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Wednesday 31 May 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# Children

Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
# budget 2024
Budget 2024 will include social welfare payment increases, says minister
The Taoiseach confirmed yesterday that a pension increase is on the cards for Budget 2024.
This year
2023
Voices
Parent: 'When she can’t figure something out for homework, we head into nuclear meltdown'
Mum Margaret Lynch looks at the debate around homework and asks if it really is serving everyone involved.
# biting back
'Unacceptable': Dentists hit out at lack of public service care for children amid staffing crisis
Two-thirds of job vacancies in the sector remain unfilled, the IDA says.
# disability aids
'It's a win for transparency': HSE release list of disability equipment covered by medical card
A group representing families said the decision to make the list of items public is a relief.
# cause
Bohemians unveil new kit to provide support for children of Palestine
The Dublin team’s aim is to raise awareness of human rights violations in the country.
# Southwest
Parents criticise 'contradictory' HSE denials over disability equipment funding
The controversy centres around the HSE’s €6-7 million annual budget for vital equipment for children and adults with disabilities.
Parents and TDs have called for more transparency in how the multi-million euro fund for disability equipment is handled.
Families in Cork and Kerry were finding their appeals for specialised equipment for their children rejected by the HSE, with a lack of funds cited as the reason.
They were repeatedly told that no data was kept on equipment funding, only to learn in recent days that the figures have existed for some time.
# Mental Health
CAMHS report raises serious concerns about children on medication not getting follow-up care
Some children and adolescents seeking mental health treatment are not getting appointments for up to two years, a new report has found.
Some children and adolescents seeking mental health treatment are not getting appointments for up to two years, Órla Ryan reports
In one catchment area, there were 140 "lost" cases where young people didn't receive follow-up care
Dr Susan Finnerty decided to produce an interim report due to "the serious concerns and consequent risks for some patients"
Report into Kerry CAMHS services 'shocking', says Taoiseach as nationwide audit ordered
# on the agenda
Grooming children into a life of crime to carry penalty of five years in prison under new law
Minister for Justice Simon Harris will today seek Cabinet approval for the new Bill.
# Ukraine
Number of Ukrainian students enrolled in Irish schools has almost doubled since May
Schools in Dublin, Kerry and Cork have enrolled the most students.
Last year
2022
# Bullying
National bullying database to be set up under new 'landmark' action plan
This is the first time the Department of Education has updated its bullying action plan since 2013.
# Maternity Leave
New scheme to allow councillor appoint temporary substitute while on maternity leave
Currently, female councillors are office-holders rather than employees and are not covered by the statutory framework for maternity leave.
# connected
Just over half of nine-year-olds own a phone, up 10% on ten years ago
The report has compared the lives of nine-year-olds in 2007/8 and nine-year-olds in 2017/18.
# christmas tradition
Minister seeks new location for live Christmas crib after decision to remove it from Mansion House
There cannot be a ‘Scrooge-like agenda’ said Minister Patrick O’Donovan.
# Rossfield Estate
'An unimaginable tragedy': Three siblings die after 'violent incident' at house in Tallaght
A man in his 20s has been arrested.
Three siblings were removed from the scene by ambulance and later pronounced dead
Gardaí remain at the scene which has been sealed off for an investigation
A man in his early 20s has been arrested, Órla Ryan reports
# Liver
HPSC investigating child hepatitis cases with unknown causes
Since October two of the 28 probable hepatitis cases have resulted in liver transplants and one child has died.
# hidden costs
Families hit out at 'added stress' of hospital parking while children undergo cancer treatment
One parent told the report: ‘I feel guilty worrying about money because I’m so happy my children are well.’
# new report
Less than 20% of children with disabilities getting recommended exercise, study shows
A 2022 report on exercise among children and adolescents found a number of inequalities in achieving the minimum recommended physical activity.
# Childcare
Childcare fees should fall by 50% over the next two Budgets, says minister
Minister Roderic O’Gorman said his focus is on improving affordability for parents in this year’s Budget.
# callout
'To hear a child say they feel listened to is powerful': What it's like being a Childline volunteer
The service, run by the ISPCC, is looking for new volunteers.
# New Zealand
Remains of two children found in suitcases auctioned in New Zealand
Police believe the bodies were likely to have been in storage for several years.
# suffocation
Dunnes Stores issues recall of children's pyjamas due to safety risk
These products pose a risk of cuts and suffocation.
# Cost of Living
Children falling into poverty more quickly than rest of population, says charity
The Children’s Rights Alliance has said that the issues for Irish children and young people are starting to worsen.
# Health
HSE cuts child development checks in west Dublin due to 'staff shortages'
Parents have been contacted this week with the news.
# Delays
HIQA report finds "inconsistencies in many services" for children
Lengthy delays and a lack of resources were the main issues noted.
# delayed delivery
'At this stage, it is a crisis': Children still left waiting for public disability services
Parents devastated as one-quarter of staff roles in new disability network teams remain unfilled and children left in limbo.
Staff vacancies in Child Disability Network Teams as high as 88% in one locality, reports Orla Dwyer.
"Everything is a fight," say parents who report poor communication from teams.
Therapist vacancies are highest, leaving children without services.
# High Court
High Court finds aspect of law that criminalises defilement of a child unconstitutional
The case concerns a challenge brought by a serving prisoner.
# Cystic Fibrosis
'Intensive work' ongoing to give 35 children with Cystic Fibrosis access to life-changing drug
Donnelly said it is important to him ‘that children get access to the drug that they need’.
# cost of childcare
Parents paying nearly €800 in monthly fees per child in childcare, report finds
A new report finds that the average weekly fee nationally per child for full day childcare is €186.84.
# clusters
Explainer: What we know about the recent spate of acute hepatitis in children
There have been six probable cases of the illness in Ireland, and one child has sadly died.
# State apology
Taoiseach ‘more than willing’ to offer State apology for illegal birth registrations
Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman yesterday issued an apology in the Seanad on behalf of the Government.
# capping fees
Government to reduce childcare costs 'considerably' in the next Budget
Childcare fees will be capped at September 2021 levels if a deal can be done on pay and conditions.
Childcare fees will be capped at September 2021 levels if a deal can be done on pay and conditions.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says increased subsidies should be used to reduce costs considerably for parents.
Government believes a reduction in the cost of childcare 'will help with cost of living'.
Would it work here? The countries finding success in key aspects of childcare
Increased State spend on childcare 'not enough' to solve crisis for parents and providers
# Children
New government report highlights 24,000 households with children in need of social housing
The report compiles data in a number of policy areas relating to children’s wellbeing.
# covid19
Online booking opens for 5-11 year olds as just over one fifth have received Covid vaccine
The HSE said a number of children in this age group had Covid over the Christmas period, but they are now eligible for their jab.
# Waiting Lists
Waiting lists for children's surgeries to be tackled by extending operating theatre hours
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said “far too many” children are waiting too long for orthopaedic surgery
# severe morning sickness
Health Minister insists State won't reimburse cost of drug to treat severe pregnancy sickness
When Stephen Donnelly was in Opposition he told Simon Harris that the drug called Cariban should be available on the drugs payment scheme.
# Mental Health
Kerry gardaí considering CAMHS report to see if there are 'grounds' for criminal investigation
The Taoiseach said earlier that the findings will be addressed in a “non-adversarial way”.
# Government
New research to examine lives of children in care and adults who were in care as children
The Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman said the project will provide “new and important insights”.
# camhs
HSE apologises to young people over 'care deficiencies' in Kerry mental health services
The executive will issue written apologies to around 250 families.
# mother and baby homes
'I'll protest until I die': Call for 'forgotten' boarded out children to be given redress
Survivors say they will keep protesting until the scheme is changed.
All time
# Covid-19
Vaccine registration opens for high-risk children aged 5 to 11
Parents can register their child for the vaccine if they have a health condition that puts them at higher risk, or if they live with someone who is at higher risk.