Activities in RSTA Kilkenny Branch

Branch Email: rstakilkennybranch@gmail.com

Branch Secretary:  Joan Murphy         Branch Chairperson: Mary Durkin

Branch meetings are usually held in the The Club House, Patrick St, Kilkenny.

Members are notified of all branch meetings and activities by email, so if you wish to be included on our email contact list, please email rstakilkennybranch@gmail.com

Events held this year to date include a wonderful outing to Altamount gardens, a visit to the Watergate Theatre to see 'An Cailín Ciuin', a meeting to discuss future plans and a talk on Healthy Living, a visit to the Butler Gallery. . . . and more.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 24th 2024: Outing to Mount Congreve Gardens

Guided tour of the gardens.  Coffee/tea and scones will be available in the cafe.

If you wish to take part please contact the Branch Secretary at: rstakilkennybranch@gmail.com

Report from a Visit to the Butler Gallery

22 September 2023

Our group had a guided tour. The Gallery houses exhibitions of Tony and Jane O'Malley and continues to add to its collection.

The Wildflower Café has been extended and also has an outdoor seating area. The food is delicious. 

We highly recommend a visit.

Activities in RSTA Tipperary Branch

Branch Email: rstatipperarybranch@gmail.com.

Branch Secretary:  Maureen McHugh

Christmas Lunch 2023

Thursday 7th December at 12.30 pm in Bailey's Hotel, Main Street, Cashel

Branch Summer Outing 24th May 2023

We assembled for morning coffee in Mike Ryan's followed by a guided tour of the Rock Of Cashel. Pictured below are branch members outside Cormac's Chapel on the Rock of Cashel.

Branch Presentation March 2023, Bailey Hotel, Cashel

Branch Chairman, Mattie Finnerty, on behalf of Tipperary Branch made presentations at their committee meeting on 7th March to two branch members to acknowledge their contributions to the branch

Elizabeth Hayes has been secretary to the branch since 2010 and Paddy Daly has been a committee member since then.

The Branch committee are picture below making the presentations.

View more photos from Tipperary here:  https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAwcss

WORKING AS A SUBSTITUTE WHILE RECEIVING A TEACHER'S PENSION

The Department of Education has issued a circular and has sent notices to retired teachers regarding changes in the arrangements for employment as a substitute while receiving a teacher's pension:

Circular 24 2022 Guidance on the application of Abatement of Public Service Occupational Pensions

Read, download and/or print the information on working as a substitute at the link below.

Working_as_a_substitute_while_receiving_a_teacher.pdf

UPDATE ON PAY AND PENSIONS, EXTENSION OF BUILDING MOMENTUM AGREEMENT

Report by Ger O'Donoghue and Denis O'Boyle, RSTA members and  ASTI Representatives on the ICTU Retired Workers Committee.  February 2023.

Once the Trade Unions had formally ratified acceptance of the new publc sector pay deal known as Building Momentum, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), Public Service Committee met and formally notified the Government and the Workplace Relations Commission that the deal had been accepted.  All of the affiliated unions had voted in favour of the proposals to extend the current Building Momentum public service pay agreement to the end of 2023.

On 7th October 2022 the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform press release included the following:

• Over 370,000 fulltime equivalent public servants to benefit from pay increases including back dating of 3% award to   February 2022
• Pay parity for the majority of retired public servants retained for the duration of the Agreement

Read the full report here: Building_Momentum_Article_for_RSTA_2023.pdf

REPORT FROM 60TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2022

The Conference Meeting took place on Wednesday 4th May.  59 delegates attended the Meeting which was followed by the Centenary Dinner that evening attended by 80 members and friends.

Elections at Annual Conference 2022

Officers

President: Ms Susie Hall (Dublin Branch), Vice President: Ms Muriel McNcholas (Mayo Branch)

National Secretary: Mr Micheal O'Neill (Wexford Branch), Treasurer: Mr Pat Younger (Wexford Branch)

National Committee

Mr Henry Collins (Waterford Branch), Ms Lily Cronin (Kerry Branch), Mr Mike Moriarty (Athlone Branch), Ms Norma Fitzpatrick (Cork Branch), Mr Mattie Finnerty (Tipperary Branch), Ms Carmel Heneghan (Mayo Branch), Ms Mary Francis O'Conghaile (Galway Branch)

Absent from picture: Mike Moriarty (Midland Branch) and Muriel McNcholas

(Ms Catherine McHugh was co-opted to the National Committee following the resignation of Ms Lily Cronin.)

Presentation to Branches

To commemorate the RSTA 60th Anniversary the Dublin Branch presented a gift of a bell to all RSTA branches.

Susie Hall, Chairperson of the Dublin Branch, is pictured presenting the bell to outgoing President, Padraic O'Doherty.

 A selection of photos from the Conference and the very enjoyable Oiche Cheoil which preceded the main event is available to view at the link:  https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzP1Nh

Motions Passed at Annual National Conference 2022

 To read the full list of Motions click on the link: Motions_Conference_2022.pdf

ASTI ANNUAL COFFEE MORNING 2023:    9th February 2023 at 11 am.

ASTI General Secretary, Kieran Christie, has issued an invitation to members of the RSTA to the Annual Coffee Morning in ASTI Head Office in Winetavern Street, Dublin.  The system of rotation of branches established in 2020 will continue in order to facilitate a limit of 50 attending.

Branches selected to nominate 3 members each  for 2023 are: Limerick, Mayo, Midland, North East, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow.

Branches have been informed.  Click on the link for full details of the arrangements: ASTI_Coffee_Morning_2023.pdf

The RSTA President and members of the National committee at their recent meeting with ASTI.

Back: Micheal O'Neill, RSTA National Secretary, Pat Younger, National Treasurer, EAmonn Dennehy, ASTI, Padraic O'Doherty, RSTA and Padraic Murphy, ASTI

Front: Kieran Christie, ASTI General Secretary, Susie Hall, RSTA President, Geraldine O'Brien, ASTI President.

Upcoming Activities in RSTA Clare Branch

Branch Email: rstaclarebranch@gmail.com.

Branch Secretary:  Mary Carroll

Branch Christmas Lunch 2023

Wednesday 6th December at 1.30 pm in the Old Ground Hotel, Ennis.

RSTA Midland Branch

Branch Email: rstamidlandbranch@gmail.com.

TRIP TO ISTANBUL AND ANCIENT TURKEY - APRIL 14th to 21st 2024

On April 14th 2024 (nothing like planning ahead!) we head off to explore Istanbul and Ancient Turkey with The Travel Department.  Full details on Travel Department website.

I have secured a discount of €80 per person on the published price.  Please contact me re booking to avail of discount.

Thank you.

Rosemary Kiernan, Midland RSTA.

Email: kiernanrm45@gmail.com.      Phone: 087 7589287

Report on Trip to South Africa - Rosemary Kiernan

View more photos of the trip here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLSnfHS

On September 20th RSTA members and friends headed off with The Travel Department to South Africa.  We visited Cape Town, Table Mountain, the wine regions, got marooned in quaint Arniston, swam in the Indian Ocean, chatted to penguins on Boulder Beach, ate wonderful food, met lovely travel companions but Kariega Safari Park, for me, was the highlight. Four days immersed in nature as God intended.  Big shout out to rangers Amber and Rachel who brought us up close and personal with amazing wildlife, arranged surprises like coffee on safari, boat trip, ponchos in the rain (useless . . . we were soaked through!) and were so knowledgeable and passionate about the wildlife in Kariega.  Thank you Amber and Rachel!

South Africa is a beautiful place to visit, it exceeded my expectations.

Report on Branch Trip to Montenegro - April 2023

Rosemary Kiernan writes  . . . . .

"Paradise is a place called Montenegro.  We have this on good authority from fourteen RSTA members, friends and family who travelled there recently . . . . ."       Read the full report of the trip here: Montenegro_Trip_Report.pdf

Report on trips to Greece and Austria 2022

The intrepid travellers of the branch enjoyed two trips abroad earlier this year, to Greece and Austria. Click on the links below to read reports of their trips and view their holiday photos:

Reports on branch trips: Reports_Greece__Austrian_Trips.pdf

Click the link for more photos of Midland Branch Trips: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLSnfHS