TCD Creates A Full -Scale Re-enactment of Rachael’s Famous School Of Athens Fresco

In TCD Na Cailleacha created an reenactment of Rachael’s Famous School oF Athens Fresco but it consists of all women.

Dating from 16th century, the School of Athens, located in the Vatican, depicts a congregation of 50 classical philosophers, mathematicians, and scientists. All men.

The participants in the School of Hibernia were selected by Na Cailleacha and include first female Irish president, Mary Robinson; first female president of the RIA, Mary E Daly; and first female Provost of Trinity, Linda Doyle; writer Melatu Uche Okorie; poet Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin; and thought leaders Sinéad Burke, Saoirse Exton and Sindy Joyce.

Participants: Mary Robinson, first woman President of Ireland, first woman Chancellor, Trinity College Dublin; Linda Doyle, first woman Provost, Trinity; Na Cailleacha art collective; Rita Fagan, Community Housing Activist; Susan McKay, Press Ombudsman and writer; Mary E. Daly, first woman President, Royal Irish Academy; Sindy Joyce, Lecturer in Traveller Culture, University of Limerick; Emily Logan, first Children’s Ombudsman, Commissioner Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission; Ailbhe Smyth, feminist, LGBTQ activist, former academic; Orla Hardiman, Professor of Neurology, Trinity and Consultant Neurologist; Jennifer Okeke, Anti-trafficking Co-ordinator, member of the European Network of Migrant Women; Nora Stapleton, Sport Ireland, former Rugby international and Donegal footballer; Sarah McCormack, Professor in Sustainable Energy, Trinity; Frances Ruane, economist, academic, former director Economic and Social Research Institute; Philippa Ryder, LGBTQ+ activist, feminist, chair of the board of Dublin Pride; Aoife Gowen, Professor, UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering; Emma Teeling, Full Professor of Zoology, UCD; Hannah Quinn Mulligan, farmer and journalist; Melatu Uche Okorie, writer, member of the Arts Council of Ireland; Caroline Campbell, first woman director of the National Gallery of Ireland; Catherine Rose, founding CEO, Age & Opportunity, founder Arlen House; Cindy Cummings, first woman choreographer in Aosdána; Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, poet, Fellow Emerita, Trinity; Gráinne Humphreys, Executive Director, Dublin International Film Festival; Gráinne Mulvey, composer, professor, Head of Composition, Conservatoire TUD; Sinéad Burke, Founder & CEO at Tilting the Lens; Amel Yacef, community activist; Rachel Moss, Associate Professor, History Of Art, Trinity; Saoirse Exton, climate justice activist, Youth Advisor to the UN Secretary General; Clara Fischer, Vice-Chancellor Illuminate Fellow, School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, Queen’s University Belfast; Aoife McLysaght, Chair of Evolutionary Genetics, Trinity; Maria McNamara, Professor of Palaeontology, UCC; Caitriona Lally, Professor, Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity.

Read Full Article Online:

Title: All female reboot of Raphael’s ‘School of Athens’ fresco

Author: Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Date: 6 April 2024

Source: Published Online On Internet @

URL: https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/articles/2024/school-of-hibernia/

Posted in Archaeology, Art & Arts, Blogs And Blogging, Culture, Ireland, Society, University, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on TCD Creates A Full -Scale Re-enactment of Rachael’s Famous School Of Athens Fresco

My Favourite iPhone Apps

AccuWeather: International weather app

Amazon Prime: Watch movies, TV, and sports, including Amazon Originals on this streaming service.

Barcode Reader: reads barcodes for free and gain information about products

BBC World News & Stories: THE BBC APP: News, stories, videos and live coverage from our trusted global network of journalists.BBC STORIES: The latest, breaking news headlines, articles and videos, including coverage of world News, UK News, elections, BBC Verify, and more. More stories and videos covering business, innovation, culture, travel, Earth, and much more.

Books & AudioBooks: Listen & read free books. This free app contain thousands of free books and audiobooks. Browse the most popular free books, search and find a book you love.

BorrowBox Library :The BorrowBox app makes it easy to browse, borrow and read your library’s eAudiobooks, eBooks and eMagazines anywhere, everywhere.

Clock App: The Clock app provides Alarm, World Clock, Stopwatch, and Timer features. Use the Clock app to manage your time efficiently.

CNN News: daily News & Live Video

Cookbook Recipes & Mealplans: cookery search engine, find the recipe you want on the website

Dropbox: Dropbox, the service that lets you store your files in the cloud and access them from anywhere. It has easy uploading, and swift syncing across all accounts.

Evernote: An app for taking notes

Facebook App: Browse Facebook Faster With the Free App.

Facebook Messenger: Send a private message to a friend on Facebook

Facetime : Phone. Make and receive phone calls, including on Mac and iPad when your iPhone is nearby.

Flashlight: Turn your iPhone into a flashlight / torch

Flickr: Store all your photographs online and arrange them into online albums

Foodcloud: Amazing app which will deliver you the best home cooked food. Really loved it. With great taste comes great food.

Foodiverse: If you are a community organisation in need of food donations and offers, download Foodiverse today to be notified about food donations in your area.

FreeBooks: Free Books – the door to unlimited reading. Download any of our 51,305 classic books, and read with our fully featured ereader. Dictionary, notes, highlights, bookmarks here.

Full Fitness: Workout Trainer: Exercise Planner & Booster


GMail: Google’s Email. Like Microsoft Outlook, it lets you read mail accounts from Hotmail, Yahoo, and others via IMAP.

Good Food : Recipe Finder: Welcome to the ultimate cooking app, filled with meal plans, recipes, baking ideas, skills videos and expert tutorials to inspire you and improve your results in the kitchen. The Good Food app has everything in one place to help you everyday

Google: Search Google search engine

Google Maps: Online maps of anywhere, even street directions and driving instructions.

Google News: Top world and local news

Headspace: Headspace offers hundreds of guided meditations that can reduce anxiety and increase mindfulness.

Health: The Health app puts important information at your fingertips, including your health records, medications, labs, activity, and sleep.

Karma: Shop Online, identify where items are on sale and their best prices

Kindle: Read eBooks & Magazines

Libbi: Free audiobooks, ebooks, and magazines from your local library! Borrow bestsellers and read anytime, anywhere.

LibriVox: LibriVox is a volunteer project that records public-domain audiobooks.

Magnifier App: The Apple iPhone has a built-in magnifying glass that can help you read small text on the fly.

Microsoft Office Lens: This iOS app can clean up shots of documents and whiteboards, and convert them to editable text using OCR. You can mark up your scanned image and then save it in PDF, photo, Word, OneNote, or PowerPoint format. You can also directly share it to email or to any app on the iOS Share Sheet.

Microsoft Outlook: E-Mail from Microsoft. supports nearly every email account you own, includes an integrated calendar, and provides a Focused inbox that only displays important messages.

Mind Body Spirit.fm: Explore a curated podcast channel of unique shows on spirituality, metaphysics, alternative health, reincarnation, personal growth, healing, …

Mindfulness App:

Mindfulness App: The Mindfulness App is another popular choice and has over 300 courses and guided meditations led by world-renowned experts

My Fitness Pal: The free health app MyFitnessPal is one of the best all-in-one calorie counter and exercise trackers for the iPhone.


Netflix: Stream movies on the go

Photo Editor: Edit Pics & Photo Filters For Free

PlantNet: PlantNet is an application that allows you to identify plants simply by photographing them with your smartphone.

Plex: Stream TV, movies and more with Plex. ( 600 channels)

QR Reader for iPhone: The most simple & easy QR Reader – download now for FREE!Now scans QR codes, barcodes, puzzles, business cards and documents.

Rakuten TV: is one of the leading streaming platforms in Europe, brings you a universe of

entertainment. Explore a wide selection of content to watch for free, including movies, original

and exclusive documentaries, and Live TV channels. Plus, buy or rent the latest new releases.

Recipe Keeper: Recipe Keeper is the quick and easy way to collect, organize and share all your favorite recipes across your mobile, tablet and desktop.

RHS App- identify plants

Roxi Companion: The ROXi Companion App gives you full control of your entertainment experience on the ROXi Console or with a ROXi subscription on Pay TV. Simply pair your phone to ROXi on for the ultimate remote control, giving simultaneous control for multiple users.

RTE News: This free app offers all the latest headlines, breaking news, live news bulletins, latest sport results, entertainment updates, audio, video, weather & more.#ROI #Ireland

RTE Player: You can watch selected programmes live from RTÉ One, RTÉ 2 and RTÉ News Now plus catch up on a wide selection of programmes broadcast on RTÉ Television for up to 21 days after transmission.

Shein: shop cheaply online

Spotify: Music on demand – free or pay a subscription for extra features.

Supercook: SuperCook instantly analyzes 11 million recipes and finds the ones that match your unique ingredients.

Tasty: tasty recipes and cooking videos

Temu: Shop cheaply online, free post.

TG4 Player: TG4 Channel live and boxsets

Translator: Translator allows you to translate any sentence or phrase into 100+ languages by the tap of a button. Translate by typing, using your voice or scanning text with your camera

Tune In Radio: Listen to broadcast and Internet-only radio without geographical restrictions.

Twitter (X) : Connect to the social media platform

UTube: Enjoy your favorite videos and channels with the official YouTube app.

Voice Recorder: Record, Dictate & Transcribe For Free

Vimeo: Video streaming for videos, music and instructional videos.

Virgin Media Player: Virgin TV Anywhere includes access to the most watched channels so your favourite shows, most popular series and our extensive On Demand movie library are all here. You can also review the TV guide, see what’s on and set recordings.

Workout Trainer Fitness Coach 9+: 10,000+ coached video workouts

Yummly Recipes & Meal Planner: Personalised meal plans and more. The app searches small blogs and big cooking sites alike for the best recipes and presents you with a very personalized feed.

Posted in Apps, Blogs And Blogging, Books, Mobile Phones, Technology, Telephone | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on My Favourite iPhone Apps

Feeding An Old Person With Dysphagia

As a family carer to my mum, after two strokes many years ago, I often share with other carers tips on caring. Other carers asked me to put this online as there was very little information on it online and people needed it. Mum has Dysphagia after two strokes many years ago.


Mum recently kept getting chest infection after chest infection. The doctor said it was old age and she was having problems with her swallowing. I contacted the district nurse and we called in the Occupational Therapist and SALT- Speech and Language Therapist. The OT ordered two new cushions for her wheelchair which offered her more back support and put her in a good position for feeding. The OT then created a bed cushion system for bed at night, it works wonders. She also came out and trained the home-help and myself how to hoist her into bed at the very top. After changing her into her bedclothes we use the slide sheet to reposition her to the top of the bed again. Then we cocoon her with cushions to keep her in a good position at night. The end of the bed is risen so she does not slip out of position. The head of the bed is raised a little bit. There should be no pressure on the head or neck and not too straight. The OT provides a picture and text on a sheet that the carer puts on the wall by the bed so staff can follow it. The OT then recommends two head positions of the top of the bed, how to raise it for feeding and the second position for sleeping. I marked these on the headboard with a line & noted S for sleeping and F for feeding.


Then a member of SALT came out and told me what grade she was and how much thickener to use. She showed me how to feed her. Put thickener into her drinks and with a hand blender blend all her food with liquid. I use Nutilis Clear, I first blend the potatoes and veg with sauce. Then I do the fish or meat separately. It is important to add liquid/sauce to meat or any food to blend it. It blends better hot but you can do it cold.


When feeding her/him sit at an angle so you can see their throat. Have no tv or noise and don’t talk to them. Sit at their level and smile and encourage them to eat. Use a small spoon and feed it across and say food or drink and ask him/her to swallow. Watch for the muscle on the neck to rise and listen to the sound of the food swallow. If you are not sure if they swallowed put an empty spoon in their mouth and tell them swallow. Wait for the muscle to move and listen for the sound of the swallow. Next give them half a small spoon of liquid to wash down any residue of food in the mouth/throat. It works. If you suspect someone has a swallowing disorder contact your gp and district nurse.

Nutilis Clear – Food Thickener
Slide Sheet

Videos:

Nutilis Patient Carer Resources: https://www.nutricia.ie/hcp/resource-centre/patient-carer-resources.htmlhttps://www.nutricia.ie/hcp/resource-centre/patient-carer-resources.html

Top tips – How to feed a person with Dysphagia the right way https://www.nutricia.ie/patients-carers/articles-stories/top-tips-how-to-feed-a-person-with-dysphagia-the-right-way.htm

When assisting someone with dysphagia to eat and drink, it is important to always follow the advice and recommendations from their healthcare professional with regard to diet texture, thickness of fluids and positioning and strategies to increase the safety of their swallow.

Posted in Advice, Blogs And Blogging, Care, Food, Old People | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Feeding An Old Person With Dysphagia

Ireland Says No To Two Government Referendums

The government of Ireland held two referendums on 8 March 2024 on proposed amendments to the Constitution of Ireland. The Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023 proposed to extend the constitutional definition of family to include “other durable relationships” in addition to marriage. The Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023 proposed to remove a reference to a woman’s “life within the home” and remove an obligation on the State to “endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home”. It proposed to add a new article on supporting care within the family.

(The Family) Bill 2023

SubsectionCurrent textProposed text
41.1.1°The State recognises the Family as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law.The State recognises the Family, whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships, as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law.
41.3.1°The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack.The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage and to protect it against attack.
Yes487,56432.31%
No1,021,54667.69%

(Care) Bill 2023

Article 41.2 proposed to be deletedArticle 42B proposed to be inserted
1° In particular, the State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.
2° The State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home.
The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support
Yes393,05326.07%
No1,114,62073.93%
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“And The Oscar Goes To Cillian Murphy”

Cillian Murphy poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for “Oppenheimer” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Cillian is the first Irish person to win an Oscar. He won the best actor for his performance in Oppenheimer.
“I’m very overwhelmed, very humbled. I’m very grateful and very proud to be Irish standing here today.”

Posted in Art & Arts, Award, Blogs And Blogging, Films & Movies, Ireland, Irish People | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “And The Oscar Goes To Cillian Murphy”

Irish Pancake Recipe

Title: Basic Pancakes Recipes

Author: Bord Bia

Publisher: Ireland, Bord Bia

Source Online at 14/2/2024 : https://www.bordbia.ie/recipes/pancake-recipes/basic-pancake-recipe/

Posted in Blogs And Blogging, Cakes, Cookery, Cooking | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Irish Pancake Recipe

RTE Archives

“RTÉ Archives is home to Ireland’s largest collection of audiovisual material. Combining hundreds of thousands of hours of moving image and sound recordings together with significant collections of photographs, manuscripts and administrative documents. They acquire material, preserve and conserve items. It is an unique account of Irish life.

RTÉ Archives are responsible for collecting, preserving and making accessible the creative and documentary output of the national broadcaster.” RTE

On the website are : Archives Daily, Exhibitions, collections, profile and Introduction (About).

URL: https://www.rte.ie/archives/category/archives/

RTÉ Archives hold hundreds of thousands of hours broadcast material. Search, view and explore over 150,000 images from our photographic collections through their online service.

If you have any questions or feedback about the Archives site or any content we publish email – archives@rte.ie

Posted in Archives, Art & Arts, Films & Movies, Internet, Ireland | Tagged | Comments Off on RTE Archives

The Twelve Days of Christmas By Anonymous


The first day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
A partridge in a pear tree.

The second day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The third day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The fourth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The fifth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The sixth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The seventh day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The eighth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The ninth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The tenth day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The eleventh day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Eleven ladies dancing,
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

The twelfth day of Christmas
My true love sent to me
Twelve fiddlers fiddling,
Eleven ladies dancing,
Ten pipers piping,
Nine drummers drumming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five gold rings,
Four colly birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves, and
A partridge in a pear tree.

Source: The Golden Book of Poetry (1947)

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RIP Shane Mac Gowan – Farewell our modern day bard

Details On Rip.ie: https://rip.ie/death-notice/shane-macgowan-tipperary-nenagh-537819.
It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan RIP

“Shane died peacefully, on Thursday, 30th November, 2023, with his wife Victoria and family by his side.
He is predeceased by his mother Therese and is survived by his beloved wife Victoria, his sister Siobhan and his father, Maurice, family and a large circle of friends.” His legacy in Irish music will live on forever.

Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan was an English-born Irish singer-songwriter, musician and poet, best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of Celtic punk band the Pogues. His songs include these : https://open.spotify.com/playlist/14YP08sK6l42uoijjNIvPE?si=1500f756f2234475

The Pogues sang “The Parting Glass” at the funeral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_-R_Kfa4uw

There was dancing in the aisles, Nick Cave sang “A Rainy Night in Soho” and Irish musicians Glen Hansard and Lisa O’Neill performing “Fairytale of New York” as mourners turned out Friday for the funeral of Shane MacGowan. The President of Ireland, Bono and Bob Geldof were also
in attendance, while Johnny Depp was one of the pallbearers
.

Ireland gave him a beautiful farewell. The church was filled to capacity with famous and ordinary people and a lot of Irish musicians.The streets were lined as the public sang his songs and waved goodbye to him. The news and newspapers covered the story beautifully.

BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67636467

Iirsh Examiner: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41286673.html

Irish Independent: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/shane-macgowan-funeral-johnny-depp-is-pallbearer-nick-cave-sings-rainy-night-in-soho-and-pogues-perform-parting-glass/a1764447926.html

The Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2023/12/08/shane-macgowan-bows-out-as-thousands-line-streets-on-a-rainy-day-in-nena

The Journal: https://www.thejournal.ie/shane-macgowans-funeral-to-take-place-today-6242658-Dec2023/

Posted in Artists, Blogs And Blogging, Death, Grief, Ireland, Irish People, Music, Poet, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on RIP Shane Mac Gowan – Farewell our modern day bard

Black Friday Sales Are A Huge Success In Ireland

Posted in Black Friday, Blogs And Blogging, Cyber Monday, Internet, Ireland, Retailers, Sales | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Black Friday Sales Are A Huge Success In Ireland

Budget 2024 #ROI

Budget 2024

From Department of Social Protection 

Published on 10 October 2023

Last updated on 12 October 2023

The largest social welfare package in the history of the State will provide almost €2.3 billion in a package of measures to assist households with the cost of living.

Read the full press release.

Cost of living measures

  • €300 cost of living lump sum to all households getting the Fuel Allowance to be paid in November 2023
  • €200 cost of living lump sum for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase to be paid in November 2023
  • €400 cost of living lump sum to all families getting the Working Family Payment to be paid in November 2023
  • double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children to be paid in December 2023
  • €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting Carer’s Support Grant * to be paid in November
  • €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting Disability Allowance , Blind Pension , Invalidity Pension * to be paid in November
  • €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (to be paid per qualified child) to be paid in November
  • the Christmas Bonus will be paid to 1.3 million welfare recipients including pensioners, carers and people with disabilities
  • January cost of living bonus will be paid to most people who get a long-term weekly social welfare payment including all pensioners, carers and people on disability payments

Please note


* The once off payment of €400 to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension and/or Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment, even if you qualify for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.

Supports for pensioners

  • €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of all state pensions from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate
  • €300 cost of living lump sum Fuel Allowance payment for those getting the Fuel Allowance to be paid in November 2023
  • €200 cost of living lump sum payment to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase
  • Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
  • January cost of living bonus for pensioners to be paid in 2024

Supports for families and children

  • €12 increase in weekly social welfare payments from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
  • weekly rates of qualified child payments will increase by €4 in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over and €46 for under 12s
  • €400 cost of living lump sum paid to all families getting the Working Family Payment
  • €100 cost of living lump sum for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (to be paid per qualified child)
  • the income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €54 per week regardless of family size from January 2024
  • double payment of Child Benefit to support all families to be paid in December 2023
  • extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full time education, from September 2024
  • extend the Hot School Meals on a phased basis in 2024, to all non-DEIS primary schools who applied as part of the expression of interest
  • extend Parent’s Benefit from 7 weeks to 9 weeks in August 2024
  • Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
  • January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment to be paid in 2024

Supports to address child poverty

  • €12 increase in weekly social welfare payments from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
  • weekly rates of qualified child payments will increase by €4 in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over and €46 for under 12s
  • €400 cost of living lump sum paid to all families getting the Working Family Payment
  • double payment of Child Benefit to support all families to be paid in December 2023
  • extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full time education, from September 2024
  • extend the Hot School Meals on a phased basis in 2024, to all non-DEIS primary schools who applied as part of the expression of interest
  • the income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €54 per week regardless of family size from January 2024
  • €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (to be paid per qualified child)
  • Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
  • January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment to be paid in 2024

Supports for carers

  • increase in the Carer’s Allowance income disregard to €450 for a single person and €900 for a couple
  • €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting Carer’s Support Grant *
  • €12 increase in the maximum rate of the Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit. from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate
  • $4 increase in weekly rates of qualified child payments in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over and €46 for under 12s
  • €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (to be paid per qualified child)
  • Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
  • January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment to be paid in 2024

Supports for people with disabilities

  • provide additional funds to include provision for the Free Travel Scheme for people medically certified unfit to drive
  • reduce the minimum weekly hours threshold from 21 to 15 hours for employers to avail of the Wage Subsidy Scheme
  • increase in the Carer’s Allowance income disregard to €450 for a single person and €900 for a couple
  • €400 cost of living lump sum payment. This will be paid to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension *
  • €300 cost of living lump sum Fuel Allowance payment for those getting the Fuel Allowance to be paid in November 2023
  • €200 cost of living lump sum payment to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase
  • Christmas Bonus double payment to people getting a long-term disability payment
  • €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate
  • January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment, to be paid in 2024
  • €10 increase a month in Domiciliary Care Allowance from January 2024

Supports for jobseekers

  • from January 2024 there will be an increase of €12 in maximum personal weekly rate of jobseeker’s payments. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
  • €4 increase in weekly rates of qualified child payments in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over, and €46 for under 12s
  • €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child
  • Christmas Bonus to all people getting a long-term jobseeker payment
  • January cost of living bonus for recipients of a long-term jobseeker payment, to be paid in 2024
  • introduction of the Pay-Related Benefit Scheme for jobseekers in December 2024, subject to Government approval and pending final scheme design

Supports for lone parents

  • €400 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting the Working Family Payment paid in November 2023
  • double payment of Child Benefit to support all families to be paid in December 2023
  • extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full time education, from September 2024
  • extend the Hot School Meals on a phased basis in 2024, to all non-DEIS primary schools who applied as part of the expression of interest
  • weekly rates of qualified child payments will increase by €4 in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over and €46 for under 12s
  • extend Parent’s Benefit from 7 weeks to 9 weeks in August 2024
  • €12 increase in weekly social welfare payments from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
  • income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €54 per week regardless of family size from January 2024
  • €300 cost of living lump sum for those getting the Fuel Allowance to be paid in November 2023
  • €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child
  • Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
  • January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment, to be paid in 2024

Please note


* The once off payment of €400 to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension and/or Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment, even if you qualify for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.

Christmas Bonus and January 2024 Cost of Living Bonus

The Christmas Bonus will be paid to long-term welfare recipients in December 2023. This year’s Christmas Bonus has been extended to those who have been getting Illness Benefit for 12 months or longer.

The January Cost of Living Bonus will be paid in January 2024.

People who are getting the following payments will get the both bonuses:

Tables

Social Insurance Payments

State Pension (Contributory)

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
Personal Rate Under 80€277.30See IQA Below€46€54
Personal Rate Aged 80 and over€287.30See IQA Below€46€54
Increase for Qualified Adult Under 66€184.70
Increase for Qualified Adult 66 and over€248.60

Widow’s / Widower’s / Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension / Deserted Wife’s Benefit

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
Under 66€237.50€46€54
Aged 66 and under 80€277.30€46€54
Aged 80 and over€287.30€46€54

Invalidity Pension

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
€237.5€169.7€46€54

Carer’s Benefit

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
€249€46€54

Disablement Benefit

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
€263€46€54

Jobseeker’s / Illness / Health and Safety / Injury Benefit

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
€232€154€46€54

Maternity / Paternity / Adoptive / Parent’s Benefit

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
€274

Death Benefit

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
Under 66€262.50€46€54
Aged 66 and under 80€281.70€46€54
Aged 80 and over€291.70€46€54

Social Assistance Payments

State Pension

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
Aged 66 and under 80€266€46€54
Aged 80 and over€276.00€46€54
Increase for Qualified Adult Under 66€175.70

Carer’s Allowance

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
Under 66€248.00€46€54
Aged 66 and over€286.00€46€54

Disability Allowance / Blind Pension

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
€232€154€46€54

Widow’s / Widower’s / Surviving Civil Partner’s (NonContributory) Pension

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
€232

OneParent Family Payment / Deserted Wife’s Allowance

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
€232€46€54

Farm Assist

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
€232€154€46€54

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
Under 25€141.70€141.7€46€54
Aged 25 and over€232.00€154€46€54

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024)Personal RateIncrease for a Qualified Adult (IQA)Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+
Under 25 living independently with State support€230.00€154€46€54
Under 25 not living independently€141.70€141.7
Aged 25 and over€230€154€46€54

Child Benefit

Child Benefit2024 Rate
Monthly Rate€140 per child

Twins: Child Benefit is paid at one and half times the normal monthly rate for each child.

All other multiple births: Child Benefit is paid at double the normal monthly rate for each child.


Employment Programmes

A rate increase of €12 per week from January 2024 for those participating in the Work Placement Experience Programme, Community Employment Programme, Rural Social Scheme and Tús.


Working Family Payment Thresholds

Working Family Payment Thresholds2024 Weekly Income Limit
1 Child€645
2 Children€746
3 Children€847
4 Children€938
5 Children€1064
6 Children€1180
7 Children€1316
8 Children or more€1412

Other Social Welfare Payments

Other Social Welfare Payments2024 RateFrequency
Guardian’s Payment (Con/Non-Con)€215Weekly Rate
Fuel Allowance€33Weekly Rate
Living Alone Allowance€22Weekly Rate
Island Allowance (specified offshore islands)€20Weekly Rate
Domiciliary Care Allowance€340Monthly Rate
Carer’s Support Grant€1850Annual Rate
Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant€8000Once-off payment

Download our Budget factsheet

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Budget 2024 Factsheet

October 2023

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Budget 2024 Factsheet PDF

October 2023

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Budget 2024 Scenarios

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Posted in Blogs And Blogging, Budget, Finance/Banking, Ireland, Irish Economy, Irish People, Irish Politics, Revenue | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Budget 2024 #ROI

Get Irish News On The Internet Anywhere

RTÉ News – News From Ireland

On The Internet: https://www.rte.ie/news/

On RTE Player: https://www.rte.ie/news/player/ (free streaming)

RTE App On Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ie.rte.news&hl=en_IE&gl=US

Posted in Apps, Blogs And Blogging, Internet, Ireland, Irish Politics, Local Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Get Irish News On The Internet Anywhere

People In Distress – Use Codeword – “Ask For Angela” For Help

If anyone feels unsafe while on a night out, go to staff member and say “Ask For Angela”.The staff member will discreetly separate you from the person and talk to you to find the best way to deal with the situation. They may call you a taxi so you can get home safely, or remove the person from the bar or nightclub. This is now becoming internally used. Stay safe guys.

Ask for Angela is for anyone, of any age, gender or sexual orientation who feels uncomfortable, intimidated, or unsafe on a night out.

Source: https://spunout.ie/news/news-2/ask-for-angela-begins-rolling-out-across-ireland

International Sign of Distress

The Signal for Help is a single-handed gesture that can be used over a video call or in … fingers down, symbolically trapping the thumb by the rest of the fingers.

Posted in Advice, Blogs And Blogging, Bullying, Crime & Justice, Human Rights, Human Trafficking, Ireland, Irish People, Men, Violence, Women | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on People In Distress – Use Codeword – “Ask For Angela” For Help

EPA Says – If You See It, Say It

EPA https://www.epa.ie/

The EPA work with others to advocate for a clean, productive and well-protected environment. It monitor’s Ireland’s @ climate control, air, drinking water, waste, freshwater and marine, radiation, waste water, noise, circular economy and radon. It is now asking the public to help assist them and say if you see it, say it. It is to monitor Irish people’s environmental concerns.

It’s website is https://www.epa.ie/environmental-topics/#d.en.89214

ECOS reviews this app online at https://www.ecos.ie/5124-2/

By Letter Post To:

Environmental Protection Agency
Johnstown Castle Estate
Co. Wexford
Y35 W821

Visit Office

Opening hours: 9.00am to 5.30pm (closed bank holidays and public holidays)
Reception hours: 9.00am to 5.00pm

Telephone: LoCall: 0818 335 599 or (053) 916 0600

Email: info@epa.ie

Online Form For fastest reply: Contact us via our online forms.

Posted in Advice, Apps, Blogs And Blogging, Environment, Irish People, Law and Legislation, Reports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on EPA Says – If You See It, Say It

GAAGO – Stream GAA Matches Online Anywhere in The World

GAAGO is the official streaming service for Gaelic Games worldwide and is an official broadcasting partner of the GAA in Ireland and overseas.

Watch GAA games on GAA’s streaming service on your smartphone or smart tv and watch anywhere in the world for a fee. There are free GAAGo apps available online eg GAAGO: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ie.gaago&hl=en_IE&gl=US .

You can also cast to your Smart TV from our mobile apps through Chromecast.

You can watch some games live on RTE or on RTE Player, if you live in Ireland but not all matches are televised.

Posted in Apps, Blogs And Blogging, Ireland, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on GAAGO – Stream GAA Matches Online Anywhere in The World

Joe Biden’s Four Day Visit To Ireland Was A Great Success

Joe Biden was born into a proud Irish American Catholic family in the blue-collar city of Scranton Pennsylvania – a state his ancestors settled and met in. While the president has pronounced Ireland “part of his soul”, it is also part of his DNA. ‘Part of his soul’ and DNA: How Irish is Joe Biden?https://www.rte.ie/news/biden-in-ireland/2023/0414/1376879-how-irish-is-biden/ (RTE) . He is a true friend of Ireland.

Joe Biden has concluded his visit to Ireland with a passionate riverside address to tens of thousands of people at his ancestral town in County Mayo. Watch: Joe Biden’s full speech in Ballina https://www.rte.ie/news/biden-in-ireland/2023/0415/1377098-biden-ballina-address/. (RTE)

The timing of Biden’s visit, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, offers an opportunity to celebrate the good that US diplomacy can do around the world, and reinforce the value of good faith political negotiation.

Joe Biden visits Knock Shrine https://www.rte.ie/video/id/5906/ (RTE)

Grandkids, GAA and Dogs: Biden’s Dublin visit in pictures https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/0413/1376829-joe-biden-ireland/ (RTE)

Posted in History, Ireland, Irish People, Irish Politics, Peace, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Joe Biden’s Four Day Visit To Ireland Was A Great Success

Review Movies On Your Streaming Services

Great site with reviews of movies from all the major streaming sevices on Rotten Tomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/

Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television.

The Best Movie Streaming Services for 2023 https://uk.pcmag.com/video-streaming-services/127701/best-movie-streaming-services

Posted in Advice, Art & Arts, Blogs And Blogging, Films & Movies, Television | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Review Movies On Your Streaming Services

Great Books I Recommend Christmas 2022

Books I Recommend:

Spare by Prince Harry

Time and Tide by Charlie Bird

Tom Clancy Red Winter by Marc Cameron

The Revolutionary: Samuel Adams by Stacy Schiff

Surrender by Bono

We Don’t Know Ourselves:A Personal History of Ireland Since 1958

by Fintan O’Toole

Overcoming:The powerful, compelling, award-winning memoir by Vicky Phelan

No Plan B By Lee Child & Andrew Child

Quinn by Trevor Birney

Forever Home: The New Dark Comedy by Graham Norton

Spaceboy by David Walliams

Triple Cross by James Patterson

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Desert Star by Michael Connelly

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

A Book of Days by Patti Smith

And There Was Light by Jon Meacham

The Song of the Cell by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

The Light We Carry By Michelle Obama

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

It Ends With Us By Colleen Hoover

A World of Curiosities By Louise Penny

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult; Jennifer Finney Boylan

The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham

Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks

Where The Crawdads Sing By Delia Owens

Posted in Advice, Blogs And Blogging, Books, Christmas, Publishing & Newspaper Printing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

1922 Lost Documents Restored by National Archives

In 2017, the National Archives, in partnership with the Irish Manuscripts Commission, began a survey of archival material salvaged from the Public Record Office of Ireland, following the destruction of the record treasury during the Civil War in 1922.

Source: https://www.nationalarchives.ie/article/rising-from-the-ashes/

Posted in Academic, Anglo Irish Relations, Archive, Archives, History, Ireland, Irish People, Irish Politics | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 1922 Lost Documents Restored by National Archives

Gardai Photo Archive

A new archive of gardai from past times to present have being published. It is An Garda Síochána Centenary Photographic Archive 1922. All photographs are found online at :https://gardaphotoarchive.ie/home. Anybody with similar historic pictures can forward to gardai to add to their collection.

Posted in Archive, Archives, Blogs And Blogging, History, Ireland, Irish People, Law and Legislation | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Gardai Photo Archive