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.

Gay's off, but who within Fine Gael is going to replace him? Photocall Ireland

Senators, rebel TD and Dublin Mayor in running for Mitchell's MEP seat

Former world champion runner Eamonn Coghlan is among the favourites to run for Fine Gael in Dublin in next year’s European elections but there are others in contention…

GAY MITCHELL’S DECISION to step down from the European Parliament means there will be an opening for Fine Gael to run a new candidate in the European elections next year.

Though we await the outcome of a redrawing of Ireland’s European Parliament constituencies in light of its number of MEPs being reduced from 12 to 11 Fine Gael will almost certainly run a candidate in Mitchell’s place.

So far vying for the role are senators Eamonn Coghlan and Catherine Noone, the party’s outspoken TD Peter Mathews and the current Lord Mayor of Dublin, Naoise Ó Muirí.

Eamonn Coghlan, a former Irish world champion athlete who joined Fine Gael last year having been appointed to the Seanad by Enda Kenny in 2011, has been reported as the early favourite for the role.

But a number of factors may count against him including his age. At 60 Coghlan is not exactly the young blood that Mitchell, 61, may have hoped would succeed him in Strasbourg.

The party leadership may also be concerned about his lack of a political track record. If Coghlan were to run (pardon the pun) next year it would be his first experience of an election.

His Seanad colleague Catherine Noone is another name who is understood to be definitely considering running for Mitchell’s seat.

She has youth, at age 36, and the fact that she is female as factors counting in her favour as Fine Gael looks to boost the number of women it runs in elections. But low name recognition may count against her.

Fine Gael’s rebel TD Peter Mathews, who has manouvered against the government in the past,  may also be interested depending on how he perceives his chances in the Dublin South constituency he currently occupies.

Redrawn as Dublin Rathdown for the next election, it will see its TD numbers reduced from five to three, and with three Fine Gael deputies – Alan Shatter and Olivia Mitchell are the others – already in the area it may be difficult for Mathews to be re-elected.

But as he is considered an independent Fine Gael TD among party insiders, Mathews would be unlikely to gain enough support at any selection convention to be the party’s candidate for Europe.

Finally, Fine Gael could turn to Naoise Ó Muirí, the current Lord Mayor of Dublin, who was considered Mitchell’s ‘first replacement’ in the European parliament had the retiring MEP been elected as president in October 2011.

But again, low name recognition may count against Ó Muirí.

There may be others and whoever does declare their intentions to seek the Fine Gael nomination will need the support of party members at a selection convention.

Whoever the party leadership’s favourite is will likely be the candidate to replace Mitchell but history shows there can be no guarantees.

After all it was Mitchell who was the party’s presidential nominee in 2011 despite the leadership’s preference for former European Parliament president Pat Cox.

Explainer: How will constituencies change now that Ireland’s losing an MEP?

Read: Gay Mitchell will not contest the next European elections

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
43 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Mc Mahon
    Favourite Darren Mc Mahon
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:27 PM

    Great news for a lot of families out there.

    324
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IAmSCozzie
    Favourite IAmSCozzie
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:24 PM

    @Darren Mc Mahon: not the families of those Teachers and SNAs tho

    345
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Mc Mahon
    Favourite Darren Mc Mahon
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:30 PM

    @IAmSCozzie: hopefully safeguards will be put in place for all concerned. Very challenging environment. We all look forward to the day that all this passes.

    68
    See 14 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nioe
    Favourite Nioe
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:40 PM

    @IAmSCozzie: making them work for their pay. Shocking alright…. Covid controls are in place everywhere and support for the most vulnerable in society is and should be priority. Probably more likely to get covid when not working. Great news and delighted for all these kids.

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aedín
    Favourite Aedín
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:14 PM

    @Nioe: covid controls …… have you ever been in a special school? Genuine question.

    179
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cosmos20202020
    Favourite Cosmos20202020
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:43 PM

    @Brian Shea: their job is to teach…but there is nothing that says they have to put their health at risk to do so….your so great you go do it.

    138
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Shea
    Favourite Brian Shea
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:57 PM

    @Cosmos20202020: Just curious that you are no doubt a teacher…I was a teacher for over 20 years left the profession due to hearing teachers self proclaim how hard they work and how hard done by they are.. Shopkeepers, nurses, refuse collectors and lots more all put their lives at risk. But teachers think they are better and above everyone. If you are that worried put a hazmat suit on.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nioe
    Favourite Nioe
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 4:26 PM

    @Aedín: yes.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 5:50 PM

    @Aedín: or any school? No social distancing. A skimpy mask to protect from a deadly virus.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mr magoo
    Favourite mr magoo
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 5:51 PM

    @Brian Shea: there is absolutely no way you were ever a teacher.

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Proinsias Ó Fearghail
    Favourite Proinsias Ó Fearghail
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 5:57 PM

    @Brian Shea: Seriously? You left the job because people gave out about work? Have to say,I have my doubts!!

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Kennedy
    Favourite Joe Kennedy
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:17 PM

    @Proinsias Ó Fearghail: wasting yere time lads. Judging from the hazmat suit comment alone, he clearly has no idea what he’s talking about. Same goes for anyone comparing it to other professions.

    54
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan
    Favourite Ronan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 7:07 PM

    @Cosmos20202020: Health and safety at work act basics, employers responsibility to provide a safe work place, employees responsibility to comply with all safety rules. If they work together it can be safe.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IAmSCozzie
    Favourite IAmSCozzie
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 7:24 PM

    @Nioe: Really !

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IAmSCozzie
    Favourite IAmSCozzie
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 7:29 PM

    @Brian Shea: Actually no teacher has in their contract to put their life or the lives of their families at risk during a pandemic. Have you ever tried to change the nappy of a 12+ stone fourteen year old, whos dosent social distance or wear a mask ?

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elizabeth Barry
    Favourite Elizabeth Barry
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 8:38 PM

    @Brian Shea: the difference is all those sectors social distance and the people they deal with wear masks. Plus Health care workers will get the vacine way sooner than those working for the school such as Teachers, Special Needs Assistants and Bus Escorts, if they already haven’t received the vacine.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noo Ni Ailpin
    Favourite Noo Ni Ailpin
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 9:36 PM

    @Brian Shea: In the course of your research, What percentage of teachers think that they are “better than everyone else?”
    You might be right. I can’t find the data, but I would love to see citation.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elizabeth Barry
    Favourite Elizabeth Barry
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:36 PM

    Didn’t realise that we had the Corona Virus sorted.

    334
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Helen O'Neill
    Favourite Helen O'Neill
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:38 PM

    @Elizabeth Barry: that’s no helpful

    132
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mango mango
    Favourite Mango mango
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:50 PM

    @Elizabeth Barry: The number of children in special needs education is very low probably under 2k. These children really need daily support outside of their homes. Managed properly this is hardly going to increase the risk anymore than creches staying open.

    222
    See 29 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bmul
    Favourite bmul
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:52 PM

    @Mango mango: it will increase the risk for the staff as the kids cannot social distance

    152
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute phil balfe
    Favourite phil balfe
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:59 PM

    @Mango mango: It states in the article that there are 30,000 children.

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan
    Favourite Dan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:00 PM

    @Elizabeth Barry: we dont but teachers will be expected to put their health, and the health of their loved ones, on the line starting next week. The potential for getting covid just multiplied massively for those teachers. Each one of them will agree that special ed schools play a big role in the routine of kids. Each teacher will also agree that the potential for regression because of lockdown is significant for these students. Each teacher has spent the last 5 months banging their head off a brick wall while trying to understand why FFG have no back up plan for this. No discussion on what to do if things went bad. All we have had is a one line discussion that repeated the nonsense that covid doesn’t transmit in schools. Up until they closed schools to help stop the spread.

    188
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam martin
    Favourite Liam martin
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:06 PM

    @Elizabeth Barry: madness

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IAmSCozzie
    Favourite IAmSCozzie
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:08 PM

    @Helen O’Neill: its true tho !!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mickety Dee
    Favourite Mickety Dee
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:13 PM

    @Elizabeth Barry: Covid is the least of these kids worries. There is a small risk for teachers and in my opinion it is nowhere near enough to justify abandoning these kids

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
    Favourite Thomas O' Donnell
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:17 PM

    @Dan: By that logic, everyone going to work is “putting their life on the line” (completely over dramatic). Those of us still travelling to work places know there’s a risk to us but know our work is essential and that’s fine for the good of society. Surely special needs education is a very high priority?

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bmul
    Favourite bmul
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:33 PM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: at my workplace I can social distance wear a mask clean hands etc THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN EWITH THE KIDS so not the same

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IAmSCozzie
    Favourite IAmSCozzie
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:36 PM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: Do you have to change the nappy of a 14st fourteen year old ??

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan
    Favourite Dan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:51 PM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: come back when the deaths have stopped climbing and tell me im over dramatic. It might also surprise you to learn that there are different types of jobs with different levels of contact. Do you go into a small, unventilated room with no screens or PPE for hours on end?

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elizabeth Barry
    Favourite Elizabeth Barry
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:10 PM

    @Dan: there are more than teachers. There are SNA’s and more importantly there are bus escorts that will not have social distancing in a small bus.

