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Focus on key dates in coming weeks

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This has been a difficult week for so many people as the country comes to terms with a surge in COVID cases. Health is by far the biggest priority for everyone at the moment and rightly so. That said, for students who will not now be returning to school as planned, recent developments have understandably meant greater anxiety, particularly among Leaving Certs. So we return to one of the key messages from experts around dealing with uncertainty, that is we need to focus on what is within our control and try to let go of what is outside of it.

As a Leaving Cert student you do have the capacity to control your own study and revision, your course research and college applications. As we head into CAO season, it is really important to focus your attention on researching college courses and careers if you haven’t already done so and it will hopefully lift your spirits to think of the next stage of your journey when things are brighter later in 2021. Use your time wisely to research the detail of the courses that interest you by checking out the module details on the college websites. You should also be getting familiar with how the CAO process works by accessing the excellent student resources available on www.cao.ie.

If you are having difficulty trying to decide on courses don’t panic, you will have plenty of time to change your mind before July 1. For now the important thing is to make sure you meet those all-important key dates and application deadlines.

KEY DATES

January 9 – Virtual Application Information Day for DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) from 10am – 11.30am and for HEAR (Higher Education Access Route) from 12.30pm – 2pm. Register on www.accesscollege.ie.

January 20 at 5.15pm – Deadline for CAO discounted application fee (€30) on www.cao.ie.

January 20 at 5.15pm – Deadline for registration for the HPAT exam required for applying for medicine on www.hpat-ireland.acer.org/register

January 29 – Deadline for UCAS applications for entry to college is the UK on www.ucas.com (This has been extended from January 15)

February 1 at 5.15pm – Normal closing date for CAO applications (€45) and the online facility to change course choices for free closes. Students who wish to apply for HEAR or DARE must have applied to CAO by this deadline. The closing date for completion of the online HEAR/DARE forms is March 1 at 5.15pm.

In next week’s issue I will be featuring a Q&A about CAO, so if you are applying to CAO as a Leaving Cert, Further Education or Mature Student or the parent/guardian of an applicant, email me your questions on info@mycareerplan.ie or send me a DM on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @mycareerplan.

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Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

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Passengers using TFI Local Link Kerry services in Killarney and across the county can now pay for their journeys using contactless card payments.

The National Transport Authority (NTA) confirmed the rollout this week, allowing commuters to simply tap their debit card, credit card, or mobile devices, such as Apple Pay and Google Pa, when boarding.

The move is designed to offer more convenience for those using high-frequency rural and regional routes.

In Killarney, the new payment option will be available on the TFI Anseo town services, which have seen a significant increase in passenger numbers since their introduction.

The contactless system is currently available for single journey fares, while those using daily or weekly passes can continue to use the Leap website or the TFI Leap Top Up App.
Alan O’Connell, General Manager of TFI Local Link Kerry, welcomed the modernisation of the fleet.

“The introduction of contactless payments is another welcome step forward for public transport in Kerry,” he said. “It complements other major projects in the county, including the expansion of TFI Local Link services and the delivery of TFI Anseo in Killarney, which is proving to be another great initiative.”

While the new technology offers a modern alternative, traditional payment methods are not being phased out. Cash payments, TFI Leap cards, and Free Travel Cards all remains fully valid across the network.

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How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

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Tomorrow, Sinn Féin will be tabling a motion of no confidence against the Government after the protests that took place nationwide during the week.

Earlier today we asked our readers how would they vote in a no confidence motion against the Government?

Most of our readers said they would vote no confidence, while some said, yes they do have confidence in the Government.

One reader said: “Vote confidence. The only proper leadership over the last few days came from government. Courage came when needed despite how unpopular it looked in the moment. By contrast, opposition politicians wanted the country to burn to suit themselves”.

Another reader stated: “No confidence. Shambolic and heavy handed handling of protests this past week”.

However, some people didn’t have any confidence in either side with a reader saying: “No confidence in the no confidence! Different wings of the same bird! We need a complete overhaul of the political system”.

We asked the question to our 5 Kerry TDs before lunch-time today, asking them what their vote will be tomorrow.

We received one reply from Sinn Féin’s Kerry TD Pa Daly.

He will be voting no confidence in the Government tomorrow along with his party.

Other media outlets are reporting that Independent TD Danny Healy-Rae is undecided at the moment.

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