Fórsa’s acceptance of the pay deal was broadly covered by the Times and RTÉ yesterday.

A phased reopening of schools and childcare will be at the centre of the Government's revised Living with Covid-19 plan, which is due to be published after being considered by Cabinet this afternoon. Meanwhile, the Health Minister has sought to clarify remarks he made over the re-opening of schools in a television interview last night, and said that negotiations have concluded with teaching unions in this regard. 

More broadly, level 5 restrictions for the country are expected to remain in place for at least another six weeks, with a review being held on 5th April.
 
Calls for the introduction of a pay scale and proper recognition as a highly qualified industry have been made by Early Years educators. This follows as details of financial insecurity, poor working conditions and chronic stress were released following a survey into the professional life of Early Years Educators conducted by SIPTU at the end of 2020. 

A total of 550 children per month received support from a dedicated domestic violence service from September to December last year. That is according to a report by the national social change agency Safe Ireland. While the numbers of women accessing services reduced in December, it said the number of children being supported by domestic violence services rose to 604, the highest point in the year of the pandemic.

 A report has found that the Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged more single-occupancy rooms in homeless accommodation, and that measures taken in response could act as a “systems accelerant” for improvements.

Summer bookings for Irish hotels and guesthouses are at a historic low, according to the Irish Hotels Federation, with the industry group calling for certainty around business and employee supports as a matter of urgency. 

And finally, today’s zen pays tribute to one of the most significant contributors to the field of electronic music. Parisian duo Daft Punk yesterday announced their retirement from the world of music. Here’s to celebrating some of their best work. Have a good week everyone.