The Irish Times reports disadvantaged children’s access to education is being curtailed across the State by schools imposing “reduced timetables” on them. Children's rights organisations report children are being placed on reduced timetables in response to behavioural and mental health issues, and sometimes without parents’ consent. 

The National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) has renewed its campaign to introduce transport police to address anti-social behaviour and an increase in assaults and abuse of staff. The NBRU is calling for a dedicated transport division within An Garda Síochána to be assigned to public transport, as there have been 57 assaults on Iarnród Éireann staff over the last three years and more on members of the public.

The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) is to ballot its member for industrial action, up to and including a strike, over health service management's rejection of its pay demands. The PNA executive is recommending that members vote in favour of industrial action. The INMO is also set to commence a ballot on Monday of nurses and midwives for a series of 24 hour strikes.

A review by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found that between 3,200 and 5,600 extra public hospital beds will be needed by 2030. The ESRI says more beds are needed due to a growing and aging population. The full report is available here.

Finally, today's zen is an article on the upcoming 'Green Book', a road trip film about racial division in the deep south of the US in the 1960s. Its set for release in Ireland early next year.

Have a good weekend folks.