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Coronavirus: Schools 'actively working on contingency plans' in case of nationwide closures

No closures have been implemented but this is being constantly reviewed.

SCHOOLS ACROSS THE country have been “actively working on contingency plans” should they be forced to close as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Department of Education said on Tuesday there was “no such advice at this point” that schools should close, but acknowledged that the response to Covid-19 was “an evolving situation”.

Speaking later that evening, Minister for Health Simon Harris said that this is an option that may have to be considered at some point.

But regardless of no such decision currently being made, schools and teachers have already been making preparations should the situation change. This includes uploading materials to online portals and encouraging students to familiarise themselves with how to use them. 

“All schools are kind of actively working on their contingency plans around it,” Alan Mongey of National Association for Principals and Deputies told TheJournal.ie.

We’ve sent information and supports out to schools around possible approaches. Indeed, we’ve had a number of queries around how best to approach it. So whether that be using online learning platforms, either through Microsoft Teams or Google Classroom and a lot of schools are kind of familiar in using technologies like that.

“Some are better placed than others, but they’re the type of pieces of software that are quickly and easily set up.”

The school principal added that there have been some offers of support on remote learning from tech companies and that the NAPD is also available for advice.

Mongey also outlined that he and other principals had been getting messages, “whether it be WhatsApp groups or emails”, about claims that schools were about to be closed imminently.

While efforts have been underway to scotch these rumours, the developing situation has meant it is difficult to contain such information for long. 

Speaking on RTÉ radio yesterday about rumours of school closures, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said: “we’re not there now”.

“As a parent and also as a member of the government, I want to confirm two things. The first one is that no such decision has been made. The second thing, however, is that this will be reviewed very, very regularly. Because we could well get to a phase in handling and trying to protect our country from the spread of this virus that is the right thing to do,” he said. 

Primary schools

One hurdle that school closures will present for school boards is the difficulty of implementing remote learning for primary school students. With younger children, there is also the related issue of childcare. 

“The issue for primary children is we want to just make sure they continue their learning,” according to President of the Irish Primary Principals Network Damian White 

But it does present a greater challenge for their parents, in terms of childminding and so on. So we are aware of that.

White says for secondary school students the big issues are around things like language orals but that for the IPPN’s own members the issues could vary. 

“It’ll be down to each school to do as they see fit but some schools, because we’ve had a little bit of notice that it might happen, people are considering how they can best support the children if it does happen. I know that with second-level schools, you would have seen it on the news, where some of them are connecting remotely but that’s not always possible.”

And we have a lot of primary schools and a lot of them are in areas where there isn’t decent broadband or in some cases there’s no broadband, so we couldn’t say something that’s happening unilaterally -  but schools will support the needs of the children in every way they can. If it is to happen. 

White says some primary schools have been “making their own plans” to support children and have already been providing materials should schools be forced to close.

“Some schools have certainly gone and developed packs and children have them and have even sent them home already, should it become an issue,” he says.

School trips

While schools don’t have a say on classrooms potentially closing, one decision they are being forced to consider is the question of school trips scheduled over the upcoming months.

Mongey explains that, in his own school, discussions are ongoing with parents over a forthcoming Transition Year trip and that planned tours to stage plays and other events have already been cancelled.

“Whether it be over the Easter holidays or the weeks after, that’s probably the thing that’s probably most concerning for parents and for schools at the moment.

It’s a question of how best to handle that situation because you want to do the best for the students to make sure that you’re keeping them safe and ultimately, lessen exposure to anything that might happen, and trying to come up with an agreed position with that.

“I think schools have been cautionary and kind of reacting to the advice that they’re given from the department and trying to get as much information at parents as they possibly can,” he adds. 

The issue of schools potentially being out-of-pocket as a result of deciding against foreign trips was raised yesterday by Mattie McGrath TD.

9347 Covid 19 Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

The independent deputy called on the government to issue a temporary directive against foreign travel by schools so they point to this direction when claiming insurance.

McGrath cited the situation as a public health emergency and said this is “clearly one of those scenarios”.

“If the department and the minister were to make an unambiguous recommendation to cancel, then it would also allow to schools to point to it as the clear guidance they had received when dealing with parents and pupils,” he said.

In response to McGrath’s comments, the Minister for Finance said he would raise it with insurance companies.

“If the guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs is that the non-essential travel should not happen, or indeed no travel at all, then schools need to recognise that and make a decision based on that information,” Donohoe said.

“What I’m increasingly conscious of and I’m getting feedback on this is some of the insurance consequences in relation to this, what this might mean for individual schools, and I was certainly raised this and see if there’s any way of recognising this via our insurance companies.”

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    Mute Andrew Kenny
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    Aug 7th 2024, 5:40 PM

    October budget to feature a ‘bribe package’ to which most will accept. Accept the few crumbs thrown at them and in return will put effectively, the same government back in power at the next GE. We get what we deserve at the end of the day!

    414
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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Aug 7th 2024, 5:54 PM

    @Andrew Kenny: The opposition, ie SF has an opportunity to counter, with proposals that will make people’s lives better, but since the June elections they have issued 2 policy documents without a cent of costs , but promise to issue them…When?

    Most people will vote for the incumbents because the alternative haven’t, can’t provide facts in their proposals.

    People work hard for what they have and are very slow to change unless credible alternatives are given.

    It’s up to all the other parties to ” topple ” the government with the aid of the electorate but right they are seriously lacking in all departments.

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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Aug 7th 2024, 5:59 PM

    @Andrew Kenny: was just looking at odds on paddy power of “when will there be a general election Ireland — 2024 OR 2025??”…..2024 is at 2/7 and 2025 is at 9/4. I find it bemusing that the official soundbite is that ” this government will go full distance “…… Like it’s SO obvious it’ll be within weeks of the giveaway ‘ budget. Dole spongers WON’T be voting FFG in their droves though

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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:02 PM

    @Buster Lawless: they will spend it in Penneys and the off licence

    34
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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:04 PM

    @Buster Lawless: Wow, that’s a political acumen that I never thought existed…

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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:05 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: I’ll admit I was leaning towards SF (for 1st time) but after that spectacular implosion as regards the stupidly worded referendums and then the ‘locals’…… well, that ship has sailed

    58
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    Mute Gearoid MacEachaidh
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:26 PM

    @Andrew Kenny: they have given a cost of living package in the last 3 budgets and this one will be smaller. But somehow this smaller one is a bribe but the previous larger ones weren’t because they didn’t happen in a budget year? Bizarre logic. There are lots of reasons to vote this government out but one thing they have done well is the cost of living packages.

    33
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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:31 PM

    @Buster Lawless: I doubt you lean anyway Dude , you apparently are a Trump supporter and are thinking of voting for SF , hilarious and very infantile

    16
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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:46 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: ?? Strange comment…. You’ll find this v confusing but I have “dual” citizenship…… I always voted republican stateside but since returning/retiring back to the ‘old sod’ I’m a bit of an ‘undecided’…..tbh, I find it v difficult to align with a party here that represents my values & beliefs

    34
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    Mute Wolfgang Bonow
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:56 PM

    @Andrew Kenny: If they give money in whatever way, its a “bribe budged”. If they don’t, they’re not listening or ignoring the cost of living. They never can please.

    21
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    Mute another one? what's going on is the semi state sec
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:15 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: If you do a quick Google you can find an alternative Sinn Fein budget for 2024. No doubt they’ll do one for 2025. You will be able to read their 2025 budget and compare it with the FFGs and then decide which is better!

    20
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    Mute Brian
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:24 PM

    @Buster Lawless: No dirty auld men to align yourself with over here..Awwww .. must be tough for someone of your disposition Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out.. again..

    16
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    Mute Pat Hazzard
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:44 PM

    @Andrew Kenny: billions aren’t crumbs, plus the money is available because of the prudent management of the economy by the Govt parties.

    16
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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:49 PM

    @Brian: ?? Jeez, some weird comments on this ‘boards”…. Appreciate there’s probably a lot of trolling on these comments sections but ( not that it’s any of your business/concern) I’ve been married over 3 decades & have 5 adult children. Perhaps your gutter ramblings would be better suited to a more ‘adult’ website??????

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    Mute Brian
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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:01 PM

    @Buster Lawless: You’re the biggest cheerleader/troll on this site for a man who was found guilty of sexual assault.. who grabs women by the p**sy… bought Ms Teen USA pageant to take a strolls.. unannounced.. into backstage dressing room areas of underage girls .. BFFs with Jeffrey..and a man who sexualises his own daughter publicly.. spare me the “I’m a family man ‘ spiel Ken..if thats the kind of person you can relate to.. says a hell of a lot about you..

    20
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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:20 PM

    @another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: The annual budget that doesn’t take into account the current nor future fiscal situation, bit like your incessant ramblings about increasing tax revenue taken in isolation from the reality of running a country.

    Frankly, you are the perfect example of SF all talk and no substance. You, in particular, don’t even understand the figures but it doesn’t stop you from repeating it and your source , twitter, all the information is freely available from multiple agencies, but you chose twitter…..says a lot

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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:22 PM

    @Brian: as previously posted Ken, these gutter level ramblings ( & foul language)would probably be better suited to a more ‘age appropriate ‘ website. I’ll admit to being at a total loss as to any connection/ link to an article relating to IRISH budget but there you go. tbh I never engage with trolls but I wish you all the best & can only suggest you seek out & avail of any help you require

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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:41 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: You have no clue what you’re on about because you love to spout your Pro FFG nonsense….. If you’re happy to still be paying austerity taxes 16 years later, being given breadcrumbs for tax relief during massive inflation and a COL crisis then more fool you…. Scary how they can spend so recklessly and unchecked while their citizens struggle. They try to avoid meaningful tax cuts at all costs!!! Their performance and spending would not be accepted in any business! Zero accountability, just bluffers firefighting and stumbling through their term on the gravy train!!! As for my information, I looked it up the governments annual reports, I also looked up their expenditure broken down but department over the years too….. Have you?!?! Clown!

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    Mute Brian
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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:47 PM

    @Buster Lawless: Getting more difficult to understand your gibberish now Ken. See once you go off your copy and paste stuff you’re really exposed for the clown you are. Deflect all you want Ken.. but the fact you think reading facts about Dumps litenany of sexual offences belongs on an ‘ adult website ‘ should set alarm bells ringing in your head.. alas, they don’t.. although I’m at a loss to know what kind of adult websites cater for that kind of filth.. but you’re obviously in the know…

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:52 PM

    @another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: Still no facts

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    Mute Brian
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    Aug 7th 2024, 9:14 PM

    @another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: Great men for looking for ‘ facts ‘ without presenting a single one themselves.. looking for costings when FFGs costings might as well be written in the back of a beer mat for all the good they are.. airy fairy numbers presented and when the inevitably go over budget on literally everything.. ya still get clowns claiming they’re fiscally solid. Lol.

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    Aug 7th 2024, 9:20 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: So actual figures from govt budgets aren’t factual…… Bizarre take. That statement speaks a lot about you!….. Ignorance is bliss for some I suppose!

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    Aug 7th 2024, 9:47 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: Let’s cut to the chase Paul since you think you know so much. You haven’t given any legit argument or facts to counter what I’m saying……. Explain why IT and VAT has increased so much since 2019 (they were the biggest takes back then). Why has govt spending increased from 77 billion to 110 billion since then? Could departmental spending be managed better so that austerity taxes could be removed or bands adjusted meaningfully?!?! Let’s have some facts please!……. And the extra IT isn’t just down to the 300k extra jobs, they’d all need to be taxed on a salary of 100k to account for that much of an increase to their revenue! If they were all on the “average salary” of 45k they’d raise around 2.6 of the 10.8 billion extra income tax.

    13
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    Mute offside again
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    Aug 8th 2024, 12:07 AM

    @Buster Lawless: Buster, I thought you were having a laugh. If you didn’t have so many accounts, it might be funny sometimes. You’re getting really boring

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    Aug 8th 2024, 2:50 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: Good man, didn’t think so….. All talk, nothing to back it up. Why bother! Embarrassing

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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 5:50 PM

    Jobseekers Allowance should be halved

    204
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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:01 PM

    @Golf Ball: well, that’s a bit extreme……. But say a 10%reduction every 6 months…… Surely nobody could gripe at that???

    176
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    Mute Paul O Connor
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:03 PM

    @Golf Ball:
    I’m fed up of this nonsense. I need jobseekers to survive. I’m restricted where I can work for medical reasons. I’m applying for 10 jobs a day but I can’t drive so the areas I can work are limited. Get your facts right golf ball before judging people people. Come over to my house and witness an epileptic seizure and you’ll see what people like me have to live with every day of the week, month after month, year after year.

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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:03 PM

    @Buster Lawless: if it was up to me I would half it, but I don’t hold the reins of power, I’m afraid

    23
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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:07 PM

    @Paul O Connor: OK then, those who are not looking for work, should have their dole cut

    54
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    Mute Pat Hazzard
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:28 PM

    @Paul O Connor: sounds like you should be on disability benefit, not job seekers.

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    Mute Eamonn Murray
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:32 PM

    @Paul O Connor:
    Hi Paul, my heart goes out to you and anybody who encounters epileptic seizures. I know exactly what a seizure is like esp a grand mall.

    55
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    Mute Paul O Connor
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:12 PM

    @Pat Hazzard:
    People with epilepsy don’t qualify for disability. We’re on our own.

    54
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    Mute Paul O Connor
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:13 PM

    @Eamonn Murray:
    Thanks Eamonn. Grand mal seizures are no picnic but you just live with it.

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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:26 PM

    @Paul O Connor: jeez Paul, gotta admit I’m really shocked/ surprised to learn that an epilepsy diagnosis isn’t an automatic qualifying condition for disability allowance. Certainly didn’t mean or intend any disrespect with my earlier comment – obviously, was referencing those who simply don’t ‘want’ to take employment. Best of luck for the future.

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    Mute Paddy C
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:32 PM

    @Paul O Connor: proper order different people have different circumstances so it should be taken into account.

    28
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    Mute Paul O Connor
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:36 PM

    @Buster Lawless:
    I know you didn’t mean anything Buster. I just went on a bit of a rant after the 1st comment from a certain ball playing person. Thanks for the best wishes and I do know there are plenty of people out there bludging the system. All the best to you. Take care.

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    Mute Áine G
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    Aug 8th 2024, 4:17 AM

    @Paul O Connor: Disability Allowance is granted to those with regular seizures. I think you your bluffing.

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    Mute Áine G
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    Aug 8th 2024, 4:29 AM

    @Paul O Connor: They do, obviously you have read misguided facts. But you need a neurologist to sign. Big difference between getting one seizure a year and multiple seizures in a week.

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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Aug 8th 2024, 8:56 AM

    @Golf Ball: how can you prove some one is looking /not looking for work

    4
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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Aug 8th 2024, 9:03 AM

    @Paul O Connor: paul you should apply again gp should support your application. And there is a man you can contact look him up if you can’t get it . Gareth Noble.

    4
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    Mute Gerry Ryan
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:55 PM

    when will they get rid of USC, that extra tax on workers because Fianna Fail said we “all partied”, their convenient excuse for their mismanagement of the economy turning it into a casino for their Galway tent insiders

    195
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    Mute Keyser Söze
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    Aug 7th 2024, 5:48 PM

    It’s not a ‘cost of living’ package. It’s the price the taxpayer pays for voting for FFG. If they properly regulated the market, we wouldn’t need to pay people’s bills for them. All this at a time when companies are making massive profits. Where are the Irish people to protest that?? A nation of sheep.

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Aug 7th 2024, 5:59 PM

    @Keyser Söze: Populist claptrap, where are the alternative suggestions?

    27
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:27 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: Maybe they manage their departmental budgets properly instead of expanding them excessively because they’re taking in so much extra VAT and income tax since the pandemic!!!! That will free up massive amounts of cash for tax breaks! COL is around 20%, spending is up 30%+….. As I pointed out to you previously they took in nearly half the amount of tax in 2016 as compared to what they took in last year. The country was running fine in 2016. Or just over 50% more tax than they took in for 2019, in FOUR YEARS they’re taking in 50% more!!!!!…… How are they spending so much money and we are still paying austerity taxes?!?!?

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    Mute Pat Hazzard
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:46 PM

    @Keyser Söze: surge in energy prices were due to external factors.

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:27 PM

    @another one? what’s going on is the semi state sec: perhaps you should look into it rather than continuing to post your claptrap, all the information is freely available for you to study and come back with a balanced critique and then you might gain some credence, but simply repeating a twitter post over and over again without context is tiresome.

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    Mute Thesaltyurchin
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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:41 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: Certainly we could eliminate VRT

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    Aug 7th 2024, 9:03 PM

    @Paul O’Mahoney: you offer nothing of substance or factual in any of your posts my friend! I have given figures and comparisons over the years in mine!!!!… It’s really not hard to understand. To keep the figures simple, if inflation is 20% and I get a 20% raise on the “average salary” of 45k. My net salary increases by just 12.8%, the amount of tax I pay increases by 49.4%… understand why the income tax take has increased so much?!?! Tax bands and credits need to be adjusted. 40% rate hasn’t always been at 42k or the credits weren’t always at the rate they are now, they have increased over the years through the effects of inflation. But Govt are absorbing and spending excessive amounts of tax thanks to COL pay increase and out of date IT bands. VAT huge too!… Simple to understand!

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    Mute Shimo F
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:12 PM

    Do me a favour. They’ll throw an extra fiver a week at the working man and call it a give away. This government makes me sick. Can’t wait to vote this shower out, but unfortunately, the sheep will vote them in again.

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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:15 PM

    @Shimo F: we have no opposition, so between a rock and a hard place

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    Mute Pat Hazzard
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:29 PM

    @Shimo F: those who value democracy and employment will be certainly voting to return FG and FF to Govt.

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    Aug 7th 2024, 11:07 PM

    @Pat Hazzard: those who want homelesness and no health care will vote ff And fg to government

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    Mute MeetClimatechangeOnOurTerms
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:41 PM

    While oil and gas companies make record profits. It makes no sense.

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    Mute SV3tN8M4
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    Aug 7th 2024, 10:55 PM

    Massive hike in Childcare prices, Heating oil, Petrol & Diesel, Insurance increasing despite all the reforms, PSO Levy reinstated by the CRU, Groceries to increase now with the fuel hikes, all these will lead to inflation & another round of increased Interest Rates, huge hikes, yet Harris, Ryan & Martin will get the complicit Media to tell Joe & Josephine they are doing great & giving you a few Euro’s back but taking multiples of that back from you in their latest three card trick. There is no hope & no chink of light for those couples who get out of bed in the morning & go to work & pay their taxes & even less light for any adult children living with them. Ireland no longer provides anything for those who work hard, a great place for those who don’t work & the new arrivals.

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    Mute Jonathan Hanlon
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    Aug 7th 2024, 6:34 PM

    Give themselves a pay rise too, Good boys

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    Mute Pat Hazzard
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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:27 PM

    @Jonathan Hanlon: all public servants are subject to same pay agreement, TDs don’t and can’t set their own pay unilaterally.

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    Mute DJ D
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    Aug 8th 2024, 1:01 AM

    @Pat Hazzard: Government mouthpiece… you seem like one busy “bought” fool

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    Mute sean callan
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:53 PM

    Pensioners tax exemptions €18,000 (€350 pw) has not been increased for many years
    Any earnings above that is subject to tax at 40 percent ,
    Please Simon, have a friendly word with your colleague Jack, loosen up the purse Strings.
    At our age a little goes long way . Even a small increase around €1000 pa . Would be great ,
    .
    Ŕ

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    Aug 7th 2024, 8:23 PM

    @sean callan: Again it’s only 40% if you are availing of marginal relief and it’s your choice to change that…not revenue nor the government.

    I explained this to you but it seems you’re content on lying.

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    Mute Geraldine O'Riordan
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    Aug 8th 2024, 8:15 AM

    @sean callan:
    40% at 42K.
    Like the other person said, you posted the same comment before.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:34 PM

    It’s a pity that kite flying is not an Olympic Sport. Irish politicians and meeja would win gold, silver and bronze!

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    Mute Niall Fennessy
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    Aug 7th 2024, 5:46 PM

    And the people that need it now won’t get it until next year after a few of them commit suicide

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    Mute Kevin Kerr
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    Aug 7th 2024, 5:55 PM

    @Niall Fennessy: a pretty sick comment. And for the record, the amount is to be paid this year

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    Mute Golf Ball
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    Aug 7th 2024, 5:57 PM

    @Niall Fennessy: Bertie Ahern suggested something similar, I recall

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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Aug 7th 2024, 7:39 PM

    More money for the Coolock Say No brigade to go up to Belfast to their unionists friends and throw rocks at everyone!

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    Mute John Doe
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    Aug 7th 2024, 10:57 PM

    Lets buy our votes

    21
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