Connect with us

News

“Our daughters deserve better”

Published

on

MORE ACTION: Hazel Norris, Chairperson of the Parents' Council at St Brigid's Secondary School is calling for more action to improve the school's facilities. Photo: Grigoriy Geniyevskiy

 

Parents call for action at St Brigid’s Secondary School

 

EXCLUSIVE

 

By Sean Moriarty

 

Parents at one Killarney school outraged at outdated prefabs and insufficient and overcrowded classrooms – including the collapse of roofs on two older prefabs last September - are demanding immediate action from the new Government.

The Parent's Council of St Brigid’s Secondary School say due to consistent rising numbers of students year on year – from 413 students in 2013 to 634 for the current academic year – want a promise that new facilities will be built.

In November 2015 the Minister for Education and Skills announced the list of Major School Building Projects. St Brigid’s was listed under the 2019-2021 phase - but so far no action has been taken.

They say some of the classrooms are not fit for purpose. There are also a number of concerns including the lack of outdoor sports facilities at the school, the reduction of the number of permanent classrooms due to size and a 2017 Department of Education and Skills directive to combine four classrooms into a new science lab and art room.

The classrooms were replaced by 12 new prefabs but the land on which they are situated is rented off the Presentation Sisters.

“We have been allocated two new prefabs but it is not good enough,” Hazel Norris, Chairperson of the Parents’ Council told the Killarney Advertiser this week. “The Presentation Sisters have been outstanding in their support, they have offered land to build a new school. We will be calling on all newly elected members to meet us on this matter. We are waiting far too long and our daughters deserve better.”

 

 

 

 

Advertisement

News

Contactless payments launched on Local Link services

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

News

How will our Kerry TDs vote tomorrow?

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport