This article was written both as a think-piece and a message to urge those concerned for educational equality and quality issues to examine and make inputs on the draft plan entitled ‘Better Literacy and Numeracy for Young People‘ put forward by the Tánaiste and Department of Education and Skills last November.
The deadline for receipt of [...]

IPRT welcomes commitment to penal reform and imprisonment as a last resort but calls for clearer statement on Thornton Hall
The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) welcomes the clear commitment to penal reform and imprisonment as a last resort included in the Labour Penal Reform Policy Document, which was launched today. IPRT believes this policy statement [...]

Up to 50,000 people a day die from poverty related causes with 22,000 of these fatalities being children under the age of five. The plight of the world’s most impoverished and vulnerable people have been further aggravated by the current global financial and food crises. According to the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), [...]

PILA & IPRT Seminar with Marsha Levick, world leader in challenging the treatment of children in criminal justice systems
On Monday 10th January, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) and the Public Interest Law Alliance (PILA) will co-host a seminar with Marsha Levick of the Juvenile Law Centre (JLC), Philadelphia, a world leader in challenging the [...]

Book Review: Enough is Enough: How to Build a New Republic, Fintan O’Toole, Faber, £12.99
Suppose you were swept to power on the back of a massive popular vote - say something like 80%, the kind of number that usually has the USA and its client states jumping up and down and calling you a leftist [...]

In the weeks leading up to the budget, as the IMF were descending upon us to ‘talk’ and the plans were being laid out to widen the gap between rich and poor, a billboard campaign ran across the country which fitted perfectly into the government rhetoric of the moment. They read ‘Me. You. Everybody. We’re [...]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGBT) experience mental health problems in a similar manner to the rest of the population. It should be emphasized that being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in no way constitutes a mental health issue in itself. Furthermore, although LGBT people are often referred to as if they make up [...]

Risteard O’Dohmnaill’s film The Pipe encapsulates the balance of power in this shambolic republic - on the one hand the not inconsiderable determination and strength both personal and communal of ordinary people, and on the other the massive force of the state as expressed by the police, the judiciary, the army, the navy, the transnational [...]

In the midst of the current recession, it is crucial we do not forget those amongst us who most need our support. One such group includes the victims of domestic violence. In this respect, the `16 days of Action´ campaign to highlight the horrific levels of domestic abuse of women deserves support from us all.
On [...]