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Killarney childcare workers have voices heard in Dublin

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Childcare workers from several Killarney preschools and creches joined over 30,000 people in a National Day of Demonstration in Dublin on Tuesday.

They were protesting against rising costs, poor wages and over regulation in their sector.

Local operators, like all nationally, are 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.

“Early years educators who value the education of young children, who work from the same curriculum as national schools under the Department of Education, who have not had direct funding increased in close on 10 years were heard,” said Patricia Quigley who runs Scallywags Preschool in Muckross.

 

 

Other Killarney-based schools who attened the protest included: Bellview Woods Childcare, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

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Irish feature film set for Killarney cinema debut

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A new feature film, created by Irish writer and director Liam O Mochain, is set for release in Killarney next Friday, November 7.

Mr O Mochain said he is delighted to bring ABODE to a Killarney audience following its sold out world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh and a screening at the recent IndieCork film festival.

ABODE is a feature film with five stories connected by the theme of home and what it means to the different characters in the film.

It shows that home has an importance and a different meaning for everyone.

In ABODE, everyone wants to belong somewhere. The film was shot over a three-year period and finished in early 2025.

O Mochain says that the stories are a mix of drama and comedy, inspired by true stories, events or incidents.

It is set on the theme of home which is very relevant today.

Ryan Lincoln, Sophie Vavessuer, and Liam O Mochain are among the cast.

ABODE is O Mochain’s fourth feature film. His 2017 feature film ‘Lost & Found’ screened at festivals around the world from the Galway Film Fleadh to the Austin Film Festival

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Local pharmacies restock Lions ‘Message in a Bottle’

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Killarney pharmacies are restocked with ‘Message in a Bottle’, an initiative by Killarney Lions Club.

It is a small plastic container, available free of charge, with an information form which people can fill out with their basic medical details for use by Paramedics, Gardaí, Fire-fighters and first responders in an emergency.

Once the information form is complete, the bottle should be placed in the fridge.

Self-adhesive green cross labels should be put on the front door of the home and on the fridge so that first responders know its there.

Bottles are available at the following pharmacies: Allcare (New St.), Boots (Deerpark), CarePlus+ (Park Rd.), Kennelly’s (Reeks and New St.), Reens Life (Plunkett St.), O’Sullivan’s (New St.), Sewell’s (New St.), Sheahan’s (Main St.), Trants (Park Rd.) and Aherns Farranfore.

Jason Higgins, President of Killarney Lions Club, said that the initiative has been very well received to date as hundreds of people are already using the bottles.

He said: “We just want to make sure everyone who wants a bottle can get one, so the support from the pharmacies is fantastic and if it helps even just one person to get the help they need more quickly and effectively, it is well worth it.”

More information about the Message in a Bottle initiative can be found on the Lions Ireland website: https://lionsclubs.ie/service/message-in-a-bottle/

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