26/06/2023
Hope you are all having a lovely weekend. Here is my latest which outlines some of the work I’ve done over the past week, Jennifer
Some issues just stop you in your tracks. This week, a report on the sexual exploitation of children in state care was released. Its results are disturbing, detailing how lines of cars wait outside carehomes for girls as young as 12. It is a tremendous failure on behalf of the state and its bodies tasked with caring for vulnerable children. I called on the government to conduct a full HIQA review of these care facilities. https://fb.watch/loa573ZJ0k/
📢Temple Carraig in # Greystones and Community College are still waiting for temporary accommodation for the September intake. I raised this in the Dail. Please contact your Govt TD to raise this issue as the new school year is only 9 weeks away https://fb.watch/lligJthMpJ/
🛝 I was honoured to attend the turning of the sod at Will's Playground. This playground, named in memory of Will Harris who passed away in 2021, is to be on the grounds of his old school, National School, where he is fondly remembered. They are fundraising with a target of €65k. You can donate to help this worthwhile cause here iDonate.ie | Support Will's Playground
📻 I joined Declan on the Morning Show East Cost FM to discuss the cost of childcare which is still far and away too high for too many families.
⚕️ I raised the ongoing issues with delivery of the National Childrens Hospital https://twitter.com/davidmurphyRTE/status/1671102241934135296?t=t-X4stcH2r51vhkde3r90A&s=19
💲 This is the time of year when parents gets the emails detailing all the upcoming bills for school. The failure of Government to properly fund the true cost of education is putting huge pressure on parents and schools. It is time we made every stage of education free for everyone in the county. Whitmore raises burden placed on Wicklow parents with back to school costs - WicklowNews
🐟 I attended the Board meeting of the East Wicklow Rivers Trust to discuss the projects we are currently working on. If you would like to follow the work we do, please check out our page https://www.facebook.com/EastWicklowRivers
🏫 I was delighted to spend time on Wednesday with the girls from St. Patrick's, . Their school tour around Leinster House was a big success and they gave me some really interesting and tough questions afterwards on the Plinth. They are a credit to their school. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0355iormAzu9RqMjKBDByFZ8siveCU3s5e4T4XKvzaAXxfG72WGXSG6nYc1A7wFJFVl&id=100063719341258
💡 Would you like to work a Four-day week, and still be paid for 5? That’s the idea behind the 4-day week campaign, an idea that is garnering attn across the globe. There was a fascinating briefing on the value of the four-day working week in Leinster House this week which I was happy to attend.
💬 I joined a panel of female politicians to discuss women in politics, which was hosted by IBEC. Decision making spaces need to reflect our society. We need in politics.
✒️ Drafting legislation is one of the roles of job, and one I love doing. I’m currently working on a bill that will make a huge difference for workers across Ireland. This week I met with our Legislative Drafting service in the Oireachtas who are assisting me. I will share more details when I can.
⚽ I had the honour of cutting the ribbon on the Wicklow Rovers Inclusive Community Garden. Well done to the committee, in particular, Corinna for making the club a inclusive, welcoming space for everyone.
🍎 I was delighted to speak at the graduation of the first class to attend the Greystones Community National school. I am proud to have been the first Chair of this school, and am even prouder of the 20 little apples that graduated and represent their school so well.
🌈 I would like to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Pride! I think my colleague Cian O Callaghan said it best when he said in the Dail this week that “Being who you are is something to celebrate” https://twitter.com/OCallaghanCian/status/1672268090451656705?t=HsPv4b8ZQhu4nk1RzgNw4w&s=19
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