Confusion for hospitality sector; Fáilte Ireland to update guidelines
A local restauratuer says there are mixed messages ‘yet again’ surrounding guidelines for the hospitality sector. Failte Ireland are expected to publish updated guidelines today after holding talks with government officials yesterday following the Attorney General, Paul Gallagher, confirming that outdoor gatherings of upto 200 guests can take place in…
€75m package announced for childcare sector
A €75m package for reopening Early Learning and Childcare Services has been announced. Minster for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, made the announcement today. The new funding model is broken down into 4 different sections; A once off reopening grant of €18m is going towards centre based providers that…
Pay stoppage threat for creches
A Sligo/Leitrim general election candidate is calling on Children and Youth Affairs Minister Katherine Zappone to withdraw a threat to stop payments to creches for a day that their staff attend a demonstration over funding. The creches have been told that they will lose payments if they close on February…
Donegal TD raises concern over parent support service funding being withdrawn at the end of the year
Funding for a parent support service in Co. Donegal is being withdrawn at the end of this year. Parent Stop may be forced to close it’s doors next year if funding is not approved according to Donegal Fianna Fail TD and Leas Cheann Comhairle, Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher. Set up…
Former cllr fears after-school facilities will close due to new rules
A former Fianna Fail cllr in Sligo fears new after-school childcare regulations will close facilities across the county. Minister for Children Katherine Zappone plans to introduce new ratios for after-school childcare which will required one adult for every 12 children. It’s feared the plans will significantly drive up costs for…
DVAS disappointed in not receiving additional funding
The Domestic Violence and Advocacy Service based in Sligo says it is disappointed the service has not received any assistance from the Department of Youth Affairs and Children in it’s latest round of funding announcements. It’s after the Minister Katherine Zappone’s department announced €277,550 in funding to its sister organisation,…
Cllr calls for access to abuse allegation records
A local election candidate is calling on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Children to allow public access to all records on abuse allegations in residential institutions. Under new legislation, thousands of such testimonies are to be sealed and “withheld from public scrutiny” for 75 years. Now, People Before Profit…