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Bus operators left in the dark ahead of schools reopening

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By Sean Moriarty

School bus operators who service Killarney schools are still waiting on official guidance despite returning to work on Monday morning.

School bus runs are operated by Bus Eireann on behalf of the Department of Education but that national bus service sub-contracts regional runs to local operators.

One local bus firm, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Killarney Advertiser: “We are ready and willing to get back to work but we have no official guidance despite asking for it several times.”

The operator said his firm and drivers have taken all the particle steps necessary to ensure a safe return to work for staff and students.

These include a deep clean regime after each working shift and the provision of hand sanitisers on every bus.

However, in terms of paperwork and actual operating procedures, he said he has been left in the dark by the Department of Education.

He raised concerns about the management of contract tracing paperwork, the added responsibility on his drivers who have to ensure students comply with social distancing while on board.

One Department of Education guideline states that schools busses (for secondary students) can only operate at 50 per cent capacity. With just two days (from today, Friday) left before schools re-open he still does not know if needs to add extra busses to each of his contracted runs and if he needs to employ extra drivers.

“Taking on drivers is not so easy as they have to Garda vetted before working on school busses and that takes time,” he added.

Meanwhile, Primary School busses are allowed operate to full capacity adding to the confusion.

Some rural services could carry and mix of primary and secondary school children from rural areas to town schools.

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Soroptimist make €3k donation to Rockmount Care Centre

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Members of the Killarney Soroptimist Society visited the Rockmount Care Centre on Wednesday, to present a cheque for €3000 to Nurse Manager Mary Hussey.


The significant sum was raised during the society’s successful annual pancake morning held on Shrove Tuesday at the Killarney Avenue Hotel.
Rockmount Care Centre provides essential support as a dedicated day care facility for individuals living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s, serving many clients and families from the Killarney area.
These funds arrive at a vital time, as they are earmarked for the centre’s new sensory garden project, which is currently in the design phase.
Pictured at the presentation are Soroptimists members handing over the proceeds to Mary Hussey. The society extended their thanks to the Killarney Avenue Hotel and all those who supported the fundraiser to help make this donation possible.

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Public realm works begin on Main Street and Kenmare Place

Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This phase of the project, […]

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Repair works for the Killarney Public Realm project officially commenced on Monday, April 20, following approval from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This phase of the project, funded by the URDF, focuses on enhancing the streetscape and accessibility of both Main Street and Kenmare Place.
To allow the appointed contractors to carry out the investment safely, a section of the R-878 on Main Street, stretching from Kenmare Place to Plunkett Street, is now closed to traffic. This first period of construction is scheduled to run from April 20 until July 3.
Recognising the importance of the tourism season, the council has confirmed the street will fully reopen from July 4 to October 4 to accommodate peak summer traffic. Following this break, works will resume for a second period starting October 5 and running until December 4.
While vehicle diversions are in place, pedestrian access to all businesses and emergency service access will be maintained throughout the construction phases. Kerry County Council stated that these works are part of a wider programme to improve the safety and quality of the town centre and has thanked the public and local business owners for their cooperation during these essential improvements.

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