Laois

The AGM of Laois Branch RTAI took place in the Laois Education Centre on Tuesday 11^th December (11.30).There were 28 members present. In the absence of Cathaoirleach John Mulhare (due to bereavement) Leas Cathaoirleach Mary Harte presided and welcomed all.

Before business votes of sympathy were passed with Sean Mullaney on the recent death of his sister Kathleen Mullaney-Lucey , Jean Treacy on the death of her mother Harriet Burke and Mary Fogarty on the death of her brother Gerry Ryan.

 The Runai (Sean Mullaney) read the minutes of the 2017 AGM and the minutes of the last meeting Summer 2018-no matters arising.

The Runai then gave a brief review of the years activities-Social Meetings,Table Quiz,Golf Outings,Theatre Trips ,Scrabble Mornings,Tour of Lake District (with RTAI Galway).

The Secretary/Treasurer then presented the Financial Report for Sept. 2017 to August 2018 (RTAI Financial Year) showing a balance of € 1780.

 Current RTAI President Sheelagh Coyle gave a very comprehensive  executive report covering issues such as

-Pension tax (only now paid by small number over € 39000 income)

– Pension/salary parity and recent increases

-Branch Funding -review underway

– Recruitment -big improvement nationally

– Teachers and sub INTO contribution from salary

– Household benefits for over 70s

-Counselling Services

-Travel Insurance

-Bursaries available

-INTOs first congress commemoration

-Carysford College History

-Membership Plus Card dis-continuation

Mary Harte thanked Sheelagh and again congratulated her on her achievement in becoming National President and wished her all the best for rest of her term.

 Mary McCarthy (RTAI District Rep) spoke on Social matters and possibilities for 2019

• Trip to Abbey Theatre in January
• Trip to York
• Golf Rathdowney March
• Scrabble mornings

 The election of officers then took place with all officers returned unopposed as follows.

Cathaoirleach:   John Mulhare

Leas Cathaoirleach:   Mary Harte

Runai/Cisteoir:    Sean Mullaney

Leas Runai:    Mary Dooley

Auditors:  Joe Hickey & Anne Curtin.