Latest news with #DepartmentofChildren
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Councillors shocked at footage of naked man outside asylum centre
Video footage of the incident shot by bystanders from the footpath and from passing vehicles has been widely spread on social media since it happened on Saturday, June 14. District councillors in Wicklow have called for greater lines of communication with the local engagement team after a man was recently found running naked outside an asylum centre in the town. Video footage of the incident shot by bystanders from the footpath and from passing vehicles has been widely spread on social media since it happened on Saturday, June 14. The footage captures a completely nude male running along the middle of the road outside the IPAS centre at the Grand Hotel. He appears to be in a disorientated and agitated state. The Grand Hotel in Wicklow town. Photo: Michael Kelly News in 90 Seconds - June 27th Speaking during the June meeting of Wicklow Municipal District, independent councillor John Snell called on his district colleagues to work collectively to help alleviate concerns when these incidents happen. He stressed the need for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide information about what happened to the individual in question and asked newly elected cathaoirleach Graham Richmond to write to the relevant Minister seeking clarity on the matter. He also raised concern about how the footage appeared online before elected representatives were informed about what happened and suggested a better strategy is needed to monitor certain comments and activities online. In agreement councillor Paul O'Brien issued a word of caution about how the issue is dealt with and cited the difficulty in trying to manage social media accounts and open forums. Councillor Gail Dunne added it was important that residents in the town feel safe and that such incidents don't become a common reoccurrence. The male in question has since been arrested for public order offences and was brought to Wicklow Garda Station, where he was held in custody. He was charged with several offences, which are due before the courts. He is currently receiving care at Newcastle Hospital after being sectioned under the mental health act. Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘She was fearless' – Tributes to Kerry woman and disabilities advocate
Described as a committed and dedicated campaigner, Ms Browne referred to herself as a thalidomide survivor rather than a victim, having sought acknowledgement and statutory redress from the state. In the 1950s, Thalidomide was a drug to treat morning sickness that was withdrawn in 1961 after it was linked to birth defects. During childhood, hospitalisations and surgeries were common for Jacqui. This helped shape her independent outlook in activism from an early age and gave her the impetus to make inclusion and support a priority. She returned to education while working and received her BA from UCD Jacqui was a valued member of the Disabled Persons Organisations Network and played a key role in contributing to many disability policies and initiatives for almost 40 years. Her role includes input in the forthcoming National Disability Strategy that is symbolic of Jacqui's passion for establishing strategic change for disabled people. Minister Foley said there is a deep sense of loss in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality as many staff knew Jacqui personally and worked with her and learned from her over many years. "I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to the Browne family on the passing of their much-treasured Jacqui,' said Minister Foley. "It was a personal privilege to know Jacqui as a proud Kerry woman full of warmth, wit and welcome for everyone. She was full of passion, compassion and energy in abundance. Jacqui was an eloquent and powerful advocate for people with disabilities and shone a vibrant and necessary light on disability issues,' she added. The Minister said during Jacqui's lifetime she achieved a tremendous amount and that some of her work might be unfinished but she remains an impetus and inspiration to 'all of us' to complete it. "We are without doubt the lesser for Jacqui's passing but greater for having had the privilege of knowing her," Minister Foley said. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more In a statement from Independent Living Movement Ireland, Jacqui is described as a person who never sought the limelight, and her involvement in policy work established advancements in disabled people's rights. 'She was a powerful public speaker and much sought after for her ability to connect policy to practice. Whilst Jacqui took on leadership roles, she was a genuine mentor to many Disabled People and saw part of her role to support other Disabled People to take on key roles,' said a spokesperson. 'She was passionate about the collective empowerment of Disabled People and gave her time generously in online workshops to ensure she shared her knowledge and expertise. Those of us who were fortunate enough to know Jacqui as a person knew someone with a passion for life. She had a wicked sense of humour, a passion for conversation. She was a wonderful host to anyone who visited her in Kerry or Dublin, kind and generous.' The Disability Federation of Ireland also paid tribute to Jacqui saying its members are 'deeply saddened' at her passing. 'Jacqui Browne was a fearless disability advocate who devoted over 35 years to promoting equality and justice for people with disabilities,' said a spokesperson. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jacqui's family, friends, and everyone who knew and worked with her. Her commitment to disability equality changed lives and will continue to shape the movement for generations.'
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Over 66 million euro issued to mother and baby home survivors
An awareness campaign is expected to be launched to encourage people to apply for the scheme, with a particular focus on people living in Great Britain. The Irish government set up the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme with the expectation of issuing payments to around 34,000 people and health supports to 19,000 people who were in mother and baby homes, at a cost of 800 million euro (£680 million). Its third implementation report about the action plan for issues related to mother and baby homes, published on Tuesday, said that over 6,600 applications have been received as of June 15 2025. By this date, over 4,400 payments had been processed to the value of over 66 million euro. Over 16,000 requests for information has also been completed under the Birth Information and Tracing Act. 'With an estimated 34,000 people eligible for this Scheme, an estimated 40% of whom live outside of Ireland, the department is conscious of the need to raise awareness of the scheme through all means possible and phase 2 of a public awareness campaign ran from October to December 2024 with a particular focus on Great Britain,' the report said. 'Further phases of the awareness campaign will be undertaken in the future.' The government had sought for religious bodies to contribute around 270 million euro (£231 million) to the cost of the Government-established Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. Only two of eight religious bodies linked to mother and baby homes in Ireland have offered to contribute, a report found in April. The Sisters of Bon Secours offered 12.97 million euro (about £11 million), while the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul proposed contributing a building to the scheme. A commission of investigation was set up in 2015 to examine homes run by the state and religious organisations where tens of thousands of unmarried Irish women were sent to have their babies. The commission found that almost 170,000 women and children passed through the institutions from 1922 until the last one closed in 1998. The investigation exposed the often harsh conditions and unforgiving regimes many women and children experienced in the institutions. On Tuesday, the Department of Children said it would appoint four survivor representatives to the steering group for the planned National Centre for Research and Remembrance in Dublin. Planning permission was granted by Dublin City Centre in February 2025 to redevelop the former Magdalene Laundry at Sean MacDermott Street into a national remembrance centre. It will include a museum and exhibition space, an archive, a research centre and central repository of records, and a garden of reflection.
The Journal
4 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Over €66 million issued to mother and baby home survivors
OVER €66M IN payments have been issued under the government's mother and baby home redress scheme. An awareness campaign is expected to be launched to encourage people to apply for the scheme, with a particular focus on people living in Great Britain. Government set up the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme with the expectation of issuing payments to around 34,000 people and health supports to 19,000 people who were in mother and baby homes, at a cost of €800m. Its third implementation report about the action plan for issues related to mother and baby homes, published on Tuesday, said that over 6,600 applications have been received as of 15 June, 2025. By this date, over 4,400 payments had been processed to the value of over €66m. Over 16,000 requests for information has also been completed under the Birth Information and Tracing Act. 'With an estimated 34,000 people eligible for this Scheme, an estimated 40% of whom live outside of Ireland, the department is conscious of the need to raise awareness of the scheme through all means possible and phase 2 of a public awareness campaign ran from October to December 2024 with a particular focus on Great Britain,' the report said. 'Further phases of the awareness campaign will be undertaken in the future.' Advertisement The government had sought for religious bodies to contribute around €270m to the cost of the Government-established Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. Only two of eight religious bodies linked to mother and baby homes in Ireland have offered to contribute, a report found in April. The Sisters of Bon Secours offered €12.97m, while the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul proposed contributing a building to the scheme. A commission of investigation was set up in 2015 to examine homes run by the state and religious organisations where tens of thousands of unmarried Irish women were sent to have their babies. The commission found that almost 170,000 women and children passed through the institutions from 1922 until the last one closed in 1998. The investigation exposed the often harsh conditions and unforgiving regimes many women and children experienced in the institutions. On Tuesday, the Department of Children said it would appoint four survivor representatives to the steering group for the planned National Centre for Research and Remembrance in Dublin. Planning permission was granted by Dublin City Centre in February 2025 to redevelop the former Magdalene Laundry at Seán MacDermott Street into a national remembrance centre. It will include a museum and exhibition space, an archive, a research centre and central repository of records, and a garden of reflection.
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Over 66 million euro issued to mother and baby home survivors
An awareness campaign is expected to be launched to encourage people to apply for the scheme, with a particular focus on people living in Great Britain. The Irish government set up the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme with the expectation of issuing payments to around 34,000 people and health supports to 19,000 people who were in mother and baby homes, at a cost of 800 million euro (£680 million). Its third implementation report about the action plan for issues related to mother and baby homes, published on Tuesday, said that over 6,600 applications have been received as of June 15 2025. By this date, over 4,400 payments had been processed to the value of over 66 million euro. Over 16,000 requests for information has also been completed under the Birth Information and Tracing Act. 'With an estimated 34,000 people eligible for this Scheme, an estimated 40% of whom live outside of Ireland, the department is conscious of the need to raise awareness of the scheme through all means possible and phase 2 of a public awareness campaign ran from October to December 2024 with a particular focus on Great Britain,' the report said. 'Further phases of the awareness campaign will be undertaken in the future.' The government had sought for religious bodies to contribute around 270 million euro (£231 million) to the cost of the Government-established Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. Only two of eight religious bodies linked to mother and baby homes in Ireland have offered to contribute, a report found in April. The Sisters of Bon Secours offered 12.97 million euro (about £11 million), while the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul proposed contributing a building to the scheme. A commission of investigation was set up in 2015 to examine homes run by the state and religious organisations where tens of thousands of unmarried Irish women were sent to have their babies. The commission found that almost 170,000 women and children passed through the institutions from 1922 until the last one closed in 1998. The investigation exposed the often harsh conditions and unforgiving regimes many women and children experienced in the institutions. On Tuesday, the Department of Children said it would appoint four survivor representatives to the steering group for the planned National Centre for Research and Remembrance in Dublin. Planning permission was granted by Dublin City Centre in February 2025 to redevelop the former Magdalene Laundry at Sean MacDermott Street into a national remembrance centre. It will include a museum and exhibition space, an archive, a research centre and central repository of records, and a garden of reflection.