    63
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elizabeth Barry
    Favourite Elizabeth Barry
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:12 PM

    @Mango mango: bus escorts have no social distancing in a small bus, so have you an answer for that.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marie Flaherty
    Favourite Marie Flaherty
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:24 PM

    @Mickety Dee: Excuse me? Abandoning? Teachers and SNAs have been working round the clock planning, teaching and supporting our students. All SEN children get additional online teaching plus continuous support and interaction from SNAs. Yes, it’s not perfect but it’s not safe right now. Children, especially SEN children, can’t understand boundaries and they’re coughing, sneezing etc on us, without masks or social distancing.

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Shea
    Favourite Brian Shea
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 4:05 PM

    @Marie Flaherty: Working around the clock…..I doubt if you are totally correct there. Teachers are the only ones that will say that. Self praise is no praise. Wear a hazmat suit if you are that worried. I think you should go to work and do the job that you are paid to do. Not to just give children tasks to do via an email.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Mulligan
    Favourite Darren Mulligan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 4:31 PM

    @Brian Shea: You really come across as having a massive chip on your shoulders for teachers, I can only speak for my children’s school and their teachers but they have gone above and beyond for my kids.

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger McCloskey
    Favourite Ger McCloskey
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 4:35 PM

    @Dan: and the department cut ppe funding by 40% during the Christmas holidays for schools – and oh! concerned they are

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger McCloskey
    Favourite Ger McCloskey
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 4:36 PM

    @Dan: or have the windows open

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam martin
    Favourite Liam martin
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 5:19 PM

    @Brian Shea: somebody really has something against teachers, haha ! I’d say you were a great colleague to work alongside and also an inspiration to those you were giving an education……..

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute 2thFairy
    Favourite 2thFairy
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 5:34 PM

    @Mickety Dee: what do you base your risk assessment on?
    Why do you think it’s a small risk to deal with the daily intimate care needs of children who bite and spit. Why do you think it’s a small risk to create the movement of thousands of people in every community.
    Maybe it’s because you are not taking the risk and putting your family and your parents at risk. Maybe you are just selfish.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nicola Scott
    Favourite Nicola Scott
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:00 PM

    @bmul: well what is the alternative then? Will teachers and SNAs stay home for the next god knows how long until they consider themselves safe?
    Any act of daily living puts one at risk these days. What about the daily risks to these parents and kids? Who is looking after them when they are witnessing their children lose hard fought for skills? What about the risks of self harm for these kids or aggression directed at exhausted parents?
    Think about the frontline staff working long hours and coming home to face these situations.
    Thankfully the government realise these needs.
    And yes I’m a qualified SNA myself and also a parent to a severely autistic child. So risks are considerable to children and families. If eminent public health teams can stand by this decision it should be enough.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nicola Scott
    Favourite Nicola Scott
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:04 PM

    @Marie Flaherty: excuse me but it has been proven than online teaching DOES NOT WORK for these children. It also takes skills the the majority of parents do not possess to teach them.
    I have had not one phone, email or otherwise contact from an SNA for my severely autistic son.
    I think this is a good opportunity for some to rethink if they are in the right profession at all.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mickety Dee
    Favourite Mickety Dee
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:25 PM

    @2thFairy: No one should be meeting their parents these days I’d they don’t want to put them at risk. A healthy teacher of working age is a completely different risk. Also, only about 20k children affected so thousands in every community is an exaggeration.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam martin
    Favourite Liam martin
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:27 PM

    @Nicola Scott: you are a qualified SNA……why do you need another SNA to phone or email ?

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra McBride
    Favourite Sandra McBride
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:46 PM

    @IAmSCozzie: it’s a continence aid

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra McBride
    Favourite Sandra McBride
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:50 PM

    @Liam martin: Why would she not expect a call? They are after all getting paid

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute 2thFairy
    Favourite 2thFairy
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 8:16 PM

    @Mickety Dee: 1. My mother lives with us.
    2. Opening schools will cause thousands of people to move around our communities. The whole point of staying at home is to prevent movement of people. (Or didn’t you know this?)

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mickety Dee
    Favourite Mickety Dee
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 9:34 PM

    @2thFairy: Yes but there has to be a trade-off vs the benefit. You could stop hospital workers from attending hospitals but the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Some teachers/SNAs should be able to opt out where they can show they are at risk or present a risk to others. A blanket closure is doing damage to some kids with special needs that may not be reversed

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noo Ni Ailpin
    Favourite Noo Ni Ailpin
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 9:50 PM

    @Mickety Dee: you are right.
    Teachers who are healthy and of a working age should, get over the virus…if they contract it at all. It is the families of teachers who might contract the virus from them that is the worry.
    Elderly parents, immunocompromised children, a partner who is a frontline worker, a partner who is ill. Epidemiologists worry about a broken link in the chain, and yes, all frontline workers are such links. The stress on those families must be enormous.
    As I understand it, government and NPHET look at the management of this virus on a micro and a macro level in order to determine what is ‘best’ for the population as a whole. I hope that whatever the decision, nobody gets ill as a consequence.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NeddyQ
    Favourite NeddyQ
    Report
    Jan 15th 2021, 12:33 PM

    I am a frontline essential service employee and each I work with 60 with no social distancing,. If i refuse to enter my workplace due to covid , my options would be resign or take unpaid leave. Not great options !!! End of the day the teachers have been accommodated and be thankful for this. There is alot of people forced into unemployement and living on covid payments . Think about this .
    Let me fill you in on my 3 kids school last year . Beautiful new school in ……
    Zero communication between teachers and pupils, teachers never once asked to see or correct homework that was thrown up. on the school’s website on a fortnightly basis . No feedback received over a 15 week period. Books not returned in a timely and in an appropriate fashion to pupils (dumped outside school, no staff member visible). No attempt to deliver synchronous/asynchronous online delivery of curriculum. No training received by staff in a timely fashion ie the week before summer holidays , on the application of appropriate online delivery platforms. No effort made by the school’s management to organise appropriate graduation send off for 6th class pupils. Effectively the school closed its doors in mid March and failed in its duty to remain in regular contact delivering the curriculum over this 15week period. Parents were left to struggle alone, with the most scant input (in some cases no input) by teachers, to educate their children….. despite several emails to the teachers , principal and department of education.
    All attempts to voice concerns formally regarding this unacceptable situation were met with indifference by the principal and BOM.
    All the promises can be made to deliver an education but if the school decides to do as little as possible there is NO ONE in the department of education that will rectify this .
    Sending in complaints is effectively asking the principal to police himself ..Pointless.
    I know not all schools were as poor as this but unfortunately last year this pretty much the norm in national schools .
    Have a lovely weekend guys .

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offtheball
    Favourite offtheball
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:38 PM

    Not too sure how a mainstream class teacher can be in school working with a child with special needs and teaching the rest of the class remotely at the same time.

    307
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:57 PM

    @offtheball: Vaccine?

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Susan Durcan
    Favourite Susan Durcan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:15 PM

    @offtheball: my thoughts exactly! I’m teaching remotely, I’m online until 8pm most nights responding to kids (which I have no problem with), but how do I teach remotely AND teach in person if the kids with SEN are in my classroom with me all day. I don’t understand how this can work?

    181
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
    Favourite Thomas O' Donnell
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:18 PM

    @offtheball: They obviously won’t be able to devote the normal amount of time to either but it’s way better than none

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Corrigan
    Favourite David Corrigan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:30 PM

    @Susan Durcan: Unfortunately the minister for education has no idea how it would work too.

    101
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra McBride
    Favourite Sandra McBride
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:51 PM

    @Susan Durcan: Camera maybe???

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lorraine Mac Rory
    Favourite Lorraine Mac Rory
    Report
    Jan 15th 2021, 11:08 PM

    @Sandra McBride: you haven’t a clue how modern school works have you? Do you honestly think 8 year olds get lectures?? Or a science practical in secondary – what should the camera focus on?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Michael
    Favourite Eddie Michael
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:03 PM

    Have the teachers and sna’s recived vaccinations ???
    Oh right that will be June or July, during the summer holidays….
    Just resign already Norma

    250
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute bmul
    Favourite bmul
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:37 PM

    So what to the staff do if the kids can’t social distance ,? Do the staff get provided with full ppe .How do the parents cope if the kids get covid and have to isolate .

    181
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jolly Bourke
    Favourite Jolly Bourke
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:42 PM

    Just vaccinate the teachers and SNA .teachers are currently about 2nd last on the list. Prisoners in Mountjoy prison get it before them, yes because their roll in the community is much more important than our teachers .This minister is not up to the job should step down.

    191
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lyndon
    Favourite lyndon
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:40 PM

    The Minister told the viewers of RTÉ’s Prime time on 07/01 that she was given a letter of assurance on that same date by the CMO stating that it was safe for 60,000 Leaving Certs to return to school this week. I’d like to see that letter please.

    152
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Harris
    Favourite Dave Harris
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:42 PM

    @lyndon: she’s a bit busy at the moment so can ya hang on for a bit?

