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KPFA staff serve strike notice over pay disparities

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Medical and care staff working for Kerry Parents and Friends have served strike notice and will not report for work from next Tuesday.

The dispute centres on pay disparities. Most medial and care staff employed by the Health and Safety Executive are paid under Section 38 pay structures.

However KPFA is funded by government under Section 39 and that rate is lower that Section 38 employees.

KPFA is having difficulty retaining staff as many to more-lucrative Section 38 jobs.

In a letter seen by the Killarney Advertiser, Marie Linehan, the KPFA’s chief executive outlined her concerns.

She said: “KPFA is losing staff who are taking up employment directly with the HSE or with a Section 38 employer. In the current year, up to the end of July, we have lost a significant number of staff for these very reasons. KPFA fully supports the need for pay parity, and we have long advocated for this. Unions have asked KPFA to address the issue of pay parity for our employees, but we are not funded to do this and we have forwarded this request to the HSE, our primary funders, to seek this level of funding.”

The situation has now escalated and strike action has been served.

Ms Linehan added: “We have in the last week been advised by unions, that following a ballot of their members who are KPFA employees, the have unanimously voted to proceed with strike action.”

Strike action will commence on Tuesday and the staff will not return to work until there is some resolution of a renewed round of talks.

“Obviously, this is a very serious situation and I would like to assure you that we are seeking engagement with unions,” she added, “We also recognise the significantly disruptive impact strike action will have on people we support and their care givers and families and this remains a priority for the Senior Management team.”

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‘Spring into Your Best Life’ event

The Oaks Hotel in Killarney will host ‘Spring into Your Best Life’ on April 5, an event organised in association with Breast Cancer Ireland and Irish Country Magazine. The event, […]

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The Oaks Hotel in Killarney will host ‘Spring into Your Best Life’ on April 5, an event organised in association with Breast Cancer Ireland and Irish Country Magazine.

The event, running from 12:30pm to 5:30pm, aims to provide attendees with advice on beauty, wellness, fashion, health, and happiness.
Hosted by Maura Derrane and James Patrice, the event will feature speakers including fashion expert Celia Holman Lee, pharmacist Laura Dowling, wellness expert Oonagh O’Hagan, and fitness coach Orla Hopkins.
Dr. Brian Cotter from Sisu will discuss aesthetics, while Christina Foley will focus on holistic wellbeing. Life coach Ariana Dunne will also speak on personal and professional success.
The event will include a drinks reception, a gourmet lunch, beauty and fashion masterclasses, and shopping opportunities. Attendees can win prizes throughout the day. A special Mother’s Day draw will take place for those attending with their mothers or daughters.
Tickets are available for the event via: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/your-best-life-kerry-fun-style-wellness-giveaways-breast-cancer-ireland-tickets-1021537374787?aff=oddtdtcreator

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KCC Students Receive Social Enterprise Award

Killarney Community College students Cian Walsh, Sophie Ballard, and Ella Whiteley received the Runners Up award for Social Enterprise at the Kerry County Council Annual Student Enterprise Awards. Their business, […]

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Killarney Community College students Cian Walsh, Sophie Ballard, and Ella Whiteley received the Runners Up award for Social Enterprise at the Kerry County Council Annual Student Enterprise Awards.

Their business, ‘Moods & Moments’, was recognised at the county final held at Munster Technology North Campus on Friday last (March 14).
The event saw 20 mini businesses created by secondary school students, focusing on business development, finance, marketing, and business plan presentation. Students operated their mini companies over several months, experiencing real-world entrepreneurship.
Prizes were awarded across Junior, Intermediate, and Senior levels.
Tomás Hayes, Head of Local Enterprise Office said: “I am pleased to see the level of innovation, resourcefulness, planning and development of all 20 projects in this year’s awards. This is a real-life exercise. It involves idea generation and actual trading. Profits are generated and finance is secured. It is a taste of business and all the issues involved from finding the right idea, funding the business, collecting the money, and building the team. I must commend the teachers for their efforts and the mentors for their support. The judges had a very difficult task.”

Photo: Michelle Breen Crean Photography

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