It is the only National School in the area without an Autism class. St Patricks NS Baconstown has a total of eight teachers. The school staff includes a principal, a deputy principal, and six teachers. Additionally, there are four Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and a secretary. The current staffing levels would class St Patricks NS Baconstown as a medium size school. Accommodation for 7 mainstream classrooms, currently using 6 classrooms. Maximum capacity 189. Currently 148 enrolled The addition of an Autism class would add 1 teaching position and 2 SNA positions. It would accommodate the needs of 6 Autistic children in their community. It will ensure that no more children are forced to leave St Patricks NS Baconstown to seek an Autism class in another school as they have done so in recent years. You cannot teach inclusion unless you provide for it in your schools.

This is important to insure that all of the parents around Ireland get their children into a suitable environment for their autistic child.

There is a concerning oversight in the planning approach of Kerry County Council regarding Campervan/Motorhome 'Aire' type services. These services, named after the 'Aires de Service' in France, offer essential amenities for Campervan / Motorhome users and are prevalent across continental EU countries. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a notable surge in 'Staycationers,' accompanied by a corresponding increase in Campervan / Motorhome sales. These vehicles afford individuals the comfort of their own secure space, fostering a preference for domestic travel among many. This presents a unique opportunity to augment 'bed nights' in regions beyond the primary tourist centres, offering significant economic advantages to these areas. By providing adequate facilities for Campervan/Motorhome users, Kerry County Council can tap into this burgeoning market and bolster tourism in less frequented areas. During stays at the Bridge Field, we've encountered visitors from various countries, including the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as fellow Irish tourists. Their patronage has notably boosted the local economy, benefiting village shops, pubs, restaurants, and even the weekly farmer's market. These visits aren't confined to the summer months but extend throughout the year, owing to the convenience their vehicles afford them.   Moreover, the spaciousness of motorhomes encourages tourists to invest in larger purchases, fostering new opportunities for rural craft enterprises across Ireland. The Bridge Field motorhome park provides a warm and inviting hub for exploration in Kerry. However, the absence of such a facility may now lead to a noticeable influx of camper vans into the village, only to depart shortly after due to the lack of secure parking - a circumstance that would be particularly regrettable for the community in the upcoming seasons. At present, the sole Aire-type service available in Kerry County is the thriving motorhome park located at Goosey Island in Sneem. This serves as a prime example of how such facilities can significantly contribute to the prosperity of a local community.  It begs the question: is there a bias against Campervans/Motorhomes within the Kerry Co. Co. Planning department, or perhaps a misguided association of this lifestyle with a particular demographic? Consider this: would you prefer 'Staycationers' to support rural areas in Ireland by spending their money locally, or would you rather see them opt for ferries to destinations like France, Germany, or Spain, where they are warmly welcomed and their tourism euros are eagerly received? 

The people of Gaza are being starved to death and denied Humanitarian aid since March 2nd 2025

This is very important because more than two million Palestinians are being besieged, killed, and starved by the Israeli occupation.  This campaign is also an opportunity for each of us to affirm our humanity towards the starving children of Gaza.

Cavan is ever growing and yet the recreational activities grow smaller and smaller each year. We should be encouraged to play sport and stay active but it seems people think the opposite would be better. When it comes to the insurance issues, Playgrounds and Skateparks are use at your own risk so why can't football pitches be the same. If that's not good enough, operate on the same basis as a swimming pool or a gym as they give coverage for injuries too at a cheaper price. Not everybody can make an insurance of 100 worth it when they're working full time, have kids or are in university. And you shouldn't be threatened to have the gardai called on you for playing football. The State funds these GAA pitches using the public's tax but you must pay to access it and in other countries this sort of issue is unheard of.

