On today's edition of Morning Focus with John Cooke
Clare Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has proposed that the legal starting age in the Irish education system for a child be reduced to 3 years of age in order to extend special education support services to preschool-going children. Senator Mulcahy was speaking in Seanad Éireann last week in response to an address to the upper house by Education Minister Jan O'Sullivan in which she outlined the proposed introduction of a new inclusion support service to assist schools in supporting children with special educational needs. Senator Mulcahy and Marlene McCormack Director of Knowledge from Early Childhood Ireland (which supports and represents the people who play a role in the development, delivery and oversight of early childhood care and education in Ireland) both spoke to John on this issue.
From May 1, private health insurers will be allowed to load premiums by 2% per annum from the age of 35, as part of Lifetime Community Rating, which was signed into law last summer by former Health Minister, Dr James Reilly. This will be a permanent age-related loading of 2% per year over the age of 34. For example, if a 54-year-old decides to take out private health insurance for the first time after April 30, they will have a loading of 40% added to their premium every single year that they remain insured. Dermot Goode, Health Insurance Expert with Total Health Covers.ie joined us to offer last minute advice to listeners as well as answering many of their specific queries.
MummyPages is urging all parents in Ireland to support the money saving campaign and vote for their child's school to change their uniform policy. The innovative campaign hopes to turn the tide on escalating school costs by encouraging hundreds of Irish schools to ‘Can the Crest’ on school jumpers, tracksuits, t-shirts and coats in favour of cheaper generic alternatives. The online parenting community is calling on the Irish government and Minister of Education Jan O’Sullivan to enforce new uniform regulations that could save families in Ireland hundreds of euro on their annual back to schools costs by allowing parents to iron or stitch school crests on to generic uniforms – please visit MummyPages.ie to get involved. Aoife Lee Parent Coach with Mummy Pages and Ennistymon's Robert Bennett Former Member of National Parents Council Primary both spoke to us on this.
Well known, Seanchaì, Storyteller Eddie Lenihan from Crusheen joined us in studio to talk Fairies, Forts and Focloir following Eddie's 40 year old collection of stories. Eddie explained the belief that people who interfer with Fairy forts / bushes will suffer and have suffered serious misfortune and often times, death. Listen Back to Eddie's interview with John Cooke here: https://soundcloud.com/clarefm/morning-focus-storyteller-eddie-lenihan-28-04-2015
John Burke, MD of the Armada Hotel Spanish Point contacted the show regarding their Nepal Appeal Auction – The Armada Hotel are calling on Businesses, Communities and individuals a like to donate any items of value to a worthy auction to raise funds for the Nepal Earthquake Relief. This auction was launched at noon today on Facebook and anyone who would to donate should contact the Armada Hotel on 065 7079000 or check out The Armada Hotel on Facebook.
Frankie Coote, Clare ISPCA and County Dog warden joined us with the latest animal welfare reports from around the county including a Donkey found in Inagh, 2 female fox terriers missing in Tulla and offered dog owners advice dealing with dogs on heat. You can contact Ennis Dog Pound on 68 20393
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