Fórsa’s hospital pharmacist members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a dispute over the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s (DPER) refusal to sanction an improved hospital pharmacy service. The strike action will be taken by 500 hospital pharmacists and will take place on Wednesday the 16th of February. You can read Fórsa’s full statement here.

Talks at the WRC (Workplace Relations Commission) between Fórsa, the Department of Education and school management bodies about a final package to improve pay and conditions for school secretaries have been adjurned until February 24th. The Department were unable to commit to resolving the outstanding problem of school secretaries having to sign-on during school holidays. Fórsa have agreed to return to the talks on the basis all outstanding matters should be clarisied and finalised by then. Fórsa’s full statement can be found here.

In an article by the Irish Times, Leo Varadkar has indicated he would be open to changes to the proposed law on the right to request remote working. Varadkar commented that he was open to ammendments to the Bill and would engage with unions and employers to have legislation enacted by the summer.

A decision to run a hybrid Leaving Cert this year could require the use of controversial “school profiling” to ensure there is consistency in teachers’ estimated marks. In 2020 ths model was discussed but was met by backlash from opposition indicating that it would negatively penalise students attending schools in disadvantaged areas.

The Irish Examiner reports that the State may be facing several lawsuits following revelations of significant harm done to vulnerable young patients in the care of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Camhs) in Kerry. 

ZEN

Today's ZEN is of the charming story of two Irish boys aged 10 and 13 on a stowaway adventure of a lifetime from Dublin to New York in the summer of 1985. 'Nothing to Declare' is an Irish short documentary that has been shown across the world winning numerous awards at various film festivals including the oscar qualifying Galway Film Fleadh. The documentary will be shown at next months Dublin Film Festival and who knows, may even be nominated for an oscar very soon.