This is not just a concern for the Pakistani community—it is a matter of fairness, equality, and the rule of law. Any discrimination—direct or systemic—based on nationality is unacceptable in a democratic society. Ensuring timely and fair processing for all strengthens the integrity of Irish institutions and its international reputation. We urge all residents of Ireland, public representatives, civil society actors, and advocates of fairness to sign this petition and support equal treatment and justice for all naturalisation applicants. What You Can Do Sign this petition to join us in demanding transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the naturalisation process. Together, we can put pressure on the Department of Justice Ireland to ensure equitable treatment for all applicants, irrespective of nationality. Justice delayed is justice denied. Let us stand together to make this right. Together, we demand transparency, equity, and efficiency. Together, we stand for justice - with Department of Justice, in Ireland, for Ireland - OUR HOME.

I am asking the parents of OLV to sign this petition to save Dereks job, he has been amazing over the last few years since he started and it will be a huge loss to see him go.

It is important because Israel is a rogue pariah state. It is an apartheid extremist state committing genocide so far without let or hindrance on the people of Palestine and has been starving Palestians for several months, refusing to allow UNRWA, the UN aid agency operate within Gaza, refusing to allow food and aid enter Gaza, has destroyed a huge percentage of Gaza including 95% of agricultural land, and has besieged Gaza for over 600 days thus displacing and killing and maiming huge numbers of innocent Palestinians of whom almost 40% of known deaths are children and 33% women.  The UN has stated Israel has furthermore targetted civilian infrastructure including hospitals, schools and refugee camps relentlessly. According to Haretz 82% of Israelis are in favour of ethnically cleansing Palestinians from Gaza. The Israeli government has made no proposals public on where to rehouse or provide facilities to Palestinian residents/survivors  when or if it ever ends its all out war on them. Therefore Israel must be stopped by imposing the severest sanctions on where and how it receives funding. Accordingly Ireland and the Irish Central Bank must recognize their responsibility and cease facilitating Israel raise money using debt instruments (war bonds). 

1.       The loss of the Court sitting in Youghal, would have a huge negative impact both socially and financially.   Court sittings in Youghal are very important and provide a significant boost to the local economy.  2.      Justice should be administrated locally and not put the expense on people to travel to Dungarvan.  Also when its administrated locally, there is deterrent effect of having to face one’s neighbours, friend and members of the local community in Court, in public in one’s own town should never be underestimated.  3.      It would also affect access to Justice for Family Law.   Commitment was given that a District Court Register would attend the Mall Arts Centre in Youghal, every day on which Youghal District Court sits, to provide a Family Law service.  This gives assistance with application for protection Order, Safety Orders and Barring orders.  This commitment has been fulfilled and is fully utilised.  There is a separate room available in Youghal for this consultation, but not available in Dungarvan.  It is now envisaged that applicants will now have to travel to Waterford City to lodge their applications.    4.      There would also be a lack of Gardaí in the town on court dates, which are already slack, if they must attend court in Dungarvan.  

