On today's Morning Focus with Gavin Grace
'Discrimination' against pre-schoolers with special needs is a problem today. Gavin was joined by Angela Tobin from Feakle. Angela is a mum of three-year-old Dylan. She was delighted with the news of a second free pre-school year for children. Last Monday, however, she found out that there will be no increase in availability of SNA (special needs assistant) hours to enable her son, Dylan, to have the full benefit of the additional year. Dylan gets SNA hours from Enable Ireland, but cannot attend five-days-a-week due to a limitation on these resources. Angela believes it would have been more progressive if the government had decided to spend the money on providing adequate SNA support for special needs children for five-days-a-week.
Road safety has always been a big issue in Ireland. Gavin was joined by Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy who told the story of her brother, Jarlath, who was the victim of a fatal road traffic accident 13 years ago this weekend in Ennis.
Ennis taxi drivers join Taxi Watch. Martin and Trevor White from AAA Taxis, Ennis spoke about joining this initiative. Taxi Watch was set up in Kilkenny in November 2014. It is a group of 15 Taxi Drivers who want to make a difference in the community and save lives. In the course of their work, the drivers monitor bridges and quays 7-days-a-week. Since November 2014, they say they've saved 58 people.
Gavin spoke with Martin Ryan next about Positive mental health and The Little Things campaign. Martin is with the Resource Office for Suicide Prevention, HSE Midwest and talked about benefits of this campaign.
Malie Coyne, the Child Psychologist, spoke this week on discipline for kids. Listeners texted in their questions and Malie answered. If you have any parenting queries for Malie, email [email protected].
Kieran McCarthy plans to push himself to the limit this weekend by cycling from Dublin to Shannon this Sunday – slotting in a 10km swim – then cycling back to Dublin that same night, before running the marathon on Bank Holiday Monday morning. Kieran's daughter Aoibheann was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis over five years ago and he is hoping his challenge will raise some much-needed funds for TLC4CF – Cystic Fibrosis and the Clare Crusaders Clinic.
Next up was Arts with County Arts Officer Siobhan Mulcahy where Gavin introduced the Weekend Events:
October Month of Cheese – Free tasting event at The Wine Buff Ennis with Bord Bia (Saturday, October 24). Eimear O'Donnell, Sector Manager Consumer Dairy, Bord Bia spoke about the event.
Kilfenora Ceili Band (with Don Stiffe & Special Guests) at the Willie Keane Memorial Weekend – Saturday, October 24 – 8pm Halla an Phobail (doors open 7.15pm). John Lynch Coordinator of the Kilfenora Ceili Band told Gavin what to expect.
Anna McCrum is founder member of the Irish Red Cross in Clare and is celebrating her 100th birthday with her family at Cahercalla Community Hospital. Today, Friday, a presentation will be made to Anna at Cahercalla Community Hospital by the Irish Red Cross Clare Area Committee. Representing the Irish Red Cross will be Pat Carey, National Chairperson; Michael Conlan, Chairperson Clare Area; Gertie Glennan, Vice Chairperson; James Lafferty, Treasurer; and Siobhan Griffin Youth Officer. The Irish Red Cross Clare will hold their annual flag day in Ennis Town on Saturday from 9am to 6pm
Today's Friday Panel consisted of Verena Tarpey from the Ennis Rape Crisis Centre, William Cahir of Cahir and Company Solicitors and Martin Waldron from Corofin Tourism spoke about this weeks big topics.
