A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Counselling service for abuse victims reports increase in calls
Last year was the busiest ever for the phone-based free counselling service Connect since it came into existence in 2006. It received 10,000 calls in 2010, a 25 per cent increase on the 2009 figure. The State-funded service provides phone-based out of hours professional counselling to people who suffered abuse as children, their partners and/or relatives.
A total of 31,835 calls have been made to the service since 2006, with 22.8 per cent of these (7,256) unanswered, according to its first ever service report published yesterday.
The service is available from 6pm to 10pm, Wednesday to Sunday, every week. Connect is available at 1800 477 477.
Tech chief to chair education body
The chairman of technology group LM Ericsson has been appointed chairman of the Higher Education Authority. John Hennessy will take up his role as non- executive chairman next Monday for five years.
Mr Hennessy comes to the authority as its role is set to be expanded in line with the recommendations of the recent Hunt report, which also recommended a cut in its 21-member board.
Acting chairwoman Dr Mary Canning said: "Mr Hennessy brings a wealth of experience to the HEA . . .
"His appointment is especially welcome in this time of great opportunity and challenge for higher education and research."
Croke Park deal savings go public
Details of cash savings and costs avoided under the provisions of the Croke Park agreement are to be published on a new website, to be announced today, writes Martin Wall.
The new website of the Croke Park Implementation Body will also set out quarterly reports on progress made under the deal and detail improved and reformed services and internal efficiencies produced.
The Government has maintained that the greatest achievement of the agreement to date has been that services have been maintained and, in some cases, expanded despite very significant reductions in pay and resources.
Gardaí seek relatives of Dublin woman
Gardaí are seeking the assistance of the public in tracing the relatives of a woman who died at the Mater hospital on January 7th. Rita Keppell (78), of Church Road, East Wall, had resided in the area all her life, working at Cahill Printers for a time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Store Street Garda station on 01-666 8000.