Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Ministers arrive at Dublin Castle this morning ahead of the Cabinet meeting Sasko Lazarov/Rollingnews.ie

As it happened: Taoiseach confirms delay to reopening of indoor hospitality

The reopening of indoor hospitality has been pushed back following advice from NPHET.

LAST UPDATE | 29 Jun 2021

BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELTS.

What we thought we knew about July has been well and truly turned on its head.

Cabinet met today to make a decision on indoor dining, which was due to reopen on 5 July but has now been pushed back.

The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) gave modelling to government members yesterday on the potential spread of the Delta variant if hospitality reopens indoors.

Now, indoor services in pubs and restaurants have been delayed while a system is developed that would allow verification of vaccination or immunity from Covid-19.

Hi folks.

Well, here we are again, waiting together to hear what the next stage of Covid-19 restrictions will look like.

Lauren Boland here, I’ll be with you for the next while as we find out what will or won’t be allowed in the hospitality sector over the coming weeks. Get in touch with your thoughts via Lauren@TheJournal.ie or on Twitter @LaurenAnna_1.

We’re expecting details on indoor dining early this afternoon after a Cabinet meeting – but as you know yourself, these things can stretch on longer than planned, so we’ll see how it goes.

Cabinet arrivals 005 Ministers arrive at Dublin Castle this morning ahead of the Cabinet meeting Sasko Lazarov / Rollingnews.ie Sasko Lazarov / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

Things are about as clear as mud right now, but what do we know so far?

The provisional plan for July that the government previously announced would have allowed several restrictions to be eased or lifted at the start of the month, including permission for indoor services to return in pubs and restaurants.

Outdoor dining has been open since 7 June (and indoor dining was allowed in hotels and B&Bs for residents from 2 June).

Luckily, we’ve (mostly) had the weather for the ol outdoor dining so far.

Indoor dining in pubs and restaurants was due to follow on 5 July – but since then, the arrival of the Delta variant on the scene has shaken up the playbook.

It’s now likely that the reopening will be pushed back to at least the middle of the month.

It was a late one for the Cabinet’s Covid-19 subcommittee last night, which didn’t emerge from Government Buildings until the wee hours. 

Members met to discuss advice from NPHET – which also convened yesterday – on public health measures and the Delta variant.

The takeaway from last night’s meeting was that indoor dining would be delayed until at least 19 July to give the government time to work out their stance on a NPHET recommendation that only vaccinated people or those who have recovered from Covid-19 could dine indoors safely.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said some of the details from NPHET were new and unexpected.

NPHET’s letter to the Cabinet Covid-19 committee set out some modelling for dealing with the Delta variant, with best, medium and worse case scenarios.

The worst case scenario – deep breath – would potentially be 700,000 cases and over 2,000 deaths between July and September.

A better scenario was 81,000 cases and 165 deaths.

NPHET emphasised that the medium to best case scenarios were more likely.

It’s been a rough few days (well – a rough year, really) for pubs and restaurants as they’ve waited to hear what their fate will be next month.

Brian Renaghan, a publican in Monaghan, told The Journal yesterday that it’s “soul-destroying” when “you’re after spending a lifetime building up a business and the people who were there before you building it up, for this to happen”.

In Galway, restaurateur Jp McMahon said that “one week in July is worth a whole month in the winter. If we lose two weeks at the start of July, that’s effectively two months takings that we’re going to have to cover in the winter.”

But today’s not only about indoor dining – there’s also a question mark over other activities, particularly for people who aren’t vaccinated, in places like theatres, music venues, bowling alleys and more.

All going to plan (fingers crossed), we’re looking at a 1pm announcement from Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Cabinet’s decision.

Meanwhile, it’s a bit of a scorcher out there, and outdoor dining will likely be in full swing around the country.

OUTDOOR DINING DUBLIN AM4Z8233 Outdoor dining on Capel Street in Dublin last weekend Sasko Lazarov / Rollingnews.ie Sasko Lazarov / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

One reader has written in to suggest that the government should put practices like rapid testing and localised lockdowns in place to handle hospitality and the Delta variant, as well as closely assessing what has worked in other countries and communicating clearly with the public.

“We need to learn from our mistakes at Christmas but not be paralysed with fear from it,” our reader said.

The Taoiseach is making his address now (the 15th one like it).

MM Announcement Virgin Meida News Virgin Meida News

Wedding receptions can increase to 50 attendees as planned, but indoor hospitality is being delayed.

The Taoiseach has said he knows that businesses will feel “dismay and frustration” at the decision and that additional supports will be provided over the coming weeks.

