over a three year period.<br />\r\n	FRCs are located primarily in disadvantaged areas throughout Ireland, and work to provide early-intervention child and family supports. Services range from assistance with form-filling to family mediation. The centres are now under the auspices of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla.<br />\r\n	Increased demand<br />\r\n	In 2013, FRCs had a total of 290,793 visitor contacts, compared to 193,000 in 2010.<br />\r\n	The 106 centres receive &euro;13.5 million in funding.<br />\r\n	Karin Jonsson, Chairperson Family Resource Centres National Forum (FRCNF) said that it is a relatively small investment, for such a significant return.<br />\r\n	Our work saves the State in the long term, as dealing with families in crisis is costly and has far more repercussions for the parents and children involved.<br />\r\n	Last year, the centres provided over 30,000 learning opportunities, including accredited training opportunities that enhanced people&rsquo;s ability to access employment. Other education opportunities included community education courses aimed at giving people the positive experience and renewed confidence to explore further education.<br />\r\n	Funding freeze<br />\r\n	Since 2008, FRCs have had their funding frozen and since 2011 have received a year-on-year budgetary reduction of 5% in core funding, as well as cuts from other sources such as HSE, ETB&rsquo;s National Lottery and the department of Social protection.<br />\r\n	Jonsson said Ireland&rsquo;s economic downturn has had a profound impact on the families and communities.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Six years ago, we became inundated with people whose jobs were at risk and who had lost employment. Then, issues of debt and debt management took hold. More recently, we have been dealing with the impacts of long-term unemployment on communities,&rdquo; she said.<br />\r\n	She said that throughout all of this, FRCs have remained consistent in their approach, she said.<br />\r\n	We have kept the needs of our communities central to our work-plans and outputs, and we have concentrated on early-intervention work to prevent people&rsquo;s problems from becoming more complex.<br />\r\n	The FRCNF said the capacity to take further cuts would take away some important early interventions that could cost the State and families significantly into the future.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/family-resource-centres-demand-funds-1701896-Oct2014/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/family-resource-centres-demand-funds-1701896-Oct2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-02 09:12:31',NULL,'demand-on-family-resource-centres-increases-by-50%-despite-funding-cuts'),(711,'Teenage rugby players \'risk long-term disability by overuse of supplements\'','<p>\r\n	Teenage rugby players - including boys as young as 14 - are risking permanent disability by taking muscle-building products to bulk up and increase energy levels.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Irish Sports Council has issued a stark warning that the amount of supplements being used in schools rugby is &quot;worrying and excessive.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Una May, Director of Anti-Doping, said this is confirmed by sports medicine experts who are seeing an &quot;unusual amount&quot; of serious injuries in younger players.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Young men &quot;looking for a shortcut&quot; to sporting success could be storing up serious long-term health problems, she warned.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;They are increasing their muscle bulk at a rate that&#39;s not in proportion to their overall development,&quot; she told the Irish Independent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Therefore their muscular skeletal system is all out of sync. Their bone structure can&#39;t cope; neither can their tendons and ligaments cope with the increase in muscle strength.We don&#39;t know what the long-term implications of using these products will be,&quot; she added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While supplement use has seeped into sports generally, their &quot;high level&quot; of use in rugby playing schools is of particular concern. She said the warning is indicative of an almost obsessive devotion to schools&#39; rugby, akin to American high school or college football.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is common practice for young rugby players at many schools to get on to varying kinds of weights programmes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But they are also consuming protein in unhealthy quantities to boost their chances of getting a place on the school team, said Dr May.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/teenage-rugby-players-risk-longterm-disability-by-overuse-of-supplements-30631438.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/teenage-rugby-players-risk-longterm-disability-by-overuse-of-supplements-30631438.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-02 09:31:01',NULL,'teenage-rugby-players-risk-long-term-disability-by-overuse-of-supplements'),(712,'Disability groups demand an end to ‘draconian’ cuts','<p>\r\n	&ldquo;This has to stop.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An alliance of disability organisations have attacked successive governments for &ldquo;seven continuous years of cutbacks&rdquo; today.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	They launched their pre-Budget campaign, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t Leave us Behind&rdquo; in Dublin this morning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;This government have undermined their own promise to &lsquo;forge a new Ireland that is built on fairness and equal citizenship,&rdquo; reads a joint statement.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The groups condemned a perceived double standard by Fine Gael and Labour, whereby &ldquo;the government still speaks and aspires to be socially inclusive,&rdquo; but their policies counteract that commitment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The number of draconian measures that have devastated essential secondary benefits and community supports for people to have a decent standard of living with access to services, is unacceptable.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Families, too, have been inexcusably impacted by cutbacks and pressure to provide more and more services under the disguise of &lsquo;austerity&rsquo;.<br />\r\n	We are clearly saying &lsquo;this has to stop&rsquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Specifically, the organisations are making these demands from this month&rsquo;s budget:<br />\r\n	Ensure funding for services and supports</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Empower people with disabilities to be independent, thus improving their quality of life and reducing the costs that come from reliance on state-run services</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Provide allowance for the extra costs that disabilities incur, and stop reducing the quality of life of people with disabilities who need welfare support</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Appoint a Minister to cabinet to &ldquo;disability inclusion&rdquo; across departments and state agencies</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Deliver the commitments in the National Disability Strategy.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	The statement was jointly signed by: The Disability Federation of Ireland, Mental Health Reform, Care Alliance Ireland, Neurological Alliance of Ireland, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies, the Not for Profit Association and the Center for Independent Living.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/disability-groups-criticise-government-1700414-Oct2014/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/disability-groups-criticise-government-1700414-Oct2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-02 09:32:54',NULL,'disability-groups-demand-an-end-to-‘draconian’-cuts'),(713,'Social media sites provide another place to mourn loved ones','<p>\r\n	If our digital selves are now extensions of our physical beings, then we can see Facebook as the biggest cemetery on Earth. Two years ago, when the number of Facebook users hit one billion, there were already an estimated 30 million &quot;posthumously persistent&quot; profiles of dead people on the world&#39;s most popular social-networking site.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year, two radically-contrasting media stories appeared in the same week. An Australian father spoke of how he would never dream of removing his dead son&#39;s profile, even though cyberbullying had contributed to his suicide. The profile felt like a comforting &quot;hologram&quot; of his son.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A mother in Brazil also made the news: she had petitioned the courts to order Facebook to delete the profile of her daughter, whose many friends frequently posted messages and photographs. She could not bear this, describing the profile page as a &quot;wailing wall&quot;. Both online and off, individuals vary tremendously in how they grieve.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The digital legacy left behind can be a vivid, accurate and evocative representation of the lost person. This can help bereaved people to connect with much-needed support and comfort, and to continue some kind of bond with the deceased. On the other hand, the continued existence of such profiles can be experienced as deeply disturbing. As an academic interested in the intersection of death and technology, I watch with fascination as society re-examines and recalibrates its expectations and practices around grief in the digital age.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Facebook is now a primary means of death notification. This troubles many, but we cannot turn back the clock. We are hyper-interconnected; we can upload and download information at will; our networks are often faster than police notification processes. However we may view the phenomenon of death notification on Facebook, it just is. There are notable benefits, to include immediate connection with the community of mourners at any time, from any place.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The balance of power has shifted. Historically, the family was the inner circle. They controlled access to information about the deceased, to their photographs, to their correspondence. The era of social networking, however, is the era of the &#39;friend&#39;. Where the person&#39;s privacy settings excludes key family members, friends may be in a position of deciding whether to give family access. It is immediate family, however, who have the right to request the profile be taken down altogether, an act that can be deeply traumatising to other mourners. Although these persistent digital &quot;selves&quot; have not existed for long, many people now expect them to be there and rely on them in working through their grief. Bereaved individuals interviewed for my research had one overriding fear: profile removal. &quot;If we lost it,&quot; said one, &quot;it would be like losing him all over again.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Profiles not placed into memorialised status &quot;behave&quot; just like other profiles. Birthday notifications occur; items appear in the news feed that reference the profile (&quot;so-and-so posted on [your dead friend]&#39;s Timeline&quot;). When access is in the palm of one&#39;s hand via mobile technologies, reminders of a dead friend may occur at times and in places that feel difficult. Some find it comforting, others may be deeply disturbed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	We are sometimes placed in the position of deciding how to manage our relationships with dead friends&#39; profiles. If we &quot;defriend&quot; - which may feel complex in itself - it may be irreversible. It we later change our minds, our friend is no longer alive to respond to a new friend request.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Interactions with a dead person&#39;s profile may evoke distress in others. Parents may worry about their child poring over a dead friend&#39;s profile. They may not understand or relate to social networking, and may not know about theories of bereavement like &quot;continuing bonds&quot;. Bereavement professionals who are educated about technology can help family members understand what is happening.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Research to date suggests that interacting with dead people&#39;s Facebook profiles is a common mourning practice, which may include frequent visits to the profile over a considerable time. The belief that communications reach the dead is an article of faith for many. The connection to the dead as experienced on Facebook may feel stronger than that felt anywhere else, via any other means. Technologically-mediated mourning has become a normal part of the landscape of grief, and fits neatly within existing bereavement theories. The more things change, the more things stay the same.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Dr Elaine Kasket, a counselling psychologist, teaches on the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology course at Regent&#39;s University London. She will speak at the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network conference in Dublin tomorrow.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/social-media-sites-provide-another-place-to-mourn-loved-ones-30633801.html\">http://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/social-media-sites-provide-another-place-to-mourn-loved-ones-30633801.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-03 08:52:36',NULL,'social-media-sites-provide-another-place-to-mourn-loved-ones'),(714,'Brothers\' \'unsafe\' rape convictions are quashed','<p>\r\n	Two brothers jailed for rape have had their convictions quashed after a key prosecution witness alleged he had been pressurised by gardai into saying he saw the two men at the door of the hotel where the alleged rape occurred.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The three judge Court of Criminal Appeal (CCA) said it will deliver written reasons for its judgment in &quot;the fullness of time&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) will not seek a retrial and gardai have acknowledged that the accusations levelled against members of the force &quot;would be extremely damaging&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Yesterday the CCA said the court wished to emphasise that the evidence heard at the brothers&#39; appeal would have &quot;rendered it extremely difficult&quot; for any prosecution in a retrial, and said it believed the DPP&#39;s decision was &quot;an entirely appropriate one&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	An internal garda investigation cleared gardai of any wrongdoing and found the allegations were &quot;without foundation&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Presiding CCA judge Mr Justice John MacMenamin yesterday said the appeal court had taken the view that the convictions of Eamonn Flanagan (42) of Dunamaise, Stradbally and Seamus Flanagan (35) of Ashley Gardens, Portlaoise, were unsafe. The brothers were jailed for three years by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan in October 2011 after a Central Criminal Court jury convicted them of raping a woman in a room at the Red Cow Hotel in Dublin on March 3, 2008.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Seamus Flanagan had pleaded not guilty to the anal and vaginal rape of the woman at the hotel, while Eamonn Flanagan pleaded not guilty to vaginal rape of the woman.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The appeal court heard that after the brothers were convicted, a key prosecution witness claimed he was pressurised by gardai to say he saw the two men at the door of the hotel room where the alleged rape occurred.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The witness, Daniel Lynch, was a friend of the accused men and had consensual sex with the woman shortly before the brothers were accused of raping her. No DNA from the brothers was found on the woman. In an affidavit, Mr Lynch claimed he was put under &quot;emotional&quot; pressure.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court heard that the gardai involved &quot;categorically deny&quot; putting Mr Lynch under any pressure.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/brothers-unsafe-rape-convictions-are-quashed-30634323.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/brothers-unsafe-rape-convictions-are-quashed-30634323.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-03 09:36:21',NULL,'brothers-unsafe-rape-convictions-are-quashed'),(715,'Aftercare services need dedicated funding','<p>\r\n	Long-awaited legislation meant to ensure young people leaving State care are supported into adulthood makes no provision for funding necessary services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Charities are warning that the Aftercare Bill 2014 in its current form will only go halfway to helping vulnerable teenagers make a successful move out of care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Jennifer Gargan, director of Epic (Empowering People in Care) said: &ldquo;Aftercare services should be fully resourced and funding should be ring-fenced. That guarantee should have been put into the legislation but I think the Government are afraid to give that statutory guarantee for fear of what it will cost.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are 6,466 children and teenagers in care, in a mix of residential and foster care settings. Each year, 450 to 500 of them turn 18 and should move into aftercare that ensures they have a dedicated social worker, a place to live, the opportunity for third-level education, and other ongoing supports.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A new national aftercare policy was drawn up in 2011 but the last piece of legislation to address the issue was the 1991 Child Care Act which left it up to each health board to decide if aftercare was needed in individual cases and limited it to the age of 21 or 23 in exceptional cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some 1,468 young people aged 18-23 currently receive some form of aftercare but a conference to mark the first National Care Leavers Day heard yesterday that there were gaps in services and that aftercare often depended on the &ldquo;creativity&rdquo; of social workers, homeless charities and other voluntary groups.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The conference heard aftercare services were given protection in law in Scotland after studies found 50% of people who left care had poor mental health, 35% had no qualifications and only 1% went to university, while 80% of prisoners convicted of violent crimes had been in care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Report of the Independent Child Death Review Group here meanwhile found a high number of deaths among young people who left care, mainly drug-related or suicides.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While the new legislation will place a statutory duty on the Child and Family Agency to prepare an individual aftercare plan for every young person leaving care, it does not back up that duty with a guarantee of funds.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Case study</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Suzanne O&rsquo;Brien is a 25-year-old university graduate who works with young people in care and knows more than most about the challenges they face.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was placed in care aged nine, first in a residential setting, then a temporary foster placement, and then one that lasted from when she was 12 until she was 18.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I met my family when I met them,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;They are my mam and dad. They&rsquo;re the people I run to now with my worries, my concerns, my happiness &mdash; or just to rob food and toilet rolls. I&rsquo;m constantly going back.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Others who aren&rsquo;t so lucky or have proper aftercare &ldquo;enter into an isolation of types where you don&rsquo;t have that home that your peers would have to go to&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She says for others like her, and those with less successful care experiences, formal aftercare is essential.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/aftercare-services-need-dedicated-funding-289696.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/aftercare-services-need-dedicated-funding-289696.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-03 09:43:28',NULL,'aftercare-services-need-dedicated-funding'),(716,'Just 164 prisoners have signed up for sex offender therapy costing €720,000','<p>\r\n	A therapeutic programme for convicted sex offenders has cost up to &euro;720,000 to run since it was introduced in 2009, according to the Irish Prison Service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But only 164 prisoners have availed of the voluntary programme during that time, representing just a fraction of criminals who have received jail sentences for sex offences.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Building Better Lives (BBL) programme is devised by psychologists in the Irish Prison Service and is provided at Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin, where the majority of prisoners are male sex offenders. The programme involves group therapy and aims to rehabilitate participants and reduce the risk of them reoffending in the future.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last year, 179 sex offenders were released from Irish prisons, but only 22 of these had engaged with the BBL programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In 2014, 142 sex offenders are due to be released from Arbour Hill, but only 24 of these chose to participate in the programme. At present, 35 sex offenders are enrolled in the programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is divided into two modules lasting a total of 12 months, and an ongoing third module that functions as a continual support group for participants.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Department of Justice has calculated that the costs associated with the BBL programme have amounted to between &euro;673,340 and &euro;721,440 since its introduction five years ago.