It makes little sense to remove a teacher now when the school will meet the required pupil numbers in just a few weeks, with at least two confirmed new enrolments in December and January. The loss of this post means larger class sizes, disrupted learning, and increased pressure on already stretched staff. In Cloughduv village 2 years ago, we had approx. 200 houses. Now there are over 450, being occupied by new families. Our school enrolment has grown each year as  new families received keys for new homes. Pupil enrolment in Sept ’23 was 141 and is expected to be 182+ next Sept. Our Special Educational Needs (SEN) team is already operating under significant strain to support a growing number of children who need additional help. This decision will further impact the quality of teaching, inclusion, and pupil well-being across the school. While understanding that the Department must follow clear criteria, we believe there is a strong case for flexibility, understanding, and compassion in this situation. Allowing Cloughduv N.S. to retain this developing post temporarily until the end of the school year would provide stability for pupils and staff and allow time for the Department to see the school’s continued enrolment growth first-hand

Some students don’t need more motivation. They just need a meal. Right now across Ireland, too many students are studying hungry, skipping meals to pay rent or travel to class. Hunger isn’t just physical. It drains focus, energy, and hope. When we feed students, we’re not just helping them survive college. We’re helping them show up fully, to learn, lead, and become who they’re meant to be. This is why we’re building Crave Christi Student Sponsorship, to make sure no student is left behind because of an empty plate. Join us in turning compassion into action. Together, we can make student hunger impossible to ignore. Because hunger shouldn’t be part of the college experience. Not here. Not now.

Who is affected? Across Ireland, thousands of children are struggling with anxiety, trauma, and emotional challenges. Too many are being offered short pilot programmes, which simply cannot meet their needs. Play Therapy gives children the time, space, and safety to express themselves, build trust, and heal — but it requires a minimum of 12–15 weeks to be truly effective. What is at stake? When children don’t receive consistent support, their emotional distress often shows up as difficulties with concentration, behaviour, and learning. This affects not only their mental health but also their confidence and academic progress. Without sustained Play Therapy, many children fall further behind, and families and teachers are left without the help they need. Why now? We are calling on the Irish Government — including the Department of Education, the HSE, and TUSLA — to fund proper school-based contracts employing Play Therapists for 20–25 hours per week. This model reflects safe professional practice and ensures children can receive the minimum 12–15 weeks of support they need. The time to act is now — our children deserve lasting care, not short-term pilots.

This heartfelt appeal from parents, educators, and SNAs across Ireland highlights the urgent need to reconsider new Special Needs Assistant (SNA) guidelines. The proposed changes—rigid staffing limits, narrow definitions of need, and rushed implementation—risk dismantling inclusive education and jeopardizing the well-being of children with Autism and complex needs. Without adequate SNA support, vulnerable children face emotional distress, medical risks, and exclusion from mainstream classrooms. Families are pushed to crisis, teachers are overwhelmed, and the entire school community suffers. The call is clear: listen to lived experiences, and build a fair, responsive, and properly funded system that protects every child’s right to feel safe, supported, and included.

Help keep families together through support .

I live on a Local road. i see all types of pedestrians using this road for their daily walks. these include i see families with young children i see mothers pushing their prams. i see dog walkers. i see elderly friends of the locality going about their daily keep fit walks , some with hi-viz jackets. i myself have had lots of near misses with passing vehicles failing to give an inch when overtaking me.  i have spoken to walkers who will not use certain roads because they are afraid to walk on the roads.

Kinship carers are preventing thousands of children in Ireland from entering state care, saving the State billions, and keeping families together. Now government must match their commitment in the Programme for Government with real, systemic change. The only way to succeed with this is to ensure kinship families voices are heard and that responses are collaborative across Government Departments. Sign and share this petition to stand with kinship families and call for a cross-departmental approach that ensures fair recognition, rights, and resources for every child in kinship care.

Why is it important? The current parking and traffic situation on Kilmacullagh Road is unsafe for children, parents, and local residents. With two schools already operating and two building sites — including a new crèche — the road is becoming increasingly congested, creating real risks for accidents, delays, and conflicts in the community. Action now will prevent serious incidents and ensure a safer environment for everyone. Why should other people join? This issue affects the entire community: parents, children, local residents, and businesses. By joining the campaign, you help show decision makers that this isn’t just an individual concern, but a collective problem that needs urgent attention. Together, we can push for proper planning, safer roads, and better facilities for Kilmacullagh Road.