And there we have it – it was a short speech from the Taoiseach, only around five minutes long.

There was no detail on when pubs and restaurants will be allowed to open indoors.

Here’s the breakdown on the government’s website now – indoor services won’t be going ahead as planned.

A system will be developed for verifying whether someone has been vaccinated or has immunity from Covid-19, and the goverment will “devise an implementation plan by 19 July”.

Gov Restrictions 290621 Department of An Taoiseach Department of An Taoiseach

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is speaking now on RTÉ Radio One’s News at One.

He says that hospitality staff won’t need to be vaccinated in order to return to work indoors when pubs and restaurants do reopen.

“My hope is that none of the scenarios we’ve seen come to pass,” Donnelly says, referencing the modelling put forward by NPHET on the potential impact of the Delta variant.

Younger people should hopefully be vaccinated “several weeks” earlier than planned by expanding the rollout of AstraZeneca and Janssen.

“Our job is to minimise the risks and keep our country on the right track,” Eamon Ryan says over at the post-announcement briefing.

The Taoiseach says that the modelling from NPHET was “quite stark” in terms of the transmissibility of Delta and its potential impact on the number of Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations.

The letter that Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan sent to Stephen Donnelly yesterday with NPHET’s modelling and advice is available to view here.

“The other measures [aside from outdoor activities] which were due to be eased on the 5th July which, by their nature are high risk activities which will involve significant levels of social mixing in indoor environments, should only be permitted for those who have been fully protected by vaccination or who have had Covid-19 infection in the previous nine months,” NPHET recommended.

“The planned easing of these measures should only proceed once a robust, non-reproducible and enforceable system of verification of vaccination or immunity status can be put in place to support this. If this is not deemed feasible, the Government should consider pausing further easing of these measures until such a system can be instituted.”

“We only ever planned to use vaccination passes for international travel. It was government policy not to use those for domestic services,” Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says at the briefing.

He says it’s a big, difficult change that Cabinet members aren’t particularly happy about.

“But the alternative is to keep these facilities and services closed until we reach herd immunity, and we can’t say when that is.”

Post Cabinet briefing Virgin Media News Virgin Media News

The Taoiseach was asked if it’s fair on young people that they may be working in a pub or restaurant indoors while they’re unvaccinated, but that they couldn’t eat or drink where they work before they receive a vaccine.

He said that it’s “never been a condition” of working that someone would need a vaccine and that requiring vaccines (or immunity) among customers would help to protect employees.

Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers has tweeted that she believes the government has made the “wrong decision”.

“We are splitting the people and leaving younger people behind, the very cohort that have shouldered the greatest burden to protect others,” she said.

And they’re off – the post-announcement briefing has ended.

Eamon Ryan actually left early a while ago to head to Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil – there’ll be no time for sitting out in the sun anyway.

Briefing ends RTÉ RTÉ

Reactions are starting to roll in from opposition parties and pubs and restaurants that are impacted by the change in plans – let’s take a nose around and have a look at what they’re saying.

Retail Excellence, a representative group for retailers, says that it’s “extremely unhelpful” that there’s been no new date set for the indoor reopening.

Board member Fergal Doyle describes the delay as a “hammer-blow for the hospitality industry in Ireland” that will have “significant ramifications for business owners and staff around the country”.

“We understand that this is a tough decision for the Government to have to make, but this does not lessen the impact on business owners who are fighting for their survival after a terrible year and it is extremely unhelpful that we do not have a timeframe for a reopening plan,” Doyle said.

The Social Democrats are calling the new plan unworkable and unenforceable.

“It is completely unworkable, totally unenforceable and raises serious legal and ethical issues,” says health spokesperson Róisín Shorthall.

“Is the government seriously suggesting it should stand over a system predicated on unvaccinated younger people serving older vaccinated people in the hospitality sector – and those younger people being unable to dine in those establishments themselves?” she asked.

“We are now in a situation in which more than 40pc of adults are fully vaccinated and more than 60pc of people have received a first vaccine dose. At what point, in the vaccination schedule, is Nphet suggesting it will be safe to reopen indoor dining?”

Breaking from the pack, Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has just put out a statement about the Leaving Cert in 2022.

“What is important is that there is clarity as soon as possible and certainly before the students return in September for their Leaving Cert that they know what they are going to face for that academic year,” Byrne said.

No doubt we’ll hear more talk about the Leaving Cert later in the summer and autumn as results are published and new sixth years start classes, but the spotlight for today is certainly shining on pubs and restaurants more than on schools.

leaving-certificate-exams-begin PA PA

The question of unvaccinated young people working in hospitality is dominating a lot of the political response to today’s announcement.

