Morning Focus opened with a follow up to comments on the pervious Friday's show where Dep Michael Harty warned that water charge refunds could threaten the future of the current government. The issue was discussed with the Minister for Employment and Small Business Dep Pat Breen who commented on the the latest Live Register figures for Clare as well as news of a new translatlantic service from Shannon with Norweigan Airlines.
Morning Focus opened with a follow up to comments on the pervious Friday's show where Dep Michael Harty warned that water charge refunds could threaten the future of the current government. The issue was discussed with the Minister for Employment and Small Business Dep Pat Breen who commented on the the latest Live Register figures for Clare as well as news of a new translatlantic service from Shannon with Norweigan Airlines.
The future of the rural post office network has received a welcome boost thanks to a bill – with a strong Clare input – passed last month in the Dáil. The bill proposed by the Rural Alliance was spearheaded by prominent Clare native postmaster Tom O'Callaghan.
It aims to expand the services offered by Post Offices.
Those who drove the bill through the Dáil warned that unless action was taken the country would lose 200-300 post offices over the next two-three years.
Gavin was joined on this issue by Dep Michael Healy-Rae, Ind. TD for Kerry
Last month the Taoiseach spoke out strongly against domestic violence saying that those who perpetrate this crime were doing the nation down. It's a topic that we've spoken about recently on this programme with the local launch of the '16 Days' awareness raising campaign and it's the subject of a letter to Morning Focus. Gavin read the letter and then spoke with Margaret Martin, the Director of Women's Aid who gave some practical advice.
The Women's Aid 24-hour freephone help-line is 1800 341 900
Clare Haven will hold a remembrance ceremony at the Franciscan Friary in Ennis on Wednesday next (Dec. 7) at 7pm to remember the women in Ireland who've died tragically through violence.
We all know only too well about the housing crisis. With one fifth of us now renting our homes and rent levels continuing to rise, support for the sector is badly needed. There is some good news today, though, with the extension of a new rent support payment to include Clare. The Housing Assistance Payment or HAP is now available in this county and it means that the council can now provide assistance to many more households with a long-term housing need, including many long-term Rent Supplement recipients, as well as households who may not be eligible for Rent Supplement but who are struggling with the cost of rent.
Gavin discussed the extended scheme with Steve Lahiffe from the Housing Section, Clare County Council
Our next guest is the author of a book called Something Within – a collection of poems, reflections, sketches, illustrations and vignettes. Nollaig O’Donnell discussed her book; a paean to the simple pleasures of life, such as taking solace in friendships and in the beauty of the natural world, Something Within encourages the reader to cultivate asense of gratitude, to share in the mystery of existence and to truly savour life’s defining moments – both large and small.
Nollaig O’Donnell is a native of Ennis and now lives in Galway with her husband, Richard. She's a teacher of piano, French and English.
50 Clare forest owners are to be included in a new scheme funded by the Department of Agriculture.
Payment of expenses will be used to encourage an increased level of forest management activity which in turn is hoped will lead to better financial returns for participants in the programme.
Information evenings will be held in Kilkishen Cultural Centre on Wednesday and the Fiddle Head in Kilmihil on December 12 for those interested in getting involved.
Brian Meaney, Secretary of the Clare Timber Producer Group joined Gavin in studio on the issue.
The Monday Sports Panel was made up of Derrick Lynch, Clare FM Sport and Peter O'Connell of The Clare Champion.
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. What's believed to tbe the first such event in Clare takes place in Shannon in the New Year. It's theme is Many Paths to Success – Re-imagining Further Education and Training
TedxShannonED is to come to Shannon on January 16, 2017. Gavin was joined by Nikki Gallagher, organiser and John Walshe, speaker, award-winning education journalist and author, ex-special adviser to former Minister for Education
We’ve had him on before when he told us all about his book on the holy wells of county Clare and now he’s back again. Michael Houlihan has just released his second book, entitled ‘The Sacred Trees of County Clare’. In it, he tells the story of Clare’s trees and people’s interactions with them. Why am I saying this though? He’s joining me now live in studio to tell you himself.
Michael Houlihan, the author, joined Gavin in studio.
‘Tales from Riverside Farm’, the much acclaimed book series by Agri Kids, designed to teach children about farm safety, was launched by founder Alma Jordan in 2015. Now she’s only gone and done it again. She’s just launched an app to compliment the series, ‘Agri Kids, Farm Safe Fun’ aims to empower children to become farm safety ambassadors.
Gavin was joined by Alma Jordan, Founder of Agri Kids.
