Friday, 25 April 2025

Road Safety Reimagined initiative highlights ‘deadly consequences’ of distracted driving

More than 1,000 third-level students across Ireland, including students from University of Galway, engaged in a potentially lifesaving project as part of the Road Safety Reimagined initiative, highlighting the lifelong and potentially devastating impact of a moment’s distraction behind the wheel.  Research from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in 2023 found that nearly one in 10 Irish drivers have been caught using their phones while driving.   In response, Road Safety Reimagined tasked students from University of Galway, University of Limerick, South East Technological University, Maynooth University and University College Cork to reimagine road safety through contemporary marketing concepts and develop solutions to positively impact driving behaviour.  The initiative was led by University of Limerick and An Garda Síochána, with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris presented awards for the top entries from each participating university as well as the winners of the overall prize and special categories.  The winning University of Galway entry centred on the tagline “SHOULD’VE stayed focused, WOULD’VE stayed safe, COULD’VE been avoided”, encouraging passengers to be a co-pilot and act responsibly to avoid distractions while travelling with a driver.  Bearing the striking tagline ‘Worst passenger? Your phone’, the overall winning concept by UL students highlights the dangers of using a phone while driving, taking a driver’s eyes, hands and focus away from the road.  Speaking at the event, Commissioner Drew Harris said: “Road Safety Reimagined provides a great opportunity for so many students to engage with such an important topic, and one which is so relevant to you all gathered here in this room.   “It opens up conversations around road safety and helps us to reach those who often struggle to connect with this key message. Too often we see tragedy on the roads, and so, anything we can do to prevent this from happening An Garda Síochána is glad to support.   “Engaging these talented young people in devising a marketing campaign around road safety which is aimed at their peers was a novel idea, and to see this initiative go from strength to strength is a credit to all those involved.   “This work provides us with such valuable insights and showcases the great many creative and innovative ways we can connect with those most at risk on our roads.”  Ends 

Friday, 16 December 2022

All eligible University of Galway full time and part time hourly payscales have been updated in line with the provisions of Building Momentum - A New Public Service Agreement 2021-22. Specifically the following increases have been implemented: - With effect from  02nd February 2022, payscales received a 3% increase - With effect from 01st October 2022- payscales received a further 1% increase or €500, whichever is greater  We are still awaiting sanction for the implementation of FEMPI restoration wef 1st July 2022 (save for a limited number of pay scales). Therefore there are no changes to those grades\pensions for now. See paragraph 1.3 in the above link for more details. Further advice will be issued for these grades in due course.

Monday, 24 April 2023

We have been asked to bring to your attention the fact that Secondment Expression of Interest Notices has been issued for the Public Service Transformation Division of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.  Expressions of interest are invited from across all sectors of the Public Service, including higher education, and across a number of grades.  Notices are available directly at the following link, and DPENDR and DFHERIS would very much appreciate your support in circulating to your staff.   The closing date for applications is 2nd May, and we understand the notices issued on Friday 14th April.