Kerry Stars sports hall up for council discussion

Ambitions by the Kerry Special Olympics Club to build its sports centre could take a step closer to reality on Monday.

The Kerry Stars has been pursuing its dream to build a sports centre in Derreen for a couple of years.

The club has identified a site, with support from Kerry County Council, between the existing Killarney Legion and Killarney Celtic sports grounds.

A special meeting of the elected members of the Municipal District will be held in the Town Hall on Monday.

Elected councillors and county council officials will discuss findings under the proposed sports centre’s public consul- tation phase.

The Killarney Advertiser understands that over 80 submissions were made during the public consultation phase. The majority are understood to be in favour of the development, but concerns are set to be raised regarding traffic management in the area if the project gets planning permission.

The council’s Chief Executive has prepared a report on the consultation in line with current planning and development regulations.

Expressway increases return fares on Limerick – Killarney route

Expressway, Bus Éireann’s commercial coach service, has announced changes to its fare structure to offset the impact of rising costs on the business and incentivise online ticket purchases. These changes will come into effect from 31 July 2023.

Route 14 Limerick to Killarney via Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale will see single fares remain the same. A return fare booked in advance will increase from €21.50 to €24.00.

On-board monthly return tickets will no longer be available for purchase on these routes.

This new legislation aims to provide a fair deal for our elderly who may not be able to look after themselves. Heartbeat Killarney has invited Patrick Barrett Barrister-in-Law to explain what all this means from a legal point of view.The Act itself sets out various safeguards for those who have capacity, who fear they will lose capacity, and those who have no capacity whatsoever to govern their own affairs. For those worried about how to manage their personal affairs (such a finances, health, or living arrangements) or those of loved ones when faced with an ability to make decisions, the subject matter will be informative.This law is about rights, and taking every possible step to assist people to continue making their own decisions about their health, finances, housing, work or personal welfare. This Act is of great importance for people with frailty, dementia, an acquired brain injury or mental illness. It could however be very important to all of us at certain times in our lives. If both parents are alive, get them to dissolve any joint bank account and set up separate ones, with pension payments and any allowances going into the respective account. Any Care Package fees can be taken from the correct account, allowing the dementia patient to be means-tested more effectively.

Five Key Points Will Be Discussed

1. If one parent is acting as carer, set up a standing order to pay a sum [exactly half of what is going into the other account] from one account into the other to cover h/hold bills so that the carer has enough money to manage their own life.

2. Ask a solicitor to arrange for TWO enduring power of attorney (EPA) certifi-

David

Patrick Barrett

cates [a rough cost estimate is €500 for both ] to cover finance and health. This can only be set up while the parent “has mental capacity” so sooner is better than later. It enables one parent to make decisions on the others behalf. ** (see note at end)

3. Ask parent to set out their wishes with regard to care; will they be okay with going into a care home if needs be? Also cover funeral wishes and end of life care. Get all these answers typed up – make sure they understand it and date it and ask them to sign it. This brings clarity to their wishes while still of sound mind.

4. Talk about a PEACE PLAN = proactive enhanced advanced care. This is an anticipatory end-of-life care plan for those with dementia who no longer have capacity to make those kind of decisions for themselves. It helps care professionals deliver the care your parent wants in the last phases of life.

5. Check whether any household accounts eg broadband / utilities are in the affected person’s name and change them [this may require the householder’s signature]

The talk will take place at the Parish Hall on Park Road at 9pm on July 25.

is ref for All Ireland final

The GAA has announced that David Gough from Meath will be the referee for the 2023 GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Final.

The big game on July 30 between Dublin and Kerry will be Gough’s second Senior Final and the first since 2019 which involved the same two teams.

In this year’s Football Championship, David has refereed the Connacht Semi-Final between Roscommon and Galway, Ulster Final between Armagh and Derry and in the All-Ireland Series, Galway v Tyrone in Round 1, Cork v Kerry in Round 2, and the Quarter-Final between Dublin and Mayo.