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The only specific cost associated with the programme is the psychology service resources invested in the programme,&quot; said a spokesperson for the Department of Justice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<strong>Delivery</strong></p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There are 18 psychologists working in the Irish Prison Service. Three of these are involved in the delivery of all aspects of the BBL, from assessment to group work and individual work.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;On average, these psychologists spend approximately 70-75pc of their time working in the BBL.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Department has estimated that the provision of the BBL programme for sex offenders costs the Irish Prison Service between &euro;134,668 and &euro;144,288 a year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is addition to the cost of imprisonment in the case of each offender.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	According to the Prison Service BBL uses &quot;a strengths-based psychology approach&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first module is called &#39;Exploring Better Lives&#39; and aims to develop motivation and confidence about positive change.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Then prisoners move on to &#39;Practising Better Lives&#39; where they focus on building &quot;a more detailed understanding of past offending and developing positive offence-free self management plans for the future&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The final part is &#39;Maintaining Better Lives&#39;, which is about supporting &quot;ongoing progress and development&quot; for men who are serving longer sentences.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/just-164-prisoners-have-signed-up-for-sex-offender-therapy-costing-720000-30640679.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/just-164-prisoners-have-signed-up-for-sex-offender-therapy-costing-720000-30640679.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-06 11:54:12',NULL,'just-164-prisoners-have-signed-up-for-sex-offender-therapy-costing-€720000'),(717,'Dignity of elderly compromised after being transported down corridors on commodes','<p>\r\n	The latest HIQA inspection reports finds elderly residents sitting alone during meal times with food on their face and clothing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The latest inspection reports by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) found non compliances in a number of nursing homes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Since the last inspection, an allegation of abuse had been made at St Colmcille&rsquo;s Nursing Home in County Meath. HIQA enquired with the nurse in charge and, following a review of available records, the allegation (which was made previously in June 2014) was confirmed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	However, HIQA had not been notified as required under the regulations, finding the nursing home moderately non-compliant.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Allegation of abuse<br />\r\n	On further examination, the inspector found that staff had not recognised this matter as&nbsp;an allegation of abuse and had not implemented the policy in response to allegations of&nbsp;abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The allegation had not been sufficiently investigated, documented or reported in<br />\r\n	accordance with best practice guidelines in order to safeguard residents, said HIQA.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The inspector requested that the nurse in charge take appropriate action to address the allegation made.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	In addition, since the last inspection one resident required hospitalisation as a result of being given an incorrect textured food by a staff member that contradicted specialist recommendations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;While the matter had been responded to in a timely manner and the resident had recovered, the incident was preventable,&rdquo; states the report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	A number of hazards that posed a risk to residents&rsquo; care and welfare were also discovered.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Transported on commodes<br />\r\n	The report finds that one resident was seen being transported from his bedroom to the bathroom on a commode in the company of two care staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	It was confirmed with staff that this resident&rsquo;s privacy and dignity was not adequately maintained as he was not fully or appropriately dressed while seated on a commode in a public area.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The inspector requested to cease and review this practice immediately. Staff also confirmed that residents were showered while sitting on commodes.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	There was also an unexplained absence of one resident which occurred since the last inspection, however, a missing person drill had not been practised since to inform staff in the event of re-occurrence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The report also finds that a number of the wheelchairs and equipment were rusted.<br />\r\n	Many of the other areas in which the nursing home were inspected were deemed as compliant or were only minor faults.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	St. Joseph&rsquo;s Centre in Shankill in Dublin was also found to be non-compliant in some areas. The inspectors were concerned that residents healthcare needs were not met in a timely manner to ensure early detection or intervention to prevent ill health and care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Fall reports<br />\r\n	Records for 2014 showed that a number of residents had repeatedly fallen over,<br />\r\n	with some resulting in serious injuries. However, records did not show that<br />\r\n	appropriate care was provided for all residents following a fall.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	In one case, appropriate and timely emergency care was not provided to one resident following a fall.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The report also found that one resident had extensive bruising on their forehead, although there was no evidence of an investigation into the cause or actions taken in response to the incident in July 2014.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The system in place to monitor residents&rsquo; nutritional needs and weight required improvement, as did the meal time practice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	It was discovered that one resident had experienced significant weight loss yet there was no plan to manage this residents&rsquo; needs. There were no care plans in place to address identified weight loss.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&lsquo;Meal time an uncomfortable and unsociable experience&rsquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Meal time was something that was very concerning to inspectors, who said that it was not provided in a discreet or a sensitive manner that enabled residents to eat and drink.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;The mealtime was a delayed, uncomfortable and unsociable experience for residents at times,&rdquo; states the report, adding that one unit residents had to wait up to one hour for their meal to be served, and some appeared to be hungry.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;One resident leaned across another resident and started taking food off their plate. This food was not a consistency suitable to the residents assessed needs and put the resident at risk of chocking. Inspectors intervened at this point and brought the matter to staff attention.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The report finds that the residents were not consistently assisted by staff to eat their meal and during mealtime a number of residents were observed sitting alone with food on their face and clothing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The inspectors were concerned that one resident had food on their face,<br />\r\n	and had still not been addressed after inspectors had left and returned to the dining<br />\r\n	room a short time later. Some residents were also left to sit at the dining table long after&nbsp;their meal had been eaten.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	They were so concerned about meals and the mealtime experience they reported their concerns and also spoke to the person in charge during the inspection.<br />\r\n	Appropriate action was found to have been taken in response to inspectors comments.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/hiqa-nursing-home-reports-1710791-Oct2014/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/hiqa-nursing-home-reports-1710791-Oct2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-08 12:01:14',NULL,'dignity-of-elderly-compromised-after-being-transported-down-corridors-on-commodes'),(718,'Parents of frequently absent schoolchildren get court ultimatum','<p>\r\n	Parents of children who are missing substantial amounts of school were warned by a judge to improve or face court again.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A previous court was told how the children &mdash; aged between nine and 14 &mdash; were from a large family and the parents, who live within 10 minutes&rsquo; walk from a school, had come up with &ldquo;a series of excuses&rdquo; for not sending their children to school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last May, that court was told that one of the children had not spent a single full day at secondary school, while three younger children had missed 105 days, 100 days and 81 days at primary level, and rates of absenteeism without genuine excuse ranged from 37% to 32% in a given period earlier this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The case was adjourned to yesterday where a solicitor for the Child and Family Agency said that while attendance had improved slightly in the new school year, absence was still at the rate of 30% for all four children. The eldest child was at secondary school.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The young children are frequently late for school by as much as 20 minutes and they disturb the whole class,&rdquo; the solicitor said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All the children had missed a whole week at the start of the school year because of being on holiday with the family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Solicitor P&aacute;draig O&rsquo;Connell said there were a number of children in the family, including younger non-school going siblings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a matter of focus,&rdquo; Mr O&rsquo;Connell said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, Judge James O&rsquo;Connor said: &ldquo;A 30% rate of absenteeism means all focus is gone.&rdquo; He said he would only tolerate a maximum 10% absenteeism rate from now on, and advised the legal teams that he would allow the case to be re-entered within seven days notice should the school attendance not improve dramatically.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The previous court was told that the parents had only reacted meaningfully when the Child and Family Agency had summonsed the family to court in March.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	School Attendance Notices, the first step in legal action over school attendance, were issued to the parents in late September 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/parents-of-frequently-absent-schoolchildren-get-court-ultimatum-290314.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/parents-of-frequently-absent-schoolchildren-get-court-ultimatum-290314.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-08 12:01:57',NULL,'parents-of-frequently-absent-schoolchildren-get-court-ultimatum'),(719,'Peter McVerry brands cuts to top rate of tax ‘outrageous’','<p>\r\n	Social campaigner accuses Government of planning &lsquo;conjuring trick&rsquo; in Budget</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Social campaigner Peter McVerry has said he is &ldquo;outraged&rdquo; at the prospect of budget cuts to the top rate of tax.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He accused the Government of planning a &ldquo;conjuring trick&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking ahead of the inaugural Peter McVerry Trust business breakfast in the Westbury Hotel in Dublin city centre this morning, he said tax moves proposed by Government would assist the better off.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I&rsquo;m absolutely dismayed at idea that the tax cuts are going to be at the top rate of tax. That horrifies me. I really can&rsquo;t express how outraged I would be at that,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Because basically it&rsquo;s not helping people at the lower end of the wage scale. It is simply helping those who are already much better off.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fr McVerry said he knew many people were struggling and &ldquo;an extra few bob into their pocket&rdquo; would be welcome.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;However, it&rsquo;s a conjuring trick really, because whatever few bob are going to be given to them in the budget are going to be taken back in water charges.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he would like to see a commitment to improving services for poor people. Quality of life was more dependent on the extent of services available rather than income received, he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Fr McVerry welcomed the Government&rsquo;s commitment to renew the social housing building programme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The problem of people sleeping on the street could be solved by Christmas. It&rsquo;s not rocket science.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said he was hoping for a strong political commitment to eliminating rough sleeping this year and eradicating homelessness as rapidly as possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/peter-mcverry-brands-cuts-to-top-rate-of-tax-outrageous-1.1958969\">https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/peter-mcverry-brands-cuts-to-top-rate-of-tax-outrageous-1.1958969</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-10 10:31:17',NULL,'peter-mcverry-brands-cuts-to-top-rate-of-tax-‘outrageous’'),(720,'Sex assault victims to get choice of preserving evidence at units for 12 months','<p>\r\n	Sexual Assault Treatment Units are planning to allow victims of sexual assault or rape the option of preserving biological evidence for a year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This will give them time to decide whether they want to press charges after a sexual assault.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are six SATU units in Ireland which provide services to women and men who have been sexually assaulted or raped.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Doctor Maeve Eogan, Clinical Director of the Rotunda Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and the national SATU services, says the service could be up and running by January 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Doctor Eogan said: &quot;Our aspiration is to increase the amount of choice available to patients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;At the moment the patients have to make an all-or-nothing decision, either to report a crime immediately after it happens or decide not to report that crime.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Obviously people are making these decisions at a time of intense emotional stress and consequently we want to increase the options available to patients.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/sex-assault-victims-to-get-choice-of-preserving-evidence-at-units-for-12-months-644826.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/sex-assault-victims-to-get-choice-of-preserving-evidence-at-units-for-12-months-644826.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-10 10:34:01',NULL,'sex-assault-victims-to-get-choice-of-preserving-evidence-at-units-for-12-months'),(721,'Inspector of Prisons criticises child detention at St Patrick\'s','<p>\r\n	The Inspector of Prisons has strongly criticised the continued detention of children at St Patrick&#39;s Institution in Dublin</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In his annual report, Judge Michael Reilly said the prevalence of drugs and contraband, and overcrowding in the D&oacute;chas Centre Women&#39;s Prison are of grave concern.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge also said bullying of prisoners by other inmates is a major problem and occurs in some cases by prison staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are many positive observations in the report, but Judge Reilly said he is disappointed that a problem identified and highlighted in one prison, still subsequently turns up in other ones.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said the removal of 17-year-olds from St Patrick&#39;s is a priority for the Government.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said 17-year-old offenders will be placed in the new facility in Oberstown in Dublin later this year and St Patrick&#39;s will close.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The minister said: &quot;While much of the report is positive, issues of concern remain which include the continued accommodation of a small cohort of 17-year-old remand children in St. Patrick&#39;s, bullying by prisoner on prisoner and staff on staff, line management structures, prisoners on protection and overcrowding, in the D&oacute;chas Centre in particular.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Considerable progress has been made and the Inspector can be assured that every effort will continue to be made to fully address any deficiencies identified.&quot;<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1009/651158-prison/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1009/651158-prison/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-10 10:36:14',NULL,'inspector-of-prisons-criticises-child-detention-at-st-patricks'),(722,'Breaches in psychiatric care cited in report','<p>\r\n	Security guards were used to physically restrain patients in one very busy unit</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hospital security guards were used to physically restrain patients in one of the busiest psychiatric units in the State last year, while in another staff were not trained to deal with violence and aggression, putting themselves and patients in danger, the latest reports from the Inspector of Mental Health Services reveal.<br />\r\n	The report on the psychiatric unit in Connolly Hospital is also critical of the lack of privacy for patients, unwelcoming facilities for visitors, unacceptably dirty smoking area for patients and the fact that a child was resident in the adult unit on the day of inspection.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Some 13 inspection reports were published yesterday, the fourth batch of reports from the inspector this year. Under the Mental Health Act 2001 the Inspectorate is required to inspect all approved centres for mental health services once a year.<br />\r\n	An unannounced inspection on February 11, 2014, found Connolly hospital&rsquo;s 49-bed department of psychiatry was not compliant with regulations on physical restraint.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Next-of-kin not informed<br />\r\n	In one episode of physical restraint, the patient&rsquo;s next-of-kin were not informed. In another case it was not recorded in a second patient&rsquo;s file. Neither resident was given the opportunity to discuss their episode of physical restraint with the multi-disciplinary team and there was no evidence the episodes were reviewed by the team.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;The... records indicated that health care assistants and security personnel had assisted in the application of physical restraint on a number of occasions. The department of psychiatry did not address the use of security personnel in this regard, nor was there evidence that these staff had been trained.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	This was a breach of the Mental Health Act regulations.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The report also found bedroom window blinds were broken and &ldquo;some residents were required to sleep in beds that were open to oversight from wards on floors above, from the... courtyard or from external public pathways.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	There was one child in the unit, in a single room with one-to-one nursing care. There had been 14 child admissions in 2013 and four &ldquo;thus far&rdquo; in 2014.<br />\r\n	There was a &ldquo;lack of education and training for staff&rdquo; at the Aurora Unit in St Joseph&rsquo;s Hospital, Limerick.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	An unannounced inspection of the seven-bed unit conducted on June 5 found: &ldquo;No nursing staff had been trained in the prevention and management of aggression and violence, despite the fact that this was a ward for residents with challenging behaviour. This was a danger for both residents and staff.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Entirely unsatisfactory<br />\r\n	On May 13, in St Fintan&rsquo;s Hospital in Portlaoise, a female resident was sleeping in a male dormitory with only a curtain around her.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;This was entirely unsatisfactory and impacted on her privacy and dignity,&rdquo; says the report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	In St Brigid&rsquo;s Hospital, Ardee, Co Louth, the &ldquo;majority of the individual care plans were very poor and did not meet the requirements&rdquo; of the legislation. &ldquo;It was clear that there was little understanding among staff of the care planning process.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	The 46-bed unit was inspected on April 29 and 30.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	An unannounced inspection of O&rsquo;Casey&rsquo;s Rooms in Fairview, Dublin, a 24-bed unit for elderly residents transferred from St Ita&rsquo;s in Portrane, took place on February 18.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;The environment did not adequately meet the needs of mental health residents. The layout did not permit socialisation. There was no adequate garden space.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This made for an impoverished environment and diminished quality of life for the residents, some of whom would see out their days in this service.