June 2016 – RTAI CORK BLOG – Suíomh na Múinteoirí Scortha Chorcaí

Summer Meeting 2016

The summer meeting of our branch was held at Oriel House on Saturday June 11th 2016.

Our Choir opened the proceedings with a beautiful rendition of “How can I keep from Singing” and the ever-popular “Song for Ireland”. (The Choir is now on summer break, and will be welcoming new members in September).

About 120 members were present at the meeting. We are grateful to INTO Districts 12 and 16 for subsidising the cost of the wonderful meal. We welcomed Mr. John Driscoll CEC rep District 12, Ms. Emma Dineen, past President INTO and Ms. Kathleen Lowney, acting Chairperson District 12.

The meeting was addressed by Mr. Billy Sheehan, President of RTAI.

The most recent Comhnasc has news in relation to many pertinent issues. Billy brought us up to date on these and other issues.

A summary of the points addressed by Billy is given below:

Public Sector Pension Reduction – restoration scales up to and including 2018.

RETIRED BEFORE MARCH 2012 – PENSION UNDER €34,132

From 1-1-2017 €26,000 exempt from PSPR
From 1-1-2018 €34,132 exempt from PSPR

RETIRED BEFORE MARCH 2012 – PENSION OVER €34,132

There will be a reduction in the amount of PSPR to be paid.

RETIRED SINCE 1 MARCH 2012 – PENSION UNDER €32,250

Nil payable at present

RETIRED SINCE 1 MARCH 2012 – PENSION OVER €32,500

PSPR payable since July 2013
1 January 2018 – nil payable

PLEASE CHECK YOUR OWN SITUATION WITH D.E.S. OR RTAI HEAD OFFICE, AS THIS IS A GENERAL RECAP OF THE FIGURES GIVEN.

OTHER MATTERS:

Since 29th April 2016 all those teaching in schools must be vetted by the National Vetting Bureau. A declaration that vetting is pending will no longer suffice.
Teaching Council website
For volunteer work Circular 63/2010 still applies.
VHI DEDUCTIONS – it is essential to complete and return the authorisation form for deduction at source. From January 1st 2017 the DES will only continue deductions for those retirees who have signed the Authorisation form.
MED 1 form for 2015. If you were refunded less than you expected for 2015, this could be because 2015 had a FORTNIGHT 27 in the tax year. If this applies to you, you should contact the Revenue Office telling them that Fortnigt 27 applies in your case. (This occurs in a year when the 1st of January and 31st December fall on a Thursday).

Pension parity/Peer Link. The RTAI and INTO continue to fight for the payment of the benchmark award to Principals and Deputy Principals.
The legal status of the Association needs to be established. This is being undertaken at present.
A Solidarity Fund has been established by the Association.
A survey of members in relation to Comhnasc is being undertaken.
The RTAIreland website is due to be reconstructed, following the survey of members.

Pictured at the summer meeting in Oriel House

Front Row L-R: Clare Bradley (Treasurer), Kathleen Lowney (D12), Marie Dennehy (Secretary), Billy Sheehan (General Secretary) Velda Ó Brádaigh (Cathaoirleach), Emma Dineen (outgoing President INTO), John Driscoll (CEC, D12).

Back row L-R: Committee members, Pádraig Ó Conaill, Derry Keogh, Mags McCarthy, Marian O’Callaghan, Frank Tobin, Seán Radley. (Photo: Bridie O’ Brien).

Tech-talk! Social media awareness for Seniors.

A most informative, interesting and pertinent talk was given to our members, by our members in April 2016.

In response to a demand for help with social media, committee members Seán Radley and Marian O’Callaghan gave an excellent presentation to a large group of members, at Oriel House, Ballincollig.

Those attending had various levels of skill in IT, and the presentation catered for all, with ample scope for questions from the floor. From e-mail to Twitter via Facebook, Instagram et al, we were helped to navigate our way around our devices with advice on the benefits and possible pitfalls along the way.

All in all, it was a most helpful talk. For many attending, it whet the appetite for more. Due to the positive response, Seán and Marian are looking into putting on Cuid a dó in the autumn.

3RTAI Cork Branch 2016 — Enjoying a cuppa while passing on more tips!

2RTAI Cork Branch 2016 — “Beginners and experts”, ye know who ye are 😉

BLUES at Wilton Library – catch it before it’s gone!

On Monday 20th June, a small group of interested RTAI Cork members and friends visited BLUES the Dyeing, Patchwork and Quilting exhibition at the Bishopstown Library, Wilton Shopping Centre.

The exhibition on show is the work of a group of local craftswomen: Mary Palmer, Moya Geraghty, Kay O’Sullivan, Ailbhe O’Callaghan and Margaret Walsh (Mags). Each piece is unique, and the styles in the work reflect the individual taste and talent of each member of the group.

We were fortunate to have Mags Walsh, RTAI Cork member, to guide us and to explain the techniques that were used in the process from start to finished work-of-art.

Most of the fabric is dyed by the members themselves. The impetus for the current exhibition came from a dyeing workshop, a year previously, when the members learned the practice of Japanese dyeng called Shibori. The dye used is obtained from the indigo plant. For further information on Japanese dyeing processes, see the Wikipedia link here.

When the fabrics had been dyed, the quilters took inspiration from the patterns produced, and incorporated them into some of their quilts.

The exhibition includes other techniques of patchwork; traditional and contemporary. Some patterns have amusing names, such as the Drunkard’s Path!

Some quilts are small – suitable as wall hangings, but the majority on show are full-sized quilts which will no doubt become family heirlooms for future generations.

Click on the images for a larger view.

Having Mags to explain how the pieces were assembled, highlighted for us the painstaking work involved in each one. However, she also brought along some smaller pieces, to encourage us to “start small.”

Q.Mags.demo — Mags showing us a smaller piece, for starters!

Q.group — The RTAI visitors with Mags Walsh.

If you couldn’t attend on the 20th, it’s not too late!

The exhibition runs until 29th June 2016.

Click Bishopstown Library for more information on upcoming events.

Musheramore Ramble

On Wednesday 15th June the Ramblers headed for the hills again. This time it was to Musheramore, in Millstreet Country Park. The Ramble was led by local guide Denis O’Mahony. Walking conditions were pleasant, with just the odd shower. The first photo below is of one of three holy wells on the mountain.

At the summit, there is a cairn of stones, topped by a cross. The summit is at 644m altitude.

Maith sibh a chairde! Nár laga Dia sibh!

Thanks to Helen Waide and Pádraig Keating for the photos.

Interesting Mobile Phone Offer from Three

RTAI Cork has received an offer of a choice of mobile phone packages from Three. These are exclusive to the Education Sector:

Monthly tarriff:

€28.91 – unlimited calls and texts to all mobiles, unlimited landlines, 5GB data, choice of free Smartphone, 100 international minutes plus 100 international texts.

€46.00 – unlimited calls and texts to all mobiles, unlimited landlines, 7GB data, free iPhone 5S 16GB, 100 international minutes plus 100 international texts.

€19.99– unlimited calls and texts to all mobiles, unlimited landlines, 5GB data – SIM only ( no free Smartphone)

A full range of Smartphones to choose from, including the

Huawei Ascend G7, reduced to €29

and Huawei P8 for €49

Friends and family of RTAI members may avail of the offer.

Please call 01-2021662 to enquire. This offer is exclusive and not available in any Three stores.

Click HERE for more details about the Education Mobile Phone Offer.