Language workshops
The Dublin School of Drama and Communications is offering a range of classes for both children and adults looking to develop public speaking, confidence, and performative abilities.
Elocution classes, vocal training and public speaking and communications classes are all on offer, as well as children’s group drama, roleplays and various other workshops. For more information visit: www.speechdramadublin.com.
As well as this, lingotot offers children the chance to learn French or Spanish in a fun, friendly and relaxed environment using an award-winning methodology. Classes are lively and interactive, but are based entirely on educational research. The activities are designed to expose the children to new sounds and vocabulary in an engaging and child-centred way.
Terms last four to ten weeks and each class lasts between 30-50 minutes depending on the age group. Classes are limited to small numbers to allow for quality time with the tutor. For more information, contact ireland@lingotot.com.
Plans to cut carbon emissions in NI
The BBC reported that ideas to reduce carbon emissions from homes, businesses, transport and power sectors went out to public consultation last Wednesday.
It comes as Northern Ireland begins to formulate plans to deal with the climate challenge.
NI is heavily reliant on fossil fuels in many ways, but the plans announced last week aim to cut carbon emissions from energy use to near-zero.
It will mean more renewables, higher energy efficiency in homes, an end to petrol and diesel cars and a move to clean power sources like hydrogen.
Among the proposals is a new target of generating 70% of electricity from renewables by 2030.
However, the scope is much wider than power generation alone, and will affect how people get around and heat their homes as well.
The ideas are in the Economy Department’s Energy Strategy, which aims to set future policy in the area and goes out to public consultation until June 30.
Covid spending to soar to €28 billion by the end of 2021
The total cost of Covid-19 related spending to the State across 2020 and 2021 is estimated to reach €28 billion by the end of this year. This comes following comments made by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Addressing the Institute of International and European Affairs last week, Minister Michael McGrath said the deficit for the year is expected to be similar to 2020’s €19 billion.
“It is entirely appropriate that we have acted to support the economy in these circumstances, and this has been greatly assisted by the approach taken by the European Central Bank in its response to the pandemic,” the minister said.
He said that the Government will try to restore the public finances to a sustainable trajectory and ensure the country doesn’t become an outlier as it emerges from the pandemic.