Opinion
What the rules are governing a carer pension
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Last week we looked at some of the changes coming down the line for the State pension (contributory). This week we look at the pension for caregivers. A Pensions Commission was established in November 2020 to examine the sustainability of the State pension system and the Social Insurance Fund, comprised …
Transforming those old houses into new homes
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON That term ‘property porn’, was new to me until it came up prior to the launch of TV architect Dermot Bannon’s new series of Room To Improve where he helps transform humdrum homes. Bannon admitted that he might be to blame for people feeling inadequate when they didn’t have …
At last, some good news for future pensioners
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR In a recent landmark announcement, the Government has revealed a series of significant changes to the State Pension (Contributory), promising flexibility and improved benefits for those aged 66 and above. The most striking development is the decision to maintain the State Pension Age at 66, contrary to recommendations from the …
Worried about Exams? Find Balance with Rescue
BY CLAIR WHITTY The mock exams are just around the corner, doesn’t time fly! This can be stressful and worrying for some of you. There are some things that you can do to help you feel more prepared. Having a study plan is important; start today if you haven’t already got one in place. Building …
Old Time Fun and Games
Part two BY JOHN FITZGERALD Miss Butler’s Team Spirit A woman who certainly made her mark in Callan was Miss Butler, who started the Minauns hurling and football teams in 1906. She was a sister of Colonel William Butler, who was also a great benefactor to the town. His granduncle, John Dunphy of Minauns, donated …
Misinformation in Healthcare – a long-standing issue
A chartered physiotherapist’s view By Paul Bolger. Chartered Physiotherapist. The Oxford Dictionary describes misinformation as “the dissemination of false information, either knowing it to be false (see disinformation), or unknowingly.” The EU and other bodies are scrambling to reduce its harmful effects via social media and messaging platforms. While many of us are aware of this issue in relation to our society …
Threats by malware and fraudsters on the rise
BY JOHN ELLIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR Ever hear of Industroyer? – one of the biggest malware threats to critical infrastructure of countries, or Stuxnet, a computer worm, discovered in June 2010, that was specifically written to take over certain programmable industrial control systems? Neither had I until I was doing some research and read a press …
The Ten Commandments for us seniors
FURTHERMORE By Gerry Moran I received the following ‘Ten Commandments for Seniors’ on my phone last week. Not sure I want to be receiving notifications like this but I guess ‘if the cap fits, wear it’. Also I’m not so sure they’re ‘commandments’ per se but, for what it’s worth, here they are: Talk …
Homeless: Should charity begin with the Church?
AS I SEE IT MARIANNE HERON Who would have thought a couple of years ago that our reputation as a friendly nation would be torched not on a bonfire of the vanities but on one of xenophobia and racism? The burning of the former Torchlight pub in Ringsend and the disused Ross Lakehouse Hotel, Co. …
It can take an age to now plan anything
THE FACT OF THE MATTER BY PAUL HOPKINS My eldest child, my only daughter, has the uncanny knack of second-guessing me. She recently asked me could I pick her up and drop her to the train station for the city. Her youngest girl would be napping at said time, under the watchful eye of her …
