Jean Coonan

Draft: Here’s the report Children’s Health won’t publish

Children’s Health Ireland respects legal advice. The Ditch respects the public interest.

Will publish shortly.

IDF warfare jet allowed refuel at Shannon It required diplomatic clearance from the foreign affairs minister, at the time Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney.

An Israel Defense Forces war jet deployed in Gaza last year was allowed to refuel at Shannon Airport on its way to an Israeli military base in 2021.

The plane – used to 'mark targets' – required diplomatic clearance from the foreign affairs minister.

www.ontheditch.com/idf-warfare-...

Remove the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism from the Programme for Government 2025 I've just signed this petition calling on the government to remove the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism from the Programme for Government. Will you sign too?

This cause is close to my heart - please sign: my.uplift.ie/petitions/re...

Stories are appearing in the press and on RTÉ from people opposed to Ireland taking measures like the Occupied Territories Bill.
It feels like organised pushback.
Context matters. Here is some.

Cllr Frankie Keena Fianna Fáil councillor for the Athlone-Moate District, email me on: fkeena@westmeathcoco.ie Includes a photo of him.

Screenshot of a Gofundme page for Athlone Legal Challenge IPAS. Mayor Frankie Keena & Siobhan Keena paid €1000.

Fianna Fail Cllr donated Athlone anti IPAS group €1000 even though his party have a hand in opening up IPAS centres...

That's some type of company Martin keeps.
#VoteThemAllOut

Health workers are crying out for more support at #Letterkenny University Hospital.

Recruitment restrictions are putting health services under an unacceptable strain, forcing staff to work under severe pressure. This can’t continue!

bit.ly/LUHStaffingCrisis
#GE24 #Donegal

EXCLUSIVE: 12,722 children now overdue an Assessment of Need | Newstalk The number of children who are overdue an Assessment of Need has increased by nearly 1,600 in the...

12,722 children with additional needs are now overdue an Assessment of Need

www.newstalk.com/news/exclusi...

Waiting for assessments Waiting for services after Waiting for supports in school
It never ends

This is the detail of the crisis www.into.ie/2024/10/21/a...
INTO anticipates 2,700 vacant teaching posts in January ‘25. 59% of respondents had to reallocate Special Education Teachers to mainstream classrooms. Where is the opportunity for children with additional needs in that?

"Why would anyone believe this government that things are going to get better in terms of housing"
Record homelessness, rents, & house prices are a result of failed policy to 'incentivise' the private market.
Housing should be a right, not a millionaire's right to profiteer.
#ge24 #speirgorm

Yesterday was a great day as Sweden re-opened their embassy in Dublin after a 14-year absence - I sat down with the new ambassador to talk through the process and what it means for relations between the two countries. open.spotify.com/episode/25DJ...

Thanks

That is a fantastic way to look at it

I've a 12 yr old & it's my worst nightmare.

Was 😭

Awe cutie

Oh yeah that one is, bedington whippet cross

After a full night's sleep, some just aren't ready for Monday morning

A vote for Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil is a vote for the continuation and worsening of the homelessness and hospital crises. It really is as simple as that. You can try to rationalise it however you like, but that's exactly what you're voting for if you vote for either of those parties. (And Greens)

Infairness it's an improvement on the coddle

Ah no,yours is good

What is with all the cats over here ?

I haven't the energy to come up with a witty bio

God, I hope not, I can't cope with all this new stuff

Thanks so much

Yeah I do have a great team thank god due to school avoidance

Unfortunately theres only one secondary where we are & no way he'd travel 😕

Oh my god I'm the same and also I'm sick of of looking at cats 🐈

Dear Candidate, I am writing to you to highlight the current situation at Wicklow Educate Together National School. In March 2024, adverse weather conditions resulted in extensive damage to the roof over our three Autism classrooms rendering this whole area unsafe and therefore it must remain closed due to Health & Safety risks associated with water ingress and mechanical and electrical fixtures and fittings. As a very temporary measure, the school has been using pop up areas, room dividers in corridor spaces, storage rooms, comms rooms, stair wells, common areas, bathroom spaces and some support rooms to try and accommodate the additional needs students from the closed part of the building. In June 2024, following a long tender process, an engineer’s report was submitted to the Department of Education as part of the Emergency Works application showing that the entire roof needs to be replaced. In mid-September 2024, we found out that our application had been rejected on the basis of the age of the building – our building was constructed in 2016. We were advised to go back to the original contractor who the Department of Education is aware went into liquidation in 2018. We lodged an appeal which was unsuccessful, and we were given the same suggestion to go back to the contractor. Meanwhile, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Education are aware that this situation could result, ultimately, in the closure of our ASD classes. We are urgently seeking your assistance in this matter and are available to discuss with you further at your convenience. As a school, we are doing everything we can to try and keep these classes open but the situation is becoming increasingly untenable. Yours sincerely, Board of Management, Wicklow Educate Together

The three autism classes in Educate Together National School in Wicklow have been closed since March due to weather damage, with the students receiving support in the PE hall, and corridors. The Dept of Ed has rejected their application for funds for repair, and subsequent appeals. #edchatie #ge24