Sharkey calls for Leaving Cert results to be issued earlier next year

Cllr Tomás Sharkey believes everyone would be best served by the Leaving Cert results being issued sooner

Sinn Féin County Councillor Tomás Sharkey is calling for the 2015 Leaving Certificate results to be released earlier than the traditional mid-August date.

His remarks came on the eve of around 1,600 students in the county receiving their results earlier today.

He said: “Students will know how many points they got and college places will be awarded in the coming weeks. This leaves very little time for students and families to make arrangements for the start of the first semester.

“Every year students appeal some results and their exams are rechecked. This year, the appealed results will not be available until mid-october. If a result is upgraded, the student may qualify for a place in a higher preference course but far too late into the semester. I believe that this timeline is not good enough. There is no reason why results can’t be issued to students at the start of August and appealed results made available by the end of September.

“Earlier Leaving Cert results will give students more time to find accommodation and to sort grant applications. Earlier appeals results will mean that students can join their higher preference college courses before it is too late.

“The State Examinations Commission is an efficient organisation and I believe that if the Minister for Education requested this new timeframe, it would be achieved,” said Cllr Sharkey.

Meanwhile, a number of local politicians have been in contact to wish local students well with Labour Senator Mary Moran encouraging them to “celebrate wisely and keep safe in the coming days.”

Louth County Council inviting applications for Housing Adaptation Grants

The offices of Louth County Council

Louth County Council is inviting grant applications from those in the county who require assistance to make their home more suitable to accommodate a person with a disability and for people aged over 66 who require essential structural repairs.

Highest priority in assessing grant applications will be given to a person with a severe physical disability who is fully or mainly dependent on family or a carer(s). The works allowed under the Housing Adaptation Grant scheme include access ramps, downstairs toilet facilities, stair-lifts, accessible showers, wheelchair access and other necessary works.

Extensions may only be considered when all less costly and “fit for purpose” alternatives have been eliminated e.g. use of technology, reassignment of existing rooms, etc. Grants are means-tested with varying levels of funding available according to household income.

All Housing Adaption/Mobility Aids grants will be assessed by Louth County Council’s Occupational Therapist in an effort to use the available funding where it will have maximum impact. In 2013, a total of 89 grants were approved.

With an expected deadline for applications of March 31, 2014 under this year’s scheme, there have already been more than 200 expressions of interest received by the local authority.

According to Joe McGuinness, Director of Services, Louth Local Authorities: “Given the total funds available, only those cases of greatest need can be supported.  It is important that applications are fully completed before submission as incomplete forms will be returned.  Applicants should also familiarise themselves with new changes that have been introduced, particularly around income limits and the maximum levels of funding available.

“Our main priority will be to address the most urgent needs and – because of resource constraints – only the very strongest cases of need can be considered for funding. Given the high level of requests for applications already received, it is likely that applications will far exceed the number of grants that will be approved.”

Further information and application forms are available at www.louthcoco.ie or by calling (042) 9324271.