On Monday's edition of Morning Focus with John Cooke
A government decision to reduce subsidies for group water schemes could lead to increased bills for nearly 10,000 homeowners here in Clare. The Council are advising people that the maximum subsidy payable is dropping by up to 45 euro per home, meaning that an extra portion of the cost of running the schemes could be passed onto its members. Carmel Greene of the Water Services Department Clare County Council spoke to John.
The change is already in effect, though details have only just been confirmed, and already charges have risen for the 2,000 customers of Clare's largest scheme. Noel Carmody, manager of the Kilmaley/Inagh Kilmaley Group Water Scheme, also joined the conversation, saying they were left with no choice because the changes resulted in a loss in income of €89,000 euro.
Victims of elder financial abuse are being urged to come forward. More than 13 thousand cases were referred to the HSE up to the end of 2013. Almost half of employees at Ulster Bank have reported dealing with cases in the past few years. Justin Moran Advocacy officer for Age Action Ireland had more on this.
Geraldine Quinlivan Resident of Springfield Road, Mountcatherine Clonlara contacted the show regarding Council plans to close the junction at DeCourcy's cross on the main Clonlara, Parteen road. This particular junction has been a road safety issue for many years and in an effort to rectify the problem, the Local Authority has proposed this third solution that would see access to this main road from Springfield road denied, As a result residents will have to travel an extra 4/5 miles out of their way to gain access to the main road. Geraldine and Cllr Michael Begley of the Killaloe Municipal District both spoke to John Cooke. Residents and the wider public now have up to Friday July 3rd to make submissions for or against this proposed option.
Barbara Molloy of the Clare Parents Unite for Suicide Awareness spoke to us next following further damage to the Tree Of Hope Memorial. A tree which has been planted in Ennis to offer support for people bereaved by suicide has been vandalised for the second time in less than a month. The Tree of Hope, located near the courthouse in the town, was targeted in an incident last month which this weekend a stone plaque which had been placed there to mark it was ripped out of the ground. Gardaí have been informed, and are investigating.
Garda Focus next with Garda Niamh Browne of Ennis Garda Station appealing for your help in solving recent local crime.
Rape Crisis Network Ireland says survivors of sexual violence will be isolated by a major cut to their funding. Since the end of March, some 70 percent of their funding has been moved to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The RCNI says Tusla cannot meet the complex needs of survivors of sexual violence, and is asking the Government how its services will be funded into the future. Miriam Duffy Director of Mid West Rape Crisis told Clare FM what these cuts will mean for the services locally.
NATIONAL BIKE WEEK: Bike Week is a celebration and promotion of all that's great about bikes and cycling. Held over a week in June of each year with bike themed events organised by local authorities, community groups and cycling groups throughout Ireland. Roisin Garvey Green-Schools Travel Education Officer An Taisce joined us in studio with a rundown of Clare Bike Week events. Roisin also gave us 4 x€50 vouchers for Tierney's Bike Shop Ennis courtesy of Green School's Travel.
Wildlife Expert Austin Cooney of the Clare branch Birdwatch Ireland joined us in studio with news of a record sighting of an American Cedar Waxwing, the first sighting of this rare bird in Clare and the third sighting on record for Birdwatch Ireland. Mary Keating from Kilrush told us of how she spotted the Waxwing in the Vandeleur Gardens Kilrush recently.
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