On Tuesday's edition of Morning Focus with Marian Egan
John Hogan, Authorised Personal Insolvency Practitioner, Hogan and Co Accountants Abbey St, Ennis and David Hall, Director Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation spoke to Marian about new rules being considered which would allow people to stay in their homes, despite being in 'significant' mortgage arrears. The Irish Times reports that one plan is to loosen the mortgage-to-rent scheme, so that borrowers lose ownership of their home, but stay on as renters. Figures from the Courts Service show 28 Clare homes were repossessed last year, and the Irish Mortgage Holders Organisation has warned that figure could increase significantly this year.
Daniel O'Connell could be on the move, as concerns are expressed about possible damage to the iconic monument in Ennis Town Centre. Clare County Council is to carry out an inspection of the historic sculpture at the Height after close range photographs revealed holes in O'Connells face and other damage to the statue. Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Mary Howard raised the concerns and fears the statue may even be leaning to one side after last years storms – She spoke to Marian.
UL Hospital Group is calling for people who are interested in volunteering to take part in their patient liaison programme. Patient liaison volunteers provide assistance to patients and visitors to Ennis Hospital. Their role is to help patients and visitors with directions and to answer general enquiries. The volunteers, working in pairs will also provide a mobile library service and some light entertainment for patients in the form of card playing or bingo. Miriam McCarthy, Patient Liaison Manager outlined the programme and made an appeal for anyone interested to get in contact on 061-482448
Five new Garda recruits are to join the Clare Division next month. However, manpower pressures remain with a total of ten officers leaving outdoor operational policing in Clare since the beginning of the year. In all, there are now 58 less Gardaí in Clare than in March of 2010. Clare's Chief Superintendent John Kerin has also published crime statistics for the first three months of the year, which show a fall in some types of crime, but an increases in burglaries and in thefts from cars and from shops. He gave his reaction to Clare FM's Gavin Grace.
Shannon mother of two and IT worker Clare McCarthy runs the popular clairewiththehair blog covering topics related to health and fitness, food and fashion. She also contributes to RSVP Magazine. She joined us in studio ahead of the UK Blog Awards 2015 this weekend where she has been named as a finalist in the Food and Lifestyle Category. Clare also wanted to highlight that her and her daughter are taking part in the Stop Cyber-Bullying Youth Summit in Limerick on May 7. The event is being brought here by US charity WiredSafety and its founder Parry Aftab partly in tribute to the late Phoebe Prince, the County Clare teenager and former Villiers student whose suicide in the USA in 2010 followed a vicious campaign of bullying from fellow high school students both on and offline.
Some 300 children from the Mid-West aged from 10 to 14 are being invited to the Stop Cyber-Bullying Youth Summit in Limerick on May 7. The event is being brought here by US charity WiredSafety and its founder Parry Aftab partly in tribute to the late Phoebe Prince, the County Clare teenager and former Villiers student whose suicide in the USA in 2010 followed a vicious campaign of bullying from fellow high school students both on and offline. Clare and her daughter are taking part in the summit and want to highlight for others to get involved.
Inadequate preparation for pregnancy and birth is a major factor in the cause of complications. Factors associated with an unhealthy diet, stress, smoking Etc. causes wear and tear on the body’s resources, adversely affect health and impact on fertility and pregnancy outcomes. It is questionable how much healthier our babies would be if all prospective parents aimed for optimal pre conceptive health. Knowledge is power and prevention is heightened by awareness.‘Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood ’ is a health educational book and addresses many such factors. Nancy Murphy Midwife and Ante-Natal Teacher Newcastlewest, County Limerick is the Author of 'Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood' spoke to Marian.
Frankie Coote of Clare ISPCA and the County Dog warden joined us in studio with this week's animal welfare topics including statistics for the month of March and an appeal for cat food for wild cats in the county. Should you need it, the number of Ennis Dog Pound is 68 20393
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