Parents to get €1,500 a year off childcare costs with extra free preschool places
October 14, 2015
The new measure is estimated to be worth an average €1,500 a year to parents of young children.
It is part of an €85m cash injection into the childcare sector announced in the Budget – with increased funding for after-school care.
Child benefit is also being increased by €5 per month, bringing it to €140 per child, meaning parents will get an extra €60 per year per child.
Special funding will be provided to ensure children with special needs are able to take up preschool places.
Children’s Minister James Reilly said that the extra €85m increases childcare funding by his department by a third, and was a demonstration of the government’s commitment to children and hard-pressed families.
“It’s by no means a big bang, but it’s a good first step on the road to affordable, high quality and accessible childcare for every family who needs it,” he said.
The new funding extends the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme for children from the age of three up to five-and-a-half years. The current scheme only provides one year of free preschool for children, who must be aged between three years, two months and four years, seven months.
The new scheme will also allow for children to start preschool in September, January or April – whereas at present they are restricted to September.
Like the current scheme, it provides three hours of care a day for 38 weeks a year – parents must pay the extra for longer days or holiday periods.
Dr Reilly said the new scheme will not start until next September, because the childcare sector needs time to prepare for the extra intake to ensure high quality care.
Currently around 67,000 children a year avail of free preschool and the department estimates an extra 50,000 a year will benefit from the new measure. While the benefit will vary depending on what age children start school it’s estimated that, on average, children will get 23 extra weeks of free preschool, reducing parents’ childcare costs by €1,500 a year.
Laura Haugh of Mummypages.ie said: “Today’s Budget announcements mark an important first step in tackling our country’s long-standing national childcare crisis. Our mums deserve to be treated as equal members of society.”
Dr Reilly said new measures will be introduced to allow children with special needs to take up preschool care as, to date, this had been on a piecemeal basis.
Funding of €15m is being provided to enable children with disabilities attend preschool. The money will go towards staff training, grants for equipment, minor alterations, access to therapies – and in certain cases a reduced child ratio.
Dr Reilly said the extra free preschool places would ensure there was no longer pressure on parents to send children to school too early before they were emotionally ready for it.
The package consists of €47m for extended preschool care and another €15m for special needs provision. Another 8,000 low-cost childcare places are being provided at a cost of €16m under the community childcare subvention scheme – which will be opened to private facilities for the first time.
Some €3m will also be allocated in capital funds to develop after-school care at schools and community buildings.
Early Childhood Ireland, which represents creches and Montessoris, said the new investment was welcome but couldn’t be a once off.
“What is missing from today’s Budget is more support and real investment in after-school care, with only €3m being allocated for after-school care – and that’s within school grounds,” it said.
Dr Reilly also announced extra funding of €38m for Tusla, the child and family agency, bringing its total allocation to €676m. However, children’s charity Barnardos said that it was inadequate.
Irish Independent
Budget 2016: Education spending plans outlined
October 14, 2015
From next September every child in Ireland will be able to start pre-school at age three and remain there until they start primary school.
Children will also be able to enrol in pre-school at three different times in the year – September, January and April.
Currently, children are only eligible for a year’s pre-school (38 weeks) through the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly, said that in line with the expansion of free pre-school, capitation payments to providers would be restored to pre-2012 levels.
Around 67,000 children, about 95% of eligible children, have been participating in the ECCE programme each year.
It is reckoned that the extension the free childcare year will increase the number of children benefitting from free preschool to over 127,000 in a given year.
An extra 2,200 teachers will take up the bulk of an extra €144m available in 2016 to Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan.
They will reduce primary and second-level pupil-teacher ratios, but mainly ensure schools keep up with growth in numbers of pupils, and in those with special needs. But while welcomed by schools and teacher groups, all said these must be the first steps in reversing many years of education cuts.
Almost two-thirds of the 2,260 extra teachers – around 1,400 – are to meet enrolment increases at primary and second levels.
They include 600 extra resource teachers to cater for more children with disabilities, but at the same reduced levels of individual allocation as in recent years.
An extra 300 teachers will help reduce primary class sizes, seeing the mainstream pupil-teacher ratio fall from 28:1 to 27:1 in September. In a nod to the looming election, the Labour Party minister said the measure will begin the process of putting an end to classes of over 30 children.
(Gaeilge) An ‘Nuashonrú’ ar staid na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht le plé i dTithe an Oireachtais
October 13, 2015
Triple celebration as Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin goes from strength to strength!