This petition speaks to a critical gap in Ireland’s maternity and childcare systems—one that affects thousands of women and families every year. Right now, working mothers are being punished for contributing to society: • The state provides no financial support during the final 16 weeks of maternity leave—leaving mothers without income, even when no childcare is available for infants under 12 months. • Maternity benefit is flat-rate, unrelated to income or tax paid, creating financial hardship. • Childcare waiting lists are 12–18 months long, yet women are expected to return to work after 6 months. • Women face lost pension contributions and healthcare costs while on leave—deepening the gender gap. First letter sent to the Government of Ireland on 20th May 2025 (full letter link  https://docs.google.com/file/d/1KGTvpZDcaKTbiOquWvgjv0YIWljZeKwX/edit?usp=docslist_api&filetype=msword) To: The Government of Ireland — especially the women who lead our country Subject: A Plea for Real Change in Maternity Support, Childcare, and Equity for Working Mothers in Ireland Dear Ministers, TDs, and all with power to make real change, I write this letter with a full heart, a weary mind, and deep concern for the state of maternity and childcare support in Ireland. I speak as a woman who believes in hard work, resilience, and contribution. And yet, I now ask: How has Ireland let its working women down so deeply and for so long? My Journey: Hard Work Without a Safety Net I’ve been working since I was 15. Now 36, I’ve built a career in Human Resources. I supported myself through college—working 20 hours a week, every summer, without any grants, as my father’s hard-earned income excluded me from supports. I’ve never expected handouts. I’ve worked hard and built a life brick by brick. I purchased a home in County Dublin—a three-bedroom semi-detached property—for over €525,000. As a second-time buyer with a self-employed husband, we were excluded from any government schemes. Still, we managed our mortgage and rising costs through sheer determination and work ethic. A Time of Joy… Shadowed by Fear In January 2025, we received the news: we were expecting our first child. Excited and nervous, we began to plan. I’ve remained in work despite difficult pregnancy symptoms, with the support of my employer. But as I sat to plan maternity leave, reality hit hard. I contacted over 20 childcare providers within a 20km radius. None would accept a child under 12 months. Most told me to get on a waiting list after the baby was born, with average wait times of 12–18 months. My plan to return to work after 26 weeks suddenly seemed impossible. Maternity Benefit: Inadequate, Unfair, and Disconnected from Reality I’m grateful my employer offers maternity top-up for the first 26 weeks. Without it, we couldn’t afford to start a family. But the lack of any state support during the final 16 weeks—despite national recommendations for parental care during a child’s first year—is unacceptable. Our monthly expenses exceed €4,000: mortgage, insurance, utilities, car, groceries. I approached my bank to explore options like a mortgage moratorium or interest-only payments, but was told I’d need to be in arrears first. In other words—I must fail before I qualify for help. This is not just my issue. Many women I know are quietly facing the same situation: unable to return to work, unable to stay at home without falling into debt, unsupported by the state despite decades of contributions. A System That Punishes Contribution How is it possible that if I had never worked, I might now be better off? Let’s break it down: • Maternity Benefit: A flat rate that doesn’t reflect my earnings or tax history. • Extended Leave: 16 weeks of unpaid leave—no state support. • Parents Benefit: Too low to keep a roof over our heads. • Healthcare: Employer-paid health insurance may be lost or owed back after unpaid leave. This is a system that punishes responsibility. It penalises work, discourages independence, and widens the gender gap by undermining the financial stability of mothers. It’s out of touch with today’s reality. The Emotional Toll I should be enjoying this time, preparing for my daughter’s arrival in October. Instead, I’m battling stress, sleepless nights, and financial uncertainty. Will I fall into debt? Will I return to work earlier than planned? Will I owe money to my employer for continuing healthcare? These are not thoughts a pregnant woman should have. We are told to plan our families, support the economy, and bridge the gender gap. Yet we’re left without the tools to do it. How can we be asked to raise the next generation while being economically abandoned? A Call for Real, Urgent Reform To the Ministers and leaders of this country—especially the women: how can you let this continue? How can Ireland claim to be progressive while mothers are pushed to the brink just for having children? We need you to act. Not in a year. Not after “review.” Now. We call on you to: 1. Review the maternity benefit system – Introduce a tiered model tied to income and contributions. 2. Fund extended maternity leave – Support families during the 16 weeks of unpaid leave. 3. Solve the childcare crisis – Increase capacity, affordability, and access for children under 12 months. 4. Protect financial stability for women – Ensure pensions, healthcare, and job protections during leave. 5. Implement equitable policies – Recognise that a flat-rate system penalises contributors and working-class families. In Closing I am writing this letter because I believe in Ireland and its people. But I do not believe in a system that abandons women during one of the most vulnerable and meaningful times of their lives. We need real reform. And we need it now. I speak on behalf of every mother who returned to work too soon, every woman who delayed starting a family due to fear, and every child who lost valuable time with a parent because the system made no space for them. Please—do better. We are not asking for more than we deserve. We are asking for fairness, dignity, and the right to raise our children without being penalised. I have started a public petition to amplify this call. The support behind it is growing. I hope those in power will not only hear us—but finally act. Sincerely,  A hard-working woman  A mother-to-be  A voice among many

For the wellbeing of 6th years in st.aidans