Joining Clare FM’s Gavin Grace on The Afternoon Show today was Kathleen O’Meara who’s the Head of Advocacy and Communications with the Irish Cancer Society. The society says it’s worried some cancer patients may stop getting treatment – because many hospitals are now charging 75 euro for each round of chemotherapy. The patients affected are those who don’t qualify for a medical card and who don’t have health insurance. The news comes as new figures show that applications to the Irish Cancer Society’s financial aid scheme increased by 36 per cent in the past three years and now accounts for an annual spend of more than one million euro.
Gavin Reilly is a Journalist with thejournal.ie, he spoke to Clare FM’s Máire Moynahan about how the recession has claimed its latest victim with the announcement that moneys paid out to lucky winners of prize bond draws is to fall. The National Treasury Management Agency, which manages Ireland’s national debt and administers the Prize Bonds scheme, is to amend its formula by which it calculates the total prize money on offer, as of next month. The new prize structure will not affect the monthly top prize of €1,000,000, or the top prize of €20,000 for each weekly draw, but the payment of lower-rank prizes will be adjusted.
Aine Carroll from the National Consumer Agency also spoke to Gavin about how the agency is urging us all to check the expiry date, terms and conditions and charges on gift vouchers this Christmas. The NCA reveals that 49 per cent of consumers receive gift cards or gift vouchers as presents – and yet almost half do not check the conditions of use. The NCA says it’s helpline received over 700 calls this year – relating to the issue of gift vouchers alone.
Pauline McNamara is the Chairwoman of Cuan an Chlair – the project, which was set to build and run a Day Care Centre and sheltered housing for the elderly of Ennis and its environs on grounds near Cahercalla Community Hospital in Ennis. Cuan An Chláir presents the Irish Cinema premiere charity screening of “Les Miserables” (starring Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman & Anne Hathaway) at the Empire Movieplex in Ennis on Thursday January 10th @ 7.30pm. We have 5 pairs of tickets to giveaway to this very special screening each day, which also includes supper in the Old Ground after the movie. BUT each of the daily winners will go into a draw for Friday and one of these people will also win the following: pick up from your home and return the following morning and an overnight stay plus breakfast in the Old Ground Hotel Ennis.
Gary Kearney is Director of Food Science at Safefood and he discussed how to cook safely this festive season particularly in relation to poultry.Safefood food science experts are on hand to provide practical tips on how to cook the best possible bird, whether it is turkey, pheasant, or goose. They can also provide practical food safety advice in relation to food preparation, storage and cooking at home this Christmas. Safefood have a turkey calculator on their website – safefood.eu for anyone who’s not certain!
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