EDITOR – I was appalled by the call by the Independent Ireland Party for a minute’s silence in the Dáil to mark the murder of United States citizen, Charlie Kirk.

I unreservedly condemn his killing and decry the lack of gun control in that country, which to me was a contributory factor in his death. I fail to understand why Independent Ireland or indeed anyone would wish to honour someone whose extremist views are anathema to the vast majority of Irish people.

Has Deputy Collins or his party ever called for a minute’s silence to the slaughter in Gaza, or the unknown thousands of babies discovered in mass graves in the mother and baby homes in Tuam, or elsewhere? Or, for that matter, the victims of countless school shootings in the United States?

This, to my mind, is hollow grandstanding, pandering to the politics of Donald Trump and his supporters who are turning the United States from a bedrock of democracy into a totalitarian state. Independent Ireland, please defend the victims of injustice both here and abroad that have no voice with a minute’s silence, and not this.

Eamonn Kirwan,

Innishannon.

Our reader is ‘appalled’ by the actions of the West Cork TD.

At Depaul, we see every facet of homelessness

EDITOR –   Depaul’s latest Impact Report, Breaking the Homelessness Cycle and Building Better Futures, shows both the scale of the challenge and the difference that’s possible. Last year, nearly 10,000 people turned to us for support. Behind those numbers are families, children, and individuals whose lives are being shaped by homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges.

The figures are striking. Our frontline teams delivered more than 50,000 keyworking sessions in 2024, the highest on record, as needs grew more complex than ever before. Our staff responded to 257 instances of suicidal ideation and 135 self-harm incidents, and over 700 individuals disclosed mental health concerns. These are not just statistics; they are evidence of a system buckling under the weight of unmet needs.

And yet, there is hope. Last year, over 1,000 people exited homelessness, our highest ever. That is proof of what we know to be true: homelessness is neither inevitable nor acceptable, and with the right support, people can and do move forward.

But, the crisis continues to deepen. Over 2,400 children were supported in our services in 2024, many of them spending their formative years in emergency accommodation. Without urgent action, we risk condemning another generation to cycles of homelessness.

We are now at a tipping point. The upcoming Budget 2026 must be a defining moment. We urgently need coordinated, government-led action and need sustained investment in Housing First and housing-led solutions, stronger mental health and addiction supports, and urgent action to end the scandal of children growing up in emergency accommodation. Families must be put at the heart of Housing for All, and prevention schemes like tenant-in-situ must be expanded so children are not left without a home.

At Depaul, we will continue to meet people where they are, often at their lowest point, and help them rebuild. But we cannot do this alone. The solutions are clear; what’s needed is political will and sustained investment to deliver them.

David Carroll,

CEO, Depaul.

INTO calls for action in upcoming Budget 2026

EDITOR -  As the new school term begins in earnest, teachers and school leaders are growing increasingly concerned about the pressure facing our education system. In the programme for government, strong commitments were made to tackle the chronic underinvestment in primary education. With the first budget in a matter of weeks, we will soon see if they are prepared to honour the promises they made.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee, has insisted that her priority is to take all necessary action to tackle educational disadvantage and deliver a world class education system.

Our Children Our Future, the pre-budget submission produced by INTO, sets out the key strategic priorities through which government support in the upcoming budget would have a transformative impact on the delivery of primary and special education nationwide.

Schools face serious financial pressures, with many struggling to meet rising operational costs. The current capitation grant, set at €224 per pupil, falls short of what many schools need to operate. The INTO is calling for the government to increase the primary capitation grant by €75 per pupil.

Primary school class sizes in Ireland stand out as the largest in the European Union, averaging 22.5 children per class. The INTO is calling for the government to take decisive action on this issue to bring class sizes in line with the European Average of 19 pupils.

The INTO is also calling for the formal introduction of Special Educational Needs Coordinators, ring-fenced assistant principal leadership roles focussed on supporting schools in providing the best possible standard of education for pupils with additional needs, ensuring that our education system is truly inclusive and accessible to all.

Budget 2026 presents an opportunity for the government to follow through on their commitments and deliver positive change and progress through considered, informed action. Teachers across the country will be watching.

Anne Horan, INTO President