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September 14, 2021
carlowpeople highest, most frequent readership in carlow
.ie .ie t: 059 914 1877
November 19, 2019
September 14, 2021
FREE
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Tasty: €200k boost for outdoor dining as two areas selected for food scheme OK, so strictly speaking there can’t be a Costa-del-Carlow as we live in a landlocked county but it sure will feel like it . Two areas are set to be transformed into continentalstyle eating-out venues after it was announced they are to receive over €200,000 in funding under Fáilte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme. Main Street in Borris will receive €61,000, while Tullow
Street Upper in Carlow Town is to receive a whopping €133,357. “As part of national funding, Main Street in Borris will receive €61,000, while Tullow Street Upper in Carlow town has been granted €133,357 to help develop these streets and public spaces to facilitate yearround weather-proofed outdoor dining,” TD for Carlow Jennifer Murnane O’Connor announced. “This Scheme aims to support tourism and hospitality jobs and
help local businesses develop new ways of catering for tourists outdoors. “Even after the pandemic, access to outdoor dining facilities will continue to be a key part of industry recovery as we look forward to 2022 and beyond,” she said. Fáilte Ireland’s Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme opened for applications in March 2021 and comprises two parts.
Local Authorities were invited to apply to Fáilte Ireland for funding under Part Two - Local Authority Weatherproofing & Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme - to develop streets and public spaces to facilitate yearround weather-proofed outdoor dining in urban tourism centres. A total of 38 locations are set to benefit under the Scheme with almost €9m allocated. Continued on next page
Carlow’s who has signed up as an ambassador for Breast Cancer Ireland’s Great Pink Run on October 16 and 17
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Mushroom firm wins top award
Carlow-based company, Codd Mushrooms Ltd. (Tullow) has been named as one of Ireland’s Best Managed Companies. Codds received the Gold Standard award, having won for the fourth consecutive year. Twenty-five new companies entered the awards programme for the first time in 2021. The programme is led by Deloitte Ireland, in association with Bank of Ireland. With this year’s new winners, there are now 139 companies that are recognised as Ireland’s Best Managed Companies. This network of companies has a combined turnover of €8.5bn and employs a total of 40,000 people.
Contact us today to advertise 059 914 1877
September 14, 2021
Calling all Carlow’s school bright sparks Raven Velasco (8) and Katelyn Parsons (9) at the launch of the An Post Brain Busters challenge. Pic: Mark Stedman
Carlow students spanning primary (5th and 6th class) and Secondary up to Junior Cert) schools are invited to enter the inaugural, national An Post Brain Busters. Students must successfully complete a series of numeracy and literacy challenges to secure the opportunity to represent their school at the An Post Brain
Busters National Final in April 2022. For more than 30 years, An Post has pioneered some of the most popular and practical education programmes for schools. An Post Brain Busters takes a new, ‘gamification’ approach to literacy and numeracy, inspired by the format and excitement of ‘Escape Room’ challenges.
The concept has been developed by teachers in collaboration with mathematician Dr Finn MacLeod, scientist Niamh Shaw and author Oisín McGann. Full details of the An Post Brain Busters Challenge will reach schools over the coming week and are also available at anpost.com/Brain-busters
€200k for outdoor dining
Continued from previous page Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said the scheme will help aid the the tourism sector. “This Scheme supports resilience and survival in the short term and the recovery of the tourism sector in the long-term. Outdoor dining and hospitality will now be a yearround feature of our hospitality offering and businesses need to be supported to facilitate this,” he said. “We have already seen the success of the first part of this scheme, which provides individual businesses up to €4,000 towards the cost of outdoor seating. “This second part of the scheme being announced today is implemented in partnership with Local Authorities and will build on strengthening the outdoor dining offering around Ireland to help businesses towards sustainable recovery,” Mr Kelly said. Fáilte Ireland have also announced the locations of 38 permanent Outdoor Dining facilities to be developed in 19 counties nationwide with almost €9m allocated in total.
All smoky fuels set to be banned in county
All of the county is to become a low-smoke zone under new regulations banning the sale of smoky coal. From this time next year, only low-smoke coal and coal-based nuggets will be permitted to be sold. It is a nationwide extension of the rules that already apply in 42 towns and cities across the country. The ban was introduced to Carlow Town in 2011. By 2025, the smoke content of such fuels must drop by half in a further move to dissuade solid fuel use and improve air quality. Tighter regulations will also apply to wood fuels within the year, requiring moisture content to be reduced to cut down on smoke and particulate matter, with a further reduction to apply from 2025. No changes have been made yet to regulations on the cutting, burning or sale of sod peat, however. “In order to accommodate those with rights to harvest sod peat, no ban on its burning will be introduced,” the Department of the Environment said. “However, a regulatory regime to reduce its harm in more urbanised areas is under examination.” A spokesperson said a ban on selling peat for use by
people other than those with cutting rights was not ruled out. “A number of options are still being considered to ensure a reduction in the use of sod peat in urban areas, which contributes to poor air quality in such areas. “Such options may include a ban on the sale of peat. However, no final decision has been made in this regard.” This was the most contentious part of the proposed changes to solid fuel regulations when they went to public consultation earlier this year. Despite growing research showing particulate matter from smoky fuels to be the main cause of air pollution in the country’s smaller towns, and the premature deaths of 1,300 people a year in Ireland from smoky air, some rural TDs and campaigners were strongly opposed to any attempt to restrict peat. Environment Minister Eamon Ryan announced the new regulations in time for International Clean Air Day, which aims to stimulate action on air pollution. “When this Government was formed, we gave a commitment to tackle air pollution caused by domestic solid fuel burning, and we remain committed to doing so,” he said.
Thousands take part in clean-ups More than 2,000 Carlow volunteers took part in cleanups across over 100 locations in the county as part of the National Spring Clean. This year, the National Spring Clean ran from April to the end of August meaning that Spring Clean 21 is Ireland’s longest running and largest anti-litter campaign to date. “This year we had the longest and biggest National Spring Clean campaign ever and we want to thank all the groups and individuals around Ireland who joined us. While waiting for Spring
Clean 2022, there are several ways in which communities and individuals around Ireland can keep getting involved and do their bit for our environment,” National Spring Clean Manager, Emlyn Cullen said. “For example, we encourage people to do a #2minutestreetclean every time they are out and about. Moreover, we are joining An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme for the Big Beach Clean and we are inviting volunteers to register and tackle marine litter at its source.”
September 14, 2021
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Alcohol levels drop by 11%
New Revenue Clearance figures show that alcohol consumption fell by 10.8% amongst the county’s d rinkers in the first half of 2021, compared with the same period last year. This fall is a result of the closure of the hospitality industry, but is also in line with the long-term trend of consumption declining in Ireland, according to Drinks Ireland, which represents drinks manufacturers and suppliers. The figures show that beer and cider sales were the hardest hit, down by 15% and 13% respectively. Typically, around 60% of beer sales and 45% of cider sales are in Ireland’s pubs, restaurants, and hotels. However, consumption was down across all categories, with wine consumption down by 11.5% and spirits down by 0.3%. The new figures confirm that alcohol consumption declined dramatically as a result of Covid-19. The figures from the first half of 2021 are down by 14.1% compared with the same period in 2019, before the pandemic hit.
September 14, 2021
That’s a wrap: soft plastics can be put in recycling bin
All clean plastic packaging waste including soft plastic can now be placed in the county’s household recycling bins. Soft packaging such as wrappers, plastic bags and bubble wrap have been added to the household recycling list provided they are clean, dry and loose. Over the last year a number of new markets specifically handling soft plastics have emerged and Irish plastic can now be exported to these facilities for recycling. And a new deposit scheme for plastic bottles should come into effect next year. This will see a deposit charged for each can or bottle purchased, which is then refunded when the empty container is brought back to the retailer. Waste prevention co-ordinator at MyWaste, a Government guide for the public on waste, Pauline McDonagh, explained that soft plastics are anything that can be scrunched in your hand. “A bag that granola comes in, that pasta comes in, that’s the type of plastic we refer to as soft plastic,” she said. “The major change we’re
An Taoiseach Micheál Martin with Stephanie Graham and Joan Merrigan at the launch of the 29th Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice, which takes place on September 23. Pic: Tom Honan
announcing today is that all those soft plastics along with those rigid plastics should be placed in the recycling bin. She said to recycle properly all items placed into the recycling bin must be clean, dry and loose. “Cling film should be balled into a small ball, but it may be dirty particularly if it has covered food so if it’s dirty,
please don’t put it into your recycling bin that needs to go into general waste,” she said. She said over €10 million has been invested into Ireland’s recycling facilities over the last number of years. “This means that a lot of these facilities have installed optical sorting equipment which can identify different plastics - this is a huge investment
in technology by the waste management sector.” Minister of State for the Circular Economy Ossian Smyth TD said soft plastic can be placed in the household recycling bin along with “rigid” plastic. “Currently in Ireland we recycle less than a third of all plastic packaging waste. We have committed to increasing
our plastic packaging recycling figure to 50% by 2025 and 55% by 2030. “The announcement is a significant step towards achieving these targets,” said Minister Smyth. Until now only hard plastics, such as plastic bottles and food trays, have been accepted. The coordinator of environmental group, Voice, has welcomed the move to allow soft plastics to be placed in the recycling bins, but said the public needs to continue to pressure politicians, retailers and producers to reduce the amount of plastic packaging. Mindy O’Brien said Voice wants to see more investment in infrastructure for reuse and refill. She said there needs to be greater investment in Irish recycling facilities because currently the majority of items are shipped abroad for recycling. “A lot of our recycling is shipped abroad and I know there are efforts afoot to try to get recycling facilities so we can recycle the material here, but right now we are not,” Ms O’Brien said.
September 14, 2021
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September 14, 2021
WILDLIFE
ninenottomiss
Wonderful Wasps
book of the week
with Justin Ivory
German Wasp (Vespula germanica) feeding on aphid ‘honeydew’ on my car windscreen (Pic: Justin Ivory) The words ‘wonderful’ and ‘wasp’ are not usually associated together particularly on sunny, warm September days as we try to grab the last opportunities for alfresco dining only to have the yellow and black striped brigade turn up to spoil the party. But we need to change our relationship with these wonderful creatures. So let’s take a whistle-stop look at their lifecycle, why they behave the way they do at this time of year and why are they so important. In spring hibernating queen wasps emerge and build small, walnut sized nests in which they lay about 20 eggs. The queen feeds the larvae from these eggs until they mature and become sterile female workers. The queen now concentrates on laying more eggs while the workers feed the new larvae and expand the nest. Nests can end up the size of footballs and contain up to 10,000 wasps! The workers feed their young siblings caterpillars, aphids, ants, and flies. The larvae produce a carbohydrate-rich sugary secretion which the workers feed on. As the season progresses the queen stops laying sterile eggs and turns to producing new queens and males. At this stage the requirement for the workers to feeds young draws to an end. The queen stops releasing the pheromone that drives workers to feed the larvae. So now the workers have lost their access to their sugar fix. With no other duties to occupy them they go in search of all things sweet, which leads to them to our picnics, bbqs, kitchens etc. They are addicts looking for their next fix! While the natural reaction is to swat a wasp that gets too close to us, it actually is the worst thing to do. It causes the wasp to release a pheromone that basically calls out ‘Under attack. Need help.’ And before you know it other wasps have come to help it out. Best advice is to leave something sweet and sugary in a spot for them to feast on. They will be happy and leave you in peace.
Wasp nest the size of a football in Glendalough (Photo Justin Ivory)
TV of the week
HOROSCOPES
movie of the week
the magician Colm Tóibín
Ultimate Hell Week RTE 1, Wednesdays (9.35pm)
candyman Cinemas nationwide
IT was Thomas Mann’s children who called their father ‘The Magician’ because of his ability to create his art. In this fictional biography, Colm Tóibín imagines what may have been going on behind the scenes and gives us quite an intimate portrait of this famous literary figure. Exiled in Switzerland in the early 1930s, Mann grew frantic about the private diaries he had left behind in Germany. As Colm Toibin writes, these diaries, if published, would make clear “who he was and what he dreamed about.” What he dreamed about, mostly, was handsome young men. The story of a man of intense contradictions.
MAKING the British version (SAS Who Dares Wins) of this boot camp torture fest appear like a day out Crufts Dog Show, the Irish Rangers turn the pain and misery levels up to 11. There is a certain schadenfreude watching celebrities vomit on the beaches. But eventually feelings of pity take over before you finally ask yourself, why would someone want to try and board a moving boat in Cork Harbour? Which is exactly what a bunch of illadvised personalities, including, former rugby lad Peter Stringer, dancer Laura Nolan and ‘influencer’ Niamh Cullen get up to in Part 2.
IF you’re old enough to remember the original was a bit lame, then you’re probably not going to fork out €247 for a bucket of popcorn to sit through this remake by Nia DaCosta. This time, it’s the same kind of scares – the ghoulish Candyman appearing in mirrors and toilet cubicles etc – only he has been dragged into the modern age, making it more social commentary than horror. It was a cult classic when it first appeared 30 years ago and this will be a joy to original fans. Whether it earns a legion of new ones, time will tell. Just don’t ever say Candyman five times. Candyman. Candyman. Candyman. Candyman. Candyman.
stream of the week
festival of the week
guidebook of the week
AriesMake a bargain, or promise. Push for a long-term dream and vision. Use your charm and creativity. Make a move leading to lasting benefit. TaurusReplenish your reserves. Compute expenses to find painless twigs to prune. Align on solutions for longterm growth. GeminiFocus energy for a personal project for long-lasting gain. Research and consider expert financial opinions. Explore and innovate. CancerReview options for the way of least friction. Gentle, steady pressure works better than force. Determine the best direction. LeoA community effort gains momentum. Long-term goals seem within reach. Work together to exceed expectations. Recruit friends to help.
money matters www.cfasociety.org/ireland/
cinderella Amazon Prime
dublin festival of history www.dublinfestivalofhistory.ie
CINDERALLA is a rebooted romantic musical film based on the fairy tale written and directed by Kay Cannon, Pitch Perfect. The usual gaggle of stars are rolled out, including our very own Pierce Brosnan, with Camila Cabello in the lead role. Essentially, this is what’s known as a Jukebox Musical, featuring several well-known rock and pop hits (Somebody to Love/Material Girl) alongside some originals. And while you can knock it all you like, you will find your feet tapping as you squeeze into a place on the couch with the kids on a Saturday evening.
THE Dublin Festival of History has been organised, for the ninth year running, by Dublin City Council and Dublin City Libraries in partnership with Dublin City Council Culture Company and plays host to a European, UK and domestic line-up of speakers and panels. Among the main topics being covered this year, both online and in person, are women in history, the journey to Irish independence, Germany and the World Wars, Northern Ireland, as well as medieval Dublin. From Monday, 20th September to Sunday, 10th October.
HELPING Transition Year students become more comfortable with personal finance, investing and enterprise, this book is essential for any family struggling to get that TY student out of bed. Developed by the financial analysts in the CFA Society Ireland, the book has been presented to Transition Year teachers in schools across Ireland who can choose to teach it to their students in the next school term, with the overarching aim of increasing the level of financial literacy in Ireland. Pictured is CFA Director Noel Friel, author Susan Hayes-Culleton and Deputy Principal of Sutton Park School, Dublin, David Bane.
album of the week
recipes of the week
charity of the week
blue banisters Lana Del Rey
siucra back to school meals www.facebook.com/SiucraIreland/
Peter mcverry charity cycle pmvtrust.ie/wexford-cycle-2021/
WAIT, didn’t we just . . . yes, we did just feature a new album by Lana Del Rey, her seventh studio album, Chemtrails over the Country Club, released in March. So this is . . . yes, her eighth studio album and her second in 2021. So is she . . . trying to make us all feel teeny and bad and useless? Probably, but that’s why she can make albums about country clubs in the first place, while the rest of us make do with bingo halls. Anyway, once the inferiority complex has subsided, check this out. As always, it’s blooody good. Grrr.
DARE we say it? The dread of the back to school dinners? Look, they’re back, like it or not, but with a little help from Siucra, easy dinners are at hand which can be served up in just 30 minutes . . . or thereabouts. To start you off with something not so laborious, we can point you towards a classic fave with the kids, Siúcra‘s Back-to-School Dinner Burritos, which are guaranteed to keep everyone happy and excited for meal times. And yes, you do need to add the sugar, it’s an integral part of the process.
THE Peter McVerry Trust, the national housing and homelessness charity, will return to physical fundraising events with their Wexford Cycle 2021 on Saturday 18th September. The charity is this year running a hybrid event, where participants will have the option to complete the traditional route from the campus of University City Dublin to Wexford town, or take on a virtual cycle on the same date. For those taking on the traditional event there are two route options – 100km or 135km.
VirgoPlay the game you’ve been practicing to win. Forge ahead, and anticipate changes. Stay light on your feet, and have fun.. LibraSet into place structures to support your next adventure. Balance and weigh your options. Make long-term decisions and preparations. ScorpioGo for big financial goals with a partner’s support. Teamwork goes the distance. Clarify your vision to inspire greater gain. Sagittarius-
Collaborate to determine next steps with your partner. Discuss possibilities, and align upon which to greenlight. Compromise and negotiate terms. CapricornPick up the pace as demand for your work rises. The moves you make now can have lasting personal benefits. You have an extra advantage. AquariusCollaboration flowers. Pull together for common gain. Have fun with family, friends and someone you love. Share your heart. PiscesWork together for home and family. Work out who will do what, and get going. Handle household routines, and make a long-desired improvement.
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September 14, 2021
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September 14, 2021
September 14, 2021
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September 14, 2021
We take a look back at extracts from old newspapers to see what was in the news this month in years gone by
Freemans Jrn 03/09/1827
Freemans Jrn 04/09/1839
Irish Ind 13/09/1937
Irish Ind, 12/09/1950
Evening Her 01/09/1938
Freemans Jrn 03/09/1827
Irish Ind 09/09/1937
September 14, 2021
Education2021
Inside Do your homework on accommodation
| 13
Inside Springboard can give you lift off Inside Come back Leaving, all is forgiven
Dr Shane Kelly congratulates girlfriend Madison Phipps ahead of her graduation from the UCD School of Medicine recently. Pic: Andres Poveda
don’t miss the second part of our guide in Our next edition
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September 14, 2021
Do your homework on accommodation As the new college year approaches, the search begins for countless students to find accommodation for the coming year — while at all times taking Covid-19 into account. While students put together criteria for their search, such as location, living space and cost, there is often one important criteria that is overlooked. For those students engaging with an estate agent in their search for accommodation, it is imperative that they ensure that the agent is licensed by the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA). All Property Service Providers (Letting Agents, Auctioneers, Estate Agents and Management Agents) operating in the Republic of Ireland must hold a PSRA licence. Licensed Property Service Providers are regulated by the PSRA, ensuring that the consumer is protected. The individual licence is a credit card size licence, which contains the licensee name, photographic identification and a unique 6 or 12 digit PSRA licence number, always
Ethel McManus with Kirsten Carpenter ahead of their graduation from UCD School of Medicine recently. Pic: Andres Poveda
beginning with a double zero. In recent years, reports to the PSRA regarding bogus letting agents increase at this time of year as new bogus agents appear, targeting the large number of students seeking accommodation. These bogus agents often set up online, advertising accommodation and
attempting to extract financial payments from prospective tenants. In some instances, these bogus agents will claim to have a valid PSRA licence number. When using a property service provider, clients should ask to see the property service provider’s licence and note the licence
number. You can then check this number on the PSRA Register of Licensed Property Services Providers to ensure that the licence is not only valid and in date, but that the provider’s details match those on the Register. The Register can be found on the PSRA’s website, www. psr.ie.
48 Courses across; Business and Hospitality
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Creative Arts
Art & Mixed Media, Graphic Design, Acting, Film & TV, Film & Special Effects, Music Performance, Music Technology…and more.
Humanities, Social & Health
Discover your options, plan your future
Social Studies, Healthcare, Nursing, Arts, Politics, Psychology, Public & Emergency Services, SNA…and more.
Sports and Services
Sports Physiotherapy, Sport Training, Fitness, Make-up, Barbering, Beauty, Barbering, Hairdressing…and more.
Technology and Science
Animal Care, Animal Science, Applied Sciences, Construction, Furniture Making, Engineering, Automotive…and more.
| 15
September 14, 2021
Springboard can give you lift off
Twins Dr Ross Walsh and Dr Jamie Walsh from Donnybook, Co Dublin ahead of their graduation from UCD School of Medicine recently. Pic: Andres Poveda
More than 10,000 free and subsidised higher education places have been announced under the Springboard+ 2021 and Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 initiatives. The courses are available to people throughout the county, and will be delivered by institutions across the country. Springboard+ provides free courses for people who are unemployed, people who have taken time out of work or education to raise their families or care for loved ones, or people who want to upskill. Now in its tenth year, over 75,000 people have benefitted from Springboard+ to date. Courses under the HCI Pillar 1 programme are aimed at graduates and offer incentivised places for them to reskill in areas of skills shortage and emerging technologies. These are being run along-
side, and complementary to, the Springboard+ offerings. For those in employment, the Government will fund 90% of the cost of a Springboard+ or HCI Pillar 1 course. The programmes are managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. Launching the programme, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, said “As we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, we will need to ensure that people have the skills they need. “Springboard+ and the graduate conversion courses under the Human Capital Initiative provide a targeted response to skills needs, enabling people to upskill and reskill in areas of critical importance which have come to the fore as a result of Covid-19, including Cyberse-
curity, Virtual Reality, Health Innovation, and Logistics. “Programmes in Climate/Sustainability and Energy which are central to the Programme for Government are also being funded.” Also commenting, Dr Vivienne Patterson, Head of Skills and Engagement at the Higher Education Authority, said: “Springboard+ and HCI courses give people who are unemployed, those looking to return to work and people in employment a great opportunity to upskill or reskill – particularly in areas where there are skills shortages. “We work closely with employers across the country to ensure that the courses that are on offer are in-line with industry needs and best practices. “We are delighted that this year, 90% of courses will be delivered in a flexible manner
– which will allow more people to engage with the courses which may have been inaccessible to them before, because of work or family commitments, or because of where they live. “This means people can, effectively, participate in courses anywhere in Ireland.” Helpline – 1800 303 523 Candidates who wish to participate in Springboard+ 2021 or HCI Pillar 1 courses will find full details on the approved courses on www.springboardcourses.ie. Experienced guidance counsellors will be available to advise potential Springboard+ and HCI Pillar 1 participants on their options on the freephone Springboard+ helpline: 1800 303 523. “The helpline is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.”
learning works Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board
Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI)
Certificate (Year 1) and Diploma (Year 2) Further Education and Training (FET) Evening Classes ATI Year 1 Subjects 2021/2022
Fee per Subject
ATI Year 2 Subjects 2021/2022
Fee per Subject
Financial Accounting
€230.00
Advanced Financial Accounting
€230.00
Taxation
€230.00
Advanced Taxation
€230.00
Business Management
€230.00
Management Accounting
€230.00
Business Law
€230.00
Financial Data Management
€230.00
Kilkenny and Carlow ETB, FET offer ATI professional training courses in partnership with Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI). Interested in this course? Please log onto www.fetchcourses.ie for more information and to register an expression of interest. Students will also need to register with Accounting Technicians Ireland, please log onto www.accountingtechniciansireland.ie for further information and registration details.
Funding Options for ATI For those in employment, you may be eligible to access funding through the Skills to Advance Initiative. Details of the SOLAS Skills to Advance Initiative can be accessed at https://www.solas. ie/programmes/skills-to-advance, which includes information regarding funding eligibility criteria. Presently not in employment, you may be eligible for funding through the Training Support Grant (TSG),
offered through the DSP. Please contact your local INTREO office for more information and to check your eligibility. This course will run every Monday and Wednesday evening from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm during the academic months of 2021/2022. Course start date: Monday 20th September 2021.
For more information and to register an expression of interest in this course please log onto www.fetchcourses.ie or contact the Adult Education Office (FET), Kilkenny and Carlow ETB at: 056 7765103 adulteducationoffice@kilkennycarlowetb.ie
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September 14, 2021
education2021
Please come back Leaving, all is forgiven
F
amiliarity breeds contempt, they say, and that is how many of us appear to regard the Leaving Certificate. Too hard, say some. Too soft, cry others. Too broad, too specific, too sweeping, too exclusive. But it is also said of old friends that we only truly appreciate them when they’re gone. And in the past two Covidhaunted years I have come to realise the value of our old friend the Leaving. Not perfect, but not too bad at all. The alternatives have involved some form of calculated grades; assessment by teachers based on past results, class work (sometimes from online classes) and projects. The teachers’ recommendations have been reviewed by an impartial examiner and adjusted to take account of past performance and national averages.
This year we gave students the choice of assessment or sitting the usual exam; in fact we allowed them to do both and go with whichever gave the best result. Obviously, many students like this belt and braces approach but it is not a good model for the future. Students like the eachway bet but teachers know it must inevitably lead to a devaluation of the Leaving Cert and a reduction in the standard of our third level intake. The Leaving is a blunt instrument for determining a young person’s future but the alternatives are worse. Teacher projections open the possibility of bias and, regardless of rules against canvassing, that will always be the case in a small country like ours. How could it be otherwise when a teacher is grading the son of a neighbour or the daughter of a good friend? Project work is less open to bias and should, perhaps, weigh more heavily in our exam calculations.
But projects have their own unfairness, since they favour children whose parents are willing and able to help and schools with better facilities. The Leaving Cert undoubtedly suits some kids more than others. It can favour one-off excellence over consistency and sometimes allows flair to trump hard work. It’s not a perfect system but it has served the country well enough. It is fair and its rules are clear. The system is not broken and we should follow the advice of the old cliché and be in no rush to fix it. So as we begin a new school under conditions that are starting to look a little more like normality, my hope is that it will end with the return of the Leaving Certificate we know and ... well, love ... sort of. Come next Spring I hope we’ll say: Welcome back old Leaving Cert friend. You can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but we’ve missed you. - Michael Wolsey
€14,000
That’s how much it costs to live and go to college away from home
The cost of college will increse to up to €14,000 this year for students living away from home, according to a new survey. After a year of studying from home, which kept a lid on outgoings, the return to campus next month will students and their families in the pocket. High rents and rising food prices are key contributors to the projected hike in living costs. Details of the Student Cost of Living Guide, estimate that students moving to Dublin will need €1,539 a month, or €13,827 for the full academic year. The figure includes the €3,000- a-year contribution charged by publicly-funded third-level colleges, although most SUSI grant-holders are
exempt or partially exempt from this fee. The total cost of up to €14,000 represents a sharp rise on the €12,171 students were expected to pay going into the 2019-2020 academic year. That was the last time when they were heading to college under ‘normal’ circumstances before the pandemic kicked in and caused chaos, resulting in long months of remote learning. While many families saved money as a result of Covid lockdowns, others, where members lost their jobs, have been struggling on the PUP welfare payment and will have little or no reserves to call on. The estimate for the upcoming year was significantly lower for students who will not require accommodation in Dublin, such
as those who will be able to live at home, dropping to just over €6,600 for the period. The average monthly rent cost, calculated based on the private rental market, is estimated to be €585, however, TU Dublin note average monthly rates for private student accommodation is much higher, at €940, while Digs (living with a family) is slightly less, at €540. The annual student contribution, or registration fee, of €3,000 is also taken into account, representing a monthly cost of €333. The next largest outgoing for students living away from home is food, estimated to cost €220 a month, followed by travel (€108). Books and class materials are the same for both cohorts, €74, as is the €75 estimate for ‘social life’.
