On Tuesdays Morning Focus John began by speaking to Nicola Cooke – Media and P.R Manager for Bus Eireann. We have had several queries to the show in relation to school bus tickets from concerned parents. Queries include no bus tickets from Kilnaboy to Ennistymon they were applied for and paid for 6 weeks ago and still isn't received – It happened last year and the students were put off the bus route while they were waiting. Many parents are concerned about this issue. John and Nicola discussed how parents can use temporary tickets and receipts if needed while they are waiting for tickets to be issued.
Up next Gerard Dollard – Director of Services, Clare County Council joined John in studio as Clare County Council confirmed it has taken in charge 29 housing developments comprising hundreds of residential and other properties throughout Clare since the beginning of 2013. The Local Authority said it is making "steady progress" in addressing difficulties at 180 developments around Clare brought about through the collapse of many companies in the building sector. In 2013, a total of 14 developments were formally taken in charge by the local authority, while an additional 15 developments have been fully taking in charge during 2014.
Damien Madden the Deputy Officer in Charge at Killaloe Coastguard spoke to John as three units of the Clare coastguard, gardai and Shannon Rescue 115 were involved in locating a lost family in Cratloe woods last night. The family with three children the youngest of which is four had gone for a walk when darkness descended and they became disorientated. They called emergency services at 9.30 and a major search operation – involving the coastguard from Killaloe, Kilkee and Doolin, was launched.
John Lowe – The Money Doctor was up next to answer all your money queries today's topics included:
1. Mortgage arrears fall as more accounts are restructured
2. Property owners risk penalty of €7,230 as amnesty ends
3. 'Pay as you go' health insurance on the way to prevent people abandoning their cover
4. Savers getting a tiny return as interest rates plummet
5. Irish people not ready to give up writing cheques
No matter how old you are, nobody – except, perhaps some frazzled mums and dads – really looks forward to the end of the holidays. The end of August can be a tough time for many families, but there are several ways to ensure a smoother, sulk-free transition from the long happy weeks of summer freedom to the highly-structured school day. National Parents Council Primary is there to give tips and pointers to parents and they are pointing people in the direction of a leaflet they published last year with the help of early childhood Ireland. John spoke to Deirdre Sullivan – Training and Development Officer National Parents Council Primary about heading back to school. Deirdre gave listeners tips and advice as children across the county head back to school.
Padraig O'Ruairc – Historian, OPW spoke to John as part of heritage week.
TOPIC: Lecture on the Round Towers of County Clare
EVENT DATE & TIME: Thursday 28th August 19:30 to 21:00
VENUE: Teach Ceol, Kilrush.
DETAILS: Free public lecture by historian Padraig O'Ruairc on Irish round towers with a particular focus on the surviving round towers of County Clare.
Finally, Clare Dog Warden Frankie Coote joined John for his regular slot with advice on proper animal care and animal owners' legal responsibilities. Contact Clare Animal Shelter on 065 6820393.
If you have a story, comment or query for Morning Focus email [email protected] or write to us – Morning Focus, Clare FM, Francis Street, Ennis, Co. Clare.