October 12, 2015
Gaelscoil Adhamhnain, Letterkenny was a place of celebration last Friday (October 9th). Staff, Principal, parents and children celebrated the official opening of their new state of the art Play Zone. The occasion was also used to say a fond farewell to much loved ex-Principal Máire Nic Gairbheith Uí Bhaoill after the Play Zone’s opening. The occasion was also used to extend a warm welcome to new Principal, Colm Breathnach.
Chair of the Parents’ Committee, Ms Amanda Mc Grath used the occasion to pay tribute to Máire Ni Garbheith Uí Bhaoill, stating that “ Máire has been a shining light and an example to all in the area of education in the County and nationally.”
Later Chair of the Board of Management Barbara Uí Chathail extended a warm welcome to Colm Breathnach. Colm, who hails from Co Waterford is already well known in the area, not just for his contribution to education but also in traditional music circles. If that wasn’t enough he is an accomplished hurler to boot! Colm stated that he is proud and privileged to be the new Principal and very much intends to carry on the good work of his predecessor. When asked what his priorities would be he did confirm his commitment to the Irish language, while also revealing that sport, music and a healthy lifestyle for kids were also important.
Colm took the opportunity to thank the Parents’ Committee for their support of the school, and particularly for their contribution to the new Play Zone. After a thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Fr. Mc Laughlin and to loud applause – and a tear or two – Máire cut a ribbon to officially open the new Play Zone.
Not to be outdone, it was the children who had the final say as they first enjoyed the new Play Zone and then queued up patiently to have a delicious whipped ice-cream courtesy of the Parents’ Committee. They all seemed to enjoy it but one 6 year old did note… “Could do with more chocolate sprinkles next time”!
Irish language is far from dead, linguist claims
October 12, 2015
Purist Irish-language practitioners who frown on phrases such as “mo bhicycle” and “mo mhobile fón” are a “pain in the neck”, according to a Californian linguist, whose study of dialectical differences on the Aran Islands is due to be published today.
Dr Séamus Ó Direáin (77), whose grandparents emigrated from Inis Mór to Boston more than a century ago, believes rumours of the death of the Irish language are “greatly exaggerated” .
However, he warns that people must be “allowed to play with the language” if it is to survive.
“All this – and RTÉ says there are 93 new action-points in the Meáin Ghaeilge RTÉ, Action Plan 2015-2019 plan – does rather give the impression that every week will be Seachtain na Gaeilge out at Montrose.”
That “playing” includes allowing people to choose their own dialect – as happened with the southernmost island of Inis Oírr, which opted to speak Munster Irish, despite its neighbours Inis Mór and Inis Meáin opting for the Connacht version.
His 1,000-page study gives many examples of this across the Aran archipelago.
For instance, the negative form of “to do” presents as “ní rinne”, “níor rinne” or “ní dhearna” on Inis Mór and Inis Meáin, and “ní dhéan”, “níor dhéan”, “ní dhein”, “níor dhein” or “níor dhion” on Inis Oírr.
Pronunciation could also affect meaning, he found.
Islanders change their pronunciation of the word “cailleadh” to denote the difference between someone having died and something having been lost.
Inis Oírr’s more frequent contact with Co Clare by sea, from Fanore to Doolin to Lahinch, would have been the main reason for the dominant Munster influence.
This variation has the potential to continue, as Inis Oírr has a short ferry crossing from Doolin, while the Ros a’ Mhíl fast ferry from Co Galway serves all three islands.
Dr Ó Direáin’s microscopic mapping of those linguistic differences over a 25-year period is believed to be the most comprehensive study of its type in the world, according to its project manager, Dr Deirdre Ní Chonghaíle.
Dr Ó Direáin first started learning Irish in the 1970s in Kenya, where he was researching African languages.
“A Ballyhaunis man I knew in Kenya was shocked that I was a Dirrane from Aran and couldn’t speak a word,” Dr Ó Direáin said.
The linguistic differences between the three islands, separated by a narrow stretch of water at the mouth of Galway Bay, had been the focus of previous studies – but there were “many blanks”, Dr Ó Direáin said.
“People on Inis Mór knew the difference between talk on the east end and the west end of the island, but I found out that it was far more complex, with differences between neighbourhoods comprising two or three townlands.”
The perceived wisdom that language only changes with young people was also challenged in his survey, which found that the older generation of speakers could be just as adventurous.
He said he believed the contribution of Raidió na Gaeltachta and TG4 had helped the language greatly, allowing it to develop and grow.
“There are a lot of dying languages in the world which would love to be in the position of modern Irish,” he said, noting that the wealth of literature and song in the language contributed to that.
However, it still needs its “umbilical cord” of funding for libraries and education.
“Libraries and schools ensure the bad stuff gets weeded out, in every language,” he said.
“Otherwise, everyone in Missouri would still be speaking like Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn.”
Dr Ní Chonghaíle said Dr Ó Direáin’s work was adding enormously to the canon compiled by linguists visiting Galway Bay since the 19th-century.
The study by Dr Ó Direáin is due to go online on NUI Galway’s website today.
Pogues and Joni Mitchell go Gaeilge for festival
October 12, 2015
IMRAM, the Irish Language Literature Festival, returns to Dublin next week and amid the myriad of readings and workshops there’s also a unique chance to enjoy the music of The Pogues and Joni Mitchell as gaeilge.
According to the organisers, the 2015 IMRAM (which translates as ‘voyage of discovery’) festival is all about fusing poetry, prose and music together.
Among the highlights are Songs of the Damned: The Pogues Project featuring award-winning poet and singer Marcus Mac Conghail on lead vocals. He is joined by Belfast tribute band The Pogoes to perform the songs from the band’s repertoire which have been translated by poets Liam Ó Muirthile and Gabriel Rosenstock.
IMRAM’s Sweet Fire: The Joni Mitchell Project celebrates classic songs from the Canadian singer, such as Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock, Both Sides Now, The Jungle Line, all of which will be performed as gaeilge by Caitríona O’Leary at the Smock Alley Theatre.
There’s also a celebration of life and work of poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and for something a bit more off the wall, there’s a multi-media show featuring songs about crows and magpies.
IMRAM runs from October 10 to18 with further details on the festival website.
Hurlers hit the catwalk to raise funds for Gaelscoil
October 12, 2015
Tickets have gone on sale for a major fundraising event to help secure funding to develop sports facilities at Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg in Ennis.
Fómhar Fashion, which will feature pop up shops and a catwalk parade showcasing the latest Autumn/ Winter trends from a number of outlets across Clare, will take place at Treacy’s West County Hotel in Ennis on Thursday, 22nd October from 7pm.
Among those talking to the catwalk on the night will be Clare hurler John Conlon and school principal Dónal Ó hAiniféin, Gaelscoil staff and parents as well as guest appearances by other Clare hurlers
Commenting on the background to Fómhar Fashion, a spokesperson for the Gaelscoil fundraising committee said: “The Department of Education and Science have already committed funding to Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg to the tune of €698,000 for 5 standard classrooms, 2 special education classrooms and a lift for the next phase of our development. The school is involved in ongoing talks to secure further funding to complete the development. Proper Indoor Sports/Drama/Music facilities are vital in the view of the board and a large Halla must be provided at this point. The Department finance for primary school sport facilities is limited so we have no option but to raise the extra finance ourselves.”
The spokesperson continued: “The Board of Management has also applied for the maximum Sports Capital Programme (SCP) Grant of €200,000. If successful this will still leave a shortfall of approx. €100,000. This is a big challenge and we need everyone to play a part in realising Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg’s potential by supporting the Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg, Halla Fund through their attendance at our upcoming fundraiser.”
Among the businesses displaying the latest fashions on the night are County Boutique, Sinead Madden Millinery, Kymari, Pamela Scott, Vermillion (Communion wear), CD2 (Communion wear), Mods & Minis, Carrig Donn, Willow, Mannix, Ela Maria, Brass, Cornucopia, Binsin Luachra and Fiona Mangan Millinery.
A number of pop up shops will also be hosted by Seoidin, Little Green Fingers, Sinaire, NC Paint Christmas Shop and Eye Candy amongst others.
Tickets (€15 / person) are available from Lyndsay Farrell 089 2023137, Joanne Behan 087 6490783 Darina Greene 087 9086561, The Ennis Book shop and Rochfords in Parnell St.
http://clareherald.com/2015/10/hurlers-hit-the-catwalk-to-raise-funds-for-gaelscoil-342/
Looking to Wales to save the Irish language
October 8, 2015
Demonstrators voiced their demand for the next government to preserve and promote the official language
October 8, 2015
(Gaeilge) Aire Sinsearach don Ghaeltacht agus €18m breise á éileamh i bplean nua Chonradh na Gaeilge
October 8, 2015
