Kildare Branch

Branch Email: rstakildarebranch@gmail.com

Kildare Branch Christmas Lunch 2024

REMINDER:  RSTA National Conferrence 2025 - 29th April to 1st May.

Full details for booking accommodation and events are available in the latest RSTA Newsletter and on the Home page of this website.

This year's conference takes place in the beautiful and historic city of Kilkenny in the Ormonde Hotel.  We encourage to our members to take the opportunity to treat yourselves to a spring break and avail of the opportunity to take an active part in the Conference.  All members of RSTA are entitled to attend the  Conference and related activities and to take full part in discussions and nominations to the National Committee.  Election of our branch voting delegates and proposals for motions for Conference will be discussed at the next branch meeting.  (Details to follow.)

Listening Volunteers needed in Cork.

Cork ARC Cancer Support House are looking for compassionate, enthusiastic and committed people who are willing to spare some of their free time to help in our Drop-in Centres in Bantry and Cork city.  This is a vital service where those affected by cancer, their families and friends can call in or ring in confidence to one of our trained volunteers in a relaxed atmosphere.  If you would like to make a real difference, please call Trisha on 021 4276688 or email trisha@corkcancersupport.ie

Launch of RSTA Members Handbook

A new RSTA Members Handbook was launched at the 2024 Annual Conference in Wexford.

For members the Handbook provides an overvew of RSTA, its origin, policies and structures.

For branch officers the Handbook is an invaluable resource providing the guidance and information required in the exercise of their various roles in the branch.

Copies of the Hanbook were distributed to the branch delegates at Conference and will be made available to new members on registration.

The handbook is available to view download and print here.

Waterford RSTA branch are planning a trip "retracing the final journeys of Irish soldiers and others who died in World War 1." The branch has invited members in other branches who may be interested to join them. Niamh Crowley of the Waterford branch has written:

"The trip is being organised by Gerry Moore, a History teacher, who retired from Glenties Community School a year ago.  I know Gerry from the History Teachers' Association of Ireland and he has been involved in several very innovative projects with students and teachers exploring the memory of Irish soldiers who fought in World War 1, including the My Adopted Soldier project which was featured on Nationwide on RTE.  The arrangements for the trip are being made by Gerry Bergin of The School Tour Company."

You can signal your interest by sending and email to: crowniamh2@gmail.com

Full details of the trip including itinerary and costs are included in the following link: WW1_trip-1.pdf

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

UPCOMING EVENTS September-December 2025

Presentation by Padraig Comerford, former regional Manager of NPWS

Date:  Thursday 13th November at 10.30 am.

Title: Ireland's Species and Habitats.

Venue: The Club House Hotel, Patrick Street, Kilkenny

Time: 10.30 am coffee/tea & biscuits.  Talk at 10.50 am

This will be followed by our AGM at approx 12.15 pm

Wednesday 3rd December: Christmas Lunch in Newpark Hotel at 1 pm

To book your plkace please contact Joan at rstakilkennybranch@gmail.com

Activities in RSTA Tipperary Branch

Branch Email: rstatipperarybranch@gmail.com.

Branch Secretary:  Maureen McHugh

View Branch Photos:  https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAwcss

Report - Branch Summer Outing May 2025 - Swiss Cottage, Cahir.

Members gathered in glorious sunshine in Cahir for a visit to the Swiss Cottage. Designed by the eminent Regency architect, John Nash, this cottage 'orne' was part of a European fashion on the part of the aristocracy to live the 'simple, rural life' - with servants in the backgrtound of course!

The tour was followed by a leisurely afternoon tea in Cahir House Hotel.

 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.

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