Category: Uncategorized

A KILKISHEN leaving cert student, his brother and sister could be stranded without school transport when school opens after summer.

The three Stewart-Dunne children may have to switch school following a Vocational Education Committee warn- ing that they may not have places on the

school bus in the new term – if they can get a place in a new school.

Anne Stewart, mother of Michael (16), John (14) and Emer (12) says she is “at a loss” to know what to do about her chil- dren’s education after receiving a letter from the VEC last week warning that there may not be any space for her chil- dren on the bus to their secondary school in Shannon come September.

“Michael is about to start in to his Leaving Certificate cycle, John has set- tled into school at Shannon and loves it there and Emer wants to go to school where her brothers and cousins go. For them to change and go to Tulla, which is the nearest school, would be a major disruption. We don’t know if the school in Tulla has places for them – I don’t even know if we should be applying there or getting ready for Shannnon,” said Anne.

A major consideration for Anne – who is a lone parent and works part-time – would be the cost of changing schools.

“It will set me back about €300 for uniforms alone and there is a free book scheme in Shannon. I don’t know if that applies in Tulla. I only work part-time and I don’t have that kind of money,’ the mother of three said.

The letter which Anne Stewart received a few days ago is one of thousands sent out to families nation-wide.

The letters were sent to parents who have opted to send their children to a secondary school other than the one Aeterna com nelsn0

Before now, children who travelled to school outside their catchment areas were classified as “boundary catchment pupils” and were allocated seats on the basis of availability but in practice, al- most every child got a place on the bus.

The letters are a result of the Govern- ment decision to end a “three for two” seating arrangement on school buses.

The Stewart children were enrolled ins school at Shannon so they could be educated with their extended family and be close to their grandad, who provides them with a hot lunch while their mum is working.

“I know that the Department of Educa- tion is trying to improve safety standards on school buses and that’s all to the good but instead of doing the decent thing and putting on more buses, they want children uprooted and taken away from school where they are doing well, “ said Anne.

to share house in Park Avenue. Ensuite room. Located rear of Dunnes Stores Ennis. Tel 086-8521265

CLARE people got a chance to sample what life is like behind the scenes at Lough Derg’s RNLI Lifeboat Station’s first Open Day last week.

The day was a huge success, with many local people visiting the station for the first time. Volunteer crew and committee mem- bers gave guided tours and answered ques- tions about the work of the RNLI and about their local lifeboat.

There were videos of the Atlantic Class lifeboat in action on the sea and slideshows on the development and progress of the Lough Derg Station.

The Irish Coast Guard’s Search and Res-

cue helicopter did a fly by, much to the delight of the young children visiting the station.

August 7 was also the first day of the Lough Derg Yacht Club annual regatta and many sailors visited the station. It is tra- ditionally a day in which the Yacht Club makes a collection for the RNLI.

‘All volunteers at the station would like to extend a warm thank you to everyone who made the journey to visit the lifeboat sta- tion; for their enthusiasm, support and gen- erosity” said Lifeboat PRO Eleanor Hogan. “The Open Day was a tremendous success and helped to raise funds to continue the valuable work of the RNLI and our local lifeboat station.”

to let in lux- ury house, own bathroom. Suit professional. Private garden and parking. 085-7157678

THE president of the IFA John Dillon has pledged to continue the campaign to pre- vent factory owners from importing low cost beef from South America.

Mr Dillon’s pledge came after what he described as a ‘useful’ meeting with the directors of the Queally Meat Group last week. The meeting took place following an IFA protest by some 300 farmers at the plant in Naas, Co Kildare. More than 50 farmers occupied the offices of the Queally Group during the 10 hour long protest.

The IFA head claimed that there had been a full and frank exchange of views at the meeting on the issue of beef imports from South America.

“I conveyed to Peter Queally and Dan Browne the depth of anger among beef producers in this country who have seen prices collapse in the last six weeks,” said Mr Dillon. “Meat factories have cut cattle prices by €150 per head since June, leav- ing over 50,000 beef farmers in a loss- making situation.”

“The IFA is demanding that Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan introduce proper labelling at all hotels, restaurants and ca- tering outlets,” he continued.

Earlier in the week Mr Dillon accused meat factories of “stabbing Irish farmers in the back” over the slaughter of beef, be- lieved to originate in Brazil, in the Kildare factory.

Indeed, questions have also been raised

from many sectors of the farming com- munity about the proper labelling of beef imported from South America and the pos- sibility of placing a quota on the amount of beef that can be imported.

Meanwhile, the president of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Association, Malcolm Thompson, has also joined the fight against beef imports from South America. Mr Thompson travelled to Derry last night to join a protest against the sale of Brazilian beef in supermarkets in Northern Ireland.

“We need to send a clear message to our World ‘Trade Organisations negotiators that Irish farmers will not tolerate the deci- mation of our industry any longer and beef needs to be treated as a nationally sensitive product,” said Mr Thompson.

for rent near Ennis Town. Professionals only need apply. Rent reasonable. Contact 086-8901153