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan
    Favourite Dan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:52 PM

    @Dave Harris: busy my asre

    60
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute lyndon
    Favourite lyndon
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:30 PM

    @Dave Harris: Busy conflating the pressing need for the accommodation of SEN students with her solo-run on the Leaving Cert.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IAmSCozzie
    Favourite IAmSCozzie
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:33 PM

    @Dave Harris: shes absolutely useless

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ed
    Favourite Ed
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:03 PM

    @Dan: She’s very busy making poor decisions and u turning on them

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Dunne
    Favourite Tony Dunne
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:33 PM

    What are these teachers and Sna’s to do with their young children at home

    129
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IAmSCozzie
    Favourite IAmSCozzie
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:34 PM

    @Tony Dunne: i dont think Norma cares tbh ….

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Smith
    Favourite Jim Smith
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 4:02 PM

    @Tony Dunne: The same thing every other parent in the country who is working has to do right now. Find some kind of solution themselves.

    The government are doing nothing to help working parents

    45
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra McBride
    Favourite Sandra McBride
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:54 PM

    @Tony Dunne: What is the rest of the country doing?? Paying private childcare

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra McBride
    Favourite Sandra McBride
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:54 PM

    @Tony Dunne: What is the rest of the country doing?? Paying private childcare

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra McBride
    Favourite Sandra McBride
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:54 PM

    @Tony Dunne: What is the rest of the country doing?? Paying private childcare

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra McBride
    Favourite Sandra McBride
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:54 PM

    @Tony Dunne: What is the rest of the country doing?? Paying private childcare

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan
    Favourite Declan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:33 PM

    Had to happen and much appreciated by families at the moment under this added pressure.

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caroline Redmond
    Favourite Caroline Redmond
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:09 PM

    There is one child in our special needs class that want to avail of this, the rest of the parents won’t send them till it’s deemed fit to open schools. We have two classes and it’s the same in the other. Technically that will be 6 staff, plus the principal, vice principal, cleaners etc, school lunch providers that will be there for 2 children. Does not make any sense at all.

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Looney Tunes
    Favourite Looney Tunes
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:01 PM

    Teachers should be prioritised for the vaccine before they go back, ps I’m not a teacher

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Glynn
    Favourite Sam Glynn
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:57 PM

    Is there any help in place or exceptions for some of these teachers who have school children at home who are not in school while their mum or dad have to go back teaching while the other parent is still working on the frontline so have nobody to mind the children while both at work. Children too old for creche and cant ask childminder over nor any family members in same county.??

    77
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Caroline Redmond
    Favourite Caroline Redmond
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 4:00 PM

    @Sam Glynn: Think it’s just like any other person who is working, you will have to sort childcare out yourself. It’s an issue for lots of people, not just teachers.

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Glynn
    Favourite Sam Glynn
    Report
    Jan 16th 2021, 4:14 PM

    @Caroline Redmond: its such a pickle and a real issue if there is no family around to help out.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eddie Michael
    Favourite Eddie Michael
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 3:59 PM

    Once again, schools have not been informed ….

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane McCartan
    Favourite Shane McCartan
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 4:24 PM

    @Eddie Michael: They will read it in the red tops tomorrow

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Power
    Favourite John Power
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 6:34 PM

    The word teacher should be replaced with the word child minder, don’t think it’s really fair to put somebody’s health at risk

    72
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:58 PM

    Teachers probably second from top on the vaccine roll out right?

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elizabeth Barry
    Favourite Elizabeth Barry
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 5:19 PM

    @thesaltyurchin: they are second from the bottom of the line. Bus escorts are so forgotten.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Quinn
    Favourite Lisa Quinn
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 1:50 PM

    Sorry journal. Massively misleading headline.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonnie Marre
    Favourite Jonnie Marre
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:30 PM

    @Lisa Quinn: how so?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Quinn
    Favourite Lisa Quinn
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 2:34 PM

    @Jonnie Marre: its not as black and white. A lot of stipulations and contingencies from Union they are asked to meet.no mention of that.

    35
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonnie Marre
    Favourite Jonnie Marre
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 7:10 PM

    @Lisa Quinn: ok thanks. I wasn’t sure

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Favourite Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 7:42 PM

    Another logistical nightmare for schools.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Audrey
    Favourite Audrey
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 9:05 PM

    My sister is a secondary school teacher in France and her kids are in primary school, all schools are open. They are making sure to keep schools open there, it can be done.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Favourite Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
    Report
    Jan 14th 2021, 10:36 PM

    @Audrey: They also have a pupil teacher ratio of 13:1, meaning you don’t get the scenario of 30 teenagers packed into small, poorly ventilated classrooms as you do here in Ireland.

    45
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.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds