Talks

11:00, Main Hall

Join Brent Pope and Prof. Barbara Dooley for an informative discussion on how to start conversations and challenge stigma around mental health in the workplace,  looking after ourselves, and watching out for colleagues. 

Brent Pope is one of Ireland’s best known and respected media personalities and a highly accomplished business, motivational and after-dinner speaker, particularly in the area of wellbeing and wellness.  He runs his own successful clothing business, POPE, and is a dedicated charity worker and a proud ambassador to many leading Irish charities, especially those linked to youth and mental health issues. Brent was also the founder and curator of the ‘Outside In Art Gallery’. Brent is a very popular speaker and is not afraid to share his own experiences suffering with anxiety to help others.  

Barbara Dooley, is UCD Acting Registrar and Deputy President. She is a Professor of Psychology, an active researcher and supervisor. Barbara was Director of Research for Headstrong (now Jigsaw) - The National Centre for Youth Mental Health from 2008-2015. Her field of research is on the application of psychological theory and methodology to a range of priority mental health areas such as risk and protective factors in youth mental health, body-image research, alcohol and eating disorders.

We would like to acknowledge the support of Cornmarket in making Brent available for this event.

12:00, Main Hall

About the talk: Sugar is a health problem in many countries and this is now well researched. Added sugars are important to understand as they aren’t always obvious and all sugar taken adds to our daily intake. Ireland is one of the highest consumers in the world for the consumption of fizzy drinks. This talk we examine how sugar and artificial sweeteners can impact the body. 

The speaker: Dr Clare Reynolds is an assistant professor/ad astra fellow based in the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science. She completed her PhD here in UCD and after her postdoc moved to the University of Auckland. Here, she was based at the Liggins Institute, an internationally renowned centre for maternal and perinatal health. Her research focuses on the impact of early life nutrition on long term health outcomes. 

10:30, Main Hall

About the talk: Breast Cancer Ireland seeks to promote good breast health amongst women and men of all ages across Ireland. With a carefully developed programme, we provide education to transition year students, teachers, companies, sporting and community groups nationally.

The Breast Health and Education Awareness Programme aims to educate women and men of all ages about the importance of good breast health and highlight the eight signs and symptoms of breast cancer. With the hope that should an abnormality occur, it will be identified early and the treatment outcome will be a lot more positive.

The speaker: Catherine Rhodes is the Education & Awareness Coordinator with Breast Cancer Ireland.

12:30, Main Stage

About the talk: This year more than ever, with continuing rising health costs, you should review your personal health insurance before renewing. Dermot has presented to UCD employees over the last 4 years and help hundreds of colleagues save money through the advice he gives.

Topics to be covered:

• Why rates are spiraling again?
• Saving by shopping around
• Which plans no longer represent good value for money?
• Overview of the best value plans in the following categories;
  • mid-level hospital
  • semi-private corporate
  • private room corporate
• Tips to reduce your costs further
• Tips to avoid the common pitfalls
• Joining or cancelling

As always, Dermot will be taking questions on the day so bring your details if you have question you'd like to ask.  Dermot will try and save you as much money as possible!

The speaker: Dermot Goode is the leading expert on healthcare benefits in Ireland. He runs the only intermediary in Ireland, Total Health Cover, dealing exclusively in healthcare benefits (health insurance, dental, vision-care, cash plans). Should you wish for a more in depth review, Total Health Cover will review cover to help you source the best products at the lowest cost, covering all 340 plans available across VHI, Laya and Irish Life Health. All services are provided on a fee basis which ensures the best advice.

Current offers: Dermot Goode is the leading expert on healthcare benefits in Ireland and has presented to UCD employees on many occasions detailing how to save money on health insurance. He runs the only intermediary in Ireland, Total Health Cover, dealing exclusively in healthcare benefits (health insurance, dental, vision-care, cash plans). Should you wish for a more in depth review, Total Health Cover will review cover to help you source the best products at the lowest cost, covering all 340 plans available across VHI, Laya and Irish Life Health. All services are provided on a fee basis which ensures the best advance.

UCD employees can get a full-market review for €120 (20% discount). Dermot can be contacted at (opens in a new window)Dermot.Goode@lockton.com. Queries are assessed to make sure that the review will be worthwhile for each customer prior to scheduling same.

11:30, Main Hall

Members of An Garda Síochána will discuss Coco's Law (non-consensual distribution of intimate images), Domestic Abuse and Sexual harassment/violence issues.

• Sergeant Lorna O'Connor
• Garda Deirdre Gately
• Garda Tim Allen

14:00, Hall 2

The University is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment for all employees and to foster an environment in which colleagues can openly and comfortably instigate conversations or engage in discussions about the menopause.

About the talk: To be confirmed.

The Speaker: Loretta Dignam is the founder of the (opens in a new window)Menopause Hub, whose mission is to make menopause mainstream by smashing the taboo and destigmatising menopause, so that women can optimise their health and vitality during their menopausal years and can continue to live the life they love. 

11:00, Hall 2

About the talk: The UCD AVC (Additional Voluntary Contribution) Scheme complements the benefits of UCD main pension scheme and allows members regardless of age or service to supplement their retirement benefit within Revenue Limits. The UCD AVC Scheme Consultants are Cornmarket Group Financial Services Ltd. 

The speaker: Ian O'Shea has worked with Cornmarket for 14 years, he specialises in pensions and retirement and is one of our resident experts in Public Sector Pensions.  He is the UCD AVC consultant and deals with UCD colleagues on a daily basis, helping them with their pension planning and retirement.

11:30, Hall 2

About the talk: This seminar, with Brendan de la Harpe from Cornmarket, will look at making a will and estate planning. We spend our lives planning and saving for the next big step, a home, children, college fees etc., but unfortunately many people don’t plan for what to do with everything they’ve achieved when they’ve completed the ‘big stuff’. Passing on your assets to family members and loved ones is a big deal that deserves a proper plan.

The speaker: Brendan de la Harpe is Head of Training & Product Governance at Cornmarket and has over 30 years’ experience ensuring clients understand their finances and the benefits of planning appropriately. Cornmarket is the largest Public Sector financial services broker in Ireland. Cornmarket’s Tax Return Service specialise in ensuring customers are tax compliant. They aim to save you time, hassle and money when it comes to your taxes.

To contact Cornmarket email (opens in a new window)tax@cornmarket.ie or call on 01-4206780

For more information;

• (opens in a new window)cornmarket.ie/inheritance-planning/
• (opens in a new window)cornmarket.ie/tax-return-service/

10:30, Hall 2

About the talk: Budgeting and Savings – Short term and long term needs.

The session will offer tips and advice on budgeting during the cost of living increase as well as for specific events such as Holidays/Back to School etc .

Gráinne will also offer insight on short term savings options as well as rationale for longer term investments. 

About the speaker: Gráinne Duffy, Senior Financial Planning Consultant with WTW, is an experienced financial planning professional with over 20 years’ experience in a variety of roles within the financial services sector. Gráinne leads the Financial Wellness team and has been key to its development from infancy.

In her role as a Financial adviser she specialises in advising individuals and company employees on all aspects of their personal financial planning and estate planning requirements.

12:00, Main Hall

About the talk: Choosing the right mortgage can save you €000's over the term of your mortgage. Trevor Grant, from Affinity Advisors, will host a seminar on the various options available in the mortgage market (including special public sector employee options) and present how you can identify the most suitable mortgage option for you, based on your own unique circumstances and requirements. Whilst your own bank may ultimately offer you the best terms available, it is essential that you understand all of the options available to you, so that you can secure the best mortgage option available to you. 

14:00, Main Hall

About the talk: Fergus Maher, Mental Health Promotion Manager, Spectrum.Life will give a short overview on Mental Health First Aid including spotting signs and symptoms of someone in distress and what to do when this happens.

The speaker: Fergus Maher, Mental Health Promotion Officer, Spectrum Life.

Related: The UCD Employee Assistance Service (EAS) is a 24/7 free and confidential support service designed to assist you in dealing more effectively with any personal or work-related problems you might be facing. The service is operated confidentially by Spectrum.Life, the largest provider of employee health and wellness services in Ireland.

14:30, Hall 2

About the talk: In this humorous and inspiring talk David Delaney will expand your understanding of yourself. He will
introduce you to your brain and explain how it functions and how it is flawed.

"How can you expect to effectively UNDERSTAND others if you do not first understand yourself?"

This workshop MAY help to improve your:

• Self-awareness
• Energy levels
• Stress management
• Concentration and  focus
• Sleep
• Health

13:00, Main Hall

Join a host of familiar GAA stars discussing the role of sport in promoting wellbeing.

Learn more on the event page.

10:00, Hall 2

About the talk:

• The UCD Voluntary Life Assurance Plan is designed to give employees the opportunity to make additional financial provision against the possibility of premature death to supplement Death in Service benefits under the UCD Pension Scheme. The objective of the plan is to provide an additional lump sum for the benefit of your dependents and/or estate in the event of your death while in the service of UCD. Willis Towers Watson (WTW) provide this plan for UCD employees.
• The UCD Income Protection (IP) Plan is designed to give employees the opportunity to protect their income against the possibility of long term illness. If you are a member of the plan, once your sick pay benefit has been reduced to half pay or you have exhausted your sick pay entitlement, the Plan steps in to pay a portion of your earnings. The aim is to provide you with a maximum income of 75% of your salary (less any Early Retirement Pensions/ Temporary Rehabilitation Remuneration and / or Social Welfare benefit to which you’re entitled) while you are unable to work. Find our more about the Voluntary Income Protection Plan

Further information is available on the HR website https://www.ucd.ie/hr/a-z/incomeprotection/

The speaker: Amee Massey is a Senior Associate with Willis Towers Watson and holds a BA in International Insurance and an MBS in Business.  She is also a Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA). Amee has been with Willis Towers Watson for 15 years and has over 17 years’ experience in the employee benefits industry across group risk consulting, retirement consultancy and personal financial planning. Amee provides solutions to clients on all aspects of employee benefits, specialising in health, life, disability & wellness benefits.