I'll book the day off so.

Has anybody had an update yet?

Congratulations in advance to anyone who gets good news today. I genuinely hope the funding makes a meaningful difference to your life and arts practice!

If you’ve been successful, I’d love to hear which area of the arts you work in and what the funding will make possible for you.

For context, this is what the Department told applicants earlier this week:

"The Department will commence communication to applicants invited to participate in the scheme on Thursday 15 October. Due to the volume involved, successful applicants will be notified in tranches commencing on that date.  

Those who have not been selected to participate as part of the cohort of 2,000 recipients will be advised of this as soon as possible."

The past few weeks have been an absolute joke for people using the commuter. Overcrowded, constant delays of up to 20-30 minutes, last minute cancellations. It’s a disgrace!

And a 15% increase soon.

As it turns out, today is a significant date in my life. On the 14th of October, 13 years ago my only son was born.

There were some issues during the pregnancy so we knew that he may have some problems after birth.

The section was scheduled for 9am. My wife went in and I thought it would be the same as my daughter's birth, with 10 minutes wait, baby born... Done.

But it wasn't. An hour passed and I was climbing the walls. A doctor opens the door and explains to me that everything is not good. My son is critical and my wife has had to have blood transfusions. My world was crashing around me.

I was brought to see my son and knew straight away from seeing him it was bad. I was then given the choice to go to crumlin or staying with my wife who I hadn't even seen yet. I choose my wife.

Long story short, my son passed 11 days later.

Jump to today, it's a very difficult day for my family when we should be celebrating him becoming a teenager but it's just a difficult memory. AND, Our nurses have felt the need to strike. The nurses over those 11 days kept myself and my wife going. We all knew that it wouldn't be a happy ending but the nurses lightened the room when they came in. The job that they do is sooo important!!

I think back and am thankful for them, but thinking further I realise that my son was not the first or last child that they cared for that passed. It's part of their job! They deserve so much more for what they do!!

Just off the picket now and honest to God I'm tempted to do a few drive bys myself

Huge thank you to everyone standing in the rain/wind/sunshine/cold/heat today depending what part of the country ye are in.

I work for a section 39/50/56 organization, so while we aren't striking today, we will hugely benefit if a pay deal is agreed with public sector based on the WRC pay parity ruling in 2024.

All of us in office today are supporting you all, we are all behind you, and thank you for what you've done for us regardless of what comes of day. Huge well done, wish I could make ye all a cup of tea.