Fórsa has again called on the HSE to either make direct childcare provision available to essential staff, or meet the additional costs incurred by individuals who make their own childcare arrangements. The union's statement received coverage in RTÉ, the Irish Times, Independent and the journal, and comes after the health service yesterday outlined a range of flexible work patterns aimed at resolving childcare difficulties.
Fórsa also sent a letter, along with 29 other civil society groups, urging politicians to retain a single-tier health system once the crisis is over. You can read that here.
With news emerging every day of Covid-19's impact on the economy, a junior minister has said the hospitality sector needs a 0% VAT rate to give them a "fighting chance" of survival, whilst also calling for a new bank holiday to kick-start the industry.
Meanwhile, the Irish Pharmacy Union reports that operating costs are increasing by an average of €5,000 a month because of social-distancing measures. While a quarter of pharmacies have reached their credit limit with medicine wholesalers and one in five pharmacies have laid off staff.
Elsewhere, Bewley's Grafton Street Café in Dublin announced it is set to close permanently with the loss of all 110 jobs. While Accounting Technicians Ireland delivers some positive news as 150 jobs are set to be created though a national apprenticeship programme which allows applicants to work, earn and learn.
With regards to the Leaving Cert, a new survey has found that just 15% of sixth year students want the exams to go ahead on July 29th. The recent figures compiled by the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union also show that 79% want it to be cancelled and replaced with predicted or estimated grades.
And finally, today's zen is a London Symphony Orchestra rendition of Beethoven's 9th (Chorale) Symphony. Often regarded as his greatest work, it first premiered in Vienna on this day in 1824 and will hopefully provide a pleasant backdrop to your morning.
Like