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A regular query around this time of year is: “Is Good Friday a Bank Holiday?” The answer is yes, Good Friday is a Bank Holiday – i.e. it’s a holiday for banks (and some other businesses). However, it’s NOT a statutory Public Holiday. The terms “Bank Holiday” and “Public Holiday” are commonly confused, and as a result, when someone refers to the Easter Bank Holiday they could be referring to either Good Friday or Easter Monday. Most Bank Holidays are Public Holidays however this isn’t the case on Good Friday.

There is no entitlement to Public Holiday pay on Good Friday and there is no obligation for employers to give their employees the day off unless it is part of an agreement (e.g. ERO). On the other hand, Easter Monday is a Public Holiday and employees have Public Holiday entitlements such as a paid day off.

This year, Good Friday falls on 15th April 2022.

You can read about public holidays and your entitlements at: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment_rights_and_conditions/leave_and_holidays/public_holidays_in_ireland.html

Dr. Tony Holohan has said he has no intention of returning to his role as chief medical officer and that his secondment to Trinity College Dublin is to “develop public health capacity for the future”.

In his first comments on the controversy over his new academic role, Dr Holohan has told the Oireachtas Health Committee: “My secondment to Trinity College Dublin means I have agreed to relinquish my role as Chief Medical Officer; it is not my intention to return to this role at any point in the future. It is important that my successor feels fully empowered and enabled to undertake the role as they see fit.”

The Department of Health is to continue funding his existing €187,000 public service salary while he takes up a newly created role in Trinity, a move that has only emerged in recent days and has prompted questions from ministers and the Opposition.

SEE FULL  STORY: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/tony-holohan-defends-187k-appointment-to-trinity-college-says-it-is-not-his-intention-to-return-to-cmo-role-41529303.html

Dr. Tony Holohan will not be returning as chief medical officer to the Department of Health and his new academic contract with Trinity College is of “indefinite duration”, Department of Health secretary general Robert Watt confirmed today.

He was quizzed at the Oireachtas Health Committee about the controversy over the Department of Health’s decision to continue to pay Dr Holohan’s salary of over €187,000 salary although he will be working as a professor in Trinity College.

Asked by Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway about the decision Mr Watt said Dr Holohan will take on a new role in Trinity and a new permanent chief medical officer would be appointed in his place in the coming months.

Senator Conway said it could mean the Department of Health was funding Dr Holohan’s Trinity post for the “ next 20 years.”

SEE FULL  STORY:  https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/dr-tony-holohans-187k-a-year-civil-service-funded-trinity-college-secondment-will-last-indefinite-duration-he-wont-return-as-chief-medical-officer-41525079.html

A MAN accused of murdering teacher Ashling Murphy has been served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

Jozef Puska, 31, with an address of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, was initially held following a court hearing in Tullamore on January 19.
He is accused of killing the 23-year-old primary school teacher who was attacked after she went for a run along the Grand Canal near Tullamore on January 12.

SEE FULL STORY: https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/trial-order-for-jozef-puska-in-ashling-murphy-murder-case-1285797.html

With prices continuing on an upward trajectory, “real” household income — a measure that factors in the rate of inflation — is expected to fall this year for the first time since 2013, according to the Central Bank of Ireland’s latest economic forecasts — its first set since the invasion of Ukraine.

The pace of growth is unlikely to keep up with soaring prices, according to the forecasts, although “broad-based” wage growth is anticipated.
It means “wages are projected to decline this year in real terms”, the Central Bank said, in line with recent analysis by the Economic and Social Research Institute.

SEE FULL STORY: https://www.thejournal.ie/central-bank-economic-forecast-2-5730294-Apr2022

DR TONY HOLOHAN will be paid by Department of Health when he takes up a new job as a professor in Trinity College Dublin later this year.

It was reported last month that Dr Holohan would be stepping down as the country’s Chief Medical Officer to take up the role as a Professor of Public Health Strategy and Leadership at TCD in July.

Recent reports show the CMO’s salary is around €187,000 per year.

A spokesperson for Trinity said the new post is an “open-ended secondment” funded by the Department of Health under the same terms as Dr Holohan’s existing contract.

FULL STORY: https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2022/0405/1290463-tony-holohan

movieextras.ie are thrilled to announce that they are now working on the production of “In the Land of Saints and Sinners” and are looking for extras!

LOCATION:
Co. Donegal (Glencolmcille, Ardara, Kilcar areas)

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR: People with excellent availability throughout late March-end of May local to the areas listed above.

The film is set in the 70’s so if you think you have the look or could pull it off we’d absolutely love to hear from you. We’re looking for both men and women, mostly adults though there will be some children required as well.

Ladies: we’re looking for natural looks please – no acrylic nails or tattooed eyebrows.

Gents, let’s talk hair; we’d love if you could let your hair and/or beard grow – unleash your inner 70’s soul! If you’re able to grow a moustache/sideburns/beard or are willing to swap a beard for the classic 70s moustache and sideburns – we want to hear from you!
No “short back and sides” haircuts please.

As this is a costumed production, inclusion of costume measurements (Bust/Chest, Waist, Hips, Inseam, Shoe Size) are required upon application submission and 2 current photos (head & shoulders and full length please).

SHOOTING DATES: Starting end of March with various dates up until the end of May.
Please be aware that continuity will be required – meaning the same background artists will be required for multiple shoot days. The more flexible your availability, the better!

REQUIREMENTS
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 18 years +

SHOOT DETAILS:
Location: Co. Donegal (Glencolmcille, Ardara, Kilcar areas)

Shoot Date:  Various dates up until the end of May.

HOW TO APPLY:
Simply complete this form to apply –> https://www.movieextras.ie/notices/@@forms_apply.html?form_id=748

A spokesperson for movieextras.ie said: “What we are looking for is 1970s hairstyles (sideburns, moustaches, beards and longer hairstyles all welcome), GAA players, men and women of all ages, good availability (continuity roles will require multiple shoot days!)”

Ahead of government advice on energy saving due shortly – we thought we would share some excellent ideas for saving money and energy

• Stay in bed for 18 hours a day – whilst your boss/family/friends may not welcome this lifestyle change – just think of all the heating and electricity costs you are saving! #Hot

• Walk and Cycle everywhere – as well as saving on fuel – you’ll lose weight and given Ireland’s climate you will likely get soaked everyday, thus saving the need for any showers or baths #Fit

• Stop washing yourself completely – you will reduce your water usage and also save on entertainment costs as people will start not inviting you to social events. #Winning

• Limit your number of toilet flushes – “Just remember this idiom, ‘If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown flush it down.’” #Lovely

• Stop using your washing machine – just go back to 1950’s retro style washing – by soaking everything in soapy water and hand scrub any stains. As a plus – you’ll build up your upper arm strength #Strong

• Recycle everything – for example you can always get an extra cup out of every tea bag by hanging them to dry on the washing line – just one of many great recycling ideas! #WhoHoo

• Block up your Windows – windows are just terrible for heat loss – block them up and save! #Save

• Use Candles instead of electric lights – Give your home a medieval vibe by lighting up candles instead. As a plus, your home will have a more romantic ambiance! #Romantic

• Take your chargers everywhere and plug them into any free electric sockets you can find – at your workplace, public buildings, your family and friends houses etc… – better still invest in an industrial charger and run your whole home from it! #SuperSave

• Save on your water usage, by installing water tanks outside your home. Admittedly, using untreated water for personal consumption may cause some health issues – but think of all the water you are saving! #SaveWater

• Do your bit in the community – if you see people wasting energy – by washing their cars, watering their lawns,
leaving lights on around their home etc… do the responsible thing by banging on their door and giving them a right good talking to! I’m sure they’ll Thank You for it! #Community

Can you think of any we have missed? – Let us know in the comments! You’re Welcome!

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment has finally come to a close after two years of supporting thousands during Covid-19.

The payment was first introduced as the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020 and was originally supposed to only open for six weeks. Now that the final payments have been sent, all remaining recipients will be moved over to job seekers payments from Tuesday – only if they are deemed eligible.

According to citizens’ information, there are a number of support payments that will continue to help those in unemployment in Ireland. There are also a number of benefits that will continue to be available to those who are eligible.

SEE MORE:  https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/unemployed_people/covid19_pandemic_unemployment_payment.html

People will be encouraged to take shorter showers and cut out one car journey a week to bring down their energy costs, under plans being formulated for publication later this month.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said on Sunday he would bring a package of measures to Government next week to help with the cost of living.

Sources indicated this would include a public awareness campaign advising steps such as cutting out one car journey a week in favour of walking or taking public transport, taking shorter showers, not filling a kettle to the top if not needed and turning down the thermostat by a degree.

It is not currently envisaged financial measures would be included in the Green Party leader’s plan, but he is expected to tell Cabinet colleagues the Public Service Obligation levy, which is charged to all energy consumers and costs about €57 a year, will be axed from this October and may even be set at a negative rate.

SEE FULL ARTICLE: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/take-shorter-showers-and-drive-less-to-cut-costs-ryan-to-suggest-1.4843672