September Update 2019
Greetings all in Laois RTAI,
Hope all enjoying September (Back to school month),
Just reminding you that the next Laois RTAI event is the GOLF OUTING in ROSCREA GOLF CLUB on this FRIDAY 27th of SEPTEMBER (organised by Mary McCarthy and Catherine Lorigan).This will take the usual format a 3 person scramble.Theres no need to book in, just turn up at Roscrea Golf Club(on Borris-in-Ossory side of Roscrea town) by 11am when tea/coffee & scones will be served before setting off. The entry fee is €20 inc. tea/coffee to be paid to Mary or Catherine and lunch/dinner (not free) will be available in the clubhouse after the outing. Friends,partners also welcome to participate.
A few of our members are heading to The Gate Theatre in Dublin on Wednesday 9th October for a matinee production of The Beacon by Nancy Harris and would very much welcome other members to come along. This drama is part of this year’s Dublin Theatre Festival and is highly recommended. The matinee commences at 2.30pm and if you are interested in attending on that day book your tickets online or contact Mary McCarthy (087-2221490).
Also a highly recommended theatrical production is Crowman with Jon Kenny giving a solo performance. This has been very successful in Dublin and around the country and comes to our local theatre The Dunamase in Portlaoise on Thursday 10th October with an 8pm start and admission of €20.
We had a small turn-out at our September Social Meeting in Emo Court -all met for tea/coffee/etc and then a few members took the opportunity of a free guided tour of the house which was very interesting and informative. We return to our default venue and time for our October Social Meeting on Tuesday 1st of October (just a week away) the Maldron Hotel Portlaoise at 2.30pm. If anyone has better ideas for a venue please advise or suggest as recent changes in the Maldron do not really suit our needs ( eg Quiz etc.) and we may change for future months or if anyone has ideas even for one-off venues around the county.
Our AGM will take place in early December and I have had suggestions re. A Christmas Dinner (with some subsidy) in a Portlaoise Hotel after the Meeting rather than the usual after meeting lunch in the Education Centre. If anyone has any thoughts on the subject please let us know.
Also I am going to set up a Whats App Group for Laois RTAI which will be in addition to (not replacing) e-mail correspondence.If you wish to join this group please whats app me your phone number with a request to be included. This might be very helpful in relation to events, bereavements, reminders, suggestions etc.
On Thursday last 19th September I attended the RTAI Secretaries Conference in the Gresham Hotel. Ex President Sheelagh Coyle from Laois Branch and Executive member Mary McCarthy also attended.
The latest news is the increase in the pensions (in September) for those who retired since March 2012 as we retain our parity with serving teachers.The RTAI is still active in campaigning for continuation of parity beyond the current agreement.Also it was noted that in the DES Circular 44/2019 that for the first time retired teachers have been acknowledged with the following ‘’ The resource provided to schools by retired teachers is critical given the challenge some schools are currently facing to recruit’’ The new substitute daily rate is €191.63
Laois RTAI extends sympathy to Phil O Brien (ex Clonaghadoo N.S.) on the death of her sister Patty Phelan R.I.P. of Rushin ,Mountrath who died in early September.
Sean Mullaney (Runai RTAI Laoise 2019) rtailaois@gmail.com 087-6324547
(Laois website www.rtailaois.com Administrator paddybates42@gmail.com)
Laois Branch RTAI (RTAI Laoise) is a constituent branch of the Retired Teachers Association of Ireland (R.T.A.I.) having its registered office at Vere Foster House, 35 Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
(Vere Foster House eircode DO1 ET 35 Phone 01-2454130 Web www.rtaireland.ie e-mail info@rtaireland.ie )