Taking subsidies away from retired farmers would be a disaster on so many levels
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Irish Examiner
15 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
‘She could wander into traffic': Dementia patient's daughter pleads for safer housing before Cork hotel eviction
Vera Arksonova spends every waking hour consumed by fear that someone is coming to hurt her. She carries around as many possessions as she can in the belief that she is being watched and will soon be robbed of everything. The 72-year-old resident of the Quality Hotel in Youghal knows that something is coming. The fact that she and other Ukrainian families will be forced to leave their homes on July 31 has only served to heighten her confusion. It was initially believed that the grandmother was suffering from shock when she arrived from Ukraine three years ago. Tests carried out by Irish doctors confirmed the condition was in fact dementia. Vera is now cared for by her daughter Violetta. The 31-year-old has two children — a daughter Samira (nine months) and five-year-old son Damir — with her husband Roman. Violetta explains that Roman also has a litany of health challenges following concussions sustained during his time on the frontline of the war with Russia. A brain injury he experienced during childhood had been further compounded by battle wounds. Violeta Pratsovyta (left) with her mother Vera Aksonova. Picture: Dan Linehan Hundreds of Ukrainian residents of the Youghal hotel were first told they had to vacate six months ago via a letter from the Department of Integration. That announcement sent shockwaves through the seaside town, as the refugees, who had built lives in Youghal, were initially given just two weeks to prepare to leave their makeshift home. Following a huge local campaign and a groundswell of support for the residents, many of whom had been living in the hotel since shortly after the Russian invasion of their country, the eviction date was subsequently extended to next week, July 31. Violetta has since received news that her family is being relocated to a hotel in Waterford city. Details of the new living environment have come as a devastating blow, given that the accommodation is situated on a bustling city street. Violetta described it as an extremely dangerous environment for her mother, as a dementia sufferer who is known to wander off at any time of day or night. Often times, she will be searching for the shops and bus stops she once frequented back home in Ukraine. She is now pleading with the government to reconsider their choice of accommodation for the family. 'This will be really dangerous for her,' Violetta said, fighting back tears. 'We have comfort here, knowing that she is safe and in an enclosed environment. "Sometimes my mother will visit the reception of the hotel three times and ask the same questions because she doesn't remember going there. She is known to wander off but everyone looks out for her here. If they see her acting in a such a way that is aggressive they know it's dementia. There are not many cars here so we know she's not in danger. Now, we have to take her to a busy place where nobody knows her and she could easily wander into traffic. She also reiterated the importance of routine for her mother's health. 'My mother needs access to a kitchen. This is essential for her mental health. "Cooking, chopping, and washing dishes helps her stay connected to reality. Her doctor stated that having a kitchen is part of her therapy. Without it, she may rapidly deteriorate.' Violetta does her utmost to reassure her mother. 'My mother believes that someone is trying to hurt her. She absolutely refuses to move and keeps saying she wants to return to Ukraine. She often talks about it and says she feels unwell. Her appetite has also declined. She is afraid that we will leave her. Lately, my mother's condition has worsened. She sleeps very poorly at night and often gets up and walks around. "The doctors have prescribed her different medication to help her fall asleep, as the previous ones were no longer effective.' Vera's biggest fear is losing their adored dog Dana. Residents have been told they cannot bring their pets with them. Violetta, however, said they are not about to part with a member of their family. 'My husband has vowed to sleep with him in the car every night because we can't have him inside. He has been with us since I was pregnant with my first child. "He fled war with us so there is no way we can give him up. We don't want him to be put to sleep.' Oleksandra Makoviei, who is also a resident in the Youghal hotel, said that exceptions should be made for families like Violetta's. 'I thank the government because we would never have had this opportunity without them. We were able to learn English for three years and find jobs. "It's okay for me because I have a healthy mother. Violetta has too much on her shoulders. The children are used to school in the area. We help each other. Violetta has support here. It's harder for some families than others. Fiona Corcoran from Cork charity the Greater Chernobyl Cause, who has been lobbying on behalf of the Quality Hotel residents, reminded the government of their duties. 'This is not just a moral issue, it is a legal one. According to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, public bodies are legally required to act in accordance with the principles of equality, dignity, and non-discrimination, especially when it comes to vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, women, children, and war-affected families. "We at The Greater Chernobyl Cause are steadfast in our dedication to providing support to our Ukrainian brothers and sisters during this critical period, which is of the uttermost importance. It is entirely unjust to forcibly remove Ukrainian residents from their sanctuary, particularly those who are ill and require medical care.' She said that forcing people to part with their pets will be truly heartbreaking for families. 'The government allowed Ukrainian refugees to bring their pets from war-torn Ukraine. Now, they are forcing them to find new homes for their animals. "Life would be incomplete without their pets. They provide essential emotional support in coping with the trauma caused by death, occupation, conflict, and the experience of becoming a refugee. "We must also remember that our Ukrainians cannot return home because there is no safe area in war-torn Ukraine.' Read More Cost of accommodating each asylum seeker rises to €84 a day
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
1.6 billion bottles and cans returned through Deposit Return Scheme
The Irish public has returned over 1.6 billion bottles and cans through the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) since its launch in February 2024. New figures from Re-turn, the administrator of the scheme, show 798 million more containers are now being recycled each year compared to before the scheme began. Recycling rates have risen from just 49% to an estimated 91%. 76% of these containers are captured directly through the DRS and a further 15% collected via mixed dry recycling. "The Board is very encouraged by the strong performance and early impact of the scheme since its launch in February of last year," said Tony Keohane, Chair of the Board of Re-turn. "Re-turn has delivered a Deposit Return Scheme that is already achieving measurable environmental results and social impact, including the return of over 1.6 billion bottles and cans and a significant increase in Ireland's national recycling rate for drinks containers. "This has been driven by extraordinary collaboration across government, retailers, producers and the wider supply chain, and most importantly by the enthusiastic participation of the Irish public," he added. Ciaran Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said these latest recycling figures are far beyond what we had projected to achieve. "They speak to the commitment of the Irish people to sustainability and their desire to support the vision of a greener, cleaner Ireland," he said. "Additionally, the social impact of the scheme and the engagement with it from community groups across the country has exceeded any and all expectations. "Schools, clubs and charities all over Ireland have engaged with and utilised the scheme to raise funds for a wide variety of worthy causes," he pointed out.
Irish Post
an hour ago
- Irish Post
Northern Ireland economy set for boost from British-India trade deal
A NEWLY signed British-India trade agreement is expected to pour £50 million into Northern Ireland's economy. The deal, which is part of the British government's wider Plan for Change, is a major milestone in international trade and promises wide-ranging benefits for Northern Ireland's key industries and workforce. The agreement, officially signed today by Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, coincides with a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The overall British-India trade package is valued at nearly £6 billion and is projected to create more than 2,200 jobs across Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors are set to benefit the most. These sectors, which account for about 30% of local employment, will benefit from the removal or reduction of costly tariffs. In addition, local medical technology firms will see duties on medical devices, which currently range from 8.25% to 13.75%, slashed or eliminated over the next decade. One of the most notable wins comes for Northern Ireland's Irish whiskey industry. Duties on exports to India will be immediately halved from 150% to 75% and gradually lowered to 40% over ten years. Producers will also gain greater flexibility in sourcing ingredients and packaging, allowing them to better compete in the rapidly growing Indian market. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn described the agreement as a 'landmark deal' with real and immediate benefits. 'This agreement will help further unlock the huge potential for growth across Northern Ireland, including its thriving services and technology sectors,' he said. The deal is particularly promising for exporters. Last year, 143 Northern Ireland companies exported £65 million worth of goods to India—a figure now expected to rise sharply thanks to streamlined customs procedures and a dramatic drop in India's trade-weighted average tariff from 15% to just 3%. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds emphasised the local impact: 'The millions brought to Northern Ireland each year from the deal we've signed with India today will be keenly felt across local communities—whether that's higher wages for workers, more choice for shoppers, or increased overseas sales for businesses.' Among those welcoming the deal is Belfast-based diagnostic kit manufacturer Biopanda. Sales Manager Philip McKee said, 'We value the business we've already done in India, and the UK-India FTA should allow our distributors to offer a wider range of our products at lower prices. That's a win for us and a win for consumers in India.' As part of the broader benefits package, Northern Ireland workers could see wages rise in line with a British and NI-wide uplift of £2.2 billion annually. Shoppers may also benefit from cheaper clothing, shoes, and food products due to reduced tariffs on imported Indian goods. Britain already imports £11 billion worth of goods from India. With this agreement now in place, businesses across Northern Ireland are expected to enjoy easier and cheaper access to critical components and materials, particularly in areas like consumer goods and manufacturing. See More: Britain, India, Jonathan Reynolds, Northern Ireland, Trade
