The Minister of State for Disability Issues, Finian McGrath, joined Gavin today ahead of tomorrow’s budget.
Minister McGrath has suggested that tomorrow’s budget won’t include an increase in the basic pension rate. For the past three years, budget day has seen an announcement of an across-the-board increase in the State pension and other social welfare rates, and Junior Minister Finian McGrath has admitted to Clare FM that he, and fellow members of the Independent Alliance, want to see that again tomorrow. However, while last-minute budget negotiations are continuing, that’s unlikely to happen. Minister McGrath spoke with Gavin on Friday last, at a Clare Leader Forum event focusing on issues facing people with disabilities.
Ennis Community College and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir are undergoing a multi-million euro redevelopment which will see it double in size. The funding has been announced by the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board for the development of the schools which are co-located on Harmony Row. Work is well underway with the redeveloped buildings set to be completed by 2021. Brian O’Donoghue, Principal, and some students spoke to Gavin about this redevelopment.
Listen back below:
Tommy Guilfoyle, former Clare Captain, briefly joined us on-air as he spoke to Clare FM’s Darren Kelly following Donal Moloney’s decision to withdraw his name from the selection process for Senior Hurling Manager. Guilfoyle thinks the county board must reassess how they select the next senior hurling manager.
Clare Older People’s Council has honoured our older citizens who make an outstanding contribution to their community. The Older Volunteer of the Year Awards took place at Hotel Woodstock last week (Tue, Oct 1) and Clare FM’s Emerald Kenny went along to meet some of the inspiring participants.
Congratulations to Derrick Clune who is this year’s Older Volunteer of the Year!
You can listen back below:
For this week’s Garda Focus slot, Sgt Tríona O’Rourke, Clare Crime Prevention Officer joined us in studio.
Next, on today’s show Siobhan Cashman, Staff Scientist at BD joined Gavin on air to tell us more about the STEM Stars Competition, which aims to promote the study of STEM subjects – Science, Technology and Mathematics. Schools in Clare and Limerick are being encouraged to come up with innovative solutions to health problems affecting their local communities as part of this initiative. It’s organised by BD Research Centre Ireland (RCI) (based in Limerick’s National Technology Park) and has a prize fund of €20,000 for education in Clare and Limerick.
Listen back below:
Next, Michael Donnellan, All Ireland Champion Dancer and Dance Teacher joined Gavin on air to discuss ‘Danceperados of Ireland’, a show which Michael has choreographed.
Michael, from Ennis, is bringing ‘Danceperados of Ireland’ to Glor for its 1000th and 1001st shows on October 18th and 19th.
If you missed the interview listen back below:
Lastly, to finish up today’s Morning Focus, Clare FM’s Darren Kelly joined Gavin in studio for a discussion on this weekend’s news from the world of sport, including Donal Moloney’s withdrawal from the running to be named Clare Senior Hurling Manager and county Senior semi-finals in camogie and gaelic football.
Also, we found out the identity of this month’s sports star!
You can listen back below:
