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.

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 2025

February - date to be decided:  Outing to the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve. (Car Pooling.)

Other events being planned - a CPR course, A history talk (We are awaiting confirmation from speaker), a book club.

RSTA National Conference: April 29th - May 1st. Ormond Hotel Kilkenny.

Early booking is advisable. Details in the RSTA Newsletter and the Home page of this website.

May 2025:  A visit to the Botanical Gardens, Kilmacurragh, Wicklow.

If you are interested in any of these events, contact Joan at the above email address.

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

Branch Email: rstaclarebranch@gmail.com.

Secretary:  Mary Carroll

Branch AGM was held on November 19th 2024.

Officers elected:  Chairperson: Helen Meade,  Vice-chair: Nora Liddy, Secretary: Mary Carroll, Treasurer: Marie Burke

RSTA Midland Branch

Branch Email: rstamidlandbranch@gmail.com.

View more photos of the trips below and other branch activities here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmLSnfHS

PROPOSED TRIP TO SLOVENIA AND THE GULF OF TRIESTE - May 9th 2025. 7 nights

Full details on the Travel Department website. 

Please contact Rosemary  Kiernan if you have any questions at 087 7589287

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

What an amazing trip! From Istanbul to Gallipoli, the legendary city of Troy and Kusadasai - and much more . . . . . .

Read the full report of the trip here: Branch_Visit_to_Istanbul_and_Ancient_Turkey_April_2024.pdf

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

REPORT ON TRIP TO SOUTH AFRICA -  2023 - 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.

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