News
Citizens Information advice for carers

National Carers Week is a key event in the calendar year, a dedicated time to celebrate Ireland’s 500,000 family carers. The aim for this week is to raise awareness of family carers so their work is properly recognised, supported and empowered.
The importance of this week and what it represents is a great opportunity to highlight some of the information, advice and support Citizens Information can provide to carers.
Carer's payments are made to people who are looking after someone who needs full-time care and attention because of age, disability, or illness, including mental illness. They include, Carers Allowance (means-tested), Carers Benefit (PRSI based), Half-Rate Carers, Carer’s Support Grant and the Domiciliary Care Allowance. If you qualify for Carer's Allowance you may also be eligible to qualify for Free Household Benefits and a Free Travel Pass. If you qualify for Carers Benefit you may be eligible for a GP visit card.
If you don’t qualify for a weekly Carers Allowance or Benefit payment but are caring for someone full-time you may be eligible for the Carers Support Grant which is paid annually in June - €1,850.
Citizens Information can give you all the information you need and discuss if you meet the eligibility criteria set out by the department. They can also help you with the application process and give you some guidelines on what to include with your application to give you the best chance of a successful outcome.
If you feel that you have been wrongly refused a carer's payment, or you are unhappy about a decision of a Social Welfare Deciding Officer about your entitlements, Citizens Information may be able to support you to appeal this decision.
Citizens Information can also discuss how to maximise your income if;
You are already on a social welfare payment and caring
You are caring for more than one person
You are sharing the care responsibilities with another person
You wish to continue to work part-time
You wish to take carers leave
“As we reflect on the past year, one of the most striking aspects of it all has to be the commitment, dedication and resilience of our healthcare workers and carers," Frances Clifford, Kerry Citizens Information Manager, said.
"National Carers Week is the perfect time to come together and celebrate these individuals for their hard work and the unimaginable challenges they have faced during the pandemic. Our goal is to let every carer know that we are here to advise and support them, regardless of your query, call your local centre and we will guide you in the right direction.”
For anyone needing information, advice or who have an advocacy issue, they can call a member of the local Citizens Information team in Kerry on 0761 07 7860, who will be happy to assist and make an appointment if necessary. The offices are staffed from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4 pm. Alternatively, you can email at tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie for further information and contact details.
News
Proinsias says farewell to Gaelscoil after 33 years
By Michelle Crean For over three decades one face has been constant at Gaelscoil Faithleann but today (Friday) it all changes as the school’s first and only Principal to date […]

By Michelle Crean
For over three decades one face has been constant at Gaelscoil Faithleann but today (Friday) it all changes as the school’s first and only Principal to date says a fond farewell.
It’s a day full of mixed emotions for Proinsias Mac Curtain who was appointed the school’s Principal on September 1, 1989.
Today, the school’s 245 children and staff will host a number of events at the school for him which are sure to stir a few emotions.
It follows a special Mass on Innisfallen Island on Saturday morning as 150 children, staff members, parents council and Board of Management members boarded a boat for the occasion. And the location was apt as the school is called after the island, Proinsias explained to the Killarney Advertiser.
“It was lovely, it was meaningful as the school is called after Innisfallen Island. I’ve been blessed with the school community down through the years. It was a pleasure to work with school staff and parents, Boards of Management – but the most important is the children. I’m proud of them and their achievements. They are great children and I’ll miss them.”
He said the school will be in great hands as Lisa Ni Iarlaithe, who has been at the school since 1991, takes over as Principal.
He also praised the hardworking staff.
“I’ll miss it but I’m comfortable to step back as the school is in excellent hands.”
Proinsias is originally from Tournafulla Co Limerick. He began his career as a teacher in Scoil Iognáid in the centre of Galway city, the largest Gaelscoil in the country at the time.
Shortly before he died his father Jerry, who loved to holiday for a few days a year in Killarney, had heard of a new school opening here and phoned Proinsias to tell him. The rest they say is history.
He says his love of Irish language was inspired by Tournafulla Primary School Principal Liam O Loineacháin and in St Ita’s College Abbeyfeale by Jim Tierney and the late Johnny Nelligan.
And although three decades is a long time, Proinsias says it flew by and that he has seen many changes over the years. The first is seeing the children of former pupils coming to school. The second is the advancement of technology – some good and some not so good!
“The biggest change was the growth of technology, the changeover to the whiteboard and the use of devices which makes it challenging for parents. It’s wonderful you can access so much, but there are advantages and disadvantages.”
He added a huge thanks to his wife Karen who supported him down through the years when he was out late at meetings, adding that she was “very patient”.
He also thanked Sean O Luanaigh.
“He has been my chairperson since the start and has been such a tremendous support, help and guidance down through the years.”
In retirement he plans to spend more time with his family including his three children Ruadhán, Meadhbh and Cormac.
He also plans to get more involved in Beaufort Tidy Towns as well as the Annals of Innisfallen project.
“It’s always been an interest of mine. I also plan to relax for a few weeks, make more time for family, and I look forward to playing more trad music, bee keeping, gardening and travel.”
News
Start clocking up those ‘Kingdom Kilometres’
With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways. The recently opened […]

With an increase in daylight hours there’s no better time to clock up the ‘Kingdom Kilometres’ on foot or by cycling along the county’s two new Greenways.
The recently opened Kingdom of Kerry Greenways between Tralee and Fenit and between Listowel and Abbeyfeale are already proving hugely popular with locals and visitors to Kerry.
Representatives of the tourism Industry, local public representatives, travel writers and influencers gathered in Kerry on Monday to experience the exciting new tourist attractions and welcome the arrival of the longer daylight hours as the clocks changed over to summertime.
Sarah Hanrahan, a social media influencer who posts about Irish travel and has more than 100,000 Instagram followers, described the experience.
“Ireland has some of the most amazing outdoor spaces. For a lot of my followers and other people, connecting with green spaces has become much more important to their overall sense of well-being as well as their health and fitness. It’s been really gorgeous to experience the Tralee to Fenit, and Listowel to Limerick Kingdom of Kerry Greenways; a fantastic trip sampling the warm hospitality of Kerry and a great reminder of the active holiday options that are right on our doorstep.”
The new purpose-built trails provide an accessible and inclusive experience for visitors of all abilities.
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Mikey Sheehy and the Mayor of Listowel, Cllr Aoife Thornton, said that the greenways offer an exceptional recreational amenity for everyone to enjoy.
“The greenways are situated in some of Kerry’s most scenic landscapes and offer spectacular and safe off-road facilities for people of all ages to enjoy as the landscape comes into bloom. They also offer warm hospitality at the trail head towns of each route.”
Visit www.kerrygreenways.ie to find out more.
-
Sport2 weeks ago
An Hour with Paul Galvin: Drawing lines between football and fashion
-
News2 weeks ago
Attenborough to showcase Killarney in latest BBC wildlife series
-
News3 weeks ago
Killarney woman urges support for cancer patient services this Daffodil Day
-
News2 weeks ago
A red tie affair for Rathmore GAA