September 14, 2021
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September 14, 2021
opinion&comment
Take your hands off our holiday homes, minister
I
have just returned from staycation with my extended family in a house we rented through Airbnb. It was a lovely house and I would be happy to go back to it but I’m not sure if the Government will let me. The people who own the house, a couple in their seventies, live in it for part of the year, and Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien doesn’t approve of such ‘short-term lets’ He believes Airbnb is luring landlords who would otherwise make their homes available for residential renting. He told the Sunday Business Post that he plans to move against these holiday rentals as part of the Government’s Housing for All policy. Mr O’Brien intends to force short-term letters to seek special planning permission and a licence. If they don’t get ap-
Michael Wolsey
proval it will be illegal for them to list their properties on the Airbnb site or similar platforms such as Vibro and Booking. com. The minister is modelling his plan on one introduced two years ago in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, which he says has been a success. “It has had an effect already in making sure properties are let out for appropriate periods,” he told the
Business Post. I have no doubt he is right, for I have read several reports about the Lisbon scheme which make the same point. But Mr O’Brien did not claim that the scheme had resulted in any increase in residential renting in Lisbon and nor did any of the reports. A study of the project, presented to the annual conference of Royal Economic Society in London, suggested that the main effect had been to reduce the number of properties for sale in tourist areas of Lisbon. People were unwilling to spend on properties if they could not recoup some of the money by short-term letting;. Prices fell but so did demand; there has been no significant increase in accommodation available for residential renting and no reduction in the rents paid by tenants. This does not bother the Lis-
bon authorities because they weren’t trying to increase residential renting when they imposed the restrictions. They feared the tourist areas of their city were being overwhelmed by visitors and wanted to stem the tide. Other cities, such as Paris and Barcelona, take the same view and are considering similar rules. Maybe a tourist curb is also needed in Dublin, although it is hard to support the argument when looking at the desolation Covid has brought to our capital. It is certainly not true of any other Irish city. They are trying to attract tourists, not limit their numbers. In any case, the argument about tourist numbers is beside the point. Mr O’Brien believes a measure like the Lisbon scheme could increase the availability of properties for residential renting. There is no evidence to support that theory and my per-
sonal experience suggests that the minister is wrong. I have rented Airbnb properties seven or eight times over the past decade, in different parts of Ireland and in France and Spain. All but one - an apartment in Paris - were homes where the owners lived for at least part of the year and which they would not let them on a longterm lease. The owners of the house we recently rented spend their summers with friends in the Canaries. They also vacate their house at other holiday periods, often at Easter and sometimes at Christmas. They might put it on the Airbnb market at other times if they get a good offer, but they expect to spend at least 30 weeks of the year in their home. They would not dream of leasing it for residential accommodation. If they could not rent it to tourists they would leave it empty or maybe, they thought,
sell it and buy somewhere cheaper. Either way, nothing Mr O’Brien does will put this house on the residential rental market. But why should the minister do anything of the sort? What people do with their own homes is no business of his. If, by stringing together shortterm lets , a house owner turns a private dwelling into a small business, then of course the development should be subject to planning permission, but it should be determined by normal planning rules, relating to, say, parking, street signs and frontage, not by some licensing law aimed at Airbnb. If the Government wants to penalise Airbnb landlords to curb tourism or for some reason of its own, it should say so. But, please Minister O’Brien, do not continue to peddle the delusion that this scheme will in any way help to provide Housing for All.
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carlowpeople.ie September 14, 2021