Your Afternoon Headlines – 10/02/2016
Good Afternoon,
Here are the afternoon headlines.
1.Labour Childcare plan
Labour have pledged to make the maximum cost of childcare just €80 a week by 2021.
They have launched their childcare policy which would reduce the childcare cost to €2 an hour in the lifetime of the next government.
This is a dramatic cut from the current cost of creches which is an average of €4.25.
This would be done in stages – with costs being capped at €170 a week by 2017.
Writer – Jen Cosgrove
2.HIQA Report
St John of God Services have closed a residential centre for people with disabilities and have moved residents from two others following damning inspection reports from the Health Information and Quality Authority.
The centres are on a campus in Celbridge, Co Kildare which is home to 137 people with intellectual disabilities.
Reports published today by the watchdog show inspections early last year prompted significant concerns about residents’ safety and quality of life at the St Raphael’s campus.
The reports revealed poor outcomes for residents and risks to health and safety.
Writer – Jen Cosgrove
3.New Garda Unit
A leading gardai has criticised the newly-announced armed Garda unit for Dublin as a drag on existing Garda services.
John Jacob of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors called the announcement a “whitewash,” saying that the unit was not in response to the recent gangland shootings but had already been announced to the force in December.
He also described the current strategy of armed checkpoints as not sustainable and something the force cannot commit to.
Writer – Roisin Conlon
4. Eason’s Accident
A teenager has been awarded €19’000 in damages after being struck on the head by a falling electronic frame at an Eason’s.
Shauna Kenny was struck in the head and wrist at the age of 14 and suffered a concussion and still suffers headaches two-and-a-half years after the incident.
The Circuit Court had refused an earlier offer of €13’500 last year and only approved damages once the offer was increased.
Writer – Roisin Conlon
5. Woman Assaulted in Wexford
A woman has been hospitalised after being attacked by a man impersonating a garda.
The incident occurred just off the R733 in Wexford at around 6:30 this morning.
The woman was driving to work when she was stopped by a car that had a blue flashing light attached.
The man threatened and assaulted the woman, and took a sum of money.
The woman is currently in Wexford General Hospital for treatment.
Writer – Amy Mulvaney
