Morning Focus – Thursday, July 14th, 2016

First up this morning we took a look at the financial burden of sending children to school. While school may have only just broken up for the summer, many retail outlets are fully stocked with ‘back to school’ materials. Many parents of school going children are already looking ahead to the back to school shopping season and the challenges it brings for family finances. The cost of school going children to parents is a significant financial burden and can put pressure on other areas of the family budget. Maria Judge from Kilmihil is the mother of three school going children. She joined us on the line and told us how difficult it can be to make ends meet every September.

The Irish League of Credit Unions has taken a look at just what the costs for both primary and secondary school children are. The League advises parents to avoid moneylenders, shop around for best value and to plan a budget and stick to it where possible. Louis Fay, Manager of Francis Street Credit Union, Ennis, joined Gavin in studio to tell us about the latest Credit Union report on the cost of going back to school. Mary Crawford, principle at St. Joseph's Secondary School, Spanish Point, also joined us on the line and she told us the school's can only do so much to keep costs down.

Next we turned to waiting numbers in our hospitals. Waiting times for hospital appointments in the MidWest have soared over the past year. New figures show significant spikes in the number of patients waiting for long periods to inpatient and outpatient appointments, especially at University Hospital Limerick. While there is often a close scrutiny on trolley numbers in the emergency department at Dooradoyle, these statistics also show a surge in waiting lists for other appointments at the hospital. Cllr PJ Ryan of Sixmilebridge took a call to discuss the issue.

Then we heard about a commemorative event in Miltown Malbay. 80 years ago this Sunday (17th) the first shots were fired in a failed military coup that propelled Spain into 3 years of brutal civil war. It signalled the beginning of dark time in European history as fascism took hold across the continent. To commemorate the event, an evening of film, music and chat has been organised in Friel’s Pub in Miltown Malbay. Starting at 8:30 on Sunday evening, the event will also remember Michael Russell, a young Ennis man who died in the war fighting in defence of the democratically elected Republican Government. Organiser Tim O'Brien took a call to give us the details.

Last week, Catherine Murphy, Ind. TD, officially launched a new book from Kilbaha's Jim Connolly. 1916 – 2016: 100 Years of Inequality, is a 1916 commemorative book with a difference. It deplores the fact that for 100 years the most disadvantaged in Ireland have not benefited from the promise of equality for all citizens guaranteed in the 1916 Proclamation. Jim Connolly, founder of the charity Rural Resettlement Ireland, joined Gavin in studio.

This Sunday motorcyclist enthusiasts from around the country will be heading to North Clare for the 5th Annual Burren Honda 50 Run. Starting from Lisdoonvarna, the riders will take a 40 mile run along a stunning stretch of coastline. Once the finish line is crossed there'll be a BBQ, raffle, and prize giving with all money raised going to Clare Crusaders Children's Clinic Ennis. Honda 50's 70's 90's and big bikes welcome. Two of the organisers Jeannie Corry and Mary Kelly joined Gavin in studio.

Siobhan Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer, dropped into studio to give us the weekly Arts Round Up. She mention:

Finally today, Michelle Flannery from Busy Bees Garden and Tea Rooms, Clondrinagh, Limerick was in for our weekly Gardening slot. Today she told us all about bees!