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KDYS host Child care laws seminar

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Berni Smyth, CEO of KDYS hosted a panel discussion on Child Care Laws and how they impact on children’s lives in KDYS Killarney centre last week.

This event was arranged to celebrate her first year in the CEO role with the organisation. The subject was very topical due to a number of proposed changes to Irish Child Care Laws currently under discussion and debate nationally.

The expert panel included Dr Maria Corbett, CEO of the Child Law Project, JP O’Sullivan, Networking and Communications Manager with MECPATHS and South Kerry man, Thomas O’Driscoll who is a qualified social worker with care experience and strong advocate for the rights of children in care and their parents.

The panellists encouraged an audience from a wide range of statutory and voluntary agencies across Munster to become familiar with the current proposals to revise the 1991 Child Care Act, enact the Child and Family Courts Bill and plans to implement ‘Fagin’s Law’ for child victims of criminal exploitation later this year.
While all of these measures were welcomed by the panel, there was a general consensus that legislation must be supported by strong implementation plans that are adequately resourced and every effort made to ensure that the application of these laws leads to child-centred decisions that will improve the quality of children and families’ lives.

Dr Maria Corbett advised the audience to take opportunities to provide feedback ‘by engaging in consultations and making representations to local politicians in order to address any areas for improvement or gaps now.”

JP O’Sullivan commented that “there is greater awareness and understanding of the challenges vulnerable children face including inter-generational patterns of abuse and the complex dynamics of child trafficking including grooming children into crime.”

Berni Smyth, CEO of KDYS, concluded the discussion by saying that “despite growing pressures on services caused by issues such as poverty, homelessness and the Ukrainian crisis, there is much to be hopeful about. More child-centred legislation will also support frontline workers on the ground who are usually best placed to identify concerns and who have long called for an effective, integrated response across child welfare and criminal justice laws.”

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All eyes down as St Oliver’s hosts bumper bingo fundraiser

It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night. The event, which is being held […]

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It will be All Eyes Down as the saying goes on October 23 as St Oliver’s Primary School hosts a bumper Bingo Fundraiser night.

The event, which is being held to raise additional funds for the school’s Special Classes, will take place in the Killarney Racecourse in the Celtic Steps venue.

According to Colm Ó Súilleabháin, Principal of St Oliver’s, the idea for the fundraiser was the brainchild of Denise Hendey, a parent of one of the children in the Special Classes who approached the school wanting to assist with raising much-needed funds for the classes. “She has been utterly amazing with the amount of work and organisation she has put into this event, sourcing an incredible number of fantastic prizes for the raffle and spot prizes for the bingo winners” he said.
Continuing he said “We are so appreciative of the incredible support we have received from all the businesses who have sponsored some amazing prizes and made very generous donations in support of the event.”

St. Oliver’s has eight separate Special Classes, home to 62 children. All monies raised on the night will go towards purchasing additional resources for the classes.

The event will commence at 7pm with doors opening at 6pm. So be sure to come along to what is promised to be a fun-filled night with numerous opportunities to win some amazing prizes and hopefully if there is a ‘knock on the door’ or a ‘bang on the drum’ it will be on your bingo card!

Bingo books (€10) and raffle tickets (€5) are available to buy from the school office and will be available on the night. All welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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Milltown plan to preserve history in community project 

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The Milltown History and Heritage Society has announced plans for an oral history archive for the community.

It is hoped that the collection and preservation of stories and folklore will be a valuable resource for future generations.

Oral history expert and historian Dr Tomás Mac Conmara will speak in Milltown in support of the launch.

Dr Mac Conmara, who is an award-winning oral historian, lecturer and author, will speak at the Muintir na Tíre Hall in Milltown at 8pm on Friday, October 24 and will introduce the fundamentals for the collection of oral history.

The presentation is free of charge and is supported by funding from the Creative Communities Grant Scheme 2025.

Attendees will be introduced to the practical skills required in interviewing, recording and documenting local heritage.

Stewart Stephans of the Milltown History and Heritage Society said they are excited to have Tomás to set them on the right path towards the development of the archive.

He said: “The collection and retention of oral history needs to be approached properly, drawing on the right advice and maintaining high standards, so we are pleased to be getting the input of such a renowned expert.” The event is open to anyone who would like to attend.

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