Crowe calls for parental leave for parents who suffer miscarriage
Senator Ollie Crowe has this week called for the Government to introduce parent
al leave for parents who suffer a miscarriage before the 24th week of pregnancy. At present in Ireland, if a person has a stillbirth or miscarriage after the 24th week of the pregnancy they are entitled to full maternity leave.
Senator Crowe said this needs to be examined and reformed.
“The current legislation of 24 weeks being a landmark in Ireland and other countries makes little sense. Parents suffer from an enormous loss, an enormous tragedy regardless of what week it happens.”
“We need to provide special leave for this tragic scenario so that people are not required to use their ordinary sick leave which I understand happens in many cases currently.
“This is a very sensitive issue and one which is rarely spoken with families often suffering in silence. It is time we enhanced supports significantly for families who have to confront this tragedy.”
Senator Crowe confirmed he had contacted the office of an Taoiseach and the Minister for Health office regarding this.
“I am awaiting their response, but I think this is an area the Government needs to look at and reform in the short term. It has gone without being tackled for too long,” he concluded.
MEP Walsh leads calls for EU year of Mental Health
As co-chair of the European Parliament’s Mental Health Alliance, MEP Maria Walsh hosted a virtual roundtable discussion to consider the merits of creating an EU Year of Mental Health and to gather ideas and initiatives for what could make the proposed EU Year successful.
The discussion, organised in conjunction with GAMIAN EUROPE, heard that a European Year of Mental Health would be a tangible initiative to raise awareness, provide a platform for sharing good practice and facilitate stakeholder cooperation. It would contribute towards improving mental health and well-being across the board, would resonate well with European citizens – and ultimately help to save resources.
The discussion was attended by advocacy groups and organisations in the mental health sector across the EU. The Irish organisations represented at the rountable included Pavee Point, SOSAD, Ohana ZERO Suicide, HelpLink, Shona Project, TENI, NUIG Students Union, Jigsaw Letterkenny, Mental Health Reform, Transformative Recovery College, St. Patrick’s Mental Health Service and a representative from the EU Pharmaceutical Students, as well as Maria Walsh’s Fine Gael Colleagues, Councillors Tracey Dwyer, Neil Cruise and Tom Fox.
Mayo schoolboy organises Minecraft tournament for Crumlin
A young schoolboy from Tuar Mhic Éadaigh, Co. Mayo is running a charity on-line fundraiser in aid of Crumlin Childrens Hospital on April 5, 2021 (Easter Monday ). Tomás Lang, a fifth class pupil at his local national school, has come up with the novel idea of running a “Minecraft 4 Crumlin” fun tournament which is open to all children aged between 10 and 16 years. The entry fee is €15, which goes entirely to Crumlin. Entrants must have the Minecraft Java Edition on a PC or laptop.
The closing date for entries is 6pm on April 4. Full details are available at bit.ly/minecraft4crumlin or contact WhatsApp 0860525653 (adults only ). Parental or guardian consent is necessary. Donations can also be made at justgiving.com/minecraftcrumlin
