Latest news with #IQC
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Cash boost as €160 or €285 social welfare payment hit accounts of 126,000 TODAY as ‘check eligibility' alert issued
THOUSANDS of families are set for a major boost as a huge social welfare payment is set to land in their accounts within hours. Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has announced that over 126,000 families will receive the 2 Dara Calleary announced the boost can still be bagged up until September 30 Credit: PA 2 Thousands of families will see €160 or €285 cash sent to their bank accounts Credit: Getty Images - Getty The payment is designed to support eligible families with the There are two rates of payment for the scheme, which are €160 for children aged 4 to 11 and €285 for children aged 12 years and over in The payments totalling more than a whopping €47,500,000 will be made this week to over 126,000 families with over 221,000 They will be notified if an automated payment is sent to families by post or through their MyWelfare account on their official website. READ MORE ON CASH BOOSTS Commenting on the boost for families, Calleary said: "I am delighted to announce that the Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance payments for 2025 commence from today. "This scheme is so important in terms of supporting "This week, my Department will issue automatic payments to over 126,000 families in respect of over 221,000 children." For those who haven't been notified or applied for the major boost, the scheme is also open for applications until September 30 for eligible families. Most read in Money The payment will be issued once the application is processed and if eligible for it. He added: "The costs associated with children both starting and returning to school can put a lot of financial pressure on families throughout the country. Jack Chambers discusses his family budget & criticism not enough done for kids on surgery wait lists "The Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance provides valuable support to families to assist with these costs and I would urge anybody who has not yet applied to check their eligibility for the scheme." REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ALLOWANCE You can get the payment if you have a child that qualifies, and: You are getting a qualifying social welfare payment, or are participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. See Your household is within the BSCFA income limits (see 'Income limits' below) You and each child you claim the BSCFA for are residents in Ireland. If you are getting a social welfare payment, you must be getting a Child Support Payment (previously called an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with it, but there are some exceptions to this. If you get a qualifying social welfare payment but don't get a Child Support Payment, you can claim the payment if: The rules of your payment do not provide for a child payment (for example, Maternity Benefit and Adoptive Benefit), or Your spouse or partner's income is over the specified limit for your payment, but your overall household income is within the BSCFA income limits. However, you must meet the other rules to get a BSCFA. Your child must be aged between 4-17 on 30 September in the year you apply, or aged between 18-22 and returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of the year you apply. And your HOUSEHOLD INCOME Your total household income must be less than the amounts set out in the table below. The total household income includes: Your weekly social welfare or Health Service Executive payments, and Any other income you may have, including wages Capital (such as savings, investments, and any property you have excluding your own home) When your income is assessed from your wages, the department looks at your income before it's taxed, but they don't include PRSI and a standard travel allowance of up to €20 a week. However, some social welfare payments are not included in the means test. Payments not included in the means test include child benefits, rent supplements, working family payments, higher-level education grants, blind welfare allowances, and so on. All capital is assessed in the means test, including savings, investments, shares and property that's not your own home. The income limit is increased by €62 for each additional dependent child.
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Topband Vietnam Facility Sets New Benchmark
BIEN HOA CITY, Vietnam, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2024, Topband's Vietnam facility reached an impressive daily output of approximately USD 518,000, with peak daily production capacity hitting 100,000 units—ranking first among all Topband's manufacturing sites (outside China). As a core pillar of our global manufacturing system, the Vietnam facility is emerging as a powerful engine for Topband's transition to the global operations stage. Strategically located in Southeast Asia with proximity to China and access to major trade agreements like RCEP and CPTPP, Vietnam offers a compelling combination of export convenience, skilled labor, and cost advantages. Within this environment, our Vietnam facility plays a critical role in expanding capacity and enhancing global delivery capabilities. Based on Chinese mature manufacturing systems and local operational advantages, the Vietnam facility has established a modern, highly automated, and digitalized production system. With 20 automated lines and MES deployed across nearly 30 lines, the facility enables full-process traceability, real-time material tracking, and rapid exception alerts. Smart production standards ensure seamless alignment with Topband's China operations. To guarantee quality, the facility is equipped with advanced systems such as 3D AOI, vacuum reflow soldering, selective wave soldering, and automated optical screening. Quality data is uploaded in real time to form a closed-loop system, keeping defect rates below 0.2%. Two standardized labs and full-spectrum inspection processes (IQC, IPQC, FQC, OQC) reinforce our commitment to consistent, high-standard output—regardless of production location. Flexible manufacturing is another key differentiator of Topband Vietnam facility. Modular, compact, and diversified production lines enable small-scale trial runs and rapid new product introductions to meet global customer demands. For standard orders, the Vietnam facility enables full-process order fulfillment within 30 days. It also features a mature production transfer mechanism, enabling seamless transitions from other plants to Vietnam facility. Topband believes lean mindset supports long-term efficiency. The Vietnam facility has established a lean production team to continuously identify efficiency improvement opportunities, and a rapid response team to ensure closed-loop management of customer feedback and complaints. Recognized for its consistent performance, the facility has been awarded "Top Supplier" status by major global clients for five consecutive years. Looking ahead, a 75,000㎡ expansion will be operational by March 2026, targeting an annual output of approximately USD 556 million. The goal of the Topband Vietnam facility is to become a regional benchmark factory that integrates cost advantage, high-quality output, and global delivery capability—steadfastly positioning itself as a trusted intelligent manufacturing partner for customers worldwide through reliable and high-standard production capacity.
Vancouver Sun
24-06-2025
- Science
- Vancouver Sun
Raymond Laflamme, Canadian pioneer in quantum computing, has died
Raymond Laflamme, a Canadian pioneer in the field of quantum information processing who once worked with Stephen Hawking, has died after a lengthy bout with cancer. The University of Waterloo announced his death in a press release this week. He died June 19 on what would have been his 65th birthday. Born in Québec City, the third of five siblings, Laflamme studied physics as an undergraduate at the Université Laval before moving to England to continue his education there. At Cambridge University, he earned his PhD under the supervision of Stephen Hawking, at one point convincing the eminent scientist (over the course of six months' spirited discussion) that Hawking was wrong in his belief that time would run backwards during the contraction of the universe. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Hawking gave credit to Laflamme for this contribution in his best-selling book A Brief History of Time. When Laflamme left Cambridge a few years later, Hawking personalized his copy of the book with a note reading: 'To Raymond, who showed me that the arrow of time is not a boomerang. Thank you for all your help. Stephen.' Years later, Hawking visited Laflamme at his workplace in Waterloo, Ont., during which his former student gave him a tour of labs, introduced him to faculty, students and staff — and presented him with a boomerang, engraved with the words: 'Come back soon!' After Cambridge, Laflamme worked for a number of years at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, where his interests shifted from cosmology to quantum computing. In 2001, he returned to Canada and joined the department of physics and astronomy at the University of Waterloo and the university's newly created Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. There, he became founding director of the Institute for Quantum Computing, a position he held for 15 years. 'Through his leadership, IQC became a world-class research hub, positioning Canada at the forefront of the quantum revolution,' the university said in its release. 'In his scientific research, Laflamme pioneered theoretical and experimental approaches to quantum information processing and quantum error correction.' It added: 'Laflamme and colleagues developed an innovative approach to quantum information processing using linear optics, the results of which became one of the most referenced works in quantum computing.' On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the IQC, Hawking was among the luminaries to pay tribute to Laflamme's achievements. 'The incredible growth and success of IQC are a testament to professor Raymond Laflamme's leadership,' he said. 'Under Raymond's guidance, IQC has established Waterloo and Canada as the world-leading hub for research in quantum technologies and their applications.' Laflamme's many accolades included being named an Officer of the Order of Canada, the Canadian Association of Physicists CAP-CRM Prize in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He held the inaugural Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis 'John von Neumann' Chair in Quantum Information. He coauthored two textbooks on quantum computing: Building Quantum Computers: A Practical Introduction and An Introduction to Quantum Computing. In 2020, he and his wife, Janice Gregson, established the Raymond Laflamme and Janice Gregson Graduate Scholarship for Women in Quantum Information Science, awarded annually to recognize top women entering Waterloo's quantum graduate programs. 'Throughout his career, he found ways to bring people together,' the university said in its release. 'This was accomplished on an international scale by leading networks and organizing conferences, and within the local community through pick-up hockey games and sharing his insights generously with students and colleagues.' The university noted that, when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, Laflamme started a project with researchers at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, Ont., to investigate quantum technologies for cancer research and treatment. Laflamme is survived by Gregson and his children, Patrick and Jocelyne. Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family says donations may be made to Lung Cancer Canada, Princess Margaret Foundation or the Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation – Cancer Centre. The family is also working towards setting up a scholarship fund in Laflamme's memory. An obituary at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home noted Laflamme's love for the outdoors. 'In recent years, he and Janice went on bike tours through France, and Ray embarked on two canoe trips to the Arctic — one with Patrick, one with Jocelyne,' it said, adding: 'He had a knack for turning any project into something special, from building a log cabin sauna by hand to restoring his cherished 1979 VW bus.' The obituary also includes a tribute wall. One person posted: 'Although I only met Ray Laflamme once, I'll never forget his patience in explaining, in lay terms, quantum computing to me.' They added: 'I first learned about his lung cancer diagnosis in an interview with him in the (Waterloo Region) Record. He was speaking out about the importance of early screening for a cancer that is the leading cause of death. The courage he displayed by going public in that article only increased my respect for him. My condolences to his family.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
Irish Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- General
- Irish Daily Mirror
Social welfare group can claim summer lump sum worth at least €160
Thousands of social welfare recipients may be in line for a welcome financial boost this summer, with a Government payout worth at least €160 available. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is returning again this year to help cover the growing cost of uniforms and shoes ahead of the new school term. This once-yearly lump sum is designed to ease the burden on parents and guardians as they prepare their children for the classroom - but changes to how it's usually issued mean some people who previously qualified automatically may now need to apply manually. The allowance ranges from €160 to €285 per child, depending on their age, and is available to eligible families receiving social welfare payments or participating in approved employment or education schemes. With applications opening in June, it's important for parents and guardians to check their eligibility now to avoid missing out. There are two aged-based payment levels for children under the BSCFA lump sum scheme. Parents or guardians of children aged between four and 11 (as of September 30,2025) may be entitled to €160 per child. Parents or guardians of children aged between 12 and 22 (as of September 30, 2025) may receive a higher payment of €285 per child, as long as the child is returning to full-time, second-level education in the autumn. Children must be resident in Ireland, and you must also be living in the State and receiving a qualifying social welfare payment or participating in an approved training or employment scheme. Your household income must also fall within specific limits, and in most cases, you must be receiving a Child Support Payment (formerly called Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC) with your primary welfare payment. In some cases, you'll be paid automatically. If the Department of Social Protection (DSP) determines you qualify based on your current circumstances, you'll receive a notification via your MyWelfare account or by post. However, not everyone will be included automatically this year, particularly parents of older children aged 18 to 22. If your child is in this age group, you may be required to provide evidence that they are returning to full-time, second-level education in a recognised school or college. If you haven't received a letter or message from the DSP by the end of June, you must apply online via MyWelfare, even if you received the payment last year. If you receive a qualifying social welfare payment but don't receive a child support payment, you may still be eligible for BSCFA if the rules of your primary payment do not include child support (eg maternity benefit or adoptive benefit), or if you're partner's income exceeds the threshold for your main payment, but your total household income is still within the BSCFA limits. Foster children do not qualify for the BSCFA. That's because foster carers receive a separate Foster Care Allowance, which already includes support for clothing and footwear expenses. Applications for the 2025 BSCFA season are expected to open in June. If you're not automatically contacted by the DSP, it's your responsibility to submit an application online. For more information and to check detailed eligibility rules, see the Citizen's Information page here or log in to your MyWelfare account.
