Latest news with #2025ProgrammeforGovernment
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Major boost as thousands more children to qualify for €160 or €285 cash payment under new eligibility rules before Govt
THOUSANDS more children will qualify for a €160 or €285 payment under new plans set to be brought before Government tomorrow. Minister for Social Protection The payment is designed to help parents cover the cost of clothing and footwear for returning to school. Children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid currently do not qualify for the annual lump sum payment. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is worth €160 for children aged four to 11 and €285 for kids aged between 12 and 22. Children and young adults must be between these ages on or before September 30 this year in order to qualify for the set amount. READ MORE IN MONEY Those over 18 must be returning to full-time second level education in the autumn of 2025 in order to be eligible. And the 2025 Programme for Government includes the commitment to examine the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility criteria to allow flexibility for foster carers. It is estimated that up to 2,300 children for whom Foster Care Allowance is being paid will now qualify for the payment under new plans. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Last September, Independent TD Michael Lowry asked if Major warning over emergency social welfare scam texts as thousands could be targeted O'Gorman said he raised the issue with He said: "I can inform the Deputy that I have raised the issue of Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance eligibility in respect of foster children with Minister Humphreys, who has informed that the BSCFA is not payable in respect of foster children as the financial support provided to foster parents by Tusla, the foster care allowance, includes provision for the cost of clothing and footwear for the foster child. "I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work closely with my Government colleagues and with relevant stakeholders in relation to continuing to seek to improve the suite of supports for foster carers." NO COVER OF EXTRA COSTS MINISTER for Social Protection Dara Calleary last year confirmed that the BSCFA will not cover extra costs parents face ahead of the school year. When asked by But the Calleary said: "Applications for financial support which fall outside the rules and timeframe of the scheme may be considered for an Additional Needs Payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local Community Welfare Service." Last year, payments totalling €57.04m were made to more than 149,500 families in respect of 264,400 qualified children. Many families But those who haven't been notified of the payment on their MyWelfare account or through post could miss out on the lump sum. It is expected to be paid out in the week starting on July 7th. And applications for the payment will close until next year on September 30. Those who apply for the cash later in the summer will receive the payment later than others. 1 The BSCFA is €160 for children aged four to 11 and €285 for those between 12 and 22 Credit: Getty Images - Getty
STV News
22-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Dundee Museum of Transport among 24 projects funded to revitalise derelict sites
A new home for the Dundee Museum of Transport is one of 24 projects to benefit from £21.5 million to revitalise vacant or derelict land. A former tram depot in the city will be converted into the new site for the museum with the help of £1 million Scottish Government funding. Other projects to receive support include a plan to revive the slate quarry on the island on Luing, which has been dormant for 60 years. A former glue factory in Glasgow is due to be converted into film production suites, while a derelict school in Borrodale on the Isle of Skye will be transformed into housing. The money comes from two Scottish Government regeneration funds, with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes inviting new expressions of interest for regeneration projects in the next financial year. She said: 'This funding will help to transform derelict sites the length and breadth of Scotland, creating homes, jobs and facilities that drive economic growth, tackle poverty and help support and grow thriving communities. 'This funding forms part of a wider £62.15 million investment by the Scottish Government towards regeneration projects in 2025-26. This will help to revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites to benefit people across Scotland. 'The 2025 Programme for Government sets out our renewed commitment to supporting regeneration projects across the country, with one streamlined fund delivering this vision from next year.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
22-05-2025
- Business
- The National
The 24 derelict Scottish sites set to be transformed by new funding
A former tram depot in the city will be converted into the new site for the museum with the help of £1m Scottish Government funding. Other projects to receive support include a plan to revive the slate quarry on the island of Luing, which has been dormant for 60 years. A former glue factory in Glasgow is due to be converted into film production suites, while a derelict school in Borrodale on the Isle of Skye will be transformed into housing. READ MORE: John Swinney condemns Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza The money comes from two Scottish Government regeneration funds, with Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes (below) inviting new expressions of interest for regeneration projects in the next financial year. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) She said: 'This funding will help to transform derelict sites the length and breadth of Scotland, creating homes, jobs and facilities that drive economic growth, tackle poverty and help support and grow thriving communities. 'This funding forms part of a wider £62.15 million investment by the Scottish Government towards regeneration projects in 2025-26. This will help to revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites to benefit people across Scotland. 'The 2025 Programme for Government sets out our renewed commitment to supporting regeneration projects across the country, with one streamlined fund delivering this vision from next year.'
Irish Examiner
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Woman who was offered sex-for-rent arrangements hopes new legislation will bring justice
A woman who was offered sex-for-rent arrangements after moving to Dublin says she hopes that new legislation will prevent other women having to go through what she did. Under the General Scheme of Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 brought to the Cabinet by minister for justice Jim O'Callaghan, it will be an offence to offer accommodation in exchange for sex, and to advertise accommodation in exchange for sex. A fine of up to €5,000 will be the penalty for those convicted. The legislation will cover rental arrangements between landlords and tenants, as well as 'rent-a-room' situations. The move has been welcomed by an Italian woman who previously told the Irish Examiner that trying to find a place to rent in Dublin was like 'falling into a dangerous hell.' In one incident, the prospective landlord told her he wanted photos of her and her future housemates before giving them an appointment to view the property. He also said he only wanted females to move in and was 'looking for fun to cover rent'. Another advertiser told her he wanted someone who would share a bed with him in a property he was hoping to secure, because he wanted to halve the rent for the room. When she refused the offer, he texted her to ask if she would like to be his girlfriend. The third advertiser replied to her query telling her that a room and himself 'came together' for €200 per month. The woman, who does not want to be named, said: 'I hope all the expats coming to Dublin won't go again through the nightmare that me and other girls went through, being able to feel safe and comfortable to find a house in the country they will be working. And I really hope that people taking advantage of this situation will be sanctioned in the right way, finally having justice.' Last year, a report published by the National Women's Council called for legislation to tackle the issue as an offence outside of prostitution laws, as such an approach had earlier been mooted. Ivanna Youtchak, who is the council's violence against women co-ordinator, said: 'Sex-for-rent exploitation forces vulnerable women in precarious housing situations to choose between sexual exploitation and homelessness. The impact that this has on women cannot be overstated, making the very place they should feel safest – their home – a place of sexual exploitation. "In line with the commitments in the 2025 Programme for Government, clear steps to end the exploitation of women affected by sex-for-rent exploitation are crucial.' She said the council also wants to see an extension of legal tenancy protections to all renters, including licensees under the Residential Tenancy Act. She added: 'Ultimately, we will only end this sexual exploitation by successfully tackling the housing crisis and ensuring safe, quality housing and accommodation is available for everyone who needs it.' Labour senator Laura Harmon brought a bill before the Seanad last month to also outlaw sex for rent. She said she met with Mr O'Callaghan on Tuesday to discuss the new legislation. She said: 'The government's support to act on this is welcome and is a result of the robust discussion we had on my bill last month and pressure from civil society organisations. I will continue to work with the minister on this and I will work cross-party to get legislation passed.'' Read More International student planning to study in Munster university offered sex-for-rent arrangement
The Herald Scotland
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Warning Scotland's education system 'teeters on edge of collapse'
The letter to Scotland's minister for higher and further education Graeme Dey MSP has been written by NUS Scotland president Sai Shraddha S Viswanathan and is signed by representatives from the STUC, Unite the Union, EIS, UCU and Unison. They say that the Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill, which was published at Holyrood in February, is a critical opportunity to reshape the future of post-16 education in Scotland and demand to be at the heart of shaping it. It comes as some Scottish universities are coming under financial pressure from rising costs and reduced income from international students. READ MORE: Councillors agree new name for relocated high school Study suggests children being let down by knowledge gaps around opioids Attainment gap widens but 95.7 per cent of school leavers in 'positive destination' The letter says that the country's institutions have been forced to rely on 'precarious international student fees' for too long and calls for a sustainable funding model. Ms Viswanathan said: 'The Scottish Government must use the opportunities ahead to address the serious crises being faced by both universities and colleges across Scotland, which are a result of systemic underfunding. 'The livelihoods of dedicated educators, researchers, and support workers are being put at risk and students are paying the price, with learning conditions deteriorating and support services being slashed. 'This is not just about numbers on a balance sheet – it is about people's futures, their jobs, their education, and their lives. 'It is about Scotland's ability to be a world leader in education. 'It is about whether we believe in an accessible, high-quality, well-funded education system or whether we are content to let it collapse in front of us. 'We refuse to let our universities and colleges be decimated by inaction and political neglect. 'Education is the backbone of our society. Without it, we all suffer.' The Tertiary Education and Training (Funding and Governance) (Scotland) Bill aims to simplify the funding system for both college and university students and apprentices. The letter comes as the Scottish Government prepares to announce its 2025 Programme for Government next week. Edinburgh University is one of those which has been facing financial difficulties. The institution announced earlier this year that it would have to cut £140 million from its budget to plug a black hole, with job cuts likely. Principal professor Sir Peter Mathieson last month announced that the university's voluntary severance scheme had concluded and around 350 staff had opted for voluntary redundancy. Staff at the institution are being balloted over strike action. Elsewhere staff at the University of Dundee have backed industrial action after the employer said there could be up to 700 redundancies as it struggles to deal with a £35 million deficit. The Scottish Government has been asked for comment about the letter.
