News
College applicants have until Saturday to change their CAO course choices
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THE State exams are done so the thoughts of relieved candidates are turning to holidays, summer jobs and travel. But before heading away the 80,000-plus applicants to the Central Applications Office (CAO) must focus on the CAO “Change of Mind” facility. CAO gives each applicant an opportunity, if s/he wishes, to register a change of course choices online by 5.15pm on Saturday, July 1.
Many applicants are happy with their original course choices submitted to CAO by 1st February but others might have done further course research or simply changed their minds about the courses they would like to study. Whatever your reason for submitting a change of mind form, now is the time to do so. After July 1 you can make no further changes to your CAO application form.
If you decide to submit a change of mind form, work on your choices before going online. Don’t tinker with your original list while online as it’s very easy to make a mistake. Start from scratch and prepare a new list of courses. Check the minimum course requirements and the special requirements for each course you are including on the change of mind form. Do not list any course which has been cancelled, but you may include any new courses which were announced after the 2017 CAO Handbook was published. All of this information is easily accessible on the CAO website, www.cao.ie.
When you have finalised your choices, open up your CAO account via the “My Application” facility. Click on “Add Level 8 Course Choices” and/or “Add Level 7/6 Course Choices.” Then use the “New Courses” list to enter your new course choices. Remember that every choice is important and it’s advisable to fill up all ten choices in each category.
The two course categories – Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degrees) and Level 7/6 (Ordinary Bachelor Degrees/Higher Certificates) are totally separate from each other for the purpose of submitting a change of mind form. You may change one category and leave the second category unchanged or you may change both. On the other hand, you may decide to stick with the choices you submitted by 1st February last.
Check that your courses have been updated by using the “My Application” facility by 5.15pm on 1st July. You may change your course choices free of charge as often as you wish up to the closing date. The final change of mind form that you submit is the one that will count for your CAO offers in August, so be very careful to check online before 1st July to make sure that all is in order.
The Leaving Certificate Examination results will be delivered to schools on Wednesday, August 16. The results will also be available via Internet at www.examinations.ie from 12 noon on that day. Round One offers of college places will be available on the CAO website, www.cao.ie from 6am on Monday, August 21. The reply date for acceptance will be 5.15pm on Monday, August 28.
Checklist
• You have until 5.15pm on July 1 to avail of the CAO “Change of Mind” facility
• Not all applications to CAO avail of the change of mind facility
• Don’t list any courses which you haven’t researched.
• Don’t apply for any course which you know that you won’t accept
• Never apply for a course in which you haven’t the slightest interest
• Work on your new list of course choices before going online
• Check the requirements for the courses you are including on the change of mind form
• The two course categories are separate from each other on a change of mind form
• The remaining days provide you with a valuable window of opportunity
• After the 1st July you can make no further changes to your CAO application form
• SUSI online student grant application system for 2017/2018 is now open at www.grantsonline.ie, www.studentfinance.ie or www.susi.ie
• The closing date for the prioritising of new SUSI grant applications is July 13
• Leaving Cert exam results will available on Wed., 16th August
• Round One offers of college places will be available on Monday, August 21
• Junior Cert exam results will be available in mid-September
250th anniversary of Arthur Young’s Muckross visit
A special commemorative walk will take place on the Muckross Peninsula this Sunday, September 27, to mark the 250th anniversary of English writer and agriculturist Arthur Young’s historic visit to Killarney.
Young stayed with the Herbert family at the Muckross Estate for four nights in September 1776 while researching his book A Tour Of Ireland. During his stay, he explored the native oak woods, the rare Reenadinna Yew Wood, limestone rock formations, and local flora along the peninsula.
His detailed accounts of the landscape led to the formal naming of the “Arthur Young Walk” on September 27, 1776.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Conservation Ranger Shonagh Gray will lead the anniversary walk, guiding participants through the historical route while outlining the ecology and heritage of the peninsula.
The walk begins at 10.30am this Sunday, outside the Garden Restaurant at Muckross House.
Concerns over suicide prevention funding
Killarney councillor Marie Moloney has expressed serious concerns regarding mental health provision and localised suicide prevention services across South Kerry, following figures released at the Regional Health Forum South West this week.
Data provided by HSE Kerry Integrated Care Area Manager Julie O’Neill revealed that while overall mental health funding for Kerry grew from €40 million in 2024 to €52.1 million in 2026, targeted direct funding for suicide prevention dropped from €84,335 in 2024 to €74,558 in 2026.
In response to a motion raised by Cllr Moloney, the HSE confirmed that a countywide Crisis Resolution Team (CRT) is currently being established, with five full-time equivalent Crisis Intervention Nurse posts reconfigured from existing adult community mental health teams.
A Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse (SCAN) commenced duties recently, with a second appointee set to take up position shortly. The HSE confirmed that the Crisis Nurse for South Kerry is already in post, and a Consultant Psychiatrist is expected to be appointed by year-end.
However, Cllr Moloney highlighted regional inequities within the service, pointing out that the base for the new crisis team has been located in Tralee, despite high local demand and recent community concerns over male suicide rates in the Killarney region.
“While the appointment of dedicated crisis nurses is a welcome step, the actual direct funding for suicide prevention in the region shows a clear decline over the three-year period,” Cllr Moloney said.
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