OThe Clonlara residing along the R463 would like to request the support of all residents of Clonlara for the following reasons: • Improved accessibility for those of us at these addresses means more economic activity in Clonlara village.   • It would allow us to access bars and restaurants. It would also create a higher footfall for the village shop which has now closed twice previously due to this challenge. It would increase bus service user numbers thus ensuring the service is not cancelled and more bus services may be added. • It would reduce traffic at Clonlara bridge as many would choose to walk and cycle such a short distance rather than sit on the bridge in traffic. • It would bring members from your community who are currently not spending time in the village due to a lack of accessibility across the bridge and create a more unified community.   We would also like to request the support of those who have  accessibility concerns for relatives living in the area. We thank you all for your support on this matter. **Petition update*  On 12.10.2025 this petition was submitted to Clare Coco, Cathal Crowe TD, elected members of Shannon municipal district, Clare ag friendly programme, Rural and Community Development Officer Conor Leyden

Health risks backed by science • Multiple Studies have found that even short-term exposure to PM2.5 smoke particles increases hospital admissions for heart, lung, and neurological conditions. (Links to studies: [1][2])  • Studies show wildfire smoke can raise mortality rates in vulnerable groups (children, the elderly, people with asthma, and heart disease). [Links to studies: [3], [4]] • These pollutants travel long distances — you don’t need to live in Cherrywood to be at risk. Smoke is more toxic than normal air pollution • Gorse/wildfire smoke isn’t just particles — it contains toxic gases like benzene, formaldehyde, and acrolein. • These VOCs are linked to respiratory disease, cancer risk, and neurological problems — and they’re invisible, often undetectable by smell.  • For VOCs such as formaldehyde and benzene, WHO recognises that there is no safe threshold indoors, further underlining the health risk of the current smoke exposure. Children are the most vulnerable • Kids breathe faster and inhale more pollutants per body weight. • In Cherrywood, a primary school sits right below Ticknick Park, directly in the path of the smoke. • Protecting them here sets a precedent for protecting children everywhere. It’s not just Cherrywood — it’s Ireland’s future • With warmer, drier summers, gorse fires will keep recurring across Ireland. • If we don’t act now, other towns will face the same repeated exposure, with no monitoring or guidance. • The current response is limited to carrying out controlled burning or "hoping for the rain" — but neither of these protect Cherrywood families from repeated exposure to toxic smoke. A precedent for national action • By supporting Cherrywood, you’re pushing Ireland to adopt stronger protections — including, but not limited by efficient fire response, local monitoring, proactive land management, timely community guidance and access to HEPA + carbon filters. • Wildfire smoke has been recognised internationally (e.g. by the US CDC and European Environment Agency) as a significant public health hazard due to fine particles and VOCs. • This campaign can set the standard for how Irish authorities respond to all future smoke events. *In this context, ‘Ticknick’ refers to the adjoining lands located beside Ticknick Park and the community playfields. ** Have you been affected? Please take 2 minutes to fill out this short survey: https://forms.gle/cUtUWMZA2Zamr39UA

This is an appeal on behalf of our friends, the The Billa family—Fitnete, Arber and their two children, Luna and Arios—who have been notified that they will be pulled out of the lives they have built in Ireland and sent back to Albania without any consideration for their personal rights or complex needs.  We understand that Albania has been classified as a "safe" country and that much of the decision has been based on this blanket classification, but I would like to remind all stakeholders that rulings are made on a case-by-case basis and that this family has complex needs that will not be addressed in Albania.  Arios, the youngest child, has required multiple surgeries in his short life, and requires complex care that will simply not be available to him should this family be deported. Without access to medical services, Arios' state will decline rapidly. No authority should make decisions that knowingly put a child's life at risk.  In addition to Arios' health concerns, we are deeply distressed about the risks that Luna will face as a young girl in Albania. The United States TIP report for Albania 2024 states clearly that the county is still experiencing high rates of child trafficking. Children are disappearing every day and the government is unable to keep up with investigations or with implementing solid child protection mechanisms. It is simply not acceptable to put Luna in this kind of danger.  Fitnete and Arber are active members in the Tramore community. They have lived in Ireland for almost three years and have built a life here. Both are employed and involved with local charities and initiatives. Luna is an important member of our Junior Infants class and her friends would be devastated to lose her. They'd be too young to understand why she'd disappeared, but the loss would be felt very deeply. This family has put down roots. They have contributed towards our school culture and they have made our lives richer with their presence.  Factually, deportation to Albania will endanger the lives of the Billa family. This cannot be understated or glossed over. A decision to deport them is a decision to inflict irreparable trauma on each of them. We demand that you reconsider this deportation directive and treat it with the nuanced, discerning approach that is required when human lives are at stake. 

33 children are ready to take part in the trip of a lifetime. Clubs and families across the island are ready to welcome them.  GAA Palestine have been organising this trip for months. The only thing standing in their way is the Irish government who have refused their visas at the last minute.   GAA Palestine demands immediate action from the Department of Justice to allow these children to come and visit Ireland. Plans were in place with over 150 Irish families who would host the children, bring them to matches and show them the beach for the first time in their lives. GAA Palestine is a symbol of hope for children who've been denied a proper childhood. LET THEM PLAY!