News
Fed up childcare staff to join national protest
PROTEST: Killarney preschool owners and operators are fighting for professional recognition and more financial support. Pictured at the front are: Jacqui O’Reilly of Happy Hearts, Patricia Quigley of Scallywags and Rosemary Falvey of Bellview Woods Childcare. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy
By Michelle Crean and Sean Moriarty
Owners of several busy preschools in Killarney and surrounds are to take part in a national protest next month.
The providers, who say they are not receiving a professional wage for all the extra Government work that they do, will join with others from across the country to protest in Dublin on Wednesday, February 5.
Those travelling to protest include; Bellview Woods Childcare, Scallywags, Little Explorers, Happy Hearts Montessori, Ballyspillane Family Resource Centre, Sliabh Luachra Montessori, Maggie’s Montessori, Raheen Montessori Playgroup, Fossa Preschool, Creative Kids Preschool, Naíonra Faithleann, Anabla Preschool, Danú Chiuldcare Rathmore, and Puffins in Firies.
They are calling on the Government to provide adequate funding as well as cut the six separate inspections per year down to one.
Local operators, like all nationally, are also expected to adhere to Department of Education regulations - despite not being officially recognised by the State’s education body. The local childcare facilities are also regulated by Tulsa, DCYA, HSE, Pobal, and other Government agencies.
Although the centres are in receipt of a weekly grant of around €64 per child, which boils down to €4.68 per child per hour in their care, professionals are obliged to carry out additional paperwork like child assessments and they are not getting paid for this additional work. Terms of the grant mean they are not allowed charge additional fees to parents to offset rising costs.
“The current situation is not sustainable,” Rosemary Falvey, Manager of Bellview Woods Childcare in Ballydowney, told the Killarney Advertiser.
Rising costs, particularly insurance which has risen by 300 percent in the last year and is only available through one provider, means that the available grant goes nowhere near covering operating costs at child care centres.
“We want recognition of our profession,” said Patricia Quigley of Scallywags Preschool in Muckross.
Highly qualified staff do not receive wages outside of school term-time unlike teachers in primary and post-primary schools.
“If we are good enough to be regulated by the Department of Education and are good enough to meet their standards, then we are good enough to receive Department of Education wages and pay,” said Sharon O’Riordan of Little Explorers, which is based at Two-Mile School near Ballyhar.
Parents locally are in support of the protest march according to several pre-school operators The Killarney Advertiser spoke to.
Dr Crokes stalwarts enjoy lake cruise
Dr Crokes GAA Club hosted a special day out for its senior members on Monday, this week, taking a group aged between 70 and 90 on a cruise across the Lakes of Killarney.
Organised by the Dr Crokes Healthy Club committee under its Crokes Cruisers initiative, the event was held to recognise the lifetime contribution made by long-standing members who continue to support club activities behind the scenes.
The group travelled on two vessels, including An Cathal, an open boat operated by local brothers Tony and Mike Fleming. Built to preserve the traditional Killarney lake boat style, it is the only purpose-built, fully accessible boat on the lakes, allowing members with mobility issues and wheelchair users to safely join the two-hour trip.
Following the lake tour, the party gathered on shore for coffee and refreshments provided by Derric McMahon and Harry Clifton of the Ross Castle Garden Cafe.
The initiative forms part of the club’s ongoing community work as a Gold Award winner in the GAA Healthy Club programme.
Green light for Torc Dinis walkway
Planning approval has been granted for a long-awaited lakeside walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis inside Killarney National Park.
An Coimisiún Pleanála confirmed permission for the elevated platform project, which will complete the popular scenic loop while removing a dangerous 800-metre section along the busy N71 Killarney to Kenmare road.
Walkers and cyclists currently have to navigate narrow bends alongside heavy vehicular traffic and tour buses to complete the circuit between the Dinis and Torc car parks.
Mayor of Killarney John O’Donoghue welcomed the decision, calling it a transformative development for the region: “Since beginning in the Council in 2021, this has been one of my priorities as an issue I inherited from my predecessor Michael Gleeson, he being the first person to initially pursue the idea. I have repeatedly kept it on the agenda at Council meetings and now delighted to see we finally have positive news as this decision, which has been long overdue and eagerly awaited, will prove transformative for the area.”
Mayor O’Donoghue added: “The path, which will be on the lakeside, will offer views to rival those anywhere in the world and I have no doubt will prove very popular with locals and visitors alike. Huge credit is due to Kerry County Council and the NPWS for their co-operation on the issue. Once the decision has passed through its statutory waiting period, the design and tender stage can begin.”
The project, which will be built on a raised platform to protect the natural habitat beneath, will also be fully accessible for people with mobility issues. Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce also welcomed the green light, noting that the completed loop will create a major safe attraction showcasing Muckross Lake, Dinis Cottage, and the Old Weir Bridge.
LAKESIDE PATH: An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved planning permission for a new raised walkway and cycleway connecting Torc and Dinis in Killarney National Park.
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