Saving Guthrie cards: Monaghan County Council yesterday passed a motion calling on the Government not to destroy over one million Guthrie cards for samples taken under the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme or heel prick test. The Government intends to destroy all the screening cards between 1984 and 2002 after March 31st on foot of a ruling from the Data Protection Commissioner that the retention of such cards is in breach of privacy regulations.
IBD resources: A parents group set up to represent the interests of over 450 children suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in Ireland has sought urgent resources for children suffering with Crohn’s and colitis. Ahead of its first meeting on March 9th, Gutsy Kids has asked for additional nursing resources and a dedicated children’s ward in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin with facilities for inpatients suffering with chronic IBD flare-ups.
Youth work: Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald yesterday launched the National Quality Standards for Volunteer-led Youth Groups in St Andrew’s Resource Centre, Pearse St, Dublin. She also launched a ‘Route Map’ to support volunteers and staff. It is estimated that volunteer-led clubs and youth groups support over 100,000 young people in Ireland. Ms Fitzgerald described volunteer youth work as “the bedrock of the youth work sector”.