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	There was evidence of &ldquo;carelessness or lack of knowledge&rdquo; in the completion of patients&rsquo; records in the 52-bed acute psychiatric unit in Tallaght hospital. It had an unannounced inspection on June 10 and 11. The &ldquo;privacy and dignity&rdquo; of patients were &ldquo;compromised by the absence of curtains&rdquo; in the unit.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	lA full list of inspection reports from the Mental Health Inspector can be found at www.mhcirl.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/breaches-in-psychiatric-care-cited-in-report-1.1958430\">https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/breaches-in-psychiatric-care-cited-in-report-1.1958430</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-10 10:39:15',NULL,'breaches-in-psychiatric-care-cited-in-report'),(723,'New UK law to criminalise \'revenge porn\'','<p>\r\n	Revenge porn - when people publish sexually explicit pictures of former partners - is to be made a new offence in Britain, punishable by up to two years in jail.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Distribution of a private sexual image of someone without their consent and with the intention of causing them distress will be made a specific offence in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The move comes after new figures showed children as young as 11 had been victims.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The issue was brought into sharp focus after celebrities including pop stars Rihanna and Tulisa Contostavlos fell victim to the cruel craze.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	British Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: &quot;The fact that there are individuals who are cruelly distributing intimate pictures of their former partners without their consent is almost beyond belief.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We want those who fall victim to this type of disgusting behaviour to know that we are on their side and will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;That is why we will change the law and make it absolutely clear to those who act in this way that they could face prison.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Distribution</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The change will cover the sharing of images both online and offline. It will mean that images posted to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter will be caught by the offence, as well as those that are shared via text message.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Images shared via email, on a website or the distribution of physical copies will also be caught. The offence will cover photographs or films which show people engaged in sexual activity or depicted in a sexual way or with their genitals exposed, where what is shown would not usually be seen in public.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Victims and others will be able to report offences to the police to investigate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officers will work with the Crown Prosecution Service to take forward cases for prosecution.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New figures showed that schoolgirls were among those targeted, while adults had been blackmailed into having sex with their tormentor after indecent - and previously private - images were posted on the internet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 149 allegations of crimes involving revenge pornography during the last two-and-a-half years, according to the eight police forces in England and Wales that kept data on it.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/new-uk-law-to-criminalise-revenge-porn-30658711.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/new-uk-law-to-criminalise-revenge-porn-30658711.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-13 09:46:50',NULL,'new-uk-law-to-criminalise-revenge-porn'),(724,'15 things no one tells you about anxiety','<p>\r\n	At a time when there&rsquo;s still a stigma attached to mental health, it&rsquo;s great to see so much discussion on Twitter for #plantoprotect on World Mental Health Day. The idea is that people wear a red button somewhere today to show support for people who suffer from anxiety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although many people feel anxious from time to time, before an exam or a big presentation, for people who suffer from an anxiety disorder it can affect their day-to-day life, and for long periods of time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Here are a few things you might not know.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	1. People who suffer from anxiety often recognise their level of anxiousness is excessive and irrational but they find it extremely difficult to control.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	2. There are loads of different types, including general anxiety (where people have extreme worry that&rsquo;s not linked to any one thing), social anxiety, panic disorder (having regular panic attacks), OCD, agoraphobia (those who have panic attacks might try to cope by staying in a safe place) and claustrophobia.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	3. A panic attack makes someone feel breathless, people often have chest pain, nausea and a rapid heartbeat. It&rsquo;s very frightening and sufferers say it&rsquo;s common to feel like they&rsquo;re going to die because their heart is beating so fast. It can last several minutes and the whole experience is one of the most distressing things a person can go through.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	4. People with social anxiety are often perceived to be shy, quiet, withdrawn, inhibited, unfriendly, nervous, aloof, and disinterested. But actually they have an intense fear of being embarrassed, criticised, or being the centre of attention.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	5. Anyone can suffer from anxiety, at any time, not just &ldquo;nervous&rdquo; people. It can be triggered by a change in jobs, relationships, living arrangements, pregnancy, shock after a traumatic event or grief.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	6. Physical conditions can cause anxiety too, for example hormonal problems, diabetes and asthma.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	7. Long term use of alcohol, cannabis or amphetamines can also cause anxiety disorders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	8. Children with character traits like being a perfectionist, easily flustered, want to control everything or a lack self-esteem, might be more likely to develop anxiety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	9. Although depression and anxiety are different conditions, it&rsquo;s not uncommon for people to experience both. Over half of those who experience depression also suffer from anxiety.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	10. Anxiety remains one of the most under-diagnosed and under-treated conditions in the Republic of Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	11. A survey carried out for Mental Health Awareness Week this year found that only one in twenty people never feel anxious.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	12. Comfort eating is used by a quarter of people to cope with feelings of anxiety, and women and young people are more likely to use this as a way of coping.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	13. Women are more likely to be affected by anxiety than men.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	14. Anxiety and smell are strangely linked. People who suffer from anxiety disorders can perceive some natural smells as very unpleasant. It&rsquo;s because their emotional issues are intertwined with their olfactory system.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	15. Anxious people often have a bigger &ldquo;personal space&rdquo;, so they feel less comfortable with people being very close to them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	For more information and support visit Mental Health Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/15-things-no-one-tells-you-about-anxiety-644839.html\">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/15-things-no-one-tells-you-about-anxiety-644839.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-13 09:49:49',NULL,'15-things-no-one-tells-you-about-anxiety'),(725,'More people at risk of losing their family home are seeking advice','<p>\r\n	3,588 people had sought advice from Focus Ireland in the first eight months of this year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Focus Ireland says there has been a 43% increase in the number of people seeking advice and information so far this year because they are homeless or at serious risk of losing their home.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The latest figures released today shows that 3,588 people had sought advice and information in the first eight months of this year, compared to 2,500 people over the same period last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Losing the family home<br />\r\n	Focus Ireland said this significant rise is a reflection of the reality that more people are now at risk of losing their family home. The charity says it has had to expand its advice and information services to meet this growing need.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Fundraising for the expansion of services to meet the growing demand, Focus Ireland is preparing for a charity event taking place next Friday night, which involves nearly 100 business leaders and community leaders, who are all going to sleep rough in Dublin&rsquo;s Iveagh Gardens and Cork&rsquo;s City Gaol.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Head of Fundraising Lisa-Nicole Dunne said that the charity has to raise one-third of its income from fundraising so events like the Shine a Light Night are critical to allow Focus Ireland to continue to support families and single people struggling to keep a roof over their heads.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Focus Ireland stressed that early access to advice and information can help to prevent a housing problem from becoming a homeless crisis and appealed to anyone worried about their housing situation to contact the charity as soon as possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The charity is also putting out a final call to business leaders who would like to get involved in next week&rsquo;s event.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	To register for Shine A Light or to nominate your boss, see the Focus Ireland website.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.thejournal.ie/homlessness-focus-ireland-1719990-Oct2014/\">http://www.thejournal.ie/homlessness-focus-ireland-1719990-Oct2014/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-13 09:51:47',NULL,'more-people-at-risk-of-losing-their-family-home-are-seeking-advice'),(726,'Christmas bonus back at reduced rate, as Child Benefit increases €5 per child','<p>\r\n	Social welfare: First budget since 2009 with no cuts to welfare rates</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All recipients of core social welfare payments will get a 25 per cent Christmas bonus this year, Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has announced.<br />\r\n	Mr Howlin also announced an increase in child benefit of &euro;5 per month per child, or &euro;60 per year, to begin in January.<br />\r\n	Describing Budget 2015 as a significant day that marked the end of budgetary austerity, he said the Government was determined the economic recovery would be matched by a social recovery.<br />\r\n	It was the first budget since 2009 which would see no cuts to social welfare rates, he said, and he was allocating &euro;19.4 billion to the Social Protection budget next year.<br />\r\n	The Living Alone allowance will increase to &euro;9 per week.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	In an effort to encourage unemployed parents back into work, the Back to Work family dividend will allow families retain their qualified child allowance of &euro;29.80 per week for 12 months after returning to work and to retain 50 per cent of this for the second 12 months after returning to work.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	Mr Howlin said the cost of these measures would be &euro;196 million and would be funded in the main by the reduction in expenditure on unemployment assistance and jobseekers&rsquo;s allowance due to falling numbers on the live register.<br />\r\n	Social welfare spending is due to reduce by almost &euro;140 million over the next three years amid expectations the labour market conditions will improve .<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	In a Comprehensive Expenditure Report published alongside today&rsquo;s other budget documents, the Government said it expects to gain &euro;400 million in additional live register expenditure in 2015, on top of &euro;42 million in savings from 2014.<br />\r\n	Thhe Government has set expenditure ceilings for the Department of Social Protection at &euro;19.4 billion in 2015, falling to &euro;19.27 billion by 2017.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;The ceiling for the Department of Social Protection reflects an adjustment to take account of the estimated impact on Live Register-related expenditure of further improvements in labour market conditions and lower numbers on the Live Register,&rdquo; the document states.<br />\r\n	In the next three years, total social welfare expenditure will be in the order of &curren;58 billion with over a third, or 36 per cent of voted Government expenditure - being allocated to the Department of Social Protection next year.&nbsp;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/christmas-bonus-back-at-reduced-rate-as-child-benefit-increases-5-per-child-1.1963068\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/christmas-bonus-back-at-reduced-rate-as-child-benefit-increases-5-per-child-1.1963068</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-15 09:05:47',NULL,'christmas-bonus-back-at-reduced-rate-as-child-benefit-increases-€5-per-child'),(727,'State plans to build 18,000 social houses by 2018','<p>\r\n	Investment package of &euro;2.2bn includes private sector funding</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Government plans to build 10,000 social housing units by 2018 as part of a &euro;2.2 billion capital investment package that could include private sector funding.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This would be the first major investment in housing by the State since the first austerity budget in 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin announced the Government would contribute &euro;1.5 billion in exchequer funding by 2017.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, public private partnerships (PPPs) would be used to invest &euro;300 million to fund 1,500 units by 2017, while an &ldquo;off-balance sheet financial vehicle&rdquo; would provide at least &euro;400 million from 2015 onwards to approved housing bodies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;The Government is determined to meet the scale of social housing need with a level of investment commensurate with the challenge,&rdquo; Mr Howlin said in his Budget speech.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Minister said more than &euro;800 million would be spent next year on its housing programme, with &euro;453 million on capital expenditure. This is expected to create up to 4,500 new construction jobs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	While the Government provided a number of details about its investment plans today, a broader social housing strategy covering the period up to 2020 will be announced in the next two weeks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Alan Kelly said the number of units to be either built directly or acquired by local authorities next year would quadruple to 946.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another 1,000 vacant units will be refurbished. Some 400 new units will be provided for people with specific needs and up to 150 new homes will be provided for people with disabilities requiring institutional care.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Kelly said it was a &ldquo;mistake&rdquo; by previous administrations that &ldquo;local authorities effectively got out of direct house building.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We need to return to that model in order to address the rising housing need&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	Mr Howlin said the PPPs proposed would not be the &ldquo;land swap deals between local authorities and developers, which so obviously failed several years ago&rdquo;.<br />\r\n	It would involve adapting the &ldquo;successful model&rdquo; that has delivered 23 schools in recent years. he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The off balance-sheet vehicle would be used to &ldquo;channel investment funds&rdquo; to the voluntary housing sector and would operate on an &ldquo;independent, commercial basis&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It would be open to both private investors and could involve a loan from the European Investment Bank.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Howlin said some of the proceeds of the sale of the Bord G&aacute;is energy business would be used for the house building.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Government is also planing to introduce the Housing Assistance Payment to support the needs of 8,000 households. An additional 3,000 households are to be accommodated by local authorities through the leasing of properties in 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In addition, the Labour Party Minister announced &euro;10 million for accommodation and related services for homeless persons, increasing the annual spending on tackling homelessness to &euro;55.5 million in 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There was a broad welcome for the Government&rsquo;s social housing plan.<br />\r\n	Simon Brooke, head of policy at housing association Cl&uacute;id, said: &ldquo;We are absolutely delighted with this increase. It will enable housing associations to provide over 2,000 new homes over the next three years.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Pat Doyle, chief executive of the Peter McVerry Trust, said the measures would have a &ldquo;significant impact&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;We believe the announcement, including the &euro;2.2 billion over the course of the next three years for social housing, provides the financial and political commitment that had been absent from social housing provision in Ireland for many years,&rdquo; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	John Fitzgerald, research professor with the ESRI, which last week urged the Government to invest in social housing to help stimulate economic activity, said the investment being proposed represented a &ldquo;significant sum and we wouldn&rsquo;t quibble with it&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, the Simon Communities cast some doubt on the Government&rsquo;s plan. &ldquo;While there is an increase in the budget for social housing investment this will yield 7,500 new homes next year, which is only 8.3 percent of the 90,000 households currently on the social housing waiting list,&rdquo; said national spokeswoman Niamh Randall.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	She said the timeframe laid out by the Government was &ldquo;too long for people trapped in emergency accommodation&rdquo; or &ldquo;sleeping on our streets&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/commercial-property/state-plans-to-build-18-000-social-houses-by-2018-1.1963351\">http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/commercial-property/state-plans-to-build-18-000-social-houses-by-2018-1.1963351</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-15 09:32:54',NULL,'state-plans-to-build-18000-social-houses-by-2018'),(728,'Pre-school children \'had access to knives\' according to TUSLA report','<p>\r\n	Children with access to sharp knives and toxic substances, meals lacking nutritious value and rodent-infested premises are among a litany of areas of &quot;deep concern&quot; in a new report into pre-schools.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report, by the child and family agency Tusla, has also identified a lack of garda vetting of staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were a &quot;small number of instances&quot; where inspectors observed staff not engaging with children and &quot;children not being adequately cared for in a way that met their individual needs&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In one case, children had to wear their coats because the room was so cold.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report&#39;s author, Dr Sinead Hanafin, said breaches of staffing and management levels made up almost half of all non-compliance findings. Record keeping was also found to be inferior on a large scale.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Given that the pre-school services were under inspection at the time these incidents were observed, it is clear there are some poor practices taking place, albeit in a small number of settings,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	More than 81,000 regulations were inspected in 3,007 facilities between January 2012 and May 2013. Overall there was a compliance rate of 74pc, while just under 14pc were found to be non-compliant. The remaining 12pc were deemed to be either not applicable or not assessed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, compliance rates differ considerably from region to region, with only a 53pc compliance rate found in HSE Dublin North-East, an area which covers Dublin north, Dublin North-Central, Meath and Cavan-Monaghan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Almost one in four assessments of regulations were non-compliant there. Earlier this year, Independent TD Roisin Shortall revealed a shortage of inspectors was resulting in far fewer inspections compared with other regions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The latest figures show only 477 inspection reports were submitted for the area - less than 16pc of all inspections. HSE West had more than double that figure, with 1,040 reports comprising nearly 35pc of the overall number.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	HSE South (24.2pc) and HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster (25.3pc) made up the remainder. Tusla director of quality assurance Brian Lee said there were currently 42 inspectors but that this number would be increased.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There&#39;s deficits in some areas. We have identified them and we&#39;re in the process of recruiting new inspectors,&quot; he said, and added eight inspectors would be recruited in addition to four regional inspection managers. He said Dublin North-East was a &quot;priority&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Among the inspected services were full day care and child-minding and drop-in centres - typically found in shopping centres, supermarkets and hotels. Ms Hanafin said inferior conditions in drop-in services were a particular cause for concern.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The agency said prosecution proceedings are ongoing in the case of two centres.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	New powers to be given to Tusla will include imposing conditions and potential closure orders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/preschool-children-had-access-to-knives-30671028.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/preschool-children-had-access-to-knives-30671028.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-17 09:15:33',NULL,'pre-school-children-had-access-to-knives-according-to-tusla-report'),(729,'Toddler (2) stabbed to death \'with scissors\' in Dublin last night','<p>\r\n	Mother of tragic toddler Hassan Khan held at scene as gardai begin murder probe</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A toddler stabbed to death at his home had been the subject of a major child safety alert just weeks ago.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai arrested the mother of Hassan Khan (2) after the child was found dead in an apartment in south Dublin yesterday afternoon.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sources said Hassan suffered a fatal neck wound when he was stabbed once with a &quot;sharp object&quot;, possibly a pair of scissors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai launched a murder probe, and were questioning his mother Hazel Waters last night after she was arrested at the scene.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Hassan was the subject of a nationwide Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) alert just a few weeks ago after he and his father, former doctor Saleem Khan, were reported missing from Ballybrack village.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However, they were located just an hour later, on the evening of August 10, and were described by gardai as being &quot;safe and well&quot; at the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But while the CRI was stood down when Hassan was safely returned, he was found dead at home yesterday afternoon.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Following the arrest of Ms Waters, gardai are not seeking anyone else in connection with the killing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last night, gardai broke the news to Hassan&#39;s father, who is in his 60s.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Part of the investigation will focus on what support facilities were provided to the boy and his family following the CRI alert by the relevant childcare authorities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood that a liaison officer was appointed to the family and the child was deemed not to be at risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Robert Troy, Fianna Fail spokesman on children, said: &quot;If it materialises that the child died through suspicious circumstances, an inquiry would have to take place and questions would have to be asked.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;What we need to establish then is what level of support was being given to this family - and were the family allocated a dedicated social worker?</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;What support was needed? Was that support forthcoming? And if not, why not?&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He added that &quot;this is an extremely harrowing situation&quot; but that after the CRI alert, the child should have been known to the relevant authorities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There obviously needs to be follow-ups in that case. So I would ask what follow-up was on that case and again what level of supports was put into the family?&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Detectives launched the murder inquiry after the discovery of the child&#39;s body in the apartment at the Ridge Hall complex in Ballybrack village around 2.45pm yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai made the grim discovery after they were contacted by a woman who knew the boy&#39;s mother.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The child&#39;s body was removed from the scene yesterday evening around 7pm, following a preliminary examination by a pathologist.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A full post mortem is due to take place in the morning. The apartment was also being forensically examined by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Gardai are investigating whether scissors were used as the murder weapon.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Waters, who is in her 40s, was arrested at the apartment by gardai shortly after they discovered Hassan&#39;s body.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She was being interviewed at Dun Laoghaire garda station last night after a doctor deemed her mentally fit to answer questions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Waters, who is being held under Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act, can be detained for an initial period of 24 hours.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Garda sources have described the death of the child as a &quot;dreadful tragedy&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is a particularly distressing and dreadful tragedy. It is being treated as a murder and charges can be expected,&quot; one source told the Irish Independent.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The boy was the couple&#39;s only son. His mother is from the Ballybrack area while her partner is believed to be from Pakistan.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood that the couple were no longer living together.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Neighbour Michelle Dunne said she was &quot;devastated&quot; when she heard of the boy&#39;s death.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s devastating. She just seemed like a lovely woman, really.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s hard to believe that it&#39;s after happening right on our doorstep.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Shocked</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Dunne said the boy&#39;s mother had begun bringing Hassan to a green area in the complex approximately one year ago, where he often played with other local children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There&#39;s a few living in the estate with young kids, and all the kids would play together, so I would know them.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Hassan was a lovely little boy as well. I&#39;m totally shocked. You&#39;d never think he was two. He was quite small, a very petite little boy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;He used to love being out with the children in the green. His mam would always be with him.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It&#39;s hard to believe it happened to a boy who used to play with my children,&quot; said the mother-of-two.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said she had seen the boy&#39;s father Saleem outside the apartment block around the time of the CRI alert two months ago, but that she only found out about that incident days later.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Child and family agency Tusla last night said that it could not comment on individual cases.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The killing comes just a few days after Sanjeev Chada (44) was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his two sons last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Chada of Ballinkillen, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, drove his boys Eoghan (10) and Ruair&iacute; (5) to Co Mayo, where he strangled them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	His case sparked the first ever CRI alert in Ireland on July 29 last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Shortly after 3pm the alert was called off after Chada and his two deceased sons were found following the single-car collision outside Westport, Co Mayo.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/toddler-2-stabbed-to-death-with-scissors-30671027.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/toddler-2-stabbed-to-death-with-scissors-30671027.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-17 09:23:51',NULL,'toddler-2-stabbed-to-death-with-scissors-in-dublin-last-night'),(730,'Jury convict man who wrote of fantasy of raping RTE staff and three-year-old boy','<p>\r\n	A jury has convicted a man of producing child pornography as a result of online conversations in which he discussed raping and torturing children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	During what his own defence barrister described as a &quot;disgusting fantasy conversation&rdquo;. Mark Mulligan (39) made references to the children of RTE &ldquo;celebrities&rdquo; and to kidnaping and raping boys and girls.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mulligan of Railway Road, Clongriffin, Dublin had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the production of child pornography at his home on dates between March 1 and March 17, 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In text conversations over Skype with an unknown person Mulligan said he would &quot;love to rape&quot; the three year old son of a woman he knew, because she &ldquo;pissed&rdquo; him off.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He then sent a non-explicit photograph of the boy to the other person. This other man, using the online identity rodub82, said: &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s snatch him&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The accused replied: &quot;mmmm make him watch us kill his mum and dad, and then kill him&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Garnet Orange SC, defending, told the jury that the online exchanges were between two people who were concealing their identities and were very disturbing but were in the context of a private conversation. He that nothing further was done.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After a one day trial a jury of ten men and two women took 44 minutes to return a unanimous verdict of guilty.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In one online text exchange, on the morning of St Patrick&rsquo;s Day, Mulligan told rodub82: &ldquo;Lots of horny kids around today in parade&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He later wrote that he would &quot;love to have a cottage in the middle of nowhere and take kids there and rape and torture them&hellip;.and shit on their graves&rdquo;. Rodub82 said they could behave &ldquo;like a couple of Nazi prison guards&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mulligan added: &ldquo;Love to pick someone up late at night boy girl man woman and rape the bastard. Every time I heard someone got raped it&rsquo;s a turn on - even more when they are killed?&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also said he&rsquo;d like to kidnap and rape a pregnant woman and &quot;get the kid out&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mulligan asked rodub82 which Irish celebrity he would rape and rodub82 named the actress Saoirse Ronan while Mulligan suggested &ldquo;any of the reporters on RTE&rdquo;. The other user replied &ldquo;prefer their kids&rdquo; and Mulligan agreed and said it would give them something to remember.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mulligan told garda&iacute; that the conversations were all just &ldquo;sick fantasies&rdquo; and he never intended to act on them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said: &quot;I was only saying it, I was never going to meet anybody. We were discussing fantasy rape, as far as I was concerned nothing would be done about it. It was fantasy talk only.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I get obsessed talking about rape and torture, I know I need help, I wish I didn&rsquo;t have these thoughts.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said that while on the website gayireland.com he contacted a user with the word perv in their internet name and during their Skype conversation he said he &ldquo;stupidly&rdquo; said he was interested in raping young people.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mulligan said he isn&rsquo;t sexually attracted to children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I was lonely, curious, I felt like I was an undercover reporter, trying to get information. I didn&rsquo;t have any real friends, anyone to talk to, I distanced myself from reality. I just wanted to talk to people,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Judge Patricia Ryan remanded Mulligan in custody for sentencing in November and thanked the jury for their service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Garnet Orange SC, in his closing speech for the defence, told the jury that what was said was an exchange by way of electronic messaging between two people hiding behind assumed identities. He said it was a private conversation that was not intended for onward use.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He told them they must determine whether words used in the skype conversation amount to child pornography.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He submitted that the two men were &ldquo;egging each other on&rdquo; and &ldquo;raising the stakes&rdquo; during the conversation. &ldquo;These two men were engaged in obscene fantasy,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Orange said that not once during Mulligan&rsquo;s interviews did garda&iacute; say &ldquo;child porn.&rdquo; He submitted that the prosecution had sought to &ldquo;shoehorn&rdquo; the case into this charge.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Lady Chatterley&rsquo;s lover and Marquis de Sade are now commonly considered works of literature but when they were written they were considered the vilest concoctions or fantasy ever,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the contents of those books were as shocking as the contents of this exchange but they were not pornography.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Ultimately this is not pornography. This is a gross fantasy by someone who should know better,&rdquo; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;You must reach a cold, clinical, clear minded decision, all the more difficult in this case, but this is what is expected of you by the people of Ireland,&rdquo; he told the jury.</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-17 09:41:37',NULL,'jury-convict-man-who-wrote-of-fantasy-of-raping-rte-staff-and-three-year-old-boy'),(731,'What is done after CRI alert child is found?','<p>\r\n	The Child Rescue Ireland (CRI) system was launched in May 2012 but first used more than a year later in the tragic case of the Chada family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A CRI is issued when there is a suspicion a child has been taken without consent and where a risk to the child&#39;s safety or welfare is also feared.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first ever alert in July 2013 ended with Eoghan Chada (10) and his brother Ruairi (5) dead at the hands of their own father Sanjeev (44), who was last week jailed for murder.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But several other alerts have ended without harm to the children involved.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When a child is located following an alert, gardai immediately launch a detailed review of the case to see what lessons can be learned for the future.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The child is then medically assessed and, if necessary, specially-trained family liaison officers are involved.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Psychologists will advise us whether the child has sufficiently recovered to give a statement,&quot; a garda source explained.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;In years gone by, statements would be taken from all concerned as soon as possible. But that&#39;s not how it is done now. We give everyone time and allow specially-trained child investigators come in.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;If a psychologist says the child isn&#39;t fit to be interviewed for a week, then, for medical reasons, we have to step back.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The source added that at all times the interests of the child must come first.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/what-is-done-after-cri-alert-child-is-found-30673628.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/what-is-done-after-cri-alert-child-is-found-30673628.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-20 09:19:27',NULL,'what-is-done-after-cri-alert-child-is-found'),(732,'Traveller family denied wake for teenage son awarded nearly €6,400','<p>\r\n	Tribunal awards maximum compensation in discrimination case against funeral directors</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Traveller family who were refused access to a funeral home to wake their son have been awarded maximum compensation of &euro;6,384 by the Equality Tribunal.<br />\r\n	The award was made on foot of a complaint made by Anne Joyce for alleged discrimination experienced by her family when arranging the funeral of their 14-year-old son, who died following an illness in 2011.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The funeral directors engaged by the family did not have a premises in Ashbourne to wake the child and their representative contacted a local funeral director, Michael Ryan Funeral Directors, in Ashbourne to use its premises for this purpose.<br />\r\n	The Equality Tribunal found the company had initially agreed to allow its funeral home to be used to wake the deceased but later withdrew this on the basis that the family were members of the Traveller community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The Equality Tribunal found the evidence to be credible and awarded the Joyce family &euro;6,384, the maximum compensation payable under the Equal Status Acts for the effects of the discrimination on them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The Joyce family had been granted legal assistance by the Equality Authority to take their claim to the tribunal.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Emily Logan, chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Designate said: &ldquo;The case highlights that discrimination continues to be experienced by Travellers in their every day life and the outcome shows that this is not acceptable.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/business/traveller-family-denied-wake-for-teenage-son-awarded-nearly-6-400-1.1969439\">http://www.irishtimes.com/business/traveller-family-denied-wake-for-teenage-son-awarded-nearly-6-400-1.1969439</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-20 09:20:20',NULL,'traveller-family-denied-wake-for-teenage-son-awarded-nearly-€6400'),(733,'Sex offender arrested for alleged kidnapping of missing girl Mary Boyle (6) 37 years ago','<p>\r\n	The mother of a little girl who vanished 37 years ago says her daughter has never been out of her mind.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mary Boyle&#39;s mother Ann Boyle said life has been hell since her six-year-old daughter went missing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A convicted sex offender in his 60s is being questioned by gardai over her disappearance in Co Donegal in March 1977.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I&#39;m absolutely delighted that someone has been arrested, and my greatest wish now is that Mary is found,&quot; Mrs Boyle told Independent.ie</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I want to find out before I die what happened my little girl; that means absolutely everything to me.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She added: &quot;This person has been arrested in connection with the case, but whether he admits to it is another thing entirely.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The last 37 years have been hell on earth. That&#39;s how I&#39;d sum up what all the family have gone through.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mrs Boyle spoke out following the arrest of a man in his 60s today on suspicion of kidnapping.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Read more here: The anguished wait for the Irish families of missing children</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood the suspect in from Co Donegal and has several convictions for sexual abuse going back to the 1960s. He is believed to be currently serving a sentence for indecent assault.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The youngster went missing from near her grandparents&rsquo; home in Cashelard, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal on 18 March 1977. She was six years old at the time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	All searches in the meantime for the missing child have proved fruitless.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Assistant Commissioner for the Garda&#39;s Northern Region Kieran Kenny, said they believe the breakthrough has brought them one step closer to recovering where she is located.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As well as the investigation at the time, there have been two reviews by An Garda Siochana into Mary&#39;s disappearance.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He told a media briefing this afternoon that the arrest is directly related to new evidence arising from the latest review carried out in 2011.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We have used all the materials we gathered from the initial investigation that happened at the time of the disappearance,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;There was also a review conducted in the early 2000s, and we have used the materials from that as part of our inquiries.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Read more here: From the archives - Cold case report on missing Mary (6) due shortly</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The suspect was arrested at midday at a location in the Midlands. The man has been detained for up to 24 hours of questioning in Mullingar Station under the Criminal Justice Act 1984.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Assistant Commissioner said a review of the case has been ongoing in the Northern region for a number of years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A &quot;dedicated team&quot; of investigators, comprising between six and twelve officers, along with the expertise of forensic and geology experts, have been working on the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is the first arrest in connection with the case.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A Family Liaison Office has continuously updated Mary&rsquo;s mother Ann Boyle on the developments in the case, including today&rsquo;s arrest.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Read more here: From the archives - Search to resume for body of girl missing since 1977</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;We are appealing for anyone with any information on the circumstances around Mary&#39;s disappearance to contact us,&rdquo; the assistant commissioner continued.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;Even something that people may have thought was insignificant at the time could help us advance the continuing investigation.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Read more here: Two little girls - one was murdered by persons unknown, the other vanished without a trace</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Anyone with information is asked to contact the Incident Room at Ballyshannon Garda Station at 071 9858530 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/sex-offender-arrested-for-alleged-kidnapping-of-missing-girl-mary-boyle-6-37-years-ago-30681506.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/sex-offender-arrested-for-alleged-kidnapping-of-missing-girl-mary-boyle-6-37-years-ago-30681506.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-22 11:02:43',NULL,'sex-offender-arrested-for-alleged-kidnapping-of-missing-girl-mary-boyle-6-37-years-ago'),(734,'Stepdad groomed girl for sex from the age of 13','<p>\r\n	A man who raped and sexually assaulted his step-daughter over an eight-year period has received a 14-year prison sentence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Noel Maher (42) began sexually assaulting Amy Kenna in August 2001, when she was 10 years old and began raping her when she was aged 13. The Central Criminal Court heard that the victim was waiving her right to anonymity so that Maher can be identified.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sergeant Adrian McQueeney earlier told prosecuting council Conor Devally SC that in November 2009 gardai were called to the home address where an argument between the man and his step-daughter was taking place.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the course of the argument, the victim, who was 18 at the time, told garda&iacute; she had been raped and subjected to sexual assault over an eight-year period by her step-father.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said that he started to sexually assault her when she was between 10 and 13 years of age and told her &quot;this is what is going to happen&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She told gardai she recalled a threat from him that if she told anyone he would kill her and harm her siblings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;It was persistent, frequent and unrelenting activity,&quot; Mr Devally told the court. &quot;He groomed her in a controlled fashion with threats of violence. He would text her to come to him from wherever she was in the house and over time she complied with him.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Last July, after a seven-day trial, a jury found Maher guilty of three counts of sexually assaulting the girl on dates between August 2001 and August 2007 at different locations in Co Laois.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Maher, formerly of Barrow Way, Spa Street, Portarlington was also convicted of 34 counts of raping the girl on dates between August 2005 to November 2009.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	As part of his bail conditions, Maher was living at Barrack Street, Cork City, from 2012 to 2014.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In a victim impact statement, Ms Kenna said she &quot;panics&quot; at night but this has lessened since she reported the crime to gardai. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan said that the victim has undergone great suffering. &quot;She has shown great courage and resilience,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said that the appropriate sentence was 14 years and, noting the absence of any expression of remorse, he found no mitigating circumstances in Maher&#39;s defence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He suspended the last two years of the sentence in order to encourage Maher to rehabilitate.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/stepdad-groomed-girl-for-sex-from-the-age-of-13-30683516.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/stepdad-groomed-girl-for-sex-from-the-age-of-13-30683516.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-22 11:04:19',NULL,'stepdad-groomed-girl-for-sex-from-the-age-of-13'),(735,'Fears new sex laws in North will drive crime South','<p>\r\n	There are fears that the Republic could become a soft target for traffickers, pimps and thugs following a new legal ban on paying for sex in the North.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The landmark vote in the Assembly at Stormont this week paves the way for the ban to become law in Northern Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Stormont&#39;s Justice Minister David Ford, leader of the Alliance Party, opposed the historic clause in the Human Trafficking Bill. Opponents of the ban claimed it would merely drive such practices underground. However, it passed by 81 votes to 10.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Paying for consensual sex is currently legal in the North - although soliciting, brothel keeping and pimping are against the law.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Immigrant Council of Ireland warned that pimps who see their business collapse in the North may increase their activity south of the border.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Council was one of a number of organisations from the Turn Off the Red Light Campaign which appeared before the Stormont Justice Committee to brief members ahead of the vote.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The council&#39;s chief executive Denise Charlton said: &quot;The vote sends a direct message to pimps and traffickers that Northern Ireland is no longer open for business - however, there must now be genuine concerns that gangs which are losing out in the North will concentrate south of the border.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said: &quot;It is time for TDs and the Government to end the delay in introducing similar laws here and prevent that happening. Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has already spoken of targeting demand to smash the business model for pimps and traffickers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Together with the 72 partners of the Turn Off the Red Light Campaign, we are encouraging her to follow her words with action before traffickers exploit the difference in laws on both sides of the border.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The new laws in Northern Ireland are proving controversial with a former senior police officer warning they are well-intentioned but ill-thought out.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Jim Gamble, who previously headed up the Child Exploitation and Online Protection agency, said he believed the PSNI would struggle to enforce the new law - and that police will want to engage those who are trafficking and forcing victims into the industry.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The PSNI said it gave the move by the Assembly &quot;qualified support&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sex workers said it would drive the industry underground and put them at risk.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/fears-new-sex-laws-in-north-will-drive-crime-south-30683529.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/fears-new-sex-laws-in-north-will-drive-crime-south-30683529.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-22 11:11:57',NULL,'fears-new-sex-laws-in-north-will-drive-crime-south'),(736,'Care staff \'left children at risk of sex offenders\'','<p>\r\n	Social services failed to properly protect children from sex offenders and left them at risk, an inspection report has revealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The inspection of child welfare and protection services in Donegal found the assessment of one convicted sex offender was delayed by six months as the service struggled with lack of staff.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Although efforts were made to identify, assess and manage risks posed by alleged or convicted offenders in the community, early warning systems to discover organised abuse were not robust enough, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The inspection, carried out in May, found that while overall children received a service which supported and protected them, there were also failures.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	These included:</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* A waiting list arose for the allocation of social workers to alleged or convicted sex offenders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* Social workers having no national guidance, policy, procedure or assessment system in place to support them to assess and monitor the risk posed by sex offenders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* Lack of staff, meaning that children and those deemed the most urgent had to be prioritised while the rest were on a waiting list.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* Fifteen children who were on the child protection notification system had not been allocated a social worker. They were also not visited by a social worker as often as they should have been.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	* Around one in four assessments of children were not carried out within the recommended 20 days. Nearly half of the initial checks were still &quot;ongoing&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Brian Lee, Director of Quality Assurance of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency which took over social services from the HSE, said: &quot;The inspections process provides a useful, independent perspective of what we are doing well and an opportunity to improve our services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I am pleased that the final report recognises the service&#39;s many positive achievements and the dedication of its local staff, with no major risks identified.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;A comprehensive action plan is being implemented to address the findings of the report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Significantly, there was good inter-agency work demonstrated between Tusla, An Garda Siochana and other professionals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;All concerns regarding children were screened effectively and there was a system in place to ensure that child protection conferences took place in a timely manner.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Meanwhile, a new five-year research programme led by Maynooth University senior lecturer Dr Sinead McGilloway, has been awarded &euro;1.25m to research two new models of &quot;wraparound&quot; care for vulnerable parents of young children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It will focus on children aged up to eight who may be at risk of developing emotional and behavioural difficulties and children at risk of maltreatment or abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Wraparound&quot; care provides an intensive, individualised approach to children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/care-staff-left-children-at-risk-of-sex-offenders-30686540.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/care-staff-left-children-at-risk-of-sex-offenders-30686540.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-23 14:28:55',NULL,'care-staff-left-children-at-risk-of-sex-offenders'),(737,'78-year-old man given suspended sentence for sex assault on two-year-old boy','<p>\r\n	A 78-year-old man who sexually assaulted a two year old boy at a child minders in Co Limerick has been given a two-year suspended jail sentence.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	James Kett of Faha, Patrickswell, Co Limerick, abused the boy in a bathroom of the child minders which he had access to, on 12 October 2011, three weeks before the toddler&#39;s third birthday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Limerick Circuit Court heard the incident took place when the man was left in charge of a number of children for ten minutes while the childminder went to collect another child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Later that night when the victim&#39;s mother was getting her son ready for bed he said &quot;yum yum, my mickey mac&quot;, the term he used to describe his penis, and referred to an older man.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The mother told her husband what happened, and he went to the child minder and the Gardai were alerted.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Special garda interviewers were tasked with questioning the child who was too young to be interviewed on camera, the court heard.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The little boy repeated to interviewers what he had said to his mother and told them his clothes were off at the time as they were wet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In her evidence Garda Deirdre Foley said the child moved his mouth towards his penis when he was describing what had happened.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court heard how the child minder co-operated fully with the Garda investigation and was gobsmacked about what happened.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She told garda&iacute; that the parents of the children she minded were aware that occasionally she would have to leave for ten minutes, but there was always somebody supervising the children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After his arrest Mr Kett who pleaded guilty, admitted &quot;fiddling&quot; with the boy&#39;s penis for a minute and a half but denied any oral contact.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The widower who will be 79 next month, said it had never happened before and said it was opportunistic.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When asked if he had enjoyed it the pensioner replied: &quot;I won&#39;t say that I didn&#39;t&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	However he insisted he didn&#39;t get aroused.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The child minder was shocked when she learned about the incident and fully co-operated with gardai and the subsequent HSE inquiry.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court heard while a number of parents removed their children from her care some remained.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The child minder has since closed her business, and the HSE investigation into the matter has been closed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Counsel for the State John O&#39;Sulivan said the toddler&#39;s parents did not wish to make a victim impact statement but were anxious to have the matter finalised.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They are happy with their son&#39;s progress and he has shown no ill effects of the incident which he hasn&#39;t mentioned since.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Defence Counsel Brian McInerney said his client apologised unreservedly and said he was &quot;disgusted with himself&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He added it was an &quot;isolated aberration in an otherwise unblemished life&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The court was told Mr Kett&#39;s wife died when his only child was three years old, and that he was recently diagnosed with cancer and has a tracheotomy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr McInerney questioned what benefit to society would be served by imposing a custodial sentence on his client who had no previous convictions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Before imposing sentence Judge Carroll Moran said that Mr Kett was in a position of trust which he had broken and betrayed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Judge Moran said the child was very young and not in a position to resist.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said it was in the public&#39;s interest to know that the offence had occurred in a child minders but ordered that further details of the location or owner not be reported.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Judge Moran imposed a two-year prison sentence which he suspended for four years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He also ordered that James Kett&#39;s name be added to the Sex Offenders Register for five years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1022/654201-james-kett/</p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-23 14:30:45',NULL,'78-year-old-man-given-suspended-sentence-for-sex-assault-on-two-year-old-boy'),(738,'Suicide prevention campaign begins','<p>\r\n	National Office for Suicide Prevention to spend up to &euro;1m on multimedia campaign</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The first commercial-scale suicide-prevention communications campaign rolls out this week with Little Things, a multimedia campaign created by Dublin agency Rothco. The Health Service Executive&rsquo;s National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) is to spend up to &euro;1 million on the campaign, which was devised with the assistance of 20 partner organisations in the mental health and suicide prevention sector.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Research for the campaign began in January of this year and, to the HSE&rsquo;s surprise, showed that for this subject people preferred animation to live action. And so for the television treatment three 40- second films were made by animation experts Art &amp; Graft. They tell the personal stories of &Uacute;na-Minh Kavanagh, Alan O&rsquo;Mara and Robert Carley, who provide the voiceovers. The idea is that everyone has a &ldquo;little thing&rdquo; that they do to help them through difficult times.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	While the target audience is, according to the NOSP &ldquo;everyone &ndash; that old idea that one in four people is affected by mental health issues is wrong: it&rsquo;s four out of four&rdquo; &ndash; the prime targets are, because of suicide statistics, two categories of men: those aged 19 to 25, and those aged 25 to 44; and so a digital media strategy is a key part of the Little Things message, whose media strategy is by Carat.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The Facebook and Twitter side of the campaign will be managed in-house by the NOSP, initially due, it says, to the sensitivity of the subject matter so that mental health experts can respond to and manage the posts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The HSE&rsquo;s Quit campaign saw significant Facebook engagement, with about 50,000 people now using the campaign site, some as a community quit-smoking support forum. That campaign is the one the HSE intends to benchmark others on.<br />\r\n	The NOSP has persuaded several well-known people to engage with its social media strategy and who will tweet their own &ldquo;little thing&rdquo; &ndash; including, it says, the Taoiseach who has shown a remarkable reluctance to use Twitter, his last tweet to his 19,200 followers being on July 8th, 2011.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/media-and-marketing/suicide-prevention-campaign-begins-1.1972658\">http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/media-and-marketing/suicide-prevention-campaign-begins-1.1972658</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-23 14:39:41',NULL,'suicide-prevention-campaign-begins'),(739,'Convicted child abuser seeks £100,000 over Facebook page','<p>\r\n	Sex offender claims breach of privacy in case over social media page set up to monitor paedophiles</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A convicted child abuser should be awarded up to &pound;100,000 in damages for being featured on a Facebook page set up to monitor paedophiles in Northern Ireland, the High Court in Belfast has been told.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Counsel for the sex offender claimed the breach of his privacy was among the most severe cases in the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A judge was also told he planned to split any payout between compensating his victims and giving money to his own family.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The man, who cannot be identified, has brought a potentially landmark lawsuit against Facebook and page operator Joe McCloskey.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He is claiming misuse of private information, harassment and breaches of the data protection act. An order to shut down the &ldquo;Keeping our kids safe . . . &rdquo; page administrated by Mr McCloskey is also sought.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Proceedings were launched after the man&rsquo;s photograph and details appeared on the social networking site last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He served a prison sentence for a string of gross indecency and indecent assault offences against a young girl and a teenage boy.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Mr McCloskey has told the court he has &ldquo;named and shamed&rdquo; 400 sex offenders through the page. He denies being responsible for a witchhunt or hate campaign.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/convicted-child-abuser-seeks-100-000-over-facebook-page-1.1975562\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/convicted-child-abuser-seeks-100-000-over-facebook-page-1.1975562</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-24 09:11:01',NULL,'convicted-child-abuser-seeks-â£100000-over-facebook-page'),(740,'Review of orders’ practices on child protection published','<p>\r\n	Inconsistencies revealed in support for those alleging clerical child sex abuse</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Support for people making allegations of clerical child sexual abuse continues to be inconsistent in some Catholic Church religious congregations, a review published today has found.<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Contact in many instances was not made directlyby the congregation and the opportunity for pastoral support was missed,&rdquo; it said .<br />\r\n	The observation was made by Teresa Devlin, chief executive of the Church&rsquo;s child protection watchdog, its National Board for Safeguarding Children.<br />\r\n	Today it has published 18 reviews of child safeguarding practices involving five five male and 13 female religious congregations. Eight are standard reviews of safeguarding practices against the seven established standards that the Catholic Church in Ireland has agreed to meet.<br />\r\n	The congregations fully reviewed included the Vincentian Fathers, the Redemptorists, Sisters of St Louis, Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the Pallottines, St Joseph&rsquo;s Missionary Society (Mill Hill), The Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), the Presentation Sisters.<br />\r\n	However, because 10 of the congregations are so small and have very limited contact with children, also due to the advanced age of their members and the fact that they face no allegations of sexual abuse in Ireland, these were assessed against a revised framework. &ldquo;The 10 Congregations demonstrated a strong sense of commitment to working positively with the National Board, in spite of their limited ministries&rdquo;, Ms Devlin said.<br />\r\n	The 10 congregations referred to were the sisters of the Notre Dame des Missions, the Medical Missionaries of Mary, the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa, the Faithful Companions of Jesus, the Missionary Sisters of St Columban, the Adoration Sisters, the Ursulines of Jesus, the Sisters of Charity of Jesus &amp; Mary, the Sisters of Marie Reparatrice, and the Daughters of theHeart of Mary.<br />\r\n	She continued that &ldquo;the findings for the eight full reviews show that the timeframes for reporting to the civil authorities in relation to allegations against priests/brothers/sisters up until 2009 is variablebut has improved considerably.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	The reviews found that a number of the priests were in ministry abroad and allegations were made from both children in Ireland and in the missionary countries. The management of these cases varied, but in most instances were now dealt with by returning the accused priest to Ireland where he is placed under restrictions.<br />\r\n	They also found that where allegations of abuse were made abroad &ldquo;it is rare for the complainant to pursue any action in relation to criminal or civil investigations. In these instances the Church inquiries are critical in establishing if there is a semblance of truth to the allegation and in the management of risk.&rdquo;<br />\r\n	&ldquo;Management plans relating to accused priests and brothers and sisters have improved significantly over time, though there is still room for improvement, in terms of clarity of roles, review of restrictions, and sharing of information,&rdquo; Ms Devlin said.<br />\r\n	MILL HILL FATHERS<br />\r\n	This congregation has has 40 resident priest members in Ireland and 20 priests working outside Ireland. Their average age is 73. Total abuse allegations received and managed by it since 1975 was 13 involving eight priests, of whom two are now deceased. Two have left ministry. Of the four remaining, two have been withdrawn from public ministry and are subject of restrictions and are under supervision.<br />\r\n	Five allegations, involving three priests, refer to events when they were ministering outside Ireland. In a further case the abuse of children in another country came to light as a result of the priests&rsquo; own self-disclosure and the victims have not been traced (although efforts were made to identify them). In the remaining eight instances the abuse was alleged to have involved four priests and to have occurred in Ireland.<br />\r\n	Two of the safeguarding cases managed by the society were the subject of RTE &rsquo;s Prime Time Mission to Prey programme in 2011. Despite media coverage in Ireland andAfrica no new allegations emerged.<br />\r\n	All of the cases were referred to the Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na but delay was evident in five of these as was delay in notifying the HSE. One case was not referred to the HSE. There have been no criminal convictions of any priest from the Irish region of the society, either in Ireland or abroad.<br />\r\n	Historically practice was inconsistent in relation to basic safeguarding processes however the revied noted it was evident that a change in safeguarding practice occurred in the middle of the first decade of this century.<br />\r\n	WHITE FATHERS<br />\r\n	The Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) have 25 members in Ireland and in different countries of Africa At present nine members reside in Ireland and their main role today is to receive the members of the society who come home on leave. None of the Irish based members have any ministry with children<br />\r\n	A total of 10 allegations of suspected child sex abuse received by them since January ist 1975. The 10 allegations involved two members of the society and one unidentified male religious who may or may not be a member of the society. The time period covered by these allegations runs from 1962 to 1996.The majority of identified allegations relate to abuse in Ireland.<br />\r\n	Two members have been convicted of crimes of a sexual nature. Both are<br />\r\n	out of ministry and reside at the society&rsquo;s main house in Dublin.<br />\r\n	The allegation in respect of B? was received by the society&rsquo;s Generalate (Headquarters) in Rome in 2006. They took immediate action and B was removed from Africa to the USA for risk assessment and subsequent treatment.<br />\r\n	B returned to the Irish Region in 2010 and prompt notifications were made to the statutory authorities and Church authorities. Subsequently B was found guilty of indecent assault of a minor on in September 2011 and sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years on condition he remained in treatment. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for five years.<br />\r\n	Member C was subsequently convicted in 2010 of sexual offences and was sentenced to four years in prison. He was put on the sex offenders register for an indefinite length of time after he was released, this followed an appeal on his part to the court.<br />\r\n	He has consistently denied the allegations made against him and is appealing his conviction. The society has sought to initiate canonical action in respect of member C but this has been set aside pending the outcome of the civil proceedings and member C&rsquo;s appeals against his convictions.<br />\r\n	PALLOTINES<br />\r\n	The Pallottines Fathers run two parishes in Dublin and five members work in them with two members work in diocesan parishes, one in the Archdiocese of Dublin and one in the Diocese of Ossory<br />\r\n	The Irish Province was constituted with the houses in England, Argentina, New York, and Ireland and also included the Church of San Silvestro in Capite, Rome. The Provincial House was initially in Argentina, it was moved to London in 1928 and from there to Dublin in 1978.<br />\r\n	Where a member has been accused in another country, the practice is that all legal and Church investigations are completed in the country the alleged incident occurred. If safeguarding concerns remain, consideration is given to bringing that member to Ireland for monitoring purposes upon completion of civil investigations, or if there is a need to investigate any allegations which have emerged from Ireland or another country.<br />\r\n	All case files relating to allegations of abuse are stored in the Provincial House in Dublin and were reviewed by the reviewers.<br />\r\n	The Pallottines have received 19 allegations against nine identifiable priests or brothers since 1975. There are also two allegations received against unidentified priests/or members. Of the nine identified priests or brothers, two are deceased, two are out of ministry, three are in ministry, one left the Pallottines and is deceased, and one brother left the Pallottines and is presumed alive.<br />\r\n	All of the allegations were formally received by the Pallottines between 1993 and 2013 and refer to alleged incidents of abusive behaviour between approximately 1960 and 2000.<br />\r\n	There have been no criminal convictions related to the allegations of any priest or brother from the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers (Irish Province).<br />\r\n	Of the 19 allegations, 11 incidents occurred outside of Ireland, seven in Ireland, and one location is unknown due to the lack of detail provided. Of the two men out of ministry, Fr A has nine allegations against him, while Fr B has three allegations against him.<br />\r\n	It is evident from the files that there were delays in reporting information to An Garda S&iacute;och&aacute;na and the Health Services Executive.<br />\r\n	Fr A admitted to sexual abuse of nine children over approximately 30 years. His first known incident of abusive behaviour, involving two survivors, occurred when he ministered outside of Ireland. The allegation was reported to the local diocese but not shared with police from that jurisdiction.<br />\r\n	Instead Fr A was moved and he went on to sexually abuse four other children. He was removed from ministry and has been ever since under strict supervision. Since his removal from ministry, three allegations have been made against Fr A.<br />\r\n	The canonical process has not been initiated and the reviewers questioned the hesitation in doing so. It is recognised within the Pallottine safeguarding personnel that Fr A poses an active risk to children and the reviewers are satisfied that all reasonable steps have been taken to minimise Fr A&rsquo;s level of risk<br />\r\n	In relation to Fr. B, the Pallottines received three allegations against him over 19 years. All of the allegations were notified to the statutory authorities.<br />\r\n	Upon receipt of the third allegation against Fr B, the Pallottines have begun a canonical investigation. There are clear restrictions in place with regard to this priest&rsquo;s ministry and access to children.<br />\r\n	REDEMPTORISTS<br />\r\n	The Redemptorists have ministries in both the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland involving 107 men with four currently abroad. Between 30 and 40 Irish men are members of other Redemptorist units abroad. Approximately 100 members of the Dublin Province are ordained priests, with the remainder being religious brothers.<br />\r\n	The Redemptorists run parishes in Dundalk, Dublin and Belfast, while the Marianella Community in Rathgar accommodates the Provincial Offices of the congregation.<br />\r\n	They organise large nine-day Solemn Novenas, such as those in Limerick, Dundalk, Belfast and Galway, as well as parish based Missions, and work in Mission Churches.The Redemptorists are involved with Youth Ministries at Clonard in Belfast, Esker in Athenry,Co. Galway and Scala in Cork .<br />\r\n	Thirteen Redemptorists (seven priests and six religious brothers) were named as men about whom a child safeguarding concern arose. It was alleged that a further five had been abusive, but the complainants were not able to identify the person whom they alleged had abused them. A total of 24 people came forward in the 39-year period covered by this review to make a complaint or raise a concern.<br />\r\n	The Redemptorists have received no information suggesting that any of theirmembers has been involved in a child safeguarding incident in the last 19 years.<br />\r\n	Of the 13 Redemptorists identified by complainants, four were already dead at the time of the complaint. A further two members were alleged to have abused someone outside the island of Ireland. In these six cases, the timing of reporting to the relevant police force and statutory child protection social service was affected by these circumstances.<br />\r\n	Looking at the 15 complaints received about the other seven congregational members, nine were reported to the statutory authorities in a timely manner and all complaints were made in the period 2010 to 2014. In the case of six complaints, there was an unacceptable delay in reporting these complaints to the relevant police force<br />\r\n	Over time the Redemptorist Congregation has significantly improved its performance in making appropriate and timely reports to the statutory authorities.<br />\r\n	The reviewers are of the opinion that the handling of cases involving four congregational members was not sufficiently robust and effective. These four men account for seven complaints.<br />\r\n	Included were delays in reporting to statutory authorities,information available on file not being utilised effectively, or insufficient information<br />\r\n	The three surviving men whose cases could have been better managed are now all subject to supervised living regimes in which they do not have any access to children.<br />\r\n	The reviewers would also wish to record that the majority of the cases reviewed have been well managed by the Redemptorist Congregation and evidence of very good practice is acknowledged.<br />\r\n	During the period under review, three Redemptorist priests about whom a child safeguarding concern had arisen chose to leave the Congregation.<br />\r\n	No Redemptorist has been charged with or convicted of an offence against a child<br />\r\n	VINCENTIANS<br />\r\n	The Congregation of the Mission, or the Vincentians as they are commonly known, are involved with St Vincent&rsquo;s College, Castleknock, St. Paul&rsquo;s College, Sybil Hill, and St. Patrick&rsquo;s College, Armagh. They have also been involved at third level, at St Patrick&rsquo;s College, Drumcondra and All Hallows College, Dublin<br />\r\n	There are approximately 50 confreres now, with roughly 15 members in Ireland are in active ministry. The average age of the community is 73 years, with one man studying to enter the Vincentians.<br />\r\n	The Congregation administers two parishes,St Peter&rsquo;s in Phibsboro, Dublin and St. Vincent&rsquo;s in Sunday&rsquo;s Well, Cork. The Vincentians in Ireland are accommodated in six community houses in Dublin, Cork and Belfast.<br />\r\n	In total, 42 allegations have been made against 13 priests since 1975. A total of 25 allegations are related to one priest Fr &lsquo;A&rsquo;, who was named in the November<br />\r\n	2009 Murphy Report . It concerned itself with 16 allegations relating to Fr. &lsquo;A&rsquo; known at the time of that report which was very critical of the Vincentian Congregation and their handling of allegations of child safeguarding concerns.<br />\r\n	Fr. &lsquo;A&rsquo; died suddenly in 1994. A further nine allegations against Fr &lsquo;A&rsquo; have been received by the congregation since 2004, which was the cut off for cases dealt with by the Murphy Commission.<br />\r\n	In the vast majority of cases concerning allegations relating to other priests, these became known to the congregation after the priests&rsquo; deaths and in some cases, a great many years following a particular priest dying<br />\r\n	The reviewers noted two current situations in which the Leadership Team was required to take positive and definite action to manage such risk. In the first case the situation was extremely well managed by the Vincentians. In the second case the allegation received in 2013 refers to alleged historical sexual assault. The provincial is aware That this case needs to be referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/review-of-orders-practices-on-child-protection-published-1.1974733?page=1\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/review-of-orders-practices-on-child-protection-published-1.1974733?page=1</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-24 09:19:54',NULL,'review-of-orders’-practices-on-child-protection-published'),(741,'Naked man found lurking beside prefabs at school following attempted assault','<p>\r\n	Gardai are investigating whether there is a link between a pervert who was seen lurking naked beside prefabs at a north-Dublin school and an attack in a park in which a man tried to strangle a woman during an attempted sexual assault.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In the latest incident, which occurred at around 7pm on Wednesday, a 10-year-old boy witnessed a naked man hiding at prefabs at a school in North Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The suspect is being described as bald, five-feet 10-inches in height and around 35 years of age.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Officers are now investigating whether there is a link between the incident at the school and a disturbing incident on Saturday morning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This happened at the Tir na nOg Park in Castleknock.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The principal of Castleknock Community College, John Cronin, warned parents to &ldquo;remind their daughters and sons to be extremely careful&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There have been no arrests in either case. It is understood that the boy who witnessed the naked man is upset by what he saw.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Earlier this week, it emerged that a woman in her late 30s was attacked as she walked through the park at 7.30am on Saturday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Subsequently, all parents and students of a nearby secondary school have been put on the alert.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This is a separate school to where Wednesday evening&rsquo;s naked man incident happened.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/naked-man-found-lurking-beside-prefabs-at-school-30689273.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/naked-man-found-lurking-beside-prefabs-at-school-30689273.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-24 09:26:37',NULL,'naked-man-found-lurking-beside-prefabs-at-school-following-attempted-assault'),(742,'UNICEF report finds 10% rise in child poverty in Ireland','<p>\r\n	A new study from UNICEF on the impact of the recession on children in 41 developed countries places Ireland close to the bottom of the list.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report has ranked Ireland in 37th place in the league table measuring relative changes in child poverty.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Only Croatia, Latvia, Greece and Iceland finished below Ireland in the UNICEF league table.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report looked at the impact of the economic crisis on child well-being.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It found Irish families with children have lost the equivalent of ten years of income progress.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The child poverty rate rose by over 10% to 28.6% between 2008 and 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This corresponds to a net increase of more than 130,000 poor children in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Comparatively, poverty among older people has increased by 2.5% during the same period.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Of the 41 countries surveyed, 18 recorded a reduction in child poverty, including Chile, Australia and Poland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	UNICEF said the data showed a strong correlation between the impact of the financial crisis and a disproportionate decline in children&#39;s well-being.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power said: &quot;Countries should place the well-being of children at the top of their priorities during economic recessions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Not only is this a moral obligation, but it is in the long term self-interest of societies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Children living in poverty are more likely to become impoverished adults and have poor children, creating and sustaining intergenerational cycles of poverty.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Speaking on RT&Eacute;&#39;s Morning Ireland, Mr Power outlined the long-term problems if the issue of child poverty is not addressed and what the Government needs to do.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said: &quot;We need to look at this whole problem from a child&#39;s rights perspective. Children have a right to grow up outside of endemic poverty.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;One very important recommendation that we would ask Government to look at and that&#39;s this - that they set out certain red lines and if poverty indicators fall below those red lines that it automatically triggers an intervention by Government.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1028/655244-unicef/\">http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1028/655244-unicef/</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-28 10:45:48',NULL,'unicef-report-finds-10%-rise-in-child-poverty-in-ireland'),(743,'Child benefit is ruled off limits in debt deals','<p>\r\n	Personal Insolvency Practitioners (PIPS) have been told that they can not include child benefit payments as debtors&#39; monthly income because it wrongly inflates their ability to pay their banks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Child benefit is payable to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age, or under 18 years of age if the child is in full-time education.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some PIPS, who are authorised to manage debt settlement and insolvency arrangements on behalf of struggling debtors, were including child benefit payments as monthly income for the purpose of proposing debt deals to banks and other creditors.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	This month&#39;s Budget increased the rate of Child Benefit by &euro;5 to &euro;135 per month for each child from January 2015.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) has written to PIPs to tell them that child benefit can not be used as part of any debt repayment plan. The ISI has told PIPs that child benefit is already deducted from the living expenses of a child under its guidelines on reasonable standards of living and expenses.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;This is done on the basis that child benefit payments are intended to be spent on a child,&quot; said the ISI in a circular.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Failure to disregard child benefit payments from income of the debtor when preparing a proposal will effectively result in overstating the amount the debtor has available from which to make payments to creditors; the debtor will appear to have income despite the fact that this money has already been factored into the calculations of the expenses per child&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ISI, which recently launched a new website, backontrack.ie - aimed at people who are struggling with debt - said that some creditors are dissatisfied at the level of &quot;prudent verification&quot; being carried out by PIPs in relation to financial information provided by debtors in the early stages of the process.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	PIPs have been told to question debtors more as to the veracity and accuracy of their financial documents to avoid debt proposals being rejected by banks.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The ISI has also advised that where a debtor and their family leaves their home, also known as the principal private residence (PPR), the family home should be recategorised as an investment property with a comment entered to reflect the &quot;true position&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/child-benefit-is-ruled-off-limits-in-debt-deals-30697907.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/child-benefit-is-ruled-off-limits-in-debt-deals-30697907.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-28 10:49:47',NULL,'child-benefit-is-ruled-off-limits-in-debt-deals'),(744,'Most parents in child-care cases are not married','<p>\r\n	Most parents involved in child-care cases in the courts are not married and one in six has mental problems, a new report reveals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The majority of them are single or separated and parenting alone, according to the study of cases involving over 800 children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report, to be launched today, finds nearly one in three children has special needs and one in four child-care cases involve a parent from an ethnic minority, including travellers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Child Care Law Reporting Project said there is little consistency in the reasons for removing children from parents around the country.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In one case, a judge refused long-term care orders for a number of children despite the fact that a doctor gave compelling evidence of severe physical abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judge granted short orders instead and planned to give the younger children back to the mother.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In another case, the Child and Family Agency sought a care order for a baby after a mother tested positive for cannabis after being hospitalised with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The order was sought although the woman denied using the drug and her baby did not show evidence of neglect.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I&#39;m not criticising the judge in the first case particularly but saying there appears to be different thresholds for removing children from parents,&quot; said the Director of the project, Carol Coulter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;The whole system has grown up in an ad hoc way.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She called for a dedicated family court to be set up.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report finds children can be at particular risk of abuse and neglect when parents are poor, have a mental illness, and a child with special needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Most cases involve parents who are vulnerable due to mental issues, drugs or alcohol abuse, and have little family support. Most are claiming social welfare.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Coulter said it is urgent that those coming to our shores understand what is expected of them as parents due to the disproportionate representation of non-Irish parents in the courts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	She said social workers need intensive training to deal with cultural differences, while this also made fostering more complicated.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In most courts outside Dublin, child-care cases are heard on a general family law day, when there can be up to 70 or 80 cases on the list.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If a case is contested it could be repeatedly adjourned over many months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Coulter said it is not possible for child-care cases to receive the attention they need and deserve if there is no consent to the orders.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;These cases alone make a compelling case for the establishment of a special family court as soon as possible,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;But the courts alone are not the answer to the problems of vulnerable families.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Society as a whole must take responsibility for supporting them so that taking children into care is a last resort.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/most-parents-in-childcare-cases-are-not-married-30697914.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/most-parents-in-childcare-cases-are-not-married-30697914.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-28 10:50:43',NULL,'most-parents-in-child-care-cases-are-not-married'),(745,'Depression is cause of one in three psychiatric admissions','<p>\r\n	Depression is the most common reason why patients are admitted to psychiatric hospitals, according to a new report.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The illness accounted for nearly one in three patients admitted to hospital last year. The second most common cause was schizophrenia, followed by mania, where the patient suffers from a heightened state of euphoria and lack of sleep.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alcoholic disorders accounted for 8pc of all admissions with one in 10 of first-time patients having an addiction to drink of all, the Health Research Board revealed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The figures show that admissions to Irish psychiatric units and hospitals increased from 18,173 in 2012 to 18,457 in 2013, an rise of 284 .The report found that women outnumbered men,making up 51pc of patients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	People aged he 55-64 year age group had the highest rate of admission. But the rate of first-time patients was highest among the 18-19 year age group .</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Over half of those with mental illness were single and, in line with previous trends, the unskilled occupational group had the highest rate of all admissions. Most were admitted to the psychiatric units of public hospitals while one in four were in private facilities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report found that more than one in 10 were admitted against their will. The rate of involuntary admission increased from 41.9 per 100,000 in 2012 to 44.4 in 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The report noted 144 deaths in Irish psychiatric units and hospitals and three quarters of those who died were aged 65 or over, with men accounting for more than women. This is an increase in the number of discharges from 17,986 in 2012 but a decrease in the number of deaths from 153.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nearly one in three only spent a week in hospital and the majority were discharged within three months.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There were 415 admissions to all types of hospital of children under 18, a reduction of 23 since 2012 .</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Just three quarters of these were placed in special child and adolescent units and one in five ended up in units in public hospitals. Of these youngsters 317 were admitted for the first time.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Girls accounted for 64pc of these young people. Again the most common illness was depression, followed by schizophrenia. Almost 12pc had a diagnosis of an eating disorder and 9pc suffered from neuroses which can involve obsessional thoughts and compulsive behaviour. Around 6pc were students.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Nearly nine in 10 of the patients were classified as &quot;white Irish&quot;, 5pc were from backgrounds such as the travelling community and Roma. Around 2pc were distributed amongst various other ethnic groups.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Admission rates were highest for counties Sligo, Roscommon, Kerry and Laois .</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Monaghan had the lowest rate of all admissions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Westmeath had the highest rate of first admissions, followed by Dublin,Laois, and Kerry. Again Monaghan had the lowest rate of admissions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The average age at admission was 45 years. The youngest was 14 years and the oldest was 97.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The authors of the report Antoinette Daly and Dr Dermot Walsh said that over 10 years there has been a 17pc decline in admissions to psychiatric hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Despite a decline in involuntary admissions during some of the 10-year period from 2004-2013, the proportion of patients detained against their will in 2013 was at the same level as 2004, prior to the modernising of legislation with the Mental Health Act 2001.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Admission numbers reached a peak of 29,392 in 1986.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Junior Health Minister Kathleen Lynch said an additional &euro;35m is being ring-fenced for mental health in 2015. But mental health groups have warned that the service remains under-funded, with potential consequences for patients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/depression-is-cause-of-one-in-three-psychiatric-admissions-30701376.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/depression-is-cause-of-one-in-three-psychiatric-admissions-30701376.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-29 12:02:55',NULL,'depression-is-cause-of-one-in-three-psychiatric-admissions'),(746,'Free app helps find friends in trouble on Twitter','<p>\r\n	Samaritans has launched a new free app which allows the family and friends of someone who is vulnerable to severe mental stress to monitor their activity on social networking site Twitter.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Samaritans radar gives users a chance to see potentially worrying tweets which were sent by someone who may be struggling to cope. It uses a specially designed map that looks for specific keywords and phrases within a Tweet.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It then sends an email alert to the user with a link to the Tweet it has detected, and offers guidance on the best way of reaching out and providing support.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Joe Ferns, executive director of policy, research and development at Samaritans said the support organisation recognises that social media is increasingly being used as an outlet for people to share their feelings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;In addition, there are some who may go online in the hope that someone will reach out and offer support,&quot; he said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said it would provide an online safety net, reducing the chances of a person&#39;s call for help being missed. &quot;The first-of-its-kind app was developed with input from academic experts, to identify the phrases that vulnerable people use on social media,&quot; he added.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Samaritans radar was created by digital agency Jam and can be activated in just two steps from the website www.samaritansradar.org. All alerts are sent to the subscriber&#39;s email address directly - never to their Twitter followers - and radar doesn&#39;t post to Twitter on the subscriber&#39;s behalf.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Twitter&#39;s wider collaboration with Samaritans includes a referral process which works in two ways: Twitter has Samaritans listed within their help centre as the go-to organisation for suicide prevention the Republic of Ireland and the UK.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	When somebody gets reported as suicidal, the Twitter Trust &amp; Safety team verifies the report and if they deem it accurate, they get in touch with both the reported and the reported account, to share recommendations and contact information for Samaritans.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Around one in five people in Ireland is on Twitter.<br />\r\n	<br />\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/free-app-helps-find-friends-in-trouble-on-twitter-30701441.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/free-app-helps-find-friends-in-trouble-on-twitter-30701441.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-29 12:03:41',NULL,'free-app-helps-find-friends-in-trouble-on-twitter'),(747,'Family court urgently needed for vulnerable parents and children','<p>\r\n	High proportion of children in child care proceedings had parents from ethnic minorities</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	There are many complex issues involved in child protection. Difficult judgments have to be made between competing rights and sometimes tragic consequences can flow from a judgment that, with the benefit of hindsight, looks as if it might have been mistaken.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The second Interim Report from the Child Care Law Reporting Project, published today, demonstrates the kind of issues that arise. In it we publish statistics collected from our attendance at District Court child care proceedings around the country during the last legal year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	These showed that one in four of the child care cases in the courts involve at least one parent from an ethnic minority (including Travellers). One in six of them have a parent suffering from cognitive impairment or mental illness. The vast majority of the parents are single or separated and parenting alone. Nearly one in three of the children has special needs.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The data we collected included the reason the Child and Family Agency (previously the HSE) made an application for a care order (interim or long-term) or a supervision order; the ethnic background, marital and health status of the parent or parents; the number of children and whether they had special needs; whether they had guardians ad litem to represent their views and best interests; the length and outcome of the hearing and the kind of care the children went to.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The media have been reporting some of these cases since the amendment of the law permitting media reporting last January, and we have been publishing tranches of 25 or 30 reports on our website four times a year since the end of the 2012, so these cases are no longer shrouded in mystery. But what no individual case can convey is the scale of the vulnerability of so many parents and families.<br />\r\n	Most of the cases concern parents who are vulnerable because of a mental or cognitive disability, drugs or alcohol abuse, and who are socially isolated, with little support from their extended family or community.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Almost invariably they are poor, surviving on social welfare. This in itself puts strains on parenting. If poverty is combined with a cognitive impairment or mental illness on the part of the parents (the vast majority of whom are parenting alone) and they have a child with special needs the situation can quickly unravel and the child will be at risk of neglect or, sometimes, abuse.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	This underlines the importance of the early identification of such families and appropriate and targeted intervention. There needs to be integration of mental health services with child welfare services, despite the fact that they are now the responsibility of separate agencies.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Intellectual disability<br />\r\n	Where parents suffer from a mild intellectual disability there are specific problems. This level of disability does not trigger supports for adults, and indeed it may go undiagnosed, but the challenges of parenting, especially if the parents do not have extended family support, can bring their difficulties to the fore and be too much to deal with without support.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	We were surprised to find the high proportion of children in child care proceedings who had parents from ethnic minorities.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Census figures<br />\r\n	According to the 2011 Census, 14 per cent of the under-19 population was from a non-Irish background. However, one in four children involved in these proceedings has a parent from an ethnic minority, including a small proportion of Travellers. This includes children with one Irish and one non-Irish parent.<br />\r\n	Seven per cent are from Europe, almost exclusively from the new EU member states. More than 5 per cent are African, but these are concentrated in Dublin, where they account for almost 12 per cent, as against 2.5 per cent of Africans in the population of the State as a whole.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The disproportionate representation of non-Irish parents in the child care courts makes an urgent case for a renewed focus on integration policies, ensuring that those coming to our shores understand what is expected of them as parents. Social workers need intensive training in dealing with cultural difference to minimise the risk of care proceedings arising from misunderstandings.<br />\r\n	The number of children from ethnic minorities also poses challenges for the fostering service.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	This year two-thirds of the cases we examined were in courts outside Dublin, and we found significant variations between courts in the numbers of cases dealt with, the thresholds that triggered proceedings being taken, the types of orders favoured, whether they were granted and whether guardians ad litem were involved. But above all we saw that some courts are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of cases they have to deal with.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Case overload<br />\r\n	There is a de facto full-time child care court in Dublin, while Cork, Limerick and Waterford have specially designated child care days, but in most courts child care cases are heard on the general family law day, when there can be up to 70 or 80 cases on the list.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	If the orders are not consented to, it is just not possible for child care cases to receive the attention they need and deserve. When there is a contest the case can face repeated adjournments spread over many months. These cases alone make a compelling case for the establishment of a special family court as soon as possible.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	But the courts alone are not the answer to the problems of vulnerable families. Society as a whole must take responsibility for supporting them so that taking children into care is a last resort &ndash; albeit one that is necessary in certain circumstances. Carol Coulter is director of the Child Care Law Reporting Project. She is former legal affairs editor of The Irish Times.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/family-court-urgently-needed-for-vulnerable-parents-and-children-1.1978847?page=1\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/family-court-urgently-needed-for-vulnerable-parents-and-children-1.1978847?page=1</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-10-29 12:07:16',NULL,'family-court-urgently-needed-for-vulnerable-parents-and-children'),(748,'Shortfall in school funding can damage a child’s future','<p>\r\n	Studies show that high-quality tuition, smaller classes and support in schools can yield major dividends</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Cake sales, raffles, bag-packing and &ldquo;voluntary&rdquo; contributions: schools are no strangers to rattling the can to make up the shortfall in running costs. But against a backdrop of cuts to special needs supports and falling capitation funding, many schools are increasingly reliant on fundraising to plug key gaps in the curriculum and &ndash; in extreme cases &ndash; basic teaching posts.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Inevitably, it is schools in the most disadvantaged areas &ndash; those with the least ability to drum up support from the local community &ndash; who stand to suffer most.<br />\r\n	The eye-catching appeal by the parish priest of Moyross on Sunday to churches to donate gold and religious vessels to help pay for an important teaching post might have had the feel of a publicity gimmick, but at the local Corpus Christi primary school, the issue is serious: it faces losing a vital teaching post after missing out on a pupil-teacher ratio which would result in a merged class of 32 junior infants.<br />\r\n	This is a school where many children are already lagging well behind their peers in other schools. Grinding poverty and, in some cases, chaotic homes mean many have a mountain to climb before they even enter the door of a school. But catch up they can: studies show that high-quality tuition, smaller classes and support in schools can yield major dividends.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	At Moyross, for example, early intervention programmes have helped to bridge pupils&rsquo; gap with their peers in other schools by first class. Funding shortages for crucial teaching posts are not confined to deprived schools. Many primary and secondary schools are using privately raised money to continue offering special needs supports as well as subjects vital to children&rsquo;s development.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Cuts to special needs support of 15 per cent as a result of austerity and capitation fee reductions of up to 11 per cent mean lots of schools feel cut to the bone.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	An ESRI report last year showed 12 per cent of income in voluntary secondary schools comes from parental contributions. Most goes on basic expenses but school managerial authorities say it is often used to hire staff to plug important gaps. &ldquo;Schools have no choice,&rdquo; says Ferdia Kelly, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body. &ldquo;This isn&rsquo;t fundraising out of choice &ndash; this is fundraising out of necessity&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Pat O&rsquo;Mahony, education research officer at the Irish Vocational Education Association, said a failure on the part of schools to meet funding shortfalls will impact on pupils. &ldquo;If we&rsquo;re genuine about education reform, improving outcomes for students and meeting the needs of children with special needs, we have to improve resourcing for schools.