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Public Inquiry
Interested in maladministration. Estd. 2005

offsite link Joe Duffy is dishonest and untrustworthy Anthony

offsite link Robert Watt complaint: Time for decision by SIPO Anthony

offsite link RTE in breach of its own editorial principles Anthony

offsite link Waiting for SIPO Anthony

offsite link Formal complaint against Robert Watt Anthony

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Human Rights in Ireland
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offsite link UN human rights chief calls for priority action ahead of climate summit Sat Oct 30, 2021 17:18 | Human Rights

offsite link 5 Year Anniversary Of Kem Ley?s Death Sun Jul 11, 2021 12:34 | Human Rights

offsite link Poor Living Conditions for Migrants in Southern Italy Mon Jan 18, 2021 10:14 | Human Rights

offsite link Right to Water Mon Aug 03, 2020 19:13 | Human Rights

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Lockdown Skeptics

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offsite link BBC Admits Concept of ?White Privilege? is Contested Wed Nov 29, 2023 19:00 | Will Jones
The BBC has admitted that the concept of "white privilege" is contested after its youth-focused news service received a complaint over its "controversial" definition of the term.
The post BBC Admits Concept of ‘White Privilege’ is Contested appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Woke Books Bought for Huge Advances by Inexperienced Editors Have Flopped, Insiders Say Wed Nov 29, 2023 17:00 | Will Jones
Woke books that were bought for huge advances by inexperienced editors have flopped commercially, insiders say, including a $500,000 'queer feminist' novel (3,500 copies) and Elliot Page's $3m trans memoir (68,000 copies).
The post Woke Books Bought for Huge Advances by Inexperienced Editors Have Flopped, Insiders Say appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Did Ukraine Win the War in March 2022? Wed Nov 29, 2023 15:02 | Noah Carl
Since mid-March 2022, historian Anatol Lieven has been saying that Ukraine has ?already won?. They successfully defended their capital, thereby forcing the Russians to regroup for a more limited war in the East.
The post Did Ukraine Win the War in March 2022? appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link Come to the Daily Sceptic?s Christmas Party Wed Nov 29, 2023 13:00 | Toby Young
The Daily Sceptic is having a Christmas party for its contributors, moderators and staff, but we'll be making a few tickets available to our readers. For details of how to come, click on the image.
The post Come to the Daily Sceptic?s Christmas Party appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

offsite link No, ?Circuit Breaker? Lockdowns Didn?t Work Wed Nov 29, 2023 11:11 | Dr Carl Heneghan and Dr Tom Jefferson
Angela McLean, the Government's Chief Scientist, told the Covid Inquiry that the U.K.'s 'circuit breaker' lockdowns in 2020 cut Covid infections. That's not what the data show, say Carl Heneghan and Tom Jefferson.
The post No, ‘Circuit Breaker’ Lockdowns Didn’t Work appeared first on The Daily Sceptic.

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Voltaire Network
Voltaire, international edition

offsite link What lies behind Benjamin Netanyahu's lies and Hamas's evasions, by Thierry Meys... Tue Nov 28, 2023 06:58 | en

offsite link Netanyahu fired defense minister in July because he warned of a Hamas attack, by... Mon Nov 27, 2023 06:56 | en

offsite link Voltaire, International Newsletter N°63 Sun Nov 26, 2023 07:26 | en

offsite link Israel arrests director of Al-Shifa hospital Thu Nov 23, 2023 12:56 | en

offsite link Extraordinary BRICS Summit on Gaza Genocide Wed Nov 22, 2023 09:59 | en

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Cuts to Special Needs School

category dublin | health / disability issues | opinion/analysis author Friday June 03, 2016 03:15author by Wayne Flanagan Tobin Report this post to the editors

On Thursday evening 2nd June 2016 I attended a meeting in St. Augustine’s school in Blackrock where parents expressed outrage at the withdrawal of the Saint John of God Community Services Supports on a phased basis commencing in September 2016. The school was described as a “centre of excellence” for its vocational programme which has had a very positive impact on the lives of many children with special needs in South Dublin, Wicklow and surrounding areas.

On Thursday evening 2nd June 2016 I attended a meeting in St. Augustine’s school in Blackrock where parents expressed outrage at the withdrawal of the Saint John of God Community Services Supports on a phased basis commencing in September 2016. The school was described as a “centre of excellence” for its vocational programme which has had a very positive impact on the lives of many children with special needs in South Dublin, Wicklow and surrounding areas.

Parents criticized the inappropriate communication method in which the children were told this by a letter going in their school bags rather than being sent in the post. The school Principal came under fire for the way this was handled.

As a qualified Special Needs Assistant and former employee of St. Declan’s Special School in Ballsbridge this issue is extremely close to my heart. I know from my experience the level of support which these children need in order to reach their full potential. Every child has a right to reach their God given potential. It’s up to all of us as responsible adults to ensure we campaign to prevent any cuts to our Special Schools.

According to a Staff Communication Statement issued on the 25th May 2016, a decision has been made to discontinue operating a residential service from June 2017 with no new admissions along with the discontinuation of the Extended Day from September 2016. The hugely successful Vocational Development Department will also be abolished resulting in no Sports Co-ordinator or Music teacher. The Sports Department Staff will apparently be offered “redeployment opportunities”.

It remains unclear why these services are being removed but for me it is attack on the most vulnerable in society. Richard Boyd Barrett TD was in attendance and offered an interesting view: the school has been so successful that it is victim of this very success. When all the boxes have been ticked, it appears that the HSE feel that their job is done. In other words, when something is working perfectly well, the service is withdrawn. This kind of policy makes no sense. How can SNAs be expected to manged to take on extra work when they themselves are also under so much pressure? Ultimately it is the children who will be affected. Other staff who provide supports namely Administrative, Household, Maintenance and Catering will also be removed or “redeployed” as Saint John of God Community Services so eloquently put it.

So what are St. John of God going to do with the empty buildings? Will they lease them to the department of education or lease them for office space? It’s lucrative land in a prime location… Parents echoed suspicion as a site close to the school is now up for sale advertising full planning permission for nine residential housing units, apartments and surface carparks.

Are St. John of God Community Services Limited operating as a business or community service?

Two parents who sit on the board of management told the meeting they were not consulted in relation to this but instead handed a letter at the end of a meeting under AOB. It appears the last people to hear about this were the parents of the children.

If you feel passionate about this issue please help us in our campaign by contacting the Directors in Granada House Stillorgan County Dublin on 01-533 33 00 and voicing your concerns by letter, email or telephone to clarify the exact reasons for removing services for the most vulnerable.

One thing is for sure strong opposition exists to these crazy plans and Granada house has a fight on their hands.

Related Link: https://wayneflanagantobin.wordpress.com/

 #   Title   Author   Date 
   The beginning of the end     Fergus-Parent    Sat Jun 04, 2016 21:26 


 
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