Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 26 Sep 2022
THERE HAS BEEN a widespread welcome for a move that will see the State provide free school books for all primary school students from next September.
It’s understood the initiative will be announced tomorrow as part of Budget 2023 and comes following years of lobbying by parents’ groups and charities.
Unlike once-off cost-of-living measures to combat the energy crisis, the school books initiative is to be a permanent measure, with €47 million allocated for the scheme next year.
Education Minister Norma Foley is expected to officially announce the school books plan tomorrow and will also confirm a 1 point reduction in the average pupil teacher ratio to 23:1.
Responding to the news this morning, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance Tanya Ward said free school book will make a real difference to many children.
“Free school books was a big part of the #NoChild2020 campaign. Government committed to a pilot then. This Budget will make it national so all children can benefit,” she tweeted.
Ward added that free school books was “the norm in Europe and in Northern Ireland” and is a “significant measure” to assist in the battle against child poverty.
Opposition parties have consistently called for a free school books scheme, with Labour saying in June that an emergency cost-of-living budget should include the measure.
Sinn Féin published a Dáil motion to cut back-to-school costs in July which noted that a free school books scheme has been in operation in Northern Ireland since 1947.
Speaking today, Labour’s education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD said: “Proud of our Labour campaign for free school books which we’ve consistently called for every budget cycle. We’ve put this measure at the top of the education agenda and it’s finally coming to fruition. We’ll wait to see the details tomorrow but this is a positive move.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Netflix is the biz! Google “unblock” and use this to change the IP address whilst watching Netflix on your browser and you get the American version which has way more content. Simples!
Not only the U.S one.. Check out Sweden/Norway one as their licensing laws are completely different.. They have loads of gems on there.. UnblockUS is the shizzle..
Good Man Patrick
Xbmc
Lads im finding it very hard to unblock.can someone explain in detail.
I’m sure there is a step by step guide on the site stephen..
Their library is very limited. A friend summed it up best by saying “It’s full of stuff you wouldn’t even rent”
I presume you are referring to the Irish / UK Library which is extremely limited. I typically use the US / Canada library. A lot of movies just coming to Sky On Demand are already in there. It could be better I admit but I still find a hidden gem to watch,
I find the UK/Ireland service better for movies and the US service better for TV shows..
One wonders about TV licence
It’ll be renamed a media licence, which every house will no doubt have to pay. TV or not
I expect you’re right Stephen. Question then is… what’s the justification behind the licence fee monies going to rte if most people are now using other media to access content produced elsewhere?
It won’t make any difference it’s still rubbish
Netflix the business.so much content for 7 € a month
Pay for this or download for free?
App is free, you pay for the service. And well worth it it’s is too! (especially if you have access to the US one using a VPN…)
Yes I know you pay for the service and not for the app.
Ill still unashamedly download everything I can for free.
Is is possible to use a VPN on a smart tv? Can’t seem to change the ip address on it so wondering if VPN will work?
You may be able to VPN your network through your router
Nice attitude to life you have there John it’s people like you that ruin the music / movies industry. It’s the smaller labels that suffer in the end.
They make enough money.
Not sure what type of TV you have, but search for US Unblock. They have the details there.
Hi Elizabeth
You can change your DNS settings in your TV setup to that of a IP redirecting service. There are several services out there [unblock-us.com being one I regularly use] .€3 euro a month and I can direct my internet traffic from all or some of my devices to a US IP. I can then gain access to the US content. of Netflix. I can also access some free US on demand services from tv stations.
B
Excuse me good chap, but I am computer illiterate. How do I get the u.s.a netflix. Explain in detail as I am quite high and uneducated sadly. Much appreciated
Oh Brian I wish you were here to do that for me im no good with computers all I know what to do with them is turn them on and watch porn hehe :)
John Murphy free things are always better and ruining the music industry I think you can thank the likes of Simon Cowell for that
Wayne, you must be on drugs!!!
It’s godawful!!!!
Nope, I love it. I don’t have satellite or cable and I very rarely watch the channels I do have because there is so much to watch on Netflix (especially with the US one)
I have an Apple TV, and I love how I am able to start watching a program on that and then continue it on my iPhone/iPad when I travel if I don’t have time to finish it at home.
Your need to change the DNS part of the network settings to those unblock-us needs. They have good how to guides. Details should be in your Smart TV User Guide or just google it.
Most labels make hardly any money John.
Guys thanks for all your responses, I see if I can make any of them work, fingers crossed.
Netflix have us by the balls. Torrent sites getting shut down daily. I lived in the great noughties to 2013! Just like free love of the 70′s… We are a major part of history, yet few realise/ appreciate it
Netflix sucks.
Filmon.tv and alluc.org both are freepence.
Letmewatchthis is great as well
I went on the alluc.org site and the asked for my email address and credit card, is that safe
Try hola app on you smartphone or tab or tap it into your browser unlocks Netflix US
have your say