Longford protest over SNA reduction
Parents of children with special needs staged a protest in Longford this afternoon after a decision by the Department of Education to reduce the number of teaching assistants at a school with an autism unit in the town.
The parents say the withdrawal of two special needs assistants from the staff of St Christopher's primary school will have a severe affect on the day-to-day activities of their children.
More than 30 children attend the school but the number of SNA's has been reduced by two after an assessment by the department.
Education Minister to receive report on future funding of Higher Education
The Department of Education has said the minister is due to receive a report on the future funding of Higher Education over the coming days.
The report was commissioned two years ago.
It outlines various options, including the introduction of a student loan system to cover fees.
In a statement, the Department said it would be a matter for Cabinet to consider and agree on the publication of the report and it was appropriate that any decision or response to the findings would be made by the incoming government.
21 arrested in Operation Thor investigation
Twenty-one people were arrested in Waterford yesterday as part of the National Anti-Crime Strategy 'Operation Thor'.
A number of searches were carried out in the city and 11 people were arrested. All have since been released but some are due to appear before the courts shortly.
Weapons and drugs were among a number of items seized in the search operation.
A further ten people were arrested on foot of warrants and taken to prisons in the Cork, Limerick and the Midlands.
New measures to combat passport fraud
The Passport Office has announced a range of new measures to combat fraud and identity theft.
From 29 March, first-time adult applicants will have to hold a Public Services Card (PSC) and those people whose last passport was issued before 1 January 2005, but has been reported lost, stolen or damaged must also have a PSC.
The office said other renewal applications are not affected.
People who do not have a PSC can get one through their local Department of Social Protection office.
China urges diplomats not to attend Dalai Lama event
China has written to diplomats and UN officials urging them not to attend a Geneva event tomorrow where the Dalai Lama will speak, reasserting that it opposes his appearance at all venues due to his "separatist activities".
In a letter seen by Reuters, China's diplomatic mission in Geneva raised objections about the presence of Tibet's exiled spiritual leader on the panel of Nobel laureates, being held at the Geneva Graduate Institute.
"Inviting the 14th Dalai Lama to the aforementioned event violates the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China, in contravention of the purposes and principles of the UNCharter.
China resolutely opposes the 14th Dalai Lama's separatist activities in whatever capacity and in whatever name in any country, organisation or event," it said.
Ag science students embarking on farm walks
2,500 students are embarking on educational farm walks organised by Agri Aware this week to learn about the practical elements of modern farming.
The walks coincide with publication a new draft Leaving Certificate syllabus for Agriculture for the first time in 40 years.
The syllabus is open for public consultation until the end of the month and is available on the wesite National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
The walks are taking place at Teagasc colleges and research centres nationwide and the students taking part come from 80 schools across Ireland.