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/shortfall-in-school-funding-can-damage-a-child-s-future-1.1986624\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/shortfall-in-school-funding-can-damage-a-child-s-future-1.1986624</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-11-04 13:00:04',NULL,'shortfall-in-school-funding-can-damage-a-child’s-future'),(749,'Mothers of emigrants more prone to depression, study finds','<p>\r\n	Increased symptoms recorded in group of older people whose children have emigrated</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mothers of adult emigrants who left Ireland during the recession are more likely to suffer from depression and other mental health issues than those whose children are still living in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	A new report from Trinity College Dublin&rsquo;s Longitudinal Study on Ageing (Tilda) has shown women whose children have moved abroad in recent years have experienced an increase in depressive symptoms and feelings of loneliness.<br />\r\n	Participants in Tilda, which is monitoring the health and well-being of more than 8,000 people aged over 50 living in Ireland over a ten-year period, were interviewed in 2010 and again in 2012.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Initial analysis of the data found that although they had seen the value of their assets drop by 45 per cent between 2007 and 2012, their overall health and mental well-being had not been negatively impacted by the recession.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	But after a similar study in Mexico revealed the emigration of children had led to an increase in depression and loneliness in the parents left behind, the Tilda researchers returned to their data to see if they could find a similar pattern.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Of 2,911 parents whose children were all living in Ireland at the time of the first interview in 2010, 361 had seen at least one child emigrate two years later.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	All participants were asked a series of questions relating to depressive symptoms - like whether they had experienced negative or positive thoughts in the week prior to the interview. They were also asked to self-rate their mental health, and about loneliness.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Parents of emigrants were on average younger, more highly educated and had better mental and physical health at the time of the first interviews than the parents of children who remained in Ireland.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	But by 2012, mothers who had seen at least one child move abroad demonstrated increased symptoms in all three mental health categories, when factors such as widowhood, retirement, and a decline in physical health were controlled for.<br />\r\n	Fathers tended not to exhibit the same mental health reaction, however. The exception was older fathers over the age of 65, who reported greater levels of loneliness after at least one child had moved abroad.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	For all participants, widowhood had the most significant impact on mental health for both women and men, followed by declines in physical health, and retirement.<br />\r\n	But there was no evidence that other major events affecting their children such as becoming unemployed, divorced, separated or widowed affected the mental health of the parent, which &ldquo;offers an interesting contrast to the effect of the child&rsquo;s emigration&rdquo;, the researchers said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Parents who saw more than one child emigrate were even more impacted, but it made little difference whether the children were male or female, or whether they had lived with the parent before leaving or not.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Parents of emigrants who had lived abroad for a period themselves in the past were were less likely to be affected by their child leaving.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;There is a narrative out there that this was a recession that impacted on young people, as negative equity and debt primarily affects young people,&rdquo; said Alan Barrett of the Economic and Social Research Institute, who co-authored the study with Dr Irene Mosca of Trinity College Dublin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	&ldquo;But we have now identified a group of older people who have suffered a mental health difficulty as a result of the recession, because of the emigration of their kids... Mental health difficulties often develop into physical health difficulties, so the massive increase in emigration in recent years has public health implications.&rdquo;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/mothers-of-emigrants-more-prone-to-depression-study-finds-1.1986835\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/mothers-of-emigrants-more-prone-to-depression-study-finds-1.1986835</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-11-04 13:02:24',NULL,'mothers-of-emigrants-more-prone-to-depression-study-finds'),(750,'At least 83 women trafficked to Ireland to work as prostitutes last year','<p>\r\n	Eighty-three women supported by an agency working with prostitutes last year were trafficked to Ireland, the organisation has claimed.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ruhama, which began 25 years ago offering outreach services to street-based sex workers, said the number of people illegally brought here to work as prostitutes increased by 17% in 2013.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The charity said it has assisted 2,500 women from 60 countries since 1989. More than 300 were given direct support in the last year.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ruhama, which supports the campaign to make the buying of sex illegal as was introduced in Northern Ireland last month, said the number of women accessing support in 2013 increased by 18%.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It also said 219 women were given specific care plans to help them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	And reflecting on work with prostitutes on the streets, Ruhama said 70 women were supported with services offered through its dedicated outreach van.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sarah Benson, chief executive of Ruhama, said the charity&#39;s work had been remarkable over the last 25 years.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;I am also struck by the many changes which have taken place in the Irish sex trade, particularly how it has become increasingly organised by criminal gangs and adapted to the use of modern telecommunications to operate,&quot; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&quot;Yet, among all those changes, some things have not changed fundamentally - there is still the persistence of harm, exploitation and risk which has always and which continues to pervade the sex trade.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ruhama said it has been campaigning for more than a decade for changes in law to tackle the demand for the buying of sex.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Benson said she hoped Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald will &quot;bring in necessary legislative changes and free women from exploitation&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ms Fitzgerald said: &quot;We must take action to prevent human trafficking, to protect its victims and prosecute those who perpetrate this evil crime. To achieve these aims we must work internationally, in partnership across Government, with other state agencies and, importantly, with civil society organisations such as Ruhama.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	With the introduction of new laws in Northern Ireland to criminalise the purchase of sex, a group of workers involved in prostitution protested at Stormont against the reform and issued a statement claiming it was a devastating move.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Some sex workers believe the criminalisation will drive the industry further underground, increase risks for marginalised prostitutes and do nothing to reduce trafficking.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/at-least-83-women-trafficked-to-ireland-to-work-as-prostitutes-last-year-30720294.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/at-least-83-women-trafficked-to-ireland-to-work-as-prostitutes-last-year-30720294.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-11-05 09:48:47',NULL,'at-least-83-women-trafficked-to-ireland-to-work-as-prostitutes-last-year'),(751,'60 litres of hooch, drugs and phones seized in Mountjoy raid','<p>\r\n	Sixty litres of home-made alcohol, mobile phones and large quantities of drugs were seized in a raid in Mountjoy Prison yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	It is understood that the hooch was being stockpiled by prisoners ahead of Christmas.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Prison Service said last night that the search of C wing was undertaken as part of the prison&#39;s attempts to crack down on drug smuggling.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The raid began at 7am and ended by midday. The prison&#39;s operational support group searched all cells and common areas in the wing.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A phone was found in the cell of one notorious Dublin criminal who is serving a sentence for firearms offences.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He is also suspected of being the mastermind behind the tiger kidnapping of All-Ireland-winning Kilkenny hurler Adrian Ronan and his family, though he was never charged.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Another phone was found in the cell of a 23-year-old who is behind bars in relation to a 2011 carjacking.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Among the prisoners in C Wing is Dubliner Craig White (28), who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Noel Roche in Clontarf in November 2005. However, no contraband was found in his cell.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Inmates make the hooch by mixing water, sugar, fruit and bread in plastic containers, with the illegal booze taking about two weeks to ferment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Apart from the booze haul, prison officers seized 14 illegal mobile phones, six SIM cards and 22 phone chargers.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	They also recovered 421 tablets, 21 grams of heroin, 19 grams of Skunk cannabis herb and 19 grams of cannabis resin.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The street value of the drugs would be well over &euro;3,000, but in jail they are worth much more.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sources told the Herald prosecutions are likely, even though no arrests were made yesterday.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The operation was the biggest clampdown on contraband in the prison system since August, when a series of cell searches at high-security Portlaoise Prison yielded 37 illegal mobile phones as well as USB sticks and internet modems.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Sources said information retrieved from the phones and computer equipment seized in Portlaoise will allow gardai to gather intelligence on hundreds of criminals connected to the Real IRA and other dissident factions.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	None of the inmates targeted yesterday is involved in dissident republicanism, but sources said information on drug dealing and organised crime will be obtained from the seized phones and SIM cards when gardai examine them.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/60-litres-of-hooch-drugs-and-phones-seized-in-mountjoy-raid-30720201.html\">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/60-litres-of-hooch-drugs-and-phones-seized-in-mountjoy-raid-30720201.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-11-05 09:49:44',NULL,'60-litres-of-hooch-drugs-and-phones-seized-in-mountjoy-raid'),(752,'Review of mental health law proposes end to forced use of ECT','<p>\r\n	Current legislation permits treatment for patients who are &lsquo;unwilling&rsquo; to consent</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	A major review of mental health legislation is to recommend an end to the practice of administering controversial electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) to patients who are unwilling to give consent to the treatment.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	A Government expert group tasked with reviewing the Mental Health Act (2001) recently completed its report which is likely to be published shortly by Minister of State Kathleen Lynch.<br />\r\n	It is understood to contain a number of proposals to strengthen patients&rsquo; rights, extend the remit of watchdog bodies and place a greater emphasis on children&rsquo;s services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The current legislation is regarded by many campaigners as outdated given the growing emphasis on community-based services and demands for greater autonomy by patient groups.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Amendment<br />\r\n	The proposal to end the practice of forced ECT use is understood to recommend amending the Mental Health Act to ensure that those who do not wish to receive ECT &ndash; used to treat specific types of major mental illnesses &ndash; or other medicine will not be forced to do so in future.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Section 59(b) of the Mental Health Act states that forced electroconvulsive therapy may be administered where a patient is &ldquo;unable or unwilling&rdquo; to give consent once it has been approved by two consultant psychiatrists.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The steering group is expected to support the deletion of the word &ldquo;unwilling&rdquo;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The use of forced ECT has been in decline in recent years. Official statistics compiled in 2013 by the Mental Health Commission show a fall in the use of the treatment for the fifth year in a row.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Given the growing emphasis on care in the community, the steering group is also understood to support an expansion of the remit of the Mental Health Commission, the State&rsquo;s watchdog for psychiatric services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	At present the commission has statutory responsibility to inspect &ldquo;approved centres&rdquo; once a year. These are typically acute mental health units of large hospitals or psychiatric hospitals.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	The report is expected to support extending this responsibility to community mental health teams, home-based treatment teams and community residences given that the bulk of treatment takes place in these settings.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	Young people<br />\r\n	Children also feature prominently in the report&rsquo;s proposals, say sources, and advocate that the needs of young people should be explicitly recognised in a standalone part of any revised legislation.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	It is likely to propose a set of guiding principles which reflect the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	On the issue of consent to treatment, it is understood to state that children aged 16 or 17 and upwards should be presumed to have the capacity to consent to or refuse treatment. Admission or treatment for young children should require the consent of parents.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<br />\r\n	It is also expected to propose the scope of existing mental health laws should be extended to include voluntary patients, and the protections provided for involuntary patients should, where appropriate, apply equally to voluntary patients.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/review-of-mental-health-law-proposes-end-to-forced-use-of-ect-1.1989670\">http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/review-of-mental-health-law-proposes-end-to-forced-use-of-ect-1.1989670</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-11-06 10:00:41',NULL,'review-of-mental-health-law-proposes-end-to-forced-use-of-ect'),(753,'Court reserves judgment on whether woman committed \'crime\' against her child when she drank excessively while pregnant','<p>\r\n	The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment on whether a pregnant woman committed &quot;a crime of violence&quot; against her child when she drank a &quot;grossly excessive&quot; amount of alcohol while pregnant.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Lawyers for child &quot;CP&quot;, who cannot be named for legal reasons, asked three judges to rule in a test case that the girl, now aged seven, is entitled to compensation after being born with an alcohol-related disorder.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	If the appeal succeeds, it could pave the way for pregnant women&#39;s behaviour to be criminalised, according to the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (bpas) and Birthrights,</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	After a day-long hearing Lord Dyson, the Master of the Rolls, sitting with Lord Justice Treacy and Lady Justice King, said the court would take time to consider its decision.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The judges were told that the mother was drinking &quot;an enormous amount&quot; while pregnant with CP, including a half-bottle of vodka and eight cans of strong lager a day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	John Foy QC, appearing for CP, said that was the equivalent of 40-57 units of alcohol a day. Guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) were that 7.5 units might damage a foetus.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Foy was representing a council in the North West of England which now has responsibility for CP and is fighting for an award on her behalf under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He said the mother &quot;was aware of the dangers to her baby of her excessive consumption during pregnancy&quot;.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He added: &quot;She was reckless as to whether there would be harm to the foetus. She foresaw that harm might be caused but went on to take the risk.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Ben Collins, appearing for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), asked the court to reject CP&#39;s legal challenge.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	He told the judges: &quot;There is a conflict of ideas about what is or is not dangerous, not only in terms of drink but also in terms of smoking and food.&quot;</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Mr Collins asked whether &quot;a pregnant mother who eats unpasteurised cheese or a soft boiled egg knowing there is a risk that it could give rise to a risk of harm to the foetus&quot; might also find herself accused of a crime.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/court-reserves-judgment-on-whether-woman-committed-crime-against-her-child-when-she-drank-excessively-while-pregnant-30721710.html\">http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/court-reserves-judgment-on-whether-woman-committed-crime-against-her-child-when-she-drank-excessively-while-pregnant-30721710.html</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-11-06 10:17:08',NULL,'court-reserves-judgment-on-whether-woman-committed-crime-against-her-child-when-she-drank-excessively-while-pregnant'),(754,'Childline fights for night time phone service funds','<p>\r\n	A CHILDLINE campaign took place in Limerick city this week as part of an emergency appeal for funding to prevent the partial closure of the charity&rsquo;s phone services.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The Campaign Phone-Box Roadshow came to O&rsquo;Connell Street in a bid to raise awareness of Childline&rsquo;s plight and its need for &euro;1.2 million to keep the night time service operational.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Alex O&rsquo;Keeffe, Regional Services Manager West-Mid West Region, said that night is when some of the most vulnerable call for help and the loss of the service would mean the silencing of these children.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;I would have received a call at night from a little boy who was in his bedroom and he was very frightened because he was experiencing and being exposed to domestic violence from his parents,&rdquo; she explained.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;It was very frightening and he needed reassurance to feel safe and to have somebody listen to him. It is very much about hearing the voice of the child.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;That voice was heard and that voice was valued. It is very much about providing safety and reassurance to the child during a situation where maybe their parents couldn&rsquo;t find the time for that,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	The loss of the service will mean that 45,000 night time calls could go unanswered in 2015 by Childline.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Childline has been operating in Ireland for 26 years and relies almost exclusively on public donations for its funding. The night time service has grown over the last 15 years to become a critical support to children in distress.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	In many instances the late night calls are from children who, due to their domestic circumstances, cannot call at other times of the day.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Childline currently receives 1,800 calls per day, with night time calls accounting for about 11% of volume.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	Caroline O&rsquo;Sullivan, ISPCC interim CEO, said her greatest concern is for children in abusive situations, which accounts for 14% of Childline&rsquo;s calls.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	&ldquo;These children really need us on a 24/7 basis and thousands of these children will not be heard next year if we cannot raise the funds to keep the night service open,&rdquo; she said.</p>\r\n<p>\r\n	<a href=\"http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/childline-fights-for-night-time-phone-service-funds-1-6400024\">http://www.limerickleader.ie/news/local-news/childline-fights-for-night-time-phone-service-funds-1-6400024</a></p>\r\n','public','',1,'2014-11-06 10:22:32',NULL,'childline-fights-for-night-time-phone-service-funds'),