Kerry County Councillor Jackie Healy Rae said that it is “incredible to think that the government feel that it will be safe for those of a certain age to enjoy indoor hospitality while more likely than not the person who will be serving them will be a young person who is not vaccinated”.

He wants to see the government reverse today’s decision.

Speaking in the Dáil, Labour leader Alan Kelly said the plan is “not practical, it’s unenforceable and it’s discriminatory”.

He said the plan will “divide the people of this country”.

“You’re saying to young people it’s illegal for you to go down the road for a pint if you’re not vaccinated, you can’t go for a meal in a restaurant, but it’s not illegal because of European law to go up to Northern Ireland, or get on a flight to Spain, and go for as many meals or as many drinks as you want.”

“We’re essentially saying to young people of Ireland, your summer will consist of sitting at home and watching Love Island because that’s what we think of you,” Kelly said.

As a young person, I can confirm my plans for later this evening do indeed involve watching Love Island.

Also in the Dáil (remember his early departure from the briefing?), Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said government wants to sit down with stakeholders, unions and industry representatives about the new plans.

He said the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines being permitted for anyone aged 18 or older was “an important element” of the decisions made.

Cabinet arrivals 003 Eamon Ryan arriving at Dublin Castle this morning ahead of the Cabinet meeting Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

With the announcement announced and the responses, er, responded, that’s about it for today.

Here’s a round-up of some of the key developments:

Thanks for following along with our updates, and look it, we’ll probably have another one of these days soon enough.

Lauren here signing off – enjoy the sun.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
81 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Motherofthree
    Favourite Motherofthree
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:19 AM

    I can’t see how tgis is the average. Last year was my most expensive year for school as my son needed an iPad. I probably spent somewhere in the region of 1200.
    This year even though he’s growing at a rate of knots he doesn’t need a whole new uniform, there are minimal book costs, bought shoes in the Clarks sale. So total cost will be 200 to 300 euro. I just don’t understand how these average costs are put together unless kids are changing school every year. There is also always access to a load of second hand uniforms.

    240
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dara O'Brien
    Favourite Dara O'Brien
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:24 AM

    @Motherofthree: Agreed – I’ve never spent anything near that. Book rental scheme and uniforms – even with the ‘voluntary’ contribution it comes in at €500ish

    138
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor Connolly
    Favourite Trevor Connolly
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:33 AM

    @Motherofthree: these figures are always over exaggerated .

    115
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jumperoo
    Favourite Jumperoo
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:13 AM

    @Trevor Connolly: 100%. Look at how they’re putting in the costs of things like lunches and after school children care. Wouldn’t you be feeding the kids and paying for childcare anyway, even if they’re not in school?

    87
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Favourite Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:19 AM

    @Motherofthree: journal………….per term, too much to ask you get it right.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Morgan
    Favourite Morgan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:35 AM

    @Motherofthree: In my experience, I would not say “always access to a load of second hand uniforms”. That was *not* an option when I was in school, you had to buy a new uniform whether you liked it or not. There was no network of parents to coordinate second hand uniforms, nothing the uniform shops could recommend, nor even online. It is different for everyone.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matthew Handibode
    Favourite Matthew Handibode
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 10:44 AM

    @Motherofthree: “needed an ipad” Schools legally have to provide any electronic equipment needed for a class. What you meant to say was your son “wanted” an ipad

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel O Sullivan
    Favourite Noel O Sullivan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:38 AM

    Buying school uniform is not a cost as it saves buying other clothes

    142
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Favourite Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:08 AM

    @Noel O Sullivan: yeah but you obviously don’t have a teen, like they don’t want any other clothes, the uniform will do … depending on if your rural or not Transport costs such as rural busses cost a fortune. The headline does not match the survey. cost perm term is the survey.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KJ Staunton
    Favourite KJ Staunton
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:52 AM

    Luckily parents receive €1,680 in child benefit per year for each child, that more than covers the expenses for their education with a bit left over.

    115
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aine O Connor
    Favourite Aine O Connor
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:39 AM

    More like the average would be a €10 a week . A first class education in a peaceful country , what’s not to like. People on low incomes will get most of those items free.

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Favourite Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:15 AM

    @Aine O Connor: obviously not living in rural Ireland , a school bus for 10 a week, don’t think so. besides the survey was on a term… it cost on average 1.399 per temp , headline, no surprise is wrong…

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Byrne
    Favourite Peter Byrne
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:32 AM

    What is the children’s allowance money for. Also if the kids were given a proper lunch instead of giving them money to go to McDonalds or Burger King, it would save parents thousands

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lorna McC
    Favourite Lorna McC
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:52 AM

    The title of this article is misleading, as the infographic includes things such as extra-curricular activities, transport to school, school lunches etc. which cover the whole year and are more than likely payable on a daily, weekly or per term basis.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Morgan
    Favourite Morgan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:24 AM

    @Lorna McC: My thoughts exactly! As you say its misleading to say this covers a whole year? School Lunches: €134 a year, €11.16 a month, €2.79 a week? It doesn’t seem right

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Favourite Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 9:49 AM

    @Lorna McC: It’s almost as if feeding and clothing a child is an unexpected expense.

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bríd Uí Mhaoluala
    Favourite Bríd Uí Mhaoluala
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:15 AM

    Ah the annual Journal post , which is, of course, wildly inaccurate.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Favourite Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:46 AM

    @Bríd Uí Mhaoluala: unreal and all these people here obviously did not bother to read it and their posts based simply on the inaccurate headline.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
    Favourite Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 9:13 AM

    @Daithi Ó Raghallaigh: the inaccurate headline is called clickbait

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin R
    Favourite Gavin R
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 6:44 AM

    €600 for an ipad for my daughter going to secondary, but if it saves their back from permanent damage well hey, I lifted my 9 yo bag I thought there was rocks in it.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Motherofthree
    Favourite Motherofthree
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:13 AM

    @Gavin R: I got my son an ipad last year and although it cost a lot in first year we have very little to pay this year.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TheFreeSpeechParty
    Favourite TheFreeSpeechParty
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:49 AM

    @Gavin R: all so she can play candy crush Saga in class, nice wan Gav you’re a sound Dad!

    20
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Renton Burke
    Favourite Renton Burke
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:54 AM

    @TheFreeSpeechParty: you have to pay €100 to the supplier to lock down the apps as well, so no useful apps, never mind games and social media. Can we also mention that the credit union are part of this cost, with offering a 12% interest loan to parents who can’t afford up front costs. How they justify that is beyond me.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
    Favourite Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 9:01 AM

    @TheFreeSpeechParty: you’ve obviously no kids and don’t understand how the tablets are locked down. Well done you’d be a great dad

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ed
    Favourite Ed
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 12:41 PM

    @Gavin R: How did all the students through history survive lifting school bags?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles McGuire
    Favourite Charles McGuire
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 2:39 PM

    @Gavin R: There is a thing called a locker room, if she still has too much to carry then get her a roller bag, jesus, I swear people look for any excuse to get something thats more a luxury than a necessity, it is ok to buy her an ipad because she wants one.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciarán Kelly
    Favourite Ciarán Kelly
    Report
    Jul 18th 2019, 10:10 AM

    @Renton Burke: what’s the name of the company charging 100 to lock the iPad down?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Favourite Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 9:47 AM

    The figures are nonsense. Afterschool care is a childminding fee that working parents will pay whether they’re child is at school or not. If anything it’s less during the school year. School trips and extracurricular activities are not “back to school” expenses, they’re spread out over the course of the year. As for lunches and uniforms, if the child were at home they would have to be fed and clothed anyway. All primary schools are obliged to have book rental schemes and these greatly reduce the cost of resources.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Whitehead
    Favourite Paul Whitehead
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 9:20 AM

    Wasn’t this survey based on Credit union loans taken out? I bet no one added a few hundred to their loan application for a phone or tv…

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seeking Truth
    Favourite Seeking Truth
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:10 AM

    With my son heading to TY and (finally) no significant growth spurt we might get by with 100 Euro on the necesaary few books/supplies and trousers. Does not need shoes (for once) or a new school coat and we pay the voluntary contribution monthly which helps lower the overall costs in the summer as well.
    I do wish more secondary schools had book rental schemes, the costs in 1st year and 5th year are rough with all the books required.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Morgan
    Favourite Morgan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:15 AM

    After leaving secondary school 5 years ago, shortly after is when you appreciate the money parents put into their child going back to school. I am one of four children who, yes, were all in school at the same time once – from Primary to Secondary. I cannot fathom how my parents afforded it all. There was no “second hand” anything for the school I went to – no books, no uniforms, no schemes, nothing. I didn’t get an iPad as we couldn’t afford it and then pay separately for the books onto it (this was just introduced when I was there) so a hefty school bag it was. My parent would easily have to fork up €1300, minimum. We never did extracurricular activities, never stayed in after-school care, never got the school bus and it was still a ridiculous amount of money my parents had to pay per child! I’m not singling out myself, just the experience as I’m sure parent of kids who are in their 20s/30s *may* have had to do the same.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute El_Duderino
    Favourite El_Duderino
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 11:06 AM

    I see Lidl or Aldi advertising uniforms from €5, and Dunnes (I think) advertising skirts/trousers from €5. Even if it works out at €10 and you buy two uniforms every year I can’t see how the full uniform spend would be even €100.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Morgan
    Favourite Morgan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 2:14 PM

    @El_Duderino: That applies only if your child attends a school that doesn’t have a crest on the jumper or a specific pattern on the skirt. My school used to have a plain grey skirt, yet as so many shops were selling different shades, the school got fed up and told parents you *have* to buy them from one specific supplier. Primary school uniforms are understandably somewhat cheaper than the secondary schools. I just priced my secondary school’s current uniform and its totaling €120, minus the €57 jacket. Not to mention the change in jumpers and blouses once they reach a particular year. So you may not spend even €100, but there are other parents who have to.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Buchanan
    Favourite Peter Buchanan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 12:03 PM

    If you can’t afford kids, don’t expect the taxpayers to pick up all your bills. “think not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann Lennon
    Favourite Ann Lennon
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 10:33 AM

    To all teachers board of management members wake up and get rid of the crests off uniforms.
    Teachers want equal pay smaller classes more money
    Parents want lower school costs anew board of management will be formed in all schools this November I urge all parents to run for it who actually force the chair and principals to listen to the parents.
    Parents no longer need yes men and women on boards we need people who fight to get rid of ridiculous costs to parents

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute richard brogan
    Favourite richard brogan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:48 AM

    Parents should not have to buy anything for school. It should be a subsidised by the government like England,Scotland and Wales.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam H
    Favourite Liam H
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:53 AM

    @richard brogan:

    There’s a big difference between getting everything for nothing and having something subsidized.

    If people pay something towards the cost, they value it more.

    Schools aren’t funded well enough in this country – as evidenced by the increasing prevalence of the “voluntary contribution”.
    Sports facilities and science facilities in most of our schools are appalling.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute richard brogan
    Favourite richard brogan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:59 AM

    @Liam H: believe me I know schools are not funded enough. But with the amount of taxes prsi ,house tax and more we pay surely the government can pay this. But we’re Irish and the government know we will always pay and say nothing.

    10
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jumperoo
    Favourite Jumperoo
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:14 AM

    @richard brogan: there’s a story about water a little further up. Have a think about that whole issue, and then have a think again about what you’re saying here.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute richard brogan
    Favourite richard brogan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 8:29 AM

    @Jumperoo: I’ll give you that one. But I still think school should be free.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Buchanan
    Favourite Peter Buchanan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 12:05 PM

    @richard brogan: the government finances nothing, it is taxpayers who fund everything

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Teresa Ryan
    Favourite Teresa Ryan
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 2:58 PM

    Load of nonsense. No way does it for 1,400 to sent a child to secondary school.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Zuckerkorn
    Favourite Barry Zuckerkorn
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 10:04 AM

    Some free education system we have in this country..smh

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan Mannix
    Favourite Dan Mannix
    Report
    Jul 17th 2019, 6:29 AM

    Whats the issue here exactly? I personally can’t wait to get my 3 kids to school and out of creche where i spend nearly 3K per MONTH on fees for 4 days of care… these back to school costs are a pittance in comparison!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patti o furniture
    Favourite Patti o furniture
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 11:03 AM

    And add on the price of a school trip to Germany too..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute nora boyle
    Favourite nora boyle
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 7:12 PM

    There is an underlying agenda to have all Christian symbolism removed from school uniforms. There’s no reason why uniforms can’t be passed on second hand rather than the generic communist look.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Zmeevo Libe
    Favourite Zmeevo Libe
    Report
    Jul 16th 2019, 9:16 PM

    @nora boyle: Hahaha! My school uniform was a “generic communist look”, it having been a socialist country. We had a crest with the name of the school which we had to stitch onto jumpers, coat etc. It was a lot cheaper than getting uniforms from “unique supplier”. Or does your religious belief prohibit such a solution?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dominic Leleu
    Favourite Dominic Leleu
    Report
    Jul 17th 2019, 8:33 AM

    IT devices should not be compulsory.
    School uniforms and badges increase a “clanish” mentality that should be banned. Books should be the school property and lent to the student, responsible for the good condition and billed only if given back in bad condition. Voluntary fee is not compulsory fee and abuse should be reported.. we are now far away of such horrendous amount of money.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds