A pay deal for principals offered by the Department of Education, and worth between €500 and €1,250 a year, has been rejected by the unions

Prior to this year's Poetry Now International Festival in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, teacher and editor Niall MacMonagle will give a pre-festival talk on why he thinks that poetry matters …

The Judge in the case of ex-principal Rita Fitzgerald of Carnew, Co Wicklow, has ruled that she was constructively dismissed from St Mary's CBS, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

The National Parents Council (NPC) has called for an end to the €90 fee to sit the Junior Cert exam.

Microsoft has announced the creation of 100 jobs in a new research and development centre. Staff will be recruited for the new European product development centre over the next two years.

The status of the Irish language within the EU looks as if it is about to change. Irish officials are now confident that within weeks it will become an official and working language of the European Union.

Kilfinane National School, Co Limerick, has had to close for a couple of days pending work being carried out by Rentokil.

Leaving Cert students are opting for the security of careers such as teaching and nursing rather than high-risk careers such as business and law, according to the latest CAO statistics.

A survey reveals that, while Co Leitrim may have the smallest population in the country, it tops the poll in the numbers of 17-19 year olds it sends to college. At 75 per cent, it is well above the national average.

Senior figures in the universities have expressed anger at the manner in which the vacancy for chairperson of the Higher Education Authority has been filled.

Professor Gerry Wrixon is to be allowed to continue his presidency at UCC for another four years after he reaches normal retirement age in May. The university's governing body has approved changes to internal statutes to allow for the extension.

A survey carried out by two groups of principals has found that the decrease in applications for vacant principalships in recent years is mainly due to a perception that the job involves an excessive workload coupled with inadequate salary increases.

The Double Vision Conference, to be held in the Arts Block, University College Dublin from Fri 18 to Sun 20 March, aims to address the changing face of Irish society, highlighting issues relating to Ireland's historical and contemporary minorities.

Rita Fitzgerald, ex-principal of St. Mary's CBS, Enniscorthy, was in court on 4 March to fight for her reinstatement in her job.

An exhibition on Bulgaria opened on 9 March 2005 in the offices of the European Commission Representation in Ireland.

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The fourth annual GlA(?r St. Patrick's Festival will take place from 16 to 20 March. This year's children's festivities coincide with the Ennis Parade and provide day-long entertainment for families in Ennis.

This year, Poetry Now (PN05) will celebrate 10 years as one of the foremost Irish & International festivals devoted solely to poetry.

The Sixth Annual Irish Educational Technology Users' Conference will be held in Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology, 26-27 May.

Postgraduate Open Day at Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) will take place on Wed 6 April in DIT Aungier Street, Dublin 2, between 12 and 7pm.