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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 01 July 2022
kilkennyobserver.ie
News
38,700 Ukrainians now here The Central Statistics Office has said that 38,700 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland since the Russian invasion on 24 February. The number has increased by just under 3,000 in the two weeks leading up to Sunday, June 19. Women aged 20 and older
account for 47% of the arrivals, while people under the age of 20 account for 37%. Those in the largest group of arrivals — 41% or 15,850 individuals — are classified as 'one parent with children'. As of June 7, 6,890 Ukrainian children were enrolled in
Irish schools; 71% of which were in primary school. The figures come from a weekly Department of Social Protection report which includes the number of Ukrainians who have been given a PPS number and are availing of the Temporary Protection Directive.
This directive was activated by EU countries on 4 March to protect people displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The figure is an estimate because some Ukrainians may have not received a PPS number yet or may no longer be in Ireland.
However, experimental data from the CSO shows 89% of those aged over 18 were "administratively active" in the State after 15 May. The CSO was also able to map 91% of arrivals to a local post office address. A total of 1,245 Ukrainian
arrivals have been mapped to Dublin's north inner city, while the local electoral area with the highest proportion of Ukrainian arrivals compared to its population was Ennistymon in Co Clare, at a rate of 7.28%. Global Report, Page 22
Protocol Bill 'regrettable, unacceptable' The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill passing the second stage in the UK parliament is the latest "regrettable and unacceptable" instance in "a trend towards unilateralism". Micheál Martin said that he has spoken to the President and Vice President of the European Commission, and the President of the European Council, and he said Ireland will "work absolutely in concert" with EU allies on a shared approach. Mr Martin made the comments in response to a question from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou MacDonald in the Dáil. Mr Martin's comments come after the UK government's bid to scrap parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol cleared its first hurdle last night, despite EU warnings it is illegal and could spark a trade war. MPs in the House of Commons voted through the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol Bill by 295 votes to 221 after a debate, allowing it to progress to the next stage of scrutiny in parliament. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in Germany for a G7 leaders meeting, earlier insisted the legislation was needed to remove "unnecessary barriers to trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland". "All we're saying is that you can get rid of those, whilst not in any way endangering the
EU single market," he told reporters. Mr Martin has previously said that "any unilateral decision to breach international law is a major, serious development". "There can be no getting out of that," he said, also warning against another government bill to revamp human rights in the UK that could affect the Good Friday Agreement. In the House of Commons, Mr Johnson's predecessor as prime minister Theresa May, who quit after failing to get parliamentary backing for her own Brexit divorce deal, said she could not back the bill. It was "not legal... will not achieve its aims and... will diminish the standing of the United Kingdom in the eyes of the world", she told MPs. The UK government unveiled its plan to unilaterally change trading terms for Northern Ireland earlier this month, prompting the EU to pledge legal action. Brussels says overriding the deal it struck in 2019 with Mr Johnson's government breaches international law, and has warned of trade reprisals, which Britain can illafford as prices surge on the back of the war in Ukraine. Days of further scrutiny and subsequent votes now loom, and despite winning the vote, Mr Johnson is facing criticism among some of his own Conservatives after he only narrowly survived a no-confidence vote this month.
Our firefighters off to help Ukraine Kilkenny Fire Service will transport donated fire vehicles and equipment this week to provide vital support to the Ukrainian firefighters who are battling the most horrendous conditions imaginable on a daily basis. More than 100 fire stations and over 250 fire appliances have been destroyed in the Ukraine, and tragically many firefighters have lost their lives as they battle to do their job in their local community. John Collins, Chief Fire Officer with Kilkenny County Council, said: “We have been in contact with the
State emergency services in the Ukraine regarding their immediate requirements and Fire Services across the South East have donated firefighting equipment such as generators and lighting, hydraulic rescue gear, pneumatic lifting equipment and sets of firefighting PPE. The 3 jeeps will be accompanied by a fire engine from the firefighters from Kerry Fire Service. "The convoy of vehicles will be driven by firefighters from Kilkenny Fire Service who have volunteered their time to assist in this humanitarian crisis. Stena Line
have very graciously provided the ferry crossing for the vehicles free of charge and we will be leaving Ireland and arriving in Poland to hand over the vehicles and equipment to our colleagues from the Ukrainian State Emergency Service”. According to Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Pat Fitzpatrick: “The donation and transportation of the vehicles and equipment is supported by Kilkenny County Council and has been organised through “Safe Harbour for Ukraine” https://safeharbourforukraine.org/. Every day we continue to see
the horrors unfold in the Ukraine and can only imagine how hard it must be for Ukrainian firefighters as they continue to put their lives at risk with very limited resources. Kilkenny County Council are delighted to support this initiative and any help the people of Ireland can provide will be kindly received”. * Our picture above shows Kilkenny County Council firefighters who are on their way to Krakow, Poland to deliver the equipment to the State Emergency Services of Ukraine.
US firms offer financial abortion aid Many large US corporations have moved swiftly to provide support and financial assistance to employees seeking abortions in states that outlawed the procedure after the US supreme court’s decision on Friday to overturn its landmark Roe v Wade ruling. With potentially millions of
women soon looking to cross state lines for the procedure, many employers have added “critical healthcare” packages to employees’ benefit packages. The measures reflect, in some cases, elevated responsibility that businesses now feel to respond to pressure from inves-
tors, customers and employees at a time when corporate values do not conform with the legislatures of states in which they or their workers are based. Many banks and tech firms have announced they will cover travel expenses for US workers in need of abortions as part of their medical benefits. After
the reversal was announced Friday, Bank of America and Goldman Sachs joined Citigroup and JPMorgan Chase in offering travel benefits. “We will continue to provide benefits that support our colleagues’ family planning choices wherever we are legally permitted to do so,” Citi’s
head of human resources, Sara Wechter, wrote in a memo to employees. Tech firms have also moved to accommodate employees’ needs. Microsoft extended its financial support for “critical healthcare” after the draft version of the supreme court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade
was first leaked last month. Apple has said the existing benefits package allows employees to travel out of state for medical care, and Facebook parent Meta has said it will offer travel expense reimbursement “to the extent permitted by law”. Global Report, Page 22
