Taoiseach Micheál Martin last night announced an extension of Level 5 restrictions as expected, but promised an acceleration of the vaccination programme that would see more than 80 per cent of adults receive their first dose by the end of June. Following on from last night, Government said that measures to support business, jobs and employment are to remain in place until the end of June.
Schools will today start preparing for the return of 320,000 children and young adults next Monday. Some guidance on arrangements has already been issued to school principals with information on high-risk staff still expected. Fórsa has said it supports the phased reopening of schools, as set out in the Government’s ‘living with Covid’ plan announced yesterday afternoon, so long as it continues to be endorsed by public health experts.
Meanwhile, The Indo reports that parents must play their part and not send children in if they are displaying Covid-like symptoms, or gather at the school gates.
The Times reports that despite the new accord reached with bodies affiliated to ICTU, Ministers are likely to face challenges in a number of areas in the months ahead, as associations representing thousands of key public service personnel such as gardaí, psychiatric nurses and members of the Defence Forces have not signed up to the new agreement as of yet.
SIPTU has warned that its members impacted by the proposed transfer of local authority workers to Irish Water, are prepared to take industrial action to resist any attempt to force them to transfer to the utility without their consent. Read more on that here.
CervicalCheck officials have warned that a lack of trust in screening programmes is causing women with cervical cancer to put their lives and health at risk.
The Oireachtas climate committee has heard that Ireland’s emissions reduction targets will be difficult to achieve under the current transport and planning policies.
And finally, make sure to register for SIPTU’s International Women’s Day workshop next Wednesday, which will look at how trade union bargaining shrinks the gender pay gap . You can find more information here.
Our zen today is brought to you by the Leinster String Quartet and their cover of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love”. I must admit, I’m somewhat biased - my wonderfully talented friend is the cello player, but I think their latest instalment is truly something quite special.
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