Minister Noonan launches new ‘success stories’ publication on pollinator conservation
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
‘Working together for Biodiversity: Tales from the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020’ highlights positive action for nature across the country
Communities, schools, farmers, businesses and local authorities all feature
This publication precedes the second iteration of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2021-2025, which will be launched in Spring 2021
Minister Malcolm Noonan is launching a new ‘success stories’ publication to mark the conclusion of the first phase of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020. ‘Working Together for Biodiversity: Tales from the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020’ shows the big difference that small actions can make by bringing together a selection of case studies to tell the story of how communities, farmers, schools, businesses, local authorities and many others have contributed towards the conservation of Ireland’s pollinators.
Welcoming the publication, Minister of State
for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan said:“I’m proud to launch this inspiring publication. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan is an incredible initiative that has engaged people across Ireland to take local action for bees and other pollinators and generate national impact for nature. It’s also inspired international ambition, becoming the benchmark for how other countries approach the important issue of pollinator decline. I’ve been involved in a number of Pollinator Plan activities in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, so I’m especially pleased to share this collection of stories that I hope will encourage more people to get involved in biodiversity conservation.”
The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 has achieved considerable impact:
• The last five years have seen the delivery of all 81 actions identified in the Plan
• Across all sectors, the number of engaged individuals and organisations continues to increase
• 55% of all Councils across the island have become partners
• Hundreds of local communities have embraced the initiative
• 280 businesses have come on board and agreed to take action
• A framework by which all farms can become more pollinator-friendly is currently in collaborative development
Chair of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, Dr Una Fitzpatrick, Senior Ecologist at the National Biodiversity Data Centre said:
“The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan has shown - across every sector and in every corner of this island – that people do care about nature, and that we can come together to make changes for the better. To those thousands of people, groups and organisations who got behind the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan with such energy and enthusiasm, we would like to express our sincere thanks. The publication of ‘Working Together for Biodiversity: Tales from the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 is a celebration of all of their efforts.”
An even more ambitious plan for 2021-2025 is currently being finalised and is expected to be launched in the coming months. Looking ahead, Deputy Chair of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, Professor Jane Stout, Trinity College Dublin, said:
“As we look forward to the next five years, we need to continue to engage across all sectors, monitor our pollinators, and manage more land for biodiversity. Ultimately, the AIPP will only be a success if in 10, 20 or hundreds of years from now, this island is buzzing with bees and we have diverse, healthy wild pollinator populations, providing us with the services on which we are so dependent. If we achieve this, we will also create a colourful and healthy environment for ourselves.”
To find out more go to www.pollinators.ie
Ministers Foley and Madigan welcome agreed plan of the return of in-person teaching and learning for children in Special Classes at Post-Primary schools on 22 February
Following a period of intensive engagement with the education partners, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD today announced details of a return to in-school teaching and learning for students with special educational needs attending special classes at post-primary level.
Students attending these classes will return for in-person teaching and learning from Monday 22 February, the same day on which primary school special classes will return.
It remains a priority for the Department to agree a shared pathway to in-school learning for children with special educational needs in mainstream classes in mainstream schools as soon as possible.
Recognising that remote learning is particularly challenging for some students with complex needs, the Department of Education has also put in place a supplementary programme to support the education and/or care needs of students with complex needs at post-primary level.
Intensive engagement is continuing with education stakeholders, towards a full return of all students to in-person teaching and learning in primary and post primary schools as soon as possible and when it is safe to do so.
Minister Foley said:
“I am pleased that students in special classes at post-primary level will now return to in-person teaching and learning on the same day as primary school students in special classes. These special classes support some of our most vulnerable students. The return to in-person teaching and learning is vital to these students and I want to thank everyone who has engaged in this process to reach a solution which is aimed at meeting their needs.”
“The supplementary programme will also provide a real benefit for students over the coming weeks as they adjust to returning to in-person teaching and learning and I urge everyone to make full use of this. In our ongoing engagement with education partners, we continue to seek a way forward to support the return of in-person teaching and learning for children with special educational needs in mainstream settings. The Government is committed to the full and safe reopening of schools for all students as soon as possible, and will continue to work with all stakeholders, in line with public health advice, to achieve this,” Minister Foley added.
Minister Madigan said:
“This is another positive step in the right direction that will give certainty and comfort to students with special educational needs at post-primary school and their families. From tomorrow, students in special schools will return to the classroom, and now from 22 February all students in special classes at both primary and post-primary can look forward to a return to school.
“Over the last few weeks, I have been committed to securing agreement on a return to school for students with special educational needs. We have all heard how challenging distance learning has been for some students. Evidence shows that such an approach does not work for many students with special educational needs, leading to regression and the loss of key skills. This is why the Government and I have sought to prioritise special education as part of the return to school. We have never wavered in this commitment.”
“We know that work remains to be done to ensure all students can return to school. This includes students with special educational needs in mainstream classes who struggle to engage with distance learning. As an interim measure, we have put in place a supplementary education support scheme to provide in-person tuition or care by teachers and SNAs in the home over a four-week period. Our aim remains however a full return to in-person education for all students. I am committed to progressing this work and achieving further agreement as soon as possible. I want to thank all the staff and partners in our education system for their dedication and engagement,” Minister Madigan concluded.
Special classes at post-primary level will be supported in their return by the enhanced school teams put in place by the HSE and the Department of Education. Updated guidance and information on the supports for schools will be made available to post-primary schools in advance of the return.
Re-imagining our Outdoor Public Spaces
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD, today announced a new funding scheme to help local authorities open up and create public spaces and facilities dedicated to the arts, culture and festivals.
The scheme will be known as the Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021. The support will allow each local authority to adapt, equip or otherwise improve public spaces for cultural and events activities. The new scheme will take account of public health guidelines and of the needs of local arts and entertainment communities.
Local authorities are invited to propose capital projects for outdoor spaces which are flexible, innovative and facilitate year-round use. Ideally projects should respond to the challenges associated with COVID-19 and support the recovery of the creative, cultural, entertainment and events sector as well as being future-proofed from a health and safety perspective. Projects should aim to deliver speedy results or actions with added benefits for tourism, and the hospitality sector. They should also demonstrate how they will support the Night-time Economy, a priority for the Minister and the Programme for Government. Each local authority can apply for up to €250,000 under the scheme.
The new scheme responds to Recommendation 9 of the Report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce. This specifically proposed that local authorities provide artistic spaces, to improve wellbeing and that can provide year-round use. The details of the scheme have been developed in consultation with the County and City Management Association and with input from Fáilte Ireland.
The features of this latest COVID-19 capital fund response are as follows:
funding will be available to local authorities
local authorities can apply for a capital grant of up to €250,000 for a project at a funding rate of up to 90%
funding will be awarded for projects that focus on the delivery of infrastructure to support arts, culture, creative activities, entertainment events and festivals and the Night-time Economy
local authorities should consult with Fáilte Ireland on the proposed project
eligible projects include the provision, adaptation or improvement of outdoor public spaces in population centres
local authorities should ensure that proposed facilities are relevant to local needs and circumstances
all grants will be paid out on the basis of paid invoices
the scheme will apply for the period of the COVID-19 pandemic and applications will be accepted throughout
local authorities can propose suitable projects for the scheme immediately
Minister Martin said:
"More than ever we now appreciate the value of communal spaces, particularly for our artists, the culture among our communities and for people to gather in a safe environment. This move is another fulfilment of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce’s recommendations and it is in line with the programme for government’s commitments on wellbeing. Crucially, the fund and scheme will help create new spaces up and down the country, in villages, towns and cities, to be transformed into wonderful resources for festivals, entertainment and cultural events.
“Local authorities have been a crucial resource in the delivery of arts and culture interventions over many decades. Their collaboration and efforts in the national response to the COVID-19 crisis is fully recognised and appreciated by the government.
“The pandemic has been a significant driver of innovation especially in the arts and entertainment sectors and I look forward to the creative and imaginative solutions that I know will be generated by local authorities in response to this scheme.
“This funding also comes after a recent recommendation from the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce which specifically highlighted the need for outdoor public spaces in both the built and natural environment. I know from discussions at the Night-time Economy Taskforce that this issue has also been raised by a wide range of stakeholders."
Enterprise Ireland survey reveals 9 in 10 Irish exporters to the UK see future opportunities in the UK market
Enterprise Ireland launch Evolve Strategic Planning Grant and Evolve UK programme to support Irish exporters deliver strategic response to the recent changes and challenges in the UK trading environment
The new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement has resulted in changes to how businesses and sectors operate in the UK. However, the market remains Ireland’s largest single trading partner and will continue to offer opportunities for Irish exporters. A survey conducted by Enterprise Ireland of 427 Irish exporters, exporting to the UK has revealed that 89% see future opportunities in the UK market. Also, 4 in 5 companies (83%) say that their strategy is to grow exports to the UK, while 15% say they will sustain exports to the UK. The survey was conducted ahead of Enterprise Ireland’s official launch of its Evolve UK initiative at its online event ‘The New UK: Succeeding in a Changing Market’, taking place today.
In response to the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Enterprise Ireland has launched its Evolve UK programme, delivering critical insights to Irish companies on the evolving UK market and sector changes and opportunities through reports, insight bulletins and virtual events.
Another initiative launching today is the ‘Evolve Strategic Planning Grant’, designed to support clients to respond to the challenges and opportunities, which have arisen as a result of changes to the trading environment in the UK since January 1st, 2021. This support, a €5,000 grant, from Enterprise Ireland will support companies to adapt their approach to the market to secure and grow their sales. It will also support companies to explore approaches to optimise supply chains, research opportunities as the market evolves and changes, and prepare for changes in certification and regulatory requirements.
Both initiatives will be launched this morning by Minister for State for Trade Promotion, Robert Troy TD, at Enterprise Ireland’s online event ‘The New UK: Succeeding in a Changing Market’, attended by Ambassador O’Neill Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom, Enterprise Ireland CEO Julie Sinnamon, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram , with participation from client companies including Conor McCarthy, Chairman and Chief Executive, Dublin Aerospace and Lulu O’Sullivan, CEO, Gifts Direct & The Irish Store.
Robert Troy TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation commented:
"The UK has always been and remains Ireland’s largest single trading partner. In 2019 Enterprise Ireland client exports to the UK were the highest ever and represented 31% of total exports. The importance of the relationship between our two markets cannot be understated and over the coming months and years, the Irish and UK Governments will look to strengthen this relationship further. With our deeply integrated networks, the UK is often the first export market for most Irish companies to grow and scale internationally. With the new EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement we can expect changes in how businesses and sectors operate in the UK. Both the Evolve UK initiative and the Evolve Strategic Planning Grant will be instrumental in supporting Irish exporters to keep informed and prepared for market and sector changes and opportunities."
Marina Donohoe, Enterprise Ireland Director, UK and Northern Europe, said:
"The UK market is evolving, and we can expect further changes and developments over the months and years ahead. In this now post-Brexit world, Enterprise Ireland companies remain optimistic and ambitious about the opportunities in the UK market and strategies to grow their export sales to the UK. Through our two offices in London and Manchester, team of Market Advisors based in the UK, we are focused on delivering deep market and sector knowledge to support Irish exporters to adapt and grow in the UK, navigate changes and seize evolving opportunities."
In 2019, Enterprise Ireland client exports grew by 2% to €7.9bn, representing 31% of Enterprise Ireland client exports. The overall dependence on the UK market reduced to 31% of total exports, down from 42% ten years ago, a key focus of the Enterprise Ireland market diversification strategy.
Minister Harris marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Minister for Science Simon Harris TD has today (February 11th) marked International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
This year, the theme this year is ‘Women Scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19’.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
"Right across our Higher Education sector researchers have played an important and significant role in our national and international response to COVID-19.
"Today as we celebrate the role of women scientist I want to acknowledge the ongoing support from researchers in our Higher Education Institutions across the country who are undertaking a vast array of actions to deal with the challenges we have faced due to COVID-19, these include key research expertise to Government, testing potential treatments, staff for testing, modelling, public surveys, and much more.
"We have exceptionally talented women researchers, who have contributed so much to this national effort – today we can shine a light on them and thank them for their efforts."
Minister Harris confirmed Government is committed to increasing the participation of women and girls in science and technology.
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has been developing initiatives to remove and mitigate any existing or perceived factors that may limit the participation of women in STEM careers.
SFI has been implementing gender initiatives across their funding programmes since 2011 to support a stronger representation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Ireland has been steadily moving up internationally in the last ten years with regard to female researchers in the Higher Education sector, ranking 8th out of 31 OECD countries in 2018 with 47% of all researchers in the HE sector in Ireland being female.
Minister Harris added:
“Covid-19 has taught us the value and importance of science and I have no doubt it will inspire a new generation of female leadership in science, research and